You ever get the feeling the world’s on fire and we’re all just standing around holding tote bags?
Yeah, same.
Plastic straws are out. Electric cars are in. “Carbon neutral” is stamped on everything from coffee to crypto. But here’s the wild part: behind all this feel-good branding is a brutal truth and a massive opportunity. The truth? We’ve screwed up the planet. The opportunity? You can build wealth by fixing it.
I’m not talking about starting a nonprofit or planting trees on weekends. I’m talking real money. Generational wealth. Business that matters and makes bank.
Let’s talk about what’s really going on here.
The Green Gold Rush Is Here
You’ve heard of the Gold Rush, right? People crossing mountains and rivers chasing gold they heard might be buried in some riverbed in California. Fast forward to today, and there’s a new kind of gold rush — but this time, it’s green.
Sustainability is no longer a trend. It’s not a “nice-to-have.” It’s a full-blown economic revolution.
- Renewable energy is cheaper than fossil fuels in most of the world now. Think about that. The sun, wind, and water are beating oil and coal on price and ethics.
- ESG investing (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has trillions in assets under management — not because it’s cute, but because it performs.
- Circular economy businesses — like Patagonia, Allbirds, or ThredUp — are growing because consumers aren’t just asking “how much?” but also “how was this made?”
This isn’t hippie economics. This is capitalism evolving.
Solving Real Problems Pays Big
Here’s what you need to understand if you’re trying to get into this space:
The people who will win big in the next decade aren’t just the best marketers. They’re the best problem solvers.
And lucky for all of us, the world is full of problems. Big ones.
Take Too Good To Go — an app that sells unsold food from restaurants and cafes at a discount to reduce food waste. Simple idea. Huge impact. They’ve expanded to over 17 countries and saved millions of meals from going into the trash. Oh, and they’re raking in revenue while doing it.
Or look at Planet FWD, a startup that helps consumer brands measure and reduce their climate impact. They’re turning carbon accounting into a B2B service. It’s like QuickBooks for sustainability — and investors are lining up.
These aren’t gimmicks. They’re systems. Solutions. Engines of value that just happen to do good in the world too.
You Don’t Have to Be a Scientist to Get In
Here’s where people get tripped up:
They think, “I’m not an engineer. I’m not an environmentalist. I’m not a climate activist.”
Cool. You don’t have to be. But can you:
- Build a Shopify store that sells eco-friendly gear?
- Launch a newsletter that educates people on green investing?
- Develop a SaaS tool that helps businesses track their emissions?
- Offer design services to brands looking to transition to zero-waste packaging?
Sustainability isn’t a field. It’s an angle. It’s a lens you can apply to any skill set.
Take Blueland for example. They make refillable cleaning products. That’s not rocket science. That’s marketing, logistics, and good design. Now they’re valued in the hundreds of millions.
Follow the Money (It’s Going Green)
Let’s get even more real.
VCs? They’re pouring money into climate tech and impact startups. Bill Gates launched Breakthrough Energy. Chris Sacca started Lowercarbon Capital, backing companies that “slay carbon.” This isn’t philanthropy. This is calculated investment.
Corporate giants? They’re racing to clean up their supply chains — not because they suddenly grew a conscience, but because consumers are demanding it, and regulations are coming in hot.
Even government contracts are shifting. Look at the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S. — it’s funneling over $370 billion into clean energy projects.
So yeah, follow the money. Because it’s going green whether you’re ready or not.
The Mindset Shift: Profit and Purpose
The old-school mindset said: “You can either make money, or you can help the world.”
The new mindset? You make the most money by helping the world.
It’s the long game. The smart game.
And you know what? It feels better, too.
There’s something powerful about waking up and knowing you’re building something that matters — not just to your bank account, but to the future. To your kids. To the air we breathe and the oceans we surf in and the forests we hike through.
You want real success? Align your purpose with profit.
It’s not about choosing one or the other. It’s about finding the intersection.
How to Start (Even if You’re Broke)
Don’t wait until you have funding or a perfect plan.
Start where you are:
- Write a post. Share an idea. Start conversations on platforms like LinkedIn or Substack.
- Create a simple product. Use Gumroad or Etsy to sell sustainable goods or guides.
- Reach out to brands you believe in and offer to help — copywriting, strategy, branding, ops.
- Take a free course in climate entrepreneurship from places like Terra.do or Work on Climate.
This movement needs more than scientists. It needs builders. Creatives. Coders. Marketers. Doers.
Positive Phil Says It Best
If you’ve been following Positive Phil, you know the energy: optimism, action, impact.
One of his go-to mantras?
“Surround yourself with people who lift you higher.”
In this case, let’s expand that:
Surround yourself with ideas that lift the world higher — and just so happen to make a whole lot of money in the process.
This isn’t some fluffy dream. This is a blueprint. And it’s already happening.
So maybe you’ve got a product idea. Or maybe you’ve just got a little fire in your gut telling you: “You’re meant for something more.”
Good. Follow that. Build something real. Something green. Something that cashes checks and creates change.
The money is green. Literally and figuratively.
If this spoke to you, share it. Tag a builder. Start the conversation. Because the future’s already being built — and it’s sustainable AF.
