Breaking Boundaries for Green Business

TWO SENIOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS' ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO MADISON

Written by Lily Mihelich, Contributing Writer Graphic by Alyssa Cohen, Contrubuting Graphic Artist

Have you ever had to break boundaries for specific changes in your educational field? University of Wisconsin-

Madison seniors Cora Klemme and

Emma Graves have. As the copresidents of ERBN, the Ethical and

Responsible Business Network, they are working with the Wisconsin School of Business to inform students about opportunities in sustainability-focused careers, formulate case studies and host educational speakers.

ERBNites, the term Klemme and Graves use to refer to members of the organization, come from academic backgrounds ranging from international business to agriculture. Each semester students apply to be a part of ERBN’s consulting partnerships, in which they aid four small businesses looking to analyze their sustainability performances. ERBNites have worked for companies including The Green Fund, Fair Trade Coffee House, Bloom Bake Shop, Young Blood Beer Company and American Family Insurance.

In light of climate change the sustainability job market is growing, part of ERBN’s mission is to bring in speakers that enlighten students about environmental career paths. Previous speakers include Elisa Zhang, a sustainability analyst at Guayaki; Ian Aley, the green fund coordinator at the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability; Leah Thomas from Patagonia; Ken Saiki from Saiki designs; and Jessica Veits from Clean Fuel Partners.

Recently, Moda Magazine sat down with ERBN to talk about its goals and how the sustainability field is changing.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Moda Magazine: What are ERBN’s core values?

Cora Klemme: ERBN’s core values are centered around promoting the triple bottom line: people, planet, profit. We believe that businesses and companies should focus on social and environmental concerns as much as they do on profits. We also believe in equitable access to opportunities and incorporate D&I [diversity and inclusion] initiatives into everything we do.

Emma Graves: ERBN exists to instill the knowledge, skills and commitment necessary to being ethical, responsible and environmentally sustainable business leaders.

MM: Why is your student organization an important addition to Madison’s business organizations and campus?

CK: I think that ERBN teaches its members a lot about the immense crossover between the business and sustainability fields. Much of the information we learn from speakers and consulting clients is not taught in the classroom—no matter the major.

EG: ERBN is a great student org for the Madison community because our consulting partnerships allow small businesses who don’t have the resources to hire large, expensive consulting firms to develop sustainability strategies.

MM: What are your goals this semester with ERBN and its student members?

CK: My goals are to have successful consulting projects and to generate meaningful results that make real impacts in the business world. I also hope to create a friendly and welcoming environment for our members to foster growth.

EG: My goals for ERBN this semester are to establish community and educate members. I don’t want anyone to feel alone and depressed because the effects of climate change can be disheartening. I considered dropping my sustainability certificate and ERBN because it was too depressing for me to handle. However, after finding a group of friends who were experiencing similar feelings of frustration and pain, it became easier to discuss problems and strategize solutions.

MM: Do you think sustainability should be promoted more within educational business programs? How?

CK: I 100% believe that sustainability needs to be promoted within business courses in the Wisconsin School of Business. Business institutions produce some of the most influential people in the world. With that level of authority and impact, it is absolutely essential that they have an understanding of how their actions impact the environment.

EG: Schools do not offer enough sustainability business-based classes to meet the demand from students who want the education. Sustainability affects every industry within business. Without the integration between sustainability and business in the business programs offered, I believe students will be underprepared when entering the workforce.

MM: Are you ever frightened by the lack of sustainability regulations in place for large-scale organizations?

CK: Being an Environmental Science student, I am constantly surrounded by frightening statistics regarding negative environmental impacts produced by influential corporations. It is common to become overwhelmed by these statistics. I believe it is important for environmental groups such as ERBN to establish a network of people passionate about fighting climate change.

EG: Yes. Currently, there are little to no regulations or frameworks for businesses to follow when reporting their ESG strategies and measures. This is concerning. Public companies must get their financial statements audited each year to assure the public that their reports are true.

MM: What is your hope for businesses in the future?

CK: My hope is that businesses are more transparent about their environmental and social impacts. Once these effects are accounted for, it is easier to move forward toward reducing wastes and emissions and to work towards a greener future. I am also passionate about “our dollar, our vote,” and urge consumers to view their purchases as investments.

EG: I hope businesses realize that to mitigate climate change, there must be a change in our consumption. If we focus solely on purchasing “sustainable” products, the problem will not be solved. Capitalism succeeds from materialistic behaviors. I hope businesses adopt the triple bottom line, value their employees and succeed without high production and consumption.

Klemme and Graves urge students to examine their own consumer consciousness and get involved with other sustainability-oriented organizations on campus.

ERBN meets Tuesdays in Grainger Hall room 3070. Other notable student organizations oriented in business and sustainability include Seba and Enactus. ■