Chances are fairly good that you heard about the Conference Board earlier this week, though you may not have noticed. The group released its consumer confidence index for the month of February, and the widely reported number hit a five and a half year high.The index might be better known than the Conference Board itself. For anyone not familiar with the organization, the Conference Board is a membership group for top executives of large corporations. Part of its mission is research: The group issues reports on a wide range of subjects, including good corporate citizenship. These days the Board pairs sustainability with good citizenship. Given the Board’s member base, it’s worth taking note of the subject of its most recent research report: climate change. The conclusion: “Rapidly converging forces are raising the profile of climate change and the need for carbon emissions reduction. Business must prepare to minimize risk and realize the opportunities that are rapidly emerging.” That’s an important point to keep in mind as you plan new construction, renovation and retrofit projects.Feedback on the climate change cover story in the February issue of Building Operating Management makes it clear that more than a few facility executives are dubious about the evidence for climate change. But that skepticism shouldn’t obscure two points. First, the Conference Board report is one more sign that top executives are becoming concerned about the issue. Second, buildings present many opportunities to improve energy efficiency (and therefore reduce emissions of greenhouse gases) that are worth pursuing regardless of their impact on the world’s climate.
Still skeptical? Look at it this way. Energy is a good bet to be a bigger part of your job in the years ahead. Finding ways to improve energy efficiency and maybe use renewable energy could very well be good for your career. If most scientists are right, it will also be good for the world.