Environment and climate issues have long been intertwined with global business impact. While most companies still persist to treat climate change solely as a corporate social responsibility issue, many are ratcheting up their climate policies to have a tangible impact on the environment.
As climate issues are taking on greater prominence, insurers are coming to the forefront to address the problems. They are aiming to secure competitive risk-adjusted financial returns through social impact investments while making positive social impact. Among these trailblazing professionals is Bruce Piasecki, an expert in social impact investing.
Since childhood, Bruce Piasecki has seen the world differently. His father died when he was just three years old, and his mother didn’t have enough money to run the household. Growing up in poverty taught Piasecki empathy and perseverance. He has always believed in himself and his abilities.
Piasecki has been a basketball star in his high school and won scholarships that got him into some really good schools. But one incident changed his perspective of seeing life. A basketball match broke his knees, with serious injuries on back and hip and a significant loss of ability. This allowed him to see great players first-hand and the better players in a frank new light. Piasecki began to invest in his competitiveness and accepted the Cornell National Scholarship, where he met his wife, Andrea. This changed everything for him.
After completing his PhD, Piasecki led the foundation of American Hazard Control Group (AHC Group), a management consulting firm that specializes in critical areas of energy, materials, and environmental strategy, product innovation, and corporate governance.
“I built it like a basketball team through practice, drive and good coaching.”
Bruce Piasecki is one of the earliest advocates for climate solutions and a more sustainable world. He is a celebrated author, working as an agent for change for over four decades now. Even before ‘climate change’ was even a thing, he wrote his first Simon and Schuster book on climate solutions.
But back in the 1990s and 2000s, getting companies to buy the message of climate change and climate solutions was the most tedious task. “We had to convince companies to work with us and be ahead of the law, reduce their carbon emissions and achieve neutrality faster than law. It was very difficult back then and required a lot of persistence.” This led him to describe things through personal narrative.
Bruce Piasecki’s books are a testament to his unique perspective of viewing the world and connecting the dots of innovation, climate change, and business. His works are about discerning the needed truth of change, and then making it happen.
Today, due to climate change, there are universities on fire, residences going underwater, and a set of competitive issues about debt and innovation that fill the news. My hurdles in retrospect were never viewed as obstacles, but only as time outs to regroup and to drive forward again. Overcoming fear is a key feature of designing a life. The journal of being a writer helps overcome the obstacles of self-doubt that we all face in the initial boxes of life. Each book I read was like a window to open me to a bigger world than my birth. The lesson here: be persistent, civil and attentive to others on your team. That creates a winning attitude where you realize you can’t win them all.
Piasecki has always put greater emphasis on embracing a new definition of capitalism that aligns with the concept of social responsibility. But there has been a lot of resistance to adding social purpose to capitalism. Today, capitalism is not simply about making profits. Going beyond the traditional concept, it focuses on increasing profits with the interests of the stakeholders—investors and environmentalists alike. Bruce Piasecki redefines the concept of capitalism and social responsibility through his latest book Wealth and Climate Competitiveness.
The book examines the five prejudices regarding wealth that have prevented social leaders and businesses from seeking capitalism that also prioritizes responsibility towards climate and environment.
Piasecki has evolved from a niche expert on environmental issues for Fortune 500 Corporations to a mainstream advocate for sustainable strategies. He is also the co-founder of the Creative Force Foundation, an organization which annually awards young authors writing on business and society issues.
Being a consummate professional and a renowned author, Piasecki shares his piece of advice to the young and aspiring leaders. “Read books after each setback, talk with friends as if they are your teammates, and most importantly BE PERSISTENT.”
As climate issues are taking on greater prominence, insurers are coming to the forefront to address the problems.
Read books after each set back, talk with friends as if they are your teammates, and most importantly BE PERSISTENT
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