Donation Nation: Progress Always Wins

In 1971, Intel developed the first microprocessor called the 4004, considered to be the first commercially available computer chip. This chip would be the catalyst for an information age, an age that would change our entire social infrastructure; one invention made it possible to change the world. To any individual who has ever developed a business plan or created a business, your service or product has, and will always have an expiration date. Throughout history, countless industries have fallen to rise of better products, new technology, and better processes; welcome to capitalism. The personal computer would be the death of the typewriter; the automobile was the death of horse-drawn carriage and trolly transportation systems, and the “Snuggie” was the end of the traditional blanket; just kidding, it was not that great; but you get my point. Capitalism is ruthless; it does not care about your product or service, it does not care about its social issues it creates or the jobs that it removes; it cares about one thing only, the next best product. With all its perils that capitalism creates, one of its shining factors is product diversity and the role in which innovation flourishes through competition. Every single entrepreneur has acknowledged their market share (who is buying) and developed a product that would take over or create a marketplace. Every Mc Donald’s has to keep improving their craft to compete with Burger King; a result? That annual, succulent, sweet, sweet golden barbecue in a bun sandwich, with two pickles, of course, that is the Mc Rib. Competition sparks one of capitalism's most prized possessions, the ability, the need and yearning to create and develop things that have never been done before. There is one industry that appears to be immune from innovation, immune from change and the natural order of what defines capitalism, the energy sector. Apparently, we do not believe in innovation anymore.

Seven days ago, on June 2, 2017, The President of The United States declared that the United States would pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement; a deal including 198 countries to reduce Co2 emissions, a deal to save the world from the perils of climate change. The world has declared its need to find answers to renewable energy and find solutions to create a more sustainable economic engine. The United States has chosen not to invest in innovation; the equivalent of not investing during the origins of Google, Yahoo, Apple, or Ford. The world is asking for a product, an infrastructure, and the United States has denied the very thing we are known for, innovation. The counter argument is the number of jobs we would lose, and the transfer to a green infrastructure is just too expensive. How many jobs come from innovation? The answer is easy; All of them. We have the universities; we have the Research and development infrastructure; we have a hungry workforce; we have years of experience in innovation. We did not get to the moon by saying it was too expensive. We did not build a National Highway System by saying it is was too expensive. We reached to the stars to prove something to ourselves and to the world. We became revered globally through our science and technology; we became innovators of the world; We became the richest country on earth. If there is anything we can learn from history it Is that progress always wins, no matter the backlash; progress has always persevered. The fight against climate change did not end on June 2, 2017, for it, in fact, has always been in your hands.

The scientific consensus on climate change is real; the jury is already out, it is happening no matter how toxic the political fight is or what the deniers say. First and foremost we must accept science as a method, as a process of discovering universal truths. Then, we must maintain our vigilance and resources towards our political fight to shape new industries and pass legislation to curve our Co2 emissions. However, combating climate change does not have to be gridlocked in Washington; politics has always been, and will always be local. You have always had power. You have always had the ability to shape industries, products, policies, and legislation; for you are the consumer; where you spend your money matters. According to our market analysis in 2016, 10-15 million dollars was spent on our local junk removal industry. 10-15 million dollars was devoted to an industry where the bottom line supersedes the devastating effects of climate change. What I am trying to say is this. The only way to shape an industry is to change the behavior of their market share, choose businesses, organizations, corporations that believe and support green solutions, and the rest will adapt or perish. Ever wonder why every new car has an Eco-button or gas mileage efficiency meter? Consumers demanded it! We demanded fuel efficiency. We demanded cleaner cars. We requested the ability to change our driving behaviors. Competition and innovation answered those requests.

Together, we can create a community model that reduces our carbon footprint through innovation and new business ideas. My only request is this. Support the model. Support a green community infrastructure that promises job growth and a cleaner, sustainable community. Elect local and state officials that believe in innovation and climate change. Elect education board members who want to implement global warming curriculum into our school systems. Together we can create a model that can be replicated across every city, county, and state; they are watching our model, lets take the lead!