World Business Academy

The World Business Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a think tank that examines the role of business in resolving systemic problems facing society. It was founded by Rinaldo S. Brutoco with the goal of facilitating the “redefinition of business as a social partner,”^[1] one that determines its interests based on the well-being of society as a whole.

The organization states that its mission is:

• To shift the consciousness of existing business leadership from that of a predator to that of a steward, because you act differently if you think you are responsible for the result.
• To shift the consciousness of young people going into business, particularly at our business schools, to see themselves as entering a noble profession rather than a jungle, because you act differently in the temple then you do in the jungle.
• To shift the consciousness of the public at large to put its money where its deep values are, because when the public does this, business will immediately shift in response.^[2]

Origins

The World Business Academy was founded in 1987.^[3] The organization developed from a series of “discussions among senior executives and academics” held at the Stanford Research Institute International in Menlo Park, California. These discussions focused on the duty and function of business concerning the “critical moral, environmental, and social dilemmas of the day.”^[4]

Campaigns and Projects

Safe Energy Project

The World Business Academy states that the goal of its Safe Energy Project is: “to permanently close California’s remaining nuclear power plant and replace all energy derived from nuclear and fossil fuels with a 100%-fossil-fuel-free energy system…” ^[5]

Close San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant

The World Business Academy joined with consumer and environmental watchdog organizations in the effort to close the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) in San Diego County, California.^[6] The organization states it was the “only business group representing ratepayers in the San Onofre oversight hearings”^[7] at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC, the Utility Reform Network, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric reached a settlement of $4 billion on November 20, 2014,^[8] after an 18-month proceeding.^[9]

Close Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

The organization is currently involved in efforts to close Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo County, California. It commissioned a health study which examined the impact the Diablo Canyon plant has had on the local population by examining publicly available historical health data by zip code. The study, published March 3, 2014, was authored by epidemiologist Joseph Mangano, MPH, MBA. Mangano concluded that “certain morbidity or mortality rates are rising more rapidly in the nine (9) zip code areas in San Luis Obispo County closest (under 15 miles) from Diablo Canyon, vs. the other 10 zip codes in the county, and vs. the state of California.”^[10]

Criticism by San Luis Obispo County Health Department

San Louis Obispo County Health Department refuted the findings of the health study on April 11, 2014, by stating, “There are substantial and obvious problems in methodology wherein basic statistical precepts were overlooked,” and asserted that the study showed “selection bias in choosing case and control groups.”^[11]

Response by World Business Academy

The World Business Academy published a response by Mangano to this criticism.^[12] The response addressed the criticisms of the health department and went on to state that San Luis Obispo County Health Department failed to respond to key points in the study.

Clean Energy Moonshot

The Academy describes its Clean Energy Moonshot as “a California Pilot Project,” a blueprint to transition California to entirely renewable energy in 10 years by utilizing “local renewables, community microgrids, and hydrogen storage."^[13]

References