Joel Makower, co-founder and Chair of Trellis, has been a climate media pioneer since 1991. He discusses the evolution of Trellis as a major player in sustainability media, emphasizing its role in advancing climate action. The conversation touches on the challenges of sustainability reporting, the impact of major events like Green Biz, and the integration of environmental reporting with business journalism. Makower also shares insights into the complexities of storytelling in today's fragmented media landscape and the potential of AI in driving sustainability initiatives.
Trellis has evolved to integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability into a cohesive narrative, emphasizing the interconnections among these issues.
The editorial strategy at Trellis focuses on delivering actionable insights for corporate sustainability, addressing complex challenges through collaboration and community engagement.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Trellis in Climate Media
Trellis, previously known as Green Biz, has transformed into a comprehensive platform focusing on climate change news and education. The name change reflects a broader scope, integrating environmental issues, social justice, and economic sustainability into a cohesive narrative. The organization now hosts various events and offers a membership network, bringing together sustainability professionals from diverse sectors to share knowledge and best practices. This evolution underscores the importance of interconnectivity among climate, business, and societal issues in moving towards sustainable solutions.
Understanding the Scope of Climate Journalism
The editorial strategy at Trellis emphasizes the need for actionable insights in sustainability, moving beyond awareness to practical applications for corporate professionals. Trellis focuses on the 'how' of sustainable practices, addressing specific challenges faced by sustainability executives and their teams. This approach recognizes the growing complexity of sustainability across various corporate functions, requiring collaboration among departments like operations, procurement, and marketing. By prioritizing the practical implementation of sustainable practices, Trellis aims to guide professionals through the intricate landscape of corporate sustainability.
Insights from Membership and Events
The Trellis Network leverages feedback from its membership to continuously refine its editorial content and event offerings, fostering a community rich in collaboration and shared learning. Through both in-person and virtual meetings, members discuss pressing sustainability challenges and exchange solutions, which directly informs Trellis' editorial strategy. This feedback loop enhances the relevance and effectiveness of content, providing valuable real-time insights into the needs and concerns of sustainability professionals. As a result, Trellis can curate content that resonates with its audience while simultaneously encouraging active participation in sustainability initiatives.
The Future of Climate Change Narratives
Emerging topics in climate discourse include adaptation strategies, the relationship between corporate action and lobbying, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on sustainability efforts. These issues reflect a shift from incremental gains to more transformative approaches in addressing climate change. AI is particularly highlighted as a powerful tool for analyzing complex data across various sectors, potentially driving significant advancements in sustainability. As the landscape evolves, Trellis remains committed to fostering discussion around these critical topics, helping professionals navigate the complexities of their roles in climate action.
This is the fourth episode in our series on business and climate change in the media and entertainment industry, where we’re diving into the business of news and storytelling around climate change. Our prior episodes featured CNN, Netflix, and Sustainable Entertainment
Alliance. In this episode, we are hosting Joel Makower, the co-founder and Chair of Trellis, formerly known as GreenBiz. Joel has been a pioneer in the climate media space since he founded The Green Business Letter in 1991. Today, Trellis stands as a leading independent media platform focused on the intersection of business, technology, and sustainability. In this
conversation, Joel will share insights into his journey, the business strategy of a niche climate-focused digital media and event platform, and the critical role of a media platform in advancing climate action. With a career spanning over three decades at the intersection of media, business and climate, Joel also offers valuable advice for those who are looking to make impact in climate.
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