When it comes to `greening,' two heads are better than one

By Eric Winchester Stein

This article was first published in the Delco Times as a Letter to the Editor on 9/30/2009.

The important question is: What can communities and towns across America do to achieve progress in this direction? While there are many critical success factors, let's look at one key organizational characteristic that supports such progress.

As a management scientist for several years, I and my colleagues study questions such as these and we have learned that achieving goals is not just a function of individuals but starts with the creation of key organizational structures. Toward that end, the town of Media is well-positioned and there is a lesson-learned here for other cities in the U.S.

The borough of Media has two structures that support its green efforts: Borough council and the EAC. Over the past several years, all members of council have shown a sensitivity and concern for sustainability/green, and have collectively passed legislation supporting such efforts.

The second body, Media Borough's Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) has also proven to be an excellent resource under the direction of Walt Cressler. The EAC has taken the lead on a number of issues including energy, recycling, waste management and water conservation.

The EAC works with council and the borough grants writer, Karen Taussig-Lux, to research alternatives, evaluate technologies, provide advice on pending legislation, and to identify sources of funds for green projects. The EAC also works directly with the community to raise public awareness and enlist its support in programs such as PECO Energy's initiative that allows consumers to choose wind power and other renewable energy sources as a part of their energy mix.

The lesson learned here is that for communities and towns to work toward a green sustainable future, they need to take the first step of creating organizational structures that support such efforts. By doing so, progress becomes less a matter of personalities and more a matter of organizational process.

An overwhelming number of management studies have shown that diverse groups make better decisions and render better outcomes than individuals. Collectively groups possess more information in an increasingly complex world and in groups, multiple view-points representing various stakeholders are brought to the table.

Although high-quality decisions may take a little longer, the results are worth it. Joni Mitchell once said, "Two heads are better than one."

Greening our future is a task that can best be accomplished through teams arising from good organizational design.

ERIC W. STEIN, Ph.D.