From left to right: Ralph Bianculli Sr., Joseph Porrovecchio, Jared Katseff, Ralph Bianculli Jr.
As part of the Earth Day celebration, undergrads at Baruch College hosted a panel discussion titled “Going Green” – The Future of Sustainability in Business. The event took place in the Baruch College Vertical Campus on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. Roughly 25 to 30 people attended the event.
“The purpose of Going Green was to show the important connection between business and sustainability, not only in terms of profit but in terms of environmental responsibility,” said Justin Velella, a junior in the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences majoring in political science and the vice president of the Environmental Cooperation Organization Club (ECO).
The panel consisted of three environmental experts: Jared Katseff, policy advisor at the Mayor’s office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability, Ralph Bianculli Sr., president and CEO of Paradigm Group and Joseph Porrovecchio, of the U.S. Green Building Council.
“Baruch is traditionally a business school, so it was important for Ralph and I to show the students that green isn’t just associated with vegan’s and hippies, but with the business and entrepreneurial sector as well,” said Velella.
The discussion began under a harmonious atmosphere and orderly manner with each panelist describing their current position. Then the moderator quickly led the discussion into the topic of the day, the future of sustainability. All the panelists gave their input with enthusiasm and optimistic outlook.
“It’s important to understand how both the private and public sector is moving toward green alternatives in business,” said Ralph Bianculli Jr., upper senator of New Baruch Alliance and Vice Chair of USG Sustainability Committee.
Mr. Katseff announced that the Mayor’s office will renovate and remodel most of Manhattan’s buildings to LEED standards because the buildings are responsible for 75% of the emissions in the city. He also informed the audience that the big buildings will be required to undergo energy audits in the near future.
Mr. Bianculli Sr. discussed in detail how his company spent about five years to make his sustainable product business cost effective. He touched upon the production process of raw materials such as extracting pulp from sugar canes. Although the discussion was a bit technical, the audience gave their full attention.
It’s difficult for small businesses to penetrate the sustainability market since the corporations control 85% of the market share of consumer products, according to Mr. Bianculli, Sr.
“Being an entrepreneur requires stamina, especially these days,” said Bianculli Sr. “Put passion over money and the money will follow.”
The panelists suggested that consumers should be more environmentally conscious in their purchases. After all, consumers drive the market.
“Going Green is not a fad,” said Bianculli Jr. “It’s a movement that has longevity and an increasing importance in not only America’s future, but the world’s as well.”
The panel discussion reached its climax when the audience was invited to participate in the open Q & A session. The crowd was clearly excited by the panel discussion and asked multiple questions showing interest in the sustainability industry and concern for the environment. Others were eager to learn more about employment opportunities in the sustainability sector.
“It helped me to see a very interested and passionate group of young people with a high level of interest in sustainability issues,” said Paul O’Connor, a management consultant who attended the event. “Their questions were very insightful and offer me a very positive view that our futures are in good hands.”
“Going Green” was co-sponsored by several undergraduate clubs and organizations: the Undergraduate Eco Club, Golden Key, Baruch Task Force on Sustainability, and Undergraduate Student Government.