The term ‘green economy’ has become increasingly common but is, as with many such terms, without a common definition. Some assume that ‘green economy’ refers only to the environmental good and services sectors, i.e. sectors that produce products or provide services that have obvious environmental benefits, such as renewable energy or water filtration technology. Given that these sectors are only a subset of the entire economy, this narrow definition not only neglects most economic activity, but ignores the scale of the environmental challenges we face.

How far does consumer freedom of choice extend? Should consumers be able to consume whatever they want, and in whatever quantity they want? Does the consumer always know best?

The economy of the future will be more resource-efficient and less carbon-intensive, and these trends will force change in the very business models that underlie corporate activity.Business models refer to, simply, the way that a company organizes itself to make money. Business models are constantly evolving to keep up with trends. But consider how the trends of resource constraints and information technology are converging to alter the way companies create and deliver value.

What information do company managers rely on when making decisions? Financial information is of paramount importance, whereas environmental and social factors are often overlooked. Puma has recently made impressive strides in evolving the degree of sophistication of environmental and social data it collects and analyses, and how it will be used to make better decisions.

In the face of any event, risk or threat, humans undergo a “sensemaking” process – where we process information to assign meaning, which informs the action we will take to address the threat. When examining how individuals and companies are responding to climate change and other environmental stresses, understanding how people process and make sense of the information they receive helps explain why some people are alarmed and compelled to take action and others are not.

Canadians pay more than Americans for the same books, cars, clothes and other products – fuelling a wave of cross-border bargain shoppers armed with a high Canadian dollar – but, relative to the rest of the world, Canadians enjoy cheap food, water, fuel, energy and other basic necessities. For example, Canadians spent only 9.3% of household expenditures on food in 2005; the only country that spends less is the United Stated at 7%. Canadian companies also enjoy comparatively cheap resources, low taxes and royalties and other cost advantages.

Imagine you’ve spent months looking forward to a Christmas reunion with your family who live an ocean away. You saved up to pay the cost premium for travelling around Christmas time, which you can really only afford to do every few years, making every Christmas (and other time) spent with your family precious. You arrive at the airport, excited, with luggage and presents in tow, only to find out that your flight has been cancelled, and the odds are, you won’t make it home in time for Christmas.