It may not seem like it, but I have an editorial calendar for this newsletter. As content pros, we know the importance of editorial calendars, content planning, and strategy. Obviously that would be a feature of anything I would do.

And then November 2024 came along in the U.S. and... well, each week brings new batshittery that seemed implausible the week before. So on Monday, I start to write this newsletter, and by Thursday I end up having to rewrite the whole thing because it's no longer sensible and relevant.

So today we're going to talk about something I've seen a lot lately: greenhushing, the opposite of greenwashing.

Now, you've probably head of greenwashing in the past. That's when companies overhype their climate claims and achievements. So, for example, the organization is claiming net-zero status, not because of any behavioral changes, but because of the purchase of carbon offsets in an elaborate accounting shell game.

Historically, greenhushing was what happened when an organization missed its climate goals. Today it's what happens when the political climate discourages mentions of climate, equity, renewable energy, etc. Organizations may be making operational changes — often due to the fact that they're cheaper, more efficient, or build in business resilience — but instead of touting these changes, they keep them quiet or wrap them in a financial story.

And let me tell you, a serious green hush has fallen over the business world in the last two months. Clients who had previously approached me about sustainable content education now tell me that it's "too risky" to discuss. Classic content strategy clients are "worried that you'll try to integrate sustainability into the project." It's wild. And every day brings a new withdrawal.

So I end this with a request: for those of you located outside the U.S., I'm relying on you to spread the word, loudly and proudly. I still believe that we can make a difference with sustainable content in organizations that are willing to talk about it. I'll offer you all the support that I can from here.

​U.S. tornado activity was more than double "normal" in March. This comes at a time when the U.S. is dismantling governmental resources, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or National Weather Service (NWS) under the guise of "cost savings." This comes at a time when storms are increasing in intensity and developing faster than ever before, and people are not receiving lifesaving early alerts.

The U.S. federal government is going after states' abilities to seek civil penalties against fossil fuel producers and polluters.

Some good news: more than 40% of the world's energy needs came from clean sources last year. This is a major accomplishment, given that energy use is skyrocketing due to the rapid increase in the number of data centers, plus the increased need for air conditioning to make a warming planet habitable.

​Just Stop Oil (JSO), the activist group known for its bright orange safety vests and tactics of blocking traffic, will be moving to a new protocol of "civil resistance." This article has the amusing angle that even though people hated JSO, exposure to their actions brought awareness to the problem and actually seemed to drive more people to engage with more moderate pro-climate groups. "Even unpopular groups can have positive and widespread ripple effects.”

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Consulting

​Reduce your Scope 3 emissions​

Alisa Bonsignore

Founder, Strategist, and Author