It’s time to prioritize the environment, we can’t wait anymore. Wildfires blaze while floods ravage communities; what were once hypothetical scenarios now dominate daily headlines. From California’s blazing forests to Pakistan’s submerged streets, nature’s wrath affects us all. And yes, that includes the business sector.

I’m pro-business, a true capitalist. People who glue themselves to highways or chain themselves to trees are idiots. But it’s undeniable – a business that overlooks climate change is like a ship ignoring an approaching storm.

It’s not just about saving trees or polar bears; it’s about saving economies, companies, and the very essence of commerce. It’s about getting to progress as a species.

Ports get disrupted. Supply chains break. Even the simplest tasks become challenges when highways get closed down or towns get evacuated.

Wildfires and floods

It’s not just an environmental crisis; it’s a business crisis. The UN Panel just announced that children can now sue countries over climate change.

Think about it. If your company relies on goods from China and there’s a massive flood, what happens? Delays. Losses. Frustrated clients. You’re not just looking at minor setbacks. These can be colossal dents in your profits.

But if businesses realign priorities, there’s hope. We need to see the environment not as a separate entity but intertwined with our enterprises. Just like interest rates can impact our companies, so too can wildfires and floods. Profits and sustainability can – and should – go hand in hand.

Climate change is here

Denying that the environment is changing won’t make those flames or rising waters vanish. I wish it was still uncertain, but it’s not.

But why should businesses, laser-focused on balance sheets, care? Because survival matters. The business model that thrives in the coming decade is one that recognizes, adapts to, and innovates around the shifting changes. This has always been true.

Companies like Blockbuster and Sears that failed to change with the times went under.

Love for nature isn’t a motivator for most CEOs. As the CEO of Clearway, not once during a shareholder meeting was I asked about what my company is doing for the environment.

But the love for a thriving, resilient business? That’s universal. If environmental catastrophes disrupt our systems, profits dive.

Prioritize The Environment

To those skeptical about pivoting, I get it. Adapting is tough. But here’s a perspective shift: this isn’t just about risk mitigation. It’s a goldmine of opportunity.

Enter the world of green technology. Clean energy. Sustainable farming. Water conservation solutions. These aren’t just buzzwords for a brighter Earth; they’re lucrative markets waiting for sharp entrepreneurs. 

Electric vehicles and solar panels were once mocked or seemed like something from the 2100s. Now EV cars are outselling their gas-guzzling counterparts. I see Teslas everywhere. The companies that saw the environmental writing on the wall are reaping the rewards.

It’s a win-win. Address climate challenges, and you tap into a rapidly expanding market. Green tech isn’t a niche; it’s the future mainstream.

Everyone can make the Earth better

For those in unrelated sectors, thinking “This isn’t my arena,” hold on. It’s everyone’s arena. It’s not about switching industries but about reimagining yours. Can your fashion brand source sustainable fabrics? Can your food enterprise cut down on waste? Every bit counts. We can’t all be Elon Musk.

For the staunchly profit-driven minds, consider this: today’s consumers are enlightened. They’re not just buying products; they’re buying values, stories, and how your business impacts society. Brands that resonate with eco-conscious messages aren’t just doing good; they’re seeing a boost in sales.

It’s a shift in mindset. Away from the short-term gains and towards long-term sustainability. Not just for the planet, but for the profit columns too. It’s not an “either-or” situation. It’s a balance, an evolution, an imperative.

Prioritize The Environment Over Profits

Businesses are powerhouses. They shape economies, influence policies, and mould consumer behaviour. If this might translate to proactive environmental stances, imagine the revolution. Real change can sprout.

Wildfires and floods aren’t stopping. But neither should human ingenuity. So, whether you’re a budding startup owner or a magnate with industries spread across continents, the message is clear. Climate change is a business affair.

If businesses don’t adapt, they risk becoming relics. If they do, they can pave the way for a world where profits don’t come at the planet’s expense. The ball is in the corporate court. Let’s play wisely.

Do you agree it’s time to prioritize the environment?

Author: Alistair Vigier is the CEO of ClearwayLaw, a website that connects people with over 500,000 lawyers. It is currently seeking angel investors and has 150,000 monthly users.