I recently attended a community event sponsored by our chamber of commerce and the local university. The theme was, “How Green is Our Valley?” and featured a discussion about sustainable practices by a panel made up of a farmer and employees of an auto body shop, laundry service, water park, and the state university.

Each of the panel members spent time discussing the “green” initiatives within their organizations. Most interesting was the basic theme that was repeated in the presentations, except the university’s. The auto-body-shop worker discussed water-based paints as an environmentally sound solution. The laundry-service employee addressed water reuse and decreasing the volume of process water. The farmer talked about using animal waste in a digester for generating electricity. The water-park employee discussed utilizing heat generated from HVAC systems to warm water for the park. The university representatives presented the redesign of a facility.

The divergence between business and bureaucracy quickly became clear. During the question and answer period it became evident that every business made decisions regarding sustainability that echoed the SLDI mantra of balancing the needs of people (social), planet (environment), and profit (economic). Some panelists even went as far as to say that without the profit element, true sustainability could not be achieved. What a concept! However, when the university’s voices entered the discussion their big decision was whether or not to pursue LEED Gold or Platinum. As the spokesperson continued it was clear that there was little regard to the three Ps and more weight given to PPI (Planet, Politics, and Image). The plaque appeared to be the primary goal not the underlying principals.

I could no longer contain myself and had to join in on the Q & A. I informed the panel about this organization, SLDI, and its belief that to be sustainable, decisions need to consider balancing the needs of people, planet, and profit. The highly educated university employee did not see the link, while everyone else on the panel smiled. The farmer put it best.

“If it doesn’t make me money why would I do it?”

How profound.

I will admit to being an advocate, promoter, and believer in the three Ps. I believe that those of us who have a passion for sustainability have a responsibility whenever possible to promote the people-plant-and-profit concept.

Last week I promoted changing “green” as a goal for our local chamber of commerce, for which I am a board member, and instead be more holistic. After all, a chamber’s purpose is to promote a healthy and profitable business climate. I brought forth the people-planet-and-profit concept. My message was overwhelmingly supported and understood.

This week I participated in a jobs creation discussion with state legislators. I spoke on the overzealous regulatory environment that only considers two legs of the triangle and that without adding profit into the equation our state cannot promote a healthy business climate that creates jobs and is environmentally sustainable.

My point is simple—if you walk-the-walk take that next step and talk-the-talk. It is amazing the reaction you get from all sides when you promote the balance of people, planet, and profit as the path to true sustainability. SLDT

About the author: Steve Sletner is president TEC Design, Inc. a national engineering, planning, and surveying company (www.tecdesign.com)and is a member of the SLDT Editorial Board. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it