The Sustainability Symbol

Thomas Friedman, the famous New York Times columnist and author of “the World is Flat”, “, “The Lexus and Olive Tree” and his most recent book “Hot Flat and Crowded” spoke about the “Green Olympics” at the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing. Introduced by James M. Zimmerman, Chairman. Philip McMaster, originator of the 3 finger Sustainability Symbol, asked Friedman what he thought about the volunteer effort in Beijing, and if that “grassroots” (bottom-up) effort would have any impact.

Friedman didn’t think consumer level initiative had much chance of changing things, but with further illustrations provided by McMaster, including the recent HAVAS study, Friedman conceded that efforts from both directions - Policy from the top and consumer pressure from below - had the best chance of making wholesale change in the efforts to reduce the progress of Global Warming and Climate Change.

After a slightly tense debate, Friedman accepted a peace offering of a “Peace Plus One GREEN OLYMPICS” t-shirt from McMaster, and shared a photo together in celebration of working toward the same ends from different directions.

(Photo: Dan Sullivan)

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