Panel Discussion for Green Opportunities
The Freelance Forum hosted a panel discussion on May 5, 2011 to cover the green (as in money) opportunities for creatives servicing industries inclined toward green (as in environmental) issues.
Panelists included Jaime A. Riley, Linda McCullough and Linda Doherty, all graphic arts freelancers.
Riley highlighted new directions and industries that are trending toward the Green Movement. The major areas of socio-environmental change include, among others, Sustainability, Climate Change Awareness, Pollution Control, Conservation and Stewardship.
The industries leading the greening process feature Clean and Alternative Energy Providers, Recyclers, Construction and Architecture, Transportation, Recreation and Community Conservation initiatives.
Linda Doherty spoke of she began her conversion to greening by changing her own consumption patterns with moves as simple as using both sides of paper, buying supplies, such as inks, responsibly, and then talking sustainability within her clients' and printers' work.
Linda McCullough described the concept of "cradle to cradle" whereby materials can be recylcled and re-purposed for other applications. She added that it is a business advantage for creative types to become a resource or interpreter for their clients that wish to be more environmentally responsible but don't necessarily know where or how to begin.
By targeting the above industries, which, according to Riley, are likely to grow significantly over the next 20 years, and by being pro-active with one's customers, freelancers have better chances to improve their overall bottom lines. In fact, McCullough added the idea that there is a triple bottom line to which to strive: one each for people, planet and profit. While there has been some green fatigue in certain markets, creatives have enough other opportunities to pursue with this socially-conscious strategy.
As for tips, the panelists offered the following resources and ideas:
http://www.greencs.org/ (Green Chamber of the South)
Use of web hosting powered by windmills and solar power
Cloud Computing
Turning off plugged items when not in use
Recycling
Joining green groups and organizations
Making green awareness part of your business values