verge 2019: the 5 things i took away as a first-timer
published 11.17.19
Three weeks ago 3,000+ business, government, and non-profit leaders conVERGEd in Oakland to discuss a clean economy that works for all of us. The timing of GreenBiz’s annual VERGE conference couldn’t have been more fortuitous. PG&E was shutting off power to many parts of the Bay Area as we were discussing energy, transport, circularity, and carbon. Fortunately, the Oakland Convention Center (where the conference was held) was disconnected from the grid and powered by a microgrid (photo below) with battery storage so no power disruptions affected discussions for more sustainable solutions at scale such as microgrids!
Since this was my first year attending VERGE, I decided to share my five key takeaways:
The business community must hold government accountable. Governor Gavin Newsom asked business leaders to hold the government to a higher standard to drive climate solutions. If we want to transition to a clean economy, we need all sectors working full speed to meet and exceed our climate goals. Governor Newsom said he’s in the business of implementation, meaning his role is to act on the goals set forth by Governor Brown. He noted his job is not only to implement California’s climate goals, but also integrate climate considerations into every other issue; he sees housing and transportation as climate issues. We need strategies that not only work for the climate, but also work for all Californians - we must be inclusive in our drive forward.
Equity is an economic imperative. Angela Glover Blackwell said: “The future of the nation is dependent on the very people we have been leaving behind as a nation”. We can’t move forward without first looking back at our history and educating ourselves on how we got here. Achieving equity is as much an economic advantage as it is a climate advantage. Ms. Blackwell said that when we solve a problem for a vulnerable population with specificity, the benefits cascade out. She gave the example of curb cuts (the yellow low points on sidewalk corners), which were designed for wheelchair accessibility, but the benefits have expanded beyond wheelchair accessibility to families with strollers, bike riders, and so many others.
The youth have their priorities straight. Three young women (Marlow Baines, Isha Clarke and Tokata Iron Eyes) shared their vastly different climate journeys to get to the point where they are today. All of their stories were interconnected through a need to speak up for their communities. We all have our own story as to how we arrived into the sustainability movement and why we care about the work we do, but now kids are reaching that moment sooner and sooner. I was moved hearing them talk about how they embrace and leverage their emotions (anger, sadness, frustration) to take action. The youth are the future and they know their priorities - fighting for clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a world where everyone can prosper.
Sustainability professionals share a common goal: stop climate change. Although we all have our own ideas of how to achieve that goal, we’re not trying to stomp on each other’s dreams or network our way to the top. I met some of the kindest and most thoughtful people who want to collaborate in creating solutions that will not only help each other, but also serve the planet. Everyone wants you to succeed so we can all succeed. I left the conference feeling inspired and excited that so many people are working toward the same goal, together.
Carbon needs a price tag. Sustainability leaders agree that we need to put a price on carbon, but whether it’s through a tax or more stringent cap and trade system is still up for debate. Shauna Rappaport and her choir hit the stage to sing Price Tag by Jessie J, but craftily changed the lyrics to carbon needs a price tag and they couldn't be more right!
Check out their performance here (VERGE Day 1 Carbon Needs a Price Tag - 25-minute mark).
by Dana Wilke
Associate
