Why Climate Change can be an Opportunity for Economic Development

Are you not sure what to do about economic development from an economic development perspective?

Let’s face it. There are still some people out there that are not convinced. They're not convinced climate change is an issue that requires our attention. But they are becoming fewer and far between. 

Those who still are climate deniers are on the fringe of society. They are recalcitrant for their own sake, and care not about humanity. Refreshingly, the leaders in the fight for change are corporations and big business. Sure, there  is some corporate “greenwashing” going on, but for the most part transformational goals have been set by these companies. 

The issue for any economic developers however are their boards of directors and some of the people they serve. As a former leader of several economic development organizations I can attest to the fine balance that must be brought to bear when dealing with issues like climate change. But now the horse is out of the barn as it is often said. 

The way to deal with this is to build consensus with data. Particularly economic data. Using data that shows “what we will miss” is the best data and information to use in this case. As an example, what are the opportunities the community will miss if they don’t embrace this wholesale change to how our world is operating and will manage itself in the future.

Do you want the next battery manufacturing plant? Do you want the next investment in green hydrogen? Do you want the economic benefits and the jobs attached to rebuilding the grid to provide for the infrastructure for electric car recharging? Do you want the capital investment required to build the factories that will build the next generation of transportation propulsion systems? Do you want to build an environment and city that is attractive to the next generation of workers and creators? 

Show your stakeholders and deniers who is already dealing with it (hello, corporate America)

If you don’t jump in with both feet now, you will miss your opportunity. The data is available, it is public, and is transparent

Are you still not sure what to do?