Mar

12

Virgin Green

Posted by cameron

March 12, 2007 |

While many are talking, making movies and talking some more, Richard Branson is in attack mode. Certainly the cost of fuel to his airline is a financial motivation for him but he is going further than that. We all know he is the heart and soul of the Virgin Empire, best known for Virgin Airlines. He is also into entertainment, financials, cell phones, hotels and other businesses. We also know he is a balloonist, racing to be the first person to circumvent the globe in a balloon. That honor eventually went to an American last year. He is into commercialization of spaceflights through Virgin Galactic. But that is not the purpose of this post. Sometime during the last few years Branson bought into the global warming issue and decided to “make a difference”. The first I heard of this was last year when he attended Bill Clinton’s assembly of the famous and wealthy in New York. I believe Branson regarded this as a call to action, not just for himself, but probably for all attendees. Following are four things that Branson has done that I am aware of:

  • Back in 2005 Branson announced a long-range plan to run his airlines on Ethanol. “I could ground my airline today, but British Airways would simply take its place,” he said in response to critic’s charges of hypocrisy.
  • Branson flies into New York and proposes to the transit authorities that all planes should be pulled from the gate to the runway instead of taxiing, thus saving a large amount of fuel. I think that idea fell on deaf ears, but at least someone had an idea.
  • Branson announces that all profits from some parts of his company will go towards finding solutions to greenhouse gases. I was wondering what he meant when the following announcement was made:
  • Branson is offering $25 Million to the first person who invents a way to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Now that’s starting to get people’s attention. Have you heard of anyone else actually doing something?

I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. Critics, and there are many; there always are, say it is just hype and Branson marketing Branson. While others present data, Branson is on the move. Not all ideas will be good but it may only take one really, really good one.

So I started to think, “Quit being a spectator and start doing something”. I don’t have Branson’s money or clout but, since governments seem to find it so difficult, only a grass roots movement can succeed. So this is my plan going forward:

  • From now on I will become a customer of Mr. Branson. I will use his cell phones and services when I next switch and I will use other parts of his company as needed. I have already bought two cell phones for grandkids. I will leverage my few dollars into Branson’s millions and support someone who is a mover and shaker.
  • I am going Aussie. In case you hadn’t heard, Australia is phasing out the incandescent lamp in favor of higher efficiency tubes. As my lamps burn out at home the higher efficiency type will replace them.
  • When I replace my car in two years I will go hybrid.
  • I will use my vote.

The smart ones amongst you will have realized that this is Branson’s fifth impact. Me! That’s what leaders do.

These are a few simple things to do but if you have other practical and easy ideas I would definitely love to hear about them.


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Christopher Waldrop on March 21, 2007 1:22 pm

    I have to give some serious thought to things I can do, but this definitely gives me a starting point. Whether Branson is simply marketing himself or whether he’s serious is, as you point out, irrelevant. He’s taking the lead. He’s using the power he’s got to set an example. The least the rest of us can do is follow in whatever way we can.

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