Marketing
The process of understanding what people need, then creating and promoting things that deliver value. With research, strategy, communication and a lot of creativity, marketing managers make the decisions that help businesses succeed.
What would you do?
- Research consumer trends
- Strategize and develop marketing plans
- Manage teams that run media campaigns
- Coordinate with other teams to sell a product
- Monitor competitors to position the business
To fight climate change, marketing managers…
Boost sustainable businesses
- Help climate-focused startups grow quickly
- Create effective campaigns for companies that support sustainability
Influence corporate strategy
- Build sustainability into a company’s brand
- Help companies market themselves responsibly without greenwashing
Shift consumer behavior
- Promote sustainable choices
- Make environmental decisions feel convenient and normal
- Use storytelling to connect people to climate issues personally
Support policy and advocacy
- Build support for climate laws and regulations
- Simplify complex issues into actionable steps
- Help nonprofits spread the word about rallies and events
Relationship to climate change
Marketing is key to helping climate-focused companies succeed and to building a sustainable economy.
Use marketing for these Project Drawdown solutions:
- Alternative Insulation Materials
- Alternative Refrigerants
- Appliance & Equipment Efficiency
- Carpooling
- Clean Cooking
- Cool Roofs
- Cultivated Meat
- Diets
- Distributed Solar PV
- Electric Bicycles
- Electric Cars
- Electric Trains
- More solutions →
Featured expert
Dan Kirk
Senior Marketing Manager at 1% for the Planet, which helps businesses commit to giving back to the environment. He works on web and marketing that reaches more than 5,000 businesses worldwide. Outside of work, he loves biking and skiing in the Pacific Northwest.
View his profile →
Get started
A great fit if you’re interested in strategy, understanding how people think, and being creative.
Recommended classes
High school: Intro to Marketing, Finance, Digital Media, Journalism, Computer Science, Statistics, AP Microeconomics (helpful), AP Macroeconomics (helpful)
Project ideas
- Launch and market a small local business selling a sustainable item
- Rebrand a sustainable product
- Design social posts and branding for local environmental organizations
- Partner with a local sustainable business to promote it
- Write blogs or posts that simplify climate policy for a general audience
More resources
- Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers (BLS)
- How Marketers Can Play an Essential Role in Climate Change Education
- How Companies Should Talk About Climate Change
- 7 Key Elements of Brand Positioning for Climate Tech, Circular and Nature Restoration Companies
Written by Aiden Miao, Palo Alto High School (2027)
