Earlier this month, a group of 20 runners (and two alternates) set out on an unprecedented relay around the world to call attention to the global challenge of providing safe, clean drinking water for the more than 1.1 billion people who currently live without it.
The Blue Planet Run was historic in many ways. Its 15,200-mile, 95-day expedition from New York City through 25 countries – across Europe, Asia and North America and back to New York City – tested the physical and mental resolve of the extraordinary runners who dedicated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the relentless pounding of the roads, mountains and deserts they traversed. The Run also tested the power of a simple, but extraordinary message the runners passed on at each relay point, every 90 minutes, along the route: “Water is life. Pass it on.” The premise of the Run, according to its visionary founder, Jin Zidell, is that the first step in solving the challenge of clean drinking water for the world is to raise awareness. With more than 2.2 million people dying each year (most of them children) due to water-borne illnesses, water has been identified as one of the most important sustainability issues of our time (www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/).
Enter The Dow Chemical Company.
Dow Chemical’s CEO, Andrew Liveris, has few peers when it comes to understanding sustainability. He has set his company on a path to respond to both the challenges and the opportunities issues like water represent for the world, his employees and his investors. In a bold move, Dow sought out Blue Planet Run and Jin Zidell to explore a partnership on sustainable water issues that led to an exclusive sponsorship of this inaugural Run.
Dow, the world’s largest chemical company, must constantly and consistently deal with water issues at all of its locations, and in doing so can – and is – developing technologies that are being extended to help save lives and improve conditions all over the planet. It is important to note that true commitment to sustainability doesn’t begin with some one-off sponsorship on an issue that few have been exposed to or understand. Commitment to sustainability begins with setting goals and aligning global businesses to achieving them. That’s what Dow has done – with singular focus. To find out more, click here (note: Golin Harris represents The Dow Chemical Company).
Once a company and its leadership embrace a set of goals around sustainability, the discipline of aligning those goals to solving world problems, connecting to communities and employees and providing value to business/investors begins. There is no doubt that Dow’s sponsorship of Blue Planet Run has put the company on a path to achieving one of its 2015 sustainability goals: “By 2015, Dow will achieve at least the breakthroughs that will significantly improve the world’s ability to solve the challenges of: affordable and adequate food supply; decent housing; sustainable water supplies; or improved health and safety.”
Raising awareness of the need for clean water is, of course, a small step in that direction. But one close look at the Dow water business will show you that the company already is aligning these things inside its business and, in doing so, is beginning to link innovation and products to solving this challenge. And just as important, Dow employees and Dow communities have been activated to focus on and contribute to reaching this particular sustainability goal. Two of the Blue Planet Run runners were Dow employees and literally thousands of other Dow employees mobilized to support the Run as it traveled through their communities. The sense of pride and purpose is palpable inside Dow.
So, what does all this mean?
Twenty years ago this month, the Brundtland Report addressed growing global concerns “about the accelerating deterioration of the human environment and natural resources and the consequences of that deterioration for economic and social development.” It was a worldwide call for governments and businesses to understand the linkages between environment and development. This concept of people, planet and profit creates the triple bottom line, out of which sustainability grew. Andrew Liveris and The Dow Chemical Company are more than believers in sustainability – they are leaders.
The first step toward solving the global water challenge is indeed to raise awareness, as Jin Zidell said. Blue Planet Run and Dow have been successful in achieving greater awareness. The next step is to take action. Each of us can do our part – a $30 donation to Blue Planet Run can provide an individual with water for a lifetime – and you can donate by going to www.blueplanetrun.org.
Today, Dow continues its commitment through its products and its people. My bet is that the world community and key influencers will acknowledge Dow’s leadership; employees will embrace their company and work harder toward solutions; and investors will reward the innovation and opportunities that open up for the sale of new products and solutions.
People, Planet and Profit. Dow lives it.
- Lane Bailey, Global Leader, Green, Washington, DC
