MANIFESTO: LISA P. JACKSON

By Lisa P. Jackson

As a young girl, I remember watching on television as millions of Americans marched for the right to clean air and water—marking the very first Earth Day. I was only eight years old, but I was already beginning to make the connection between people and the natural environment. So when my teacher asked us to write letters to the president for a contest sponsored by a national magazine, I wrote to President Nixon about our obligation to protect the planet. Collective voices matter in a democracy. By the end of the year, the EPA had been established.

In more than 50 years since then, we’ve made many important strides around the world, but the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation continue to spread. Now, millions of people are asking the same question I did as a kid: How can I possibly make a difference?

I’m an engineer by training, a professional problem-solver. Throughout my career in public service and the private sector, I’ve seen firsthand that moments of challenge often produce moments of profound change. And I’ve learned that, as we strive to safeguard our environment, a few core principles will fuel our progress.

First, innovation and creativity are at the heart of the most meaningful solutions. Whether it’s imagining better ways to recycle, inventing more sustainable manufacturing processes, or making art that raises public awareness, innovation and creativity are incredibly powerful forces for progress. And, fortunately, they’re in abundant supply.

Second, to solve a problem of this scale, collaboration is essential. During my time leading the EPA, we achieved far more because of the partnerships we formed with state and local governments, private companies, and nations across the globe. And at Apple, working closely with suppliers and nonprofits is a key part of how we’ve reduced our worldwide emissions by more than half in less than a decade.

Finally, communities should always be centered in our work. In places from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest to Kenya’s Chyulu Hills, it’s not only natural ecosystems that are being threatened. It’s also the livelihoods and futures of the people who live there. Ultimately, communities are closer to these issues than anyone, so their perspectives are vital in guiding the solutions we champion.

If I’ve learned anything in my career, it’s that we all have a role to play in protecting the environment—and we have to work together. So let’s tackle this challenge with passion, persistence, and imagination. And let’s use our voices to support safeguarding the planet for generations to come.

Lisa P. Jackson
Vice President
Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Apple