As part of my work with Climate Reality Canada, I had the opportunity this week to take part in a breakfast meeting with former US Vice-President, Al Gore in sunny (but cold) Winnipeg along with 20 other business and community leaders. After his opening remarks, Mr. Gore opened the floor to questions and fellow Climate Reality presenter, Stephanie Berger, asked what advice he would give to young business students wanting to be part of the “sustainability action”. Here’s the essence of Mr. Gore’s response:

• Learn about sustainable capitalism. The way to do business is changing and the triple bottom line – social, environmental and economic – is the way of the future.
• Adopt timeframes that are appropriate for businesses, i.e. a more realistic reporting schedule. Longer term vision is the key.
• Foster “patient shareholding”.
• Recognize that sustainability is a key component of proper business reporting.
• Think about the ethics of your business choices and the well being of the community in which you live.
• Consider how you, as business students, can give momentum to the movement toward sustainable capitalism.

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