ClimateVoices Featuring Mike Hower

In this issue I’m pleased to be talking with Mike Hower , a sustainability communication and reporting expert with over 15 years of experience bridging journalism and communication strategy for leading global companies. As the founder of Hower Impact , an independent sustainability communication consultancy, he specializes in transforming complex sustainability initiatives into resonant narratives that capture attention and drive meaningful engagement. With a unique perspective formed from working on both sides of the communication podium, Mike has collaborated with global brands including Mars , Berry Global, Inc. , The North Face , Snap Inc. , and HP , among others. 

As a writer and thinker, Mike's insights extend beyond consulting. He has written for prominent sustainability publications like Trellis Group (formerly GreenBiz), Sustainable Brands , and TriplePundit , covering critical topics such as climate policy, circular economy, and sustainability strategy. He also maintains an active presence through his LinkedIn content, ENGAGE newsletter, and The Sustainability Communicator podcast, where he explores the nuanced art of sustainability storytelling. He is currently writing a book about sustainability storytelling that aspires to be the compendium for storytelling in sustainable business.

During this period when many companies are staying silent and rolling back their climate commitments, what advice are you giving to sustainability professionals to counter these negative trends? 

This is a topic I've been thinking about a lot, both in my everyday consulting work and through my writing, podcasting, and speaking engagements.

The important thing to remember is that most companies aren't rolling back climate commitments, even if many are staying silent or "greenhushing." With the second Trump administration, businesses are operating in uncharted territory. For the first time in American history, we're living under an administration that shows unabashed disdain for the rule of law, checks and balances, and common decency.

Many corporate leaders are so terrified of being targeted by the Trump administration that they appear to be betting on Trumpist autocracy prevailing. But what happens when it doesn't? These companies will have shown their stakeholders that they don't actually have values. If a company abandons values when the going gets tough, they aren't really values – they're just PR talking points.

While Trumpism chooses to live in an alternative reality of convenient lies, the rest of us – including sensible investors, consumers, employees, customers, and other stakeholders – are living in a reality of inconvenient truths: major U.S. cities like Los Angeles being devastated by climate disasters, soaring financial costs associated with climate change, and more.

If companies focus on their material sustainability issues, maintain clear values, and develop strategies for creating long-term value, they will better weather the short-term disruptions of angry, misguided political populism.

Companies don’t necessarily need to be picking fights with the Administration, but they should be standing up for their values. We recently saw the power of business to urge Trump to back down from the blanket tariffs – imagine if there was a collective corporate voice telling him to promote climate action? 

After the U.S. election, you hosted a Zoom conversation titled “What a second Trump term means for corporate sustainability.*” What were the major themes of that conversation and did anything surprising emerge?

*Recording - What a second Trump term means for corporate sustainability

That was some event. After the results of the election, I felt like I needed to do something. Bringing people together in community is one of my greatest passions, and this Zoom call was one such opportunity.

We had hundreds of sustainability and climate professionals join the call to share emotions, thoughts, and ideas for how to move forward. We heard from some great leaders like Patrick Flynn of Switchboard, Anne L. Kelly of Ceres, Inc. , Heather Clancy of Trellis Group , Matthew Sekol of Microsoft , and Jennifer Allyn of ClimateVoice .

The main takeaways I got from the event were that we need to allow ourselves to accept the challenges that now present themselves, to not give in to despair, and focus on how we can face this with courage and conviction. This fight is far from over – as long as there are millions of us who care, the opposition will never win.

And yes, at the policy level we need to accept that we are in what Michael Mann has called a “climate war.” The other side already has. But make no mistake; we are on the right side of history and we owe it to those who come after us to stand up to these bullies no matter the cost. I know I'm probably not supposed to say that, but it needs to be said. 

You have made policy advocacy a priority in your sustainability communications work. Why is that so important and how can professionals best communicate about climate in a bipartisan context right now?

While there's a misconception that business and politics don't mix, companies are engaging in politics every day through the money they give (and don't give), the statements they make (and don't make), and the actions they take (and don't take). If you live on Planet Earth, politics matter. And last I checked, all businesses currently are based on this planet.

Over the years, I've worked with companies that may have had great sustainability programs, but then would donate to organizations or politicians who undermine that strategy by opposing climate action. It's pretty infuriating, to be honest. And I consider it to be a major reputational risk.

How can a company make a net zero pledge, then go supporting policies that make net zero more difficult to achieve? Often, this is because government relations focuses on short term, tactical outcomes while sustainability is looking at the long term.

Companies must find a way to reconcile these priorities, and then communicate authentically. Ensuring the continued survival of the human race should be a bipartisan issue. Full stop.

In Big Tech, they call me a “shit stirrer” – and I love that nickname. What’s your moniker? 

Dang, that’s a great nickname, and I would love to earn a similar moniker one day. I don’t know if I have one yet – but if there’s one thing I’ve learned is that you can’t make everyone happy. Pleasing everyone is impossible and if you don’t ruffle a few feathers every once in a while then you likely don’t stand for anything. I suppose some people have been calling me “The Sustainability Communicator” – though that doesn’t sound rowdy enough.

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The opinions and views expressed in this interview are solely those of the individual(s) being interviewed. They may not reflect the views, policies, or positions of ClimateVoice, the employer(s) of the individual(s) being interviewed, nor of any other organizations with which the individual(s) being interviewed are affiliated. This interview is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or official statement on behalf of such employer(s) or organization(s).