A deeper look at green hushing and how it can lead to conscious quitting
Also, learn why we should embrace a 4-day work week, and more...
Have you heard about the term green hushing?
Sounds similar to greenwashing, but it’s not. Instead of misleading consumers about their sustainability efforts and making them sound greater than they are, green hushing refers to companies purposely keeping quiet about their sustainability goals, even if they are well-intentioned or plausible.
Why?
Well, the reasons could be many, but often for fear of being labeled greenwashers. (Source: Fast Company)
In a world where greenwashing can be called out in a hot flash (even though those efforts are getting more and more sophisticated,) it’s understandable companies might want to hush on their initiatives until it feels safe to share.
But when is “safe?” And could it be that the culture of questioning every step and move is making a dent in our progress forward?
I decided to dedicate this newsletter to sharing my few thoughts about this whole idea of perfection over momentum and the culture that has led way to both greenwashing and green hushing. As always, I’m inviting your thoughts in the comments below!
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In this newsletter:
Green hushing — a missed opportunity?
Is conscious quitting really a thing?
Why we should strive for a 4-day work week
A recap of an amazing World Oceans Day at the UN Head Quarters
Upcoming: Short film festival on mental health and climate change
In other climate news
Looking for the perfect summer read? How about diving into an empowering journey of emotional resilience, climate optimism, and radical hope? My book, The Climate Optimist Handbook, is available worldwide now!
Green Hushing
The term green hushing first came to my attention when I chatted with a woman at the sustainability team at Cartier earlier this spring. She shared her frustration over how although the company is doing some “really good things”, especially in the gold and mining industry, the tone from inside the company was to “hush.”
“I’ve tried to explain that we should be communicating about these practices but even the CEO says no. The tone is very much to ‘do good in quiet’.”
“Oh, so you’re green hushing!” My friend Saad then said.
Ha! What a great term, I thought, and it made me wonder how many companies are actually doing this. I went home to do some research and low and behold, green hushing is a thing!
Now, I can understand why a company might want to hush their efforts. We are, after all, living in a world of cancel culture and where one thing said wrong can blow up. But it also makes me frustrated because it’s such a missed opportunity to do push the movement forward.
Instead of hush, let’s push!
We have to recognize that in order to move into a better and more sustainable world, we have to start questioning the status quo. That means we have to break norms and start to slowly get comfortable with something new.
However, that will always come with being a little bit uncomfortable at first, because that’s what it looks like to move outside existing borders. It could mean that a luxury brand like Cartier risks coming off as a little “hippie dippy”, or for a car manufacturer to be transparent about the reality that no effort is perfect yet.
Because here’s the deal — we are operating within a system that’s crumbling and changing. We are imposing new efforts on a system that is outdated and ready for change. It can’t be done perfectly because perfect does’t exist yet, but that’s also why all efforts matter.
Of course, we must continue to call out greenwashing because we simply can’t afford not to but we must also remember that transitions take time.
We won’t find ourselves in a new world tomorrow and we must all invest both spiritually and economically in the shift that will take us there. If a big company chooses to change and finds the courage to passionately — and transparently — talk about it, not only can they help fuel the norms and culture shift we so desperately need, but it can set the tone for the industry at large as well.
Because if they’re doing it, why shouldn’t we?
What are your thoughts on green washing vs green hushing?
Conscious Quitting
Here’s another new interesting term circling right now — conscious quitting.
And get these stats:
50% of employees are considering their jobs for lack of alignment to values!*
*According to a new report conducted by Kite Insights.
If people are thinking of exploring new options because they feel like the company they’re currently working for isn’t doing enough to “change the world,” then imagine the opportunity lost from green hushing!
Something I’ve come across more and more frequently when I talk to people in sustainability teams at various companies (they tend to be the folks I run into at climate events around town) is that they feel a lack of connection and alignment with the rest of the company. It’s like they’re working in a silo and struggle with instating that same spirit of climate optimism and excitement for change with other employees and teams.
So if green hushing hides a company’s ESG efforts and wins, not just from the world, but from the people working at the company too, how many opportunities to shift culture and ignite change are missed?
And how much valuable talent could a company lose from not daring to claim their virtuous (yet imperfect) goals?
What if instead of always pointing fingers, we shift our focus to uplift and push? What if we could approach a company speaking up about change with a “Yes, and...” instead of a “Yes, but…”
But it’s a fine line, isn’t it?
How do we keep calling out greenwashing but avoiding green hushing? How do we fuel and support the movement forward without risk getting deceived on the way there?
Lots of questions to ask ourselves, but then again, that’s exactly what we're here for — to keep asking questions so that we can get more and more comfortable with embracing change.
Counts in Climate Workshops — We can help you shift the culture!
If you’re looking to ease your green hushing and avoid any potential conscious quitting from your employees, we’d love to come ignite some climate optimism in your team! Monica and I are offering Counts in Climate workshops in NYC with the ability of sustainable travel for opportunities elsewhere.
Learn more about our workshops and how they can help you shift your internal culture here and contact me with questions or requests
Because we believe that every job counts in climate!
5 Reasons the 4-day week could be the future of work
The World Economic Forum just released this video on LinkedIn advocating for a 4-day work week! Here are five reasons they say it’s what we should be striving for. What are you thoughts?
A 4-day work week…
It’s good for the planet
Evidence suggests it boosts productivity and wellbeing
Could save lives and money
Gives people more control over their lives
Workers are demanding more flexibility, so it’s a good way to retain and attract talent
World Oceans Day 2023 at UN Headquarters
I had the absolute honor of attending the UN World Oceans Day on June 8th here in NYC and it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve attended in a while! Between presentations, panels, and breathtaking performances, I left with a new felt awe for our oceans and for the people working so tirelessly to save them.
Here are a few things I learned that I wanted to share:
🌊 Money that goes to space exploration is 120 times that which goes to ocean exploration 🤯
🌊 Most of the earths life exists where the light does not reach, in the sparkle of the luminescence ✨
🌊 We have explored less than 7% of the oceans
🌊 Right now only 3 perfect if the ocean is protected
🌊 Life as we know it is dependent on the integrity of our oceans! That is why the fight for them has never been more important. As coral reefs continue to disappear, sharks and turtles get caught in drifting nets and plastic bags, and as our seas continue to get over fished, we must regain our fascination for our big blues so that we can step in and act before it’s too late. 💙
Thank you everyone involved for having me! Make sure to follow @oceanic.global and @undoalos in their incredible work!
A Short Film Festival on Mental Health & Climate Change
There needs to be a lot more awareness about how the climate crisis is affecting our mental health. Therefore, I’m so excited to share about an upcoming short film festival on mental health & climate change, hosted by Voices With Impact.
Climate Optimism
NYC is making composting mandatory!! These are HUGE news! Learn more about why composting is important here
Positive tipping points could save the climate – this man is showing us how
YouTube partners with Prince William’s Earthshot Prize to raise awareness of climate solutions
In our professional lives we've definitely experienced lots of companies green hushing for fear of being accused of greenwashing. We agree with you organisations should share their progress and think they can also say how far they still need to go.
A great post thanks for sharing :)