Shalom Lamm on Climate Change: How Small Businesses Are Adapting to a Warming World
Climate change is no longer a future threat—it’s a present-day challenge. From extreme weather and rising energy costs to shifting regulations and supply chain disruptions, small businesses across industries are feeling the effects in real time.
For Shalom Lamm, a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist, climate change is not just an environmental issue—it’s a business issue. With decades of experience in real estate, operations, and nonprofit leadership, Lamm has seen firsthand how climate shifts are disrupting local economies, influencing consumer behavior, and demanding rapid adaptation.
“Small businesses operate on thin margins,” says Lamm. “Even small disruptions—like a week of intense heat or an unexpected supply chain delay—can have major consequences. Climate change is amplifying those disruptions in ways we can’t afford to ignore.”
In this post, we explore how climate change is affecting small businesses, how leaders like Shalom Lamm are responding, and what actionable strategies can help future-proof your business against environmental uncertainty.
Weather Disruptions Are Hitting Small Business Hard
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe—and small businesses are disproportionately impacted. Floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and heatwaves often lead to property damage, inventory loss, and business interruptions.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 saw over $90 billion in climate-related damages across the U.S. alone.
For small businesses, that can mean:
- Forced closures
- Lost revenue
- Increased insurance premiums
- Damage to customer trust
Lamm recalls working with a retail client whose storefront in upstate New York was shut down for two weeks after flash flooding.
“They had no online presence,” Lamm explains. “So when their doors closed, revenue dropped to zero. That’s the kind of vulnerability climate change exposes.”
Rising Costs of Energy and Resources
As temperatures rise, so does the demand for energy—especially air conditioning and refrigeration. For small businesses already battling inflation and labor costs, climate-driven energy spikes can cut deep into profits.
Shalom Lamm highlights the issue with real estate properties he oversees:
“We’ve seen summer utility bills increase by 20–30% in some regions. For small commercial tenants, that kind of expense is difficult to absorb without raising prices—which can scare off customers.”
Additionally, climate change affects resource availability. Water restrictions in drought-prone areas can impact landscaping companies, cafes, and agriculture-adjacent businesses. Unexpected supply chain delays—due to wildfires, floods, or transportation issues—can leave small businesses scrambling to restock.
Changing Consumer Expectations
Climate awareness isn’t just affecting the environment—it’s reshaping consumer behavior. Shoppers are increasingly drawn to brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility.
A 2025 Nielsen report shows:
- 73% of global consumers say they would change consumption habits to reduce environmental impact.
- 62% prefer to buy from companies that are transparent about sustainability.
Shalom Lamm believes this shift is both a challenge and an opportunity:
“Consumers are voting with their dollars. If your business isn’t part of the climate conversation, you risk becoming irrelevant. But if you take action and communicate your values, you can build stronger loyalty.”
Lamm encourages small businesses to adopt even modest sustainability efforts—like reducing packaging waste, sourcing locally, or supporting carbon-offset programs—and share those initiatives transparently through websites and social media.
Evolving Regulations and Compliance Costs
Climate policy is rapidly evolving at the local, national, and international levels. New rules on emissions, building standards, packaging, and reporting requirements can create compliance challenges for small business owners.
For example:
- Cities like New York and San Francisco now require energy benchmarking and retrofitting for commercial buildings.
- States are phasing out single-use plastics and mandating compostable alternatives.
- Federal incentives and penalties tied to carbon footprints are expanding under climate legislation.
Shalom Lamm, who has worked extensively in real estate development, says regulation is both a pressure point and an incentive:
“Retrofitting properties to be energy-efficient can be expensive upfront—but it also qualifies for tax breaks and lowers long-term operating costs. The businesses that adapt early are going to benefit the most.”
How Small Businesses Can Adapt: Lamm’s Action Plan
While the impacts of climate change are serious, Shalom Lamm emphasizes that small businesses can still act with agility and resilience. Here’s his four-part framework for adaptation:
1. Conduct a Climate Risk Assessment
Start by evaluating how climate change could directly or indirectly affect your business.
- Are you in a flood-prone zone?
- Is your supply chain at risk from drought or fires?
- Do rising temperatures affect your energy costs?
Lamm recommends using local government data and insurance risk maps as a starting point.
2. Create a Business Continuity Plan
Have a plan for extreme weather or climate emergencies:
- Backup power solutions
- Cloud storage for critical data
- Emergency contact protocols
- Remote work capabilities
“Business continuity isn’t just for Fortune 500s,” says Lamm. “It’s essential for any company that wants to survive in a volatile world.”
3. Invest in Sustainable Operations
Small, incremental changes can make a big difference:
- Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting and appliances
- Use recyclable or compostable packaging
- Offer discounts for eco-conscious customer behavior
These improvements often pay for themselves over time while signaling a forward-thinking brand.
4. Tell Your Sustainability Story
Don’t just go green—show it. Lamm advises documenting your sustainability efforts across your website, email newsletters, and social media platforms.
“Customers want to see action,” he explains. “And that transparency builds trust.”
The Role of Entrepreneurs in Climate Resilience
Beyond protecting their own businesses, entrepreneurs like Shalom Lamm believe that small businesses have a unique role in driving community-level climate resilience.
“Small businesses are the heartbeat of local economies,” Lamm says. “If they lead by example—through sustainable practices, partnerships, and education—they can shape how entire communities respond to climate change.”
Lamm encourages business owners to collaborate with local nonprofits, participate in environmental initiatives, and support legislation that helps communities adapt and thrive.
Final Thoughts: Future-Proofing Your Business Starts Now
Climate change is not a distant concern—it’s a business reality. And while it presents risks, it also offers a chance for innovation, leadership, and growth.
Entrepreneurs like Shalom Lamm are proving that you don’t have to be a global corporation to make a difference—or to prepare for the challenges ahead.
“Climate resilience is good business,” Lamm says. “If you adapt early, stay informed, and align your values with your operations, your business can not only survive—but lead.”
So don’t wait for the next storm, drought, or regulation to force change. Start now—because the businesses that adapt today will be the ones that thrive tomorrow.
