The Need for Collective Action

In Oslo, Norway yesterday, Al Gore accepted a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in countering climate change. He delivered an inspiring speech, reinforcing the idea that to solve our urgent environmental and energy challenges, we must take collective action:

We must abandon the conceit that individual, isolated, private actions are the answer. They can and do help. But they will not take us far enough without collective action. At the same time, we must ensure that in mobilizing globally, we do not invite the establishment of ideological conformity and a new lock-step "ism."

That means adopting principles, values, laws, and treaties that release creativity and initiative at every level of society in multifold responses originating concurrently and spontaneously.

At NPC, we couldn't agree more with this approach. Read the full speech.

Green Investments are Growing. Can Politics Follow Suit?

Read this WIRED article about Al Gore’s effort to boost the green economy by partnering with the well-known Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield and Byers. Together, they are aiming to help shift away from our carbon-based economy by investing in green entrepreneurs, innovators, and technologists.

As this partnership demonstrates, to make a substantial impact, the green movement requires investment. More and more we are seeing this market-based approach being used to catalyze significant social change.

In much the same way, political change requires investment too. We need to be making investments that are broad and not just limited to candidates and traditional organizations. Investments must also be made in fresh and effective organizations and leaders that are necessary in moving this country forward.

Soon, NPC will be releasing our flagship product that we hope will encourage and inspire long-term, strategic investments. Stay tuned.