Justice and Wanda slid into a booth at the Aslan Brewpub.  Justice noticed the “Certified B-Corp” logo on the door with something about the “3 Ps” below it.  “Reminds me of my big sister telling me to ‘Mind your Ps and Qs' when she didn’t want me to screw up,” Justice chuckled.

       Barkeep Benny brought them a couple of brews and kept catching snippets of their conversation as he tended to other patrons.  “Another new year!” Wanda exclaimed.  “A great time to take a fresh look at things like how to do a better job caring for our environment,”  Wanda Cleanworld opined.

       “No kidding,” her friend replied. “Not only that, but these past few years have highlighted tons of social inequity issues that need addressing too,” Justice Phorral mused.  “Seems like there must be some kind of system that would improve all these issues, something that builds prosperity at the same time,” Justice concluded as Benny arrive with their second round of drinks.

       “Here you go,” Benny Fitz-Forral smiled.  “I couldn’t help overhearing.  Boy, have you come to the right place!  Did you noticed the B-Corp logo as you came in?” he asked.  “Yeah, what’s with the 3-P stuff that was listed underneath it?” Justice replied. 

       Benny grinned and gave them the scoop.  He explained that Aslan was proud to be a certified Benefit Corp company.  B-Corp companies have “triple bottom lines” meaning that company gains are measured with equal importance in Profits, People and Planet.  They’re unlike most corporations whose sole purpose is to generate profits for their shareholders.  Instead, B-Corps (www.bcorporation.net) strive for: long-term value over short-term profits, a healthy future over immediate gains, good for all over good for a select few, justice over inequity, environmental regeneration over endless resource extraction and finally, people and planet as well as financial profit.

       “And this isn’t just some pie-in-the-sky ideal. There are already almost 4,500 B-Corps in 77 countries worldwide benefitting hundreds of thousands of workers.  As you see, even a brewpub can become a B-Corp,” Benny beamed.

       “Corporations minding their 3 Ps; my big sister would love it!” Justice exclaimed.  Wanda agreed.  “What a great idea!  Good for people, good for the planet and good for shareholders.  And it’s already making a difference right here on the only home we’ll ever know where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

       Disturbed by the knock, Old Man Tu-One shuffled to the door.  “Thought I’d come over for a cup of tea to celebrate your retirement,” Crystal Ball smiled.  Weary as he was, Tu-One was happy to see his old friend and curious about what she had to say.

       “It’s been a rough year,” Tu-One admitted.  “I’m disappointed that I won’t be heading into retirement with more success on two critical issues – Covid and climate.  But here we are still dealing with the omicron virus and no federal legislation concerning the climate.”

       Crystal, who had been tending to the tea kettle, handed Tu-One a steaming cup and settled onto the chair across from him.  “Well, it’s certainly not been for lack of trying,” Crystal assured him.  “Folks across the county and the world have been champions in their work to overcome these challenges.  So don’t be too hard on yourself; you’ve set the stage for a brighter tomorrow.”

       As Crystal peered into her cup, she continued.  “Looks to me that by summer, Covid will be mostly under control.  And I see lots of positive steps being taken on the climate issue.”  Crystal went on to hint at near future possibilities:

• Federal legislation to clean the air, including a market-based carbon fee that returns dividends to every household and grows the economy may be passed.
• In Wisconsin, a slate of 22 bills aimed at stabilizing the climate, creating green jobs and reducing environmental injustice have already been introduced.
• Businesses, organizations and homeowners are increasingly realizing that installing clean, solar energy is the financially savvy thing to do.  For example, Wisconsin public schools currently spend more than $175 million annually on energy.  No wonder many are taking advantage of programs like Solar on Schools funded by the Couillard Foundation.
  

       “Perhaps most important of all, young people are looking to their future and demanding that we create a secure, stable environment.  We’re blessed with a strong, resilient and compassionate population.  Be assured, by working together, we CAN overcome these challenges,” Crystal winked as she left.

       Closing the door, Tu-One caught a glimpse of a chubby, round face peaking around the corner. “By golly,” the old man grinned, “that little scamp Two-oh Tutu has been listening in and already preparing to create a brighter future right here on our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”