Have you thought about how global and local climate changes will affect your business or organization over the next several decades?

Here are five key areas of concern.

1. Planning

Throughout this century, businesses will be forced to consider climate change in all major areas of their planning – or risk withering away.

Back in July, Tamara Giltsoff wrote an interesting article at PSFK called, “Mitigating Climate Change is Hot on the Business Agenda. What About Adapting to it?”

I love the main question raised by this article:

Why is there less focus on adapting to climate change versus mitigating it?

In the 21st century, businesses will not only have to contend with the changes in Earth’s climate caused by human choices, but they will also have to plan carefully to ensure their own continuation in light of those changes.

If climate change adaptation isn’t part of your business strategy right now, perhaps it’s time for a Blog Action Day 2009 resolution to fix that.

Key point: “Wise businesses will plan for new futures and generate value from change.”

Sign up for Blog Action Day 2009 to be a part of this crucial global conversation.

2. Marketing

Everything from promotional materials to advertising slogans and sales tactics will be affected by global climate change. If your business hasn’t given any thought to this yet, you might want to take some time right now to ponder how to adjust your marketing practices.

3. Innovation

Quoting Giltsoff again: “It’s a question of transformation, innovation and making informed decisions to avoid impacts, deal with them and create value from change.”

Where there is risk, there is also opportunity.

4. Product Creation

Whether you’re an Internet-only outfit organizing electrons in creative ways or a grounded offline business making actual things from actual materials, you’ve got to get a firm grip on the impact of climate change on your manufacturing processes.

Even service-oriented companies must be aware of climate change because it affects their customers’ lives and therefore their ability to serve those customers.

5. Work Locations and Routines

In light of oncoming climate change, should you really rent that downtown office? Should you wield those electronic devices? Should you limit night-time work hours to make the fullest possible use of natural lighting?

These and many similar questions must cross the minds of modern business owners and managers.

Further Reading

• Climate change: what’s your business strategy? by Andrew J. Hoffman, John G. Woody
• Business strategy and climate change by Andrew J. Hoffman

What’s Your Opinion?

In what ways do you see your own business being affected by climate change in the 21st century?

And … have you signed up for Blog Action Day 2009 yet?

image: wstera2