There is a list out there with this title listing the ten best ways to save our planet from an environmental perspective :-

1. Become more efficient in our energy usage
2. Use more solar power
3. Capture the atmospheric CO2
4. More green power, using plants
5. Stop CO2 getting emitted
6. Tame the seas to encourage algal growth
7. Paint more things white to reflect the heat
8. Develop and use alternative technologies such as wind and wave power
9. Reduce the global population
10. Nuclear fusion

In reality there isn’t a lot out there for us to do as individuals, and most of the choices are long term ones.  This got me thinking, if I wanted to come up with a list of things that I could do something about that would make the World a better, safer place to live, what would I do?

I think some of these might be on my list

• Take a little more time dealing with people [we are all in such a rush, we don’t give people enough attention and jump to conclusions and act on those]
• Assume that people are decent [when we do this we are often treated decently]
• Treat others as we would wish to be treated
• Help others when we see they need it
• Take responsibility for sorting things out
• Make sure we understand what is being said (and not said!) before responding
• Think about others’ needs and the impact of what we do on them
• Focus outwards rather than just on our own internal world
• Make the very best of yourself and your little bit of the world [keep fit, eat healthily, study and develop yourself]
• Think US rather than just thinking ME

I think this list works just as well for guiding business as well as private behaviour.  What would you put on the list? 

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”   Norman Vincent Peale

“Be the change that you want to see in the world.”  Mohandas Gandhi

“With our love, we could save the world.”   George Harrison

Resources:

• Times article
• The Independent