Paul Dickinson, executive chairman and founder of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), is at the forefront of a global transformation. Dickinson believes in harnessing profit motive as a force for good; he says that reducing carbon emissions and creating new economic opportunity can go hand-in-hand.

Based inLondon, the CDP is an independent, not-for-profit organization collecting key climate-change data from more than 3,000 of the world's largest companies around the globe. Dickinson was named the 2010 Responsible CEO of the Year byCorporate Responsibilitymagazine. Among many accomplishments, Dickinson's work was responsible for Wal-Mart's announcement that its suppliers must report their emissions and focus on sustainable business practices.

Dickinson was on hand atWebster Universitytoday to take part in a worldwide, live-streamed discussion with Webster faculty and students on the topic of building a 21st-century communications economy inthe United States, highlighting examples already taking root atWebster Universityand in otherSt. Louis-area businesses and organizations.

Dickinson asserts that competition for natural resources like oil and water will drive markets to consider new business and profit models. He foresees increased investments in advanced communications networks that will create nearly limitless economic growth opportunities that are not restricted by time, distance or geography.

"If we keep building the physical economy, and try to compete for resources, we will all lose," said Dickinson. "But if we build the 21st Century Broadband Communications economy, we can empower citizens, in cities and rural areas alike, to develop education, entertainment and communications without limits." Dickinson used AT&T's Telepresence systems as an example of technology greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing airline travel for meetings and conferences.

Coinciding with Dickinson's presentation at Webster, the CDP released a "white byte" titled "Building a 21st Century Communications Economy." As an addendum to this report, the CDP citedWebster Universityas an organization that is planting the seeds of a communications economy. Other local entities identified in the CDP's addendum include theCity of St. Louis,St. Louis Countyand Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

At Webster, via an advanced communications network, the University's "World Classroom" provides online courses that students can access from anywhere, at any time. Webster currently has 3,500 students, including active military serving throughout the world, who have chosen to learn in a fully online manner.

"Through broadband communication channels, Webster has given people access to a high-quality educational experience otherwise not available to them," said the CDP report.