Letter: The Time is Nigh to Address Climate Change
by Tim Greiner
23 January 2017
To the editor of the Gloucester Times:
Climate change presents the critical challenge for our time. The measure of our response will determine the quality of life for generations to come. All of us — individuals, business and government leaders, scientists and educators — must make addressing climate change a priority. The city of Gloucester has made significant progress through energy efficiency projects in municipal buildings, a “stretch” building code, LED street lights, and wind power. TownGreen2025, a citizen-led effort, is galvanizing the broader community to make Gloucester climate neutral by 2025.
While these local efforts are commendable, we need progressive policy at the national level. At Pure Strategies — based here in Gloucester — we’re proud to be joining more than 600 companies and investors across the United States in urging the incoming administration and new Congress to honor our country's Paris Climate Agreement commitments. Pure Strategies has also called on state leaders to support legislation to combat climate change. We are also honored to have supported progressive business like Ben & Jerry’s, Walmart, Seventh Generation and others in pursuing strategies such as an internal carbon tax, adopting aggressive carbon goals and implementing climate-smart initiatives. Pure Strategies is doing our part as well. With a solar-powered headquarters, biomass heat and a generous telecommuting policy, we recognize the need for concrete action. We also support The Food Project, a local nonprofit focused on sustainable agriculture, youth empowerment and leadership development. The time is nigh for each of us to take individual and collective action to mitigate climate change. What will your legacy be?
Tim Greiner
Gloucester
This letter originally appeared in the Gloucester (MA) Times on January 22, 2017.
Written by Tim Greiner
Tim Greiner, a Pure Strategies Co-founder and Managing Director, has pioneered approaches to building environmental and social integrity into products, brands, and businesses. His experience spans the spectrum from developing sustainability strategy, drafting sustainability goals, designing product sustainability programs, creating approaches to transform sustainable supply chains and fostering collaborative mechanisms to lift the sustainability performance of entire industries. He is currently working with several progressive businesses on developing science-based targets and comprehensive climate strategies. He is a co-founder of the Chemical Footprint Project and has guided sustainable chemicals management strategies for companies across diverse industries. He has also led regenerative agriculture projects with food brands and retailers. Current and former clients include Annie’s, Walmart, Seventh Generation, Ben & Jerry’s, The North Face, Stonyfield Farm, MilliporeSigma and U.S. EPA.
Tim holds Masters’ degrees in Environmental Policy and Business from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's degree in Materials Science Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a founding member of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Planners Association and a former Board member and President. He is also founder of the Cape Ann Climate Change Network and is a Research Associate at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production. Tim has experience in industry as a Process Engineer for Fairchild Semiconductor. He also worked for the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance as Project Director and Chief Engineer.
