That's the bad news. The good news is that recent research and analysis gives us some suggestions on how to communicate better: reach out to people where they live, where they work and through people they know. We were fortunate to get to parse some of this research through our work with Metro, the Portland regional government, and it's been invaluable to our later work with all kinds of clients.

We're glad to share what we've learned. That's because polarization helps no one, and dialogue and understanding everyone That's ultimately our goal: communications that lead to greater understanding, and ultimately forward progress.

Onward & upward.

Smart guy, interesting--and perhaps prophetic--words.

Today, Apple became the fourth company (last week, Oregon-based Nike left the Chamber's board, but remains a member) to leave the Chamber over the group's policy of denying climate change and fighting all efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.

It's too soon to call this a "revolt," but I think that the wind may have shifted a bit, and it's definitely no longer blowing at the Chamber's back. We'll see what the next few weeks bring, and how this impacts the Waxman-Markey discussions on Capitol Hill.

Count this development a hopeful sign in a dark time.

Those that do often find that they are able to move more quickly to success, but still, it's awful hard for companies--particularly the biggest--to 'fess up to greenwashing.

I would like to argue, however, that there are many PR people (present company included) that counsel the benefits of truth-telling and sincere apologies. Don't leave us all at home. 

Many shoe companies are trying to green up their processes and products, and I expect that in the future this will accelerate now that the sportswear industry has become more sustainable. Cosmetic companies are also making the first, tentative steps towards sustainability, but too often these steps come in the form of "green" brands instead of changing their core business.

Aveda is one cosmetic company that appears to be going for sustainability in a big way, both in terms of operations and products. Here's a great interview with the President of Aveda, Dominique Conseil, about what they are doing.