May 6, 2010
As part of the Earth Day celebration, undergrads at Baruch College
hosted a panel discussion titled “Going Green” – The Future of
Sustainability in Business. The event took place in the Baruch College
Vertical Campus on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. Roughly 25 to 30 people
attended the event.
“The purpose of Going Green was to show the important connection between
business and sustainability, not only in terms of profit but in terms
of environmental responsibility,” said Justin Velella, a junior in the
Weissman School of Arts and Sciences majoring in political science and
the vice president of the
Environmental Cooperation Organization Club (ECO).
The panel consisted of three environmental experts: Jared Katseff,
policy advisor at the Mayor’s office of Long Term Planning and
Sustainability, Ralph Bianculli Sr., president and CEO of
Paradigm Group and Joseph Porrovecchio, of the U.S. Green Building Council.
“Baruch is traditionally a business school, so it was important for
Ralph and I to show the students that green isn’t just associated with
vegan’s and hippies, but with the business and entrepreneurial sector as
well,” said Velella.
The discussion began under a harmonious atmosphere and orderly manner
with each panelist describing their current position. Then the
moderator quickly led the discussion into the topic of the day, the
future of sustainability. All the panelists gave their input with
enthusiasm and optimistic outlook.
“It’s important to understand how both the private and public sector is
moving toward green alternatives in business,” said Ralph Bianculli Jr.,
upper senator of New Baruch Alliance and Vice Chair of USG
Sustainability Committee.
Mr. Katseff announced that the Mayor’s office will renovate and remodel
most of Manhattan’s buildings to LEED standards because the buildings
are responsible for 75% of the emissions in the city. He also informed
the audience that the big buildings will be required to undergo energy
audits in the near future.
Mr. Bianculli Sr. discussed in detail how his company spent about five
years to make his sustainable product business cost effective. He
touched upon the production process of raw materials such as extracting
pulp from sugar canes. Although the discussion was a bit technical, the
audience gave their full attention.
It’s difficult for small businesses to penetrate the sustainability
market since the corporations control 85% of the market share of
consumer products, according to Mr. Bianculli, Sr.
“Being an entrepreneur requires stamina, especially these days,” said
Bianculli Sr. “Put passion over money and the money will follow.”
The panelists suggested that consumers should be more environmentally
conscious in their purchases. After all, consumers drive the market.
“Going Green is not a fad,” said Bianculli Jr. “It’s a movement that has
longevity and an increasing importance in not only America’s future,
but the world’s as well.”
The panel discussion reached its climax when the audience was invited to
participate in the open Q & A session. The crowd was clearly
excited by the panel discussion and asked multiple questions showing
interest in the sustainability industry and concern for the
environment. Others were eager to learn more about employment
opportunities in the sustainability sector.
“It helped me to see a very interested and passionate group of young
people with a high level of interest in sustainability issues,” said
Paul O’Connor, a management consultant who attended the event. “Their
questions were very insightful and offer me a very positive view that
our futures are in good hands.”
“Going Green” was co-sponsored by several undergraduate clubs and
organizations: the Undergraduate Eco Club, Golden Key, Baruch Task Force
on Sustainability, and Undergraduate Student Government.
