Home

Main menu

  • Events
Greenbiz on Social Media
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
This site (RSS)
Search
Search
Wylie Heiner avatar

Joel Makower

@makower Joel Makower linkedin

Joel Makower is chairman and executive editor of GreenBiz Group Inc., producer of GreenBiz.com, and lead author of the annual State of Green Business report. A veteran journalist with more than 40 years' experience, he also hosts GreenBiz's annual GreenBiz Forums, the global event series VERGE and other events. Joel is author of more than a dozen books, including his latest, "The New Grand Strategy: Restoring America's Prosperity, Security, and Sustainability in the 21st Century" (St. Martin's Press).

Joel Makower is co-founder, chairman and executive editor of GreenBiz Group Inc., producer of GreenBiz.com.

For nearly 30 years, Joel has been a well-respected voice on business, the environment, and the bottom line. Among his many duties at GreenBiz, Joel hosts the annual GreenBiz forums and VERGE conferences around the world, and is author of the annual State of Green Business report.

In 2012, he was awarded the Hutchens Medal by the American Society for Quality, which cited “his ability to tell compelling stories that both inform and inspire business leaders toward profitable action.” In 2014, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

A former nationally syndicated columnist, Joel is author or co-author of more than a dozen books, including The New Grand Strategy, published in 2016. Previous books include Strategies for the Green Economy, Beyond the Bottom Line: Putting Social Responsibility to Work for Your Business and the World, The E-Factor: The Bottom-Line Approach to Environmentally Responsible Business, and The Green Consumer.

He also writes “Two Steps Forward,”a popular blog on sustainable business, clean technology and green marketing.
 

Joel has been a commentator on environmental topics for public radio's "Marketplace" and appears frequently in both broadcast and print media. He serves as a board member or adviser to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations and speaks regularly to companies, industry groups and business schools around the world.

The Associated Press has called him “The guru of green business practices.”

 

  • Less
  • More

Contributes to

Two Steps Forward

GreenBiz 350 Podcast

Exit Interview

Center Stage Podcast

Local: A glimmer of hope for a post-pandemic world featured image

Local: A glimmer of hope for a post-pandemic world

May 5, 2020

By Joel Makower
Local food, manufacturing and retail could see a revival as we strive for community resilience in the new normal.
  • Cities
  • Risk & Resilience
Episode 218: What's next for sustainability careers, capitalism in a 'world on fire' featured image

Episode 218: What's next for sustainability careers, capitalism in a 'world on fire'

May 1, 2020

By Heather Clancy and Joel Makower
Plus, the role of sustainable finance in the COVID-19 recovery.
  • Podcast
  • Careers
  • COVID-19
Sustainability, COVID-19 and the 'Stockdale Paradox' featured image

Sustainability, COVID-19 and the 'Stockdale Paradox'

April 28, 2020

By Joel Makower
You don't have to be a war hero to get through a crisis, but you can learn from one. Spoiler: Optimism alone doesn't help.
  • Leadership
  • COVID-19
Episode 217:  Checking in with CSOs, biodiversity talk, the 'fragility' of auto-centric cities featured image

Episode 217: Checking in with CSOs, biodiversity talk, the 'fragility' of auto-centric cities

April 24, 2020

By Heather Clancy and Joel Makower
Plus, McKinsey Partner Dickon Pinner offers advice on how corporate sustainability professions can apply lessons from the COVID-19 crisis to long-term climate strategy.
  • Podcast
  • COVID-19
Biodiversity, pandemics and the circle of life featured image

Biodiversity, pandemics and the circle of life

April 20, 2020

By Joel Makower
Addressing biodiversity, like so many other things, seems to have been shunted aside by the coronavirus outbreak. It would make much more sense to keep it front and center.
  • Climate Change
  • COVID-19
Episode 216: Commemorating Earth Day amid the pandemic featured image

Episode 216: Commemorating Earth Day amid the pandemic

April 17, 2020

By Heather Clancy and Joel Makower
Leaders from Archer Daniels Midland, Danone, Herman Miller, Mars, Perdue and more share how their companies are marking the 50th anniversary, while keeping their sights firmly focused on addressing COVID-19.
  • Podcast
  • COVID-19
Earth Day and the polling of America, 2020 featured image

Earth Day and the polling of America, 2020

April 13, 2020

By Joel Makower
In the future, it seems, we’re all model green citizens, at least in our minds.
  • Consumer Trends
Episode 215: Recyclable snack pouches, climate athlete-activists featured image

Episode 215: Recyclable snack pouches, climate athlete-activists

April 10, 2020

By Heather Clancy and Joel Makower
Plus, how COVID-19 could affect the future of building decarbonization.
  • Podcast
  • Circular Economy
How EcoAthletes plans to go to bat for the climate featured image

How EcoAthletes plans to go to bat for the climate

April 7, 2020

By Joel Makower
A new group aims to create a roster of professional sports figures evangelizing for public engagement on the climate crisis.
  • Climate Change
  • Marketing & Communication
Can we flatten the curve on climate? featured image

Can we flatten the curve on climate?

April 7, 2020

By Joel Makower
Can we extend that meme to climate change and make it as ubiquitously understood and accepted as it is for the coronavirus?
  • Climate Change
  • Marketing & Communication
  • COVID-19
  • Load more

Imagining The Future

Clownfish swim amid their host anemone in the Solomon Islands, which is part of the Coral Triangle due to its incredible marine biodiversity.

We need a Project Drawdown for conservation

ByLeah Gerber
digital water

Why I am doubling down on digital for water

ByWill Sarni
Food logistics concept art

This vision of the post-pandemic food system looks a lot like a microgrid

ByJim Giles
GreenBiz 20

View Program

Featured Contributors

Wylie Heiner avatar

Joel Makower

Chairman and Co-founder
Wylie Heiner avatar

Heather Clancy

Vice President and Editorial Director
Jessica Coons avatar

Katie Fehrenbacher

Journalist
Wylie Heiner avatar

Deonna Anderson

Senior Editor
Khoreen Eccleston avatar

Sarah Golden

VP of Energy
Khoreen Eccleston avatar

Lauren Phipps

Master of Environmental Management Candidate
Jessica Coons avatar

Jim Giles

VP, Net Zero | Chair, VERGE Net Zero
Wylie Heiner avatar

Shannon Houde

Emotional Intelligence Coach
Heather Clancy avatar

Will Sarni

Founder and CEO
Vicki Walker avatar

Bob Langert

Former VP of Sustainability, McDonalds

Footer menu 1

  • About Us
  • GreenBiz Team
  • Editorial Team
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us

Footer menu 2

  • Executive Network
  • Research Reports
  • White Papers
  • Webcasts
  • Newsletters

Footer menu 3

  • 350 Podcast
  • GreenBiz Careers
  • Community Job Board
  • Support
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
This site (RSS)
© 2023 GreenBiz Group Inc. GREENBIZ® and GREENBIZ.COM® are registered trademarks of GreenBiz Group Inc.