The top three things office-based businesses can do to make their offices more environmentally conscious — especially if they have not yet made any effort in that regard
Companies have considerable discretion to explore different market strategies to deal with global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Companies can choose between a greater emphasis on improvements in their business activities through innovation or by employing compensatory approaches such as emissions trading. The overall goal of an emissions trading plan is to reduce emissions which helps to achieve pollution reduction at the lowest possible cost to society. They can choose to act by themselves or work with other companies, NGOs, or (local) governments.
If possible, some companies can take their initiatives a step further by integrating measures using renewable energy. Renewable energy utilizes natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat, which are all naturally replenished. Some companies are using renewable energy technologies ranging from solar power, wind power and hydroelecticity to biomass and biofuels for transportation.
All levels of management and employees must be involved.
Companies with sustainable development policies with stated environmental practices may help encourage an employees’ willingness to eco-innovate. They can then influence managers to adopt behaviors that employees perceive to be supportive of environmental actions. By doing so this will specify which behaviors and policies are most effective at supporting environmental innovations.
Make sure everyone is committed to carrying out even the simplest of tasks such as properly recycling paper and plastic. Reducing their water usage and using more environmentally preferable materials, substances or organic products. Shutting off equipment and lights or having motion-activated sensors installed (lighting accounts for 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from commercial buildings).
The most significant current trends in “green offices”
Companies are making an effort to prioritize their regard for the environment and are heeding advice that may help them in the process of becoming more environmentally-friendly.
Companies are working hard to make better use of the reuse concept of sustainability and converting, using and disposing of already purchased stock in more environmentally friendly manners.
Changes of attitudes and behaviors in the work place are becoming more prominent. There is more recycling being done, less waste being produced, carbon emissions are being reduced, offices are turning down heating and switching off air-conditioning all in an effort to conserve the environment and rebalance the ecosystem.
A common green environmentally friendly choice businesses are making is to use only energy-efficient products that have been awarded The Energy Star or other recognizable energy-efficiency award. Following a ‘green guide’ and tips on how best to use and configure the machines for minimal waste of energy and paper.
Using these management features are important for saving energy and avoiding waste, and are an easy way to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions through unnecessary use of electricity. Energy efficient Energy Star compliant photocopiers provide a significant step towards reducing the environmental impact of office photocopiers. Such machines come standard with an “energy saving” mode to automatically or manually assume a low power state. This feature alone can reduce the energy needed in periods of low activity by over 60%.
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Robert Stillman talks with KJAG about SeedOurFuture.org
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Green Retail
Is the current recession and decreased consumer spending causing retailers and marketers to change their environmentally correct efforts?
In 2007 the Environmental Leader reported that two-thirds of chief financial officers at leading U.S. retailers said their company was actively involved with “green” or environmentally friendly practices. Forty-four percent of those also indicated that they had increased their investments in these types of practices throughout the previous two years.
Among those retailers involved with green practices, 34 percent exclusively pursued internal activities by environmentally modifying operations and structures while nine percent remained focused solely on external practices such as marketing and selling green products. Fifty-seven percent of those retailers engaged in a combination of both external and internal green practices.
The benefits of implementing green initiatives have widespread effects. Two-thirds of CFOs cited improved brand image among customers and employees as the greatest motivator for their company to pursue environmentally friendly practices. 54 percent cited “image among consumers” and 13 percent cited “image among shareholders”. 15 percent of the CFO’s noted tax breaks or tax incentives as the greatest “green” motivator followed by 10 percent citing city/state or zoning regulations.
According to a study by BDO Seidman, LLP among the top 100 largest retailers, eighty-three percent are involved in green practices and a majority of those (62 percent) have increased their green investments during the past two years.
Resources wasted equals profits lost. Where there are inefficiencies in business operations there is room for improvement.
Energy prices and atmospheric temperatures are rising which in turn is drawing attention to energy efficiency as a smart environmental and business practice. Reducing energy consumption will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as operating, manufacturing and consumption costs.
Energy management can have a greater impact on emission reduction if companies choose to make investments by purchasing alternative energy.
According to Dan Kubala, vice president of marketing for Austin, Tex.-based Site Controls, nearly all retailers can boost their bottom line almost immediately by reducing energy costs by implementing energy management systems. Noting that the level of capital investment is relatively low and payback for the best systems occurs rather quickly (within 18 to 24 months).
Consumers are becoming more and more pro sustainability and are making purchases with this in mind. Kubala also reports that forty-six percent of consumers say they would shop at a retailer more if it was environmentally friendly, while 47 percent say they would pay more for environmentally friendly services, products or brands.
EPA study Concludes…
The Associated Press recently reported that the Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare. Greenhouse gases are gases in an atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect.
This greenhouse effect forms a shield that allows the sun’s radiant heat energy into our atmosphere and moves excess heat concentrations out of our atmosphere. When gas concentrations in this shield are increased, excess gases become trapped inside our atmosphere causing increased global temperatures.
Common greenhouse gases found in the Earth’s atmosphere include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and chlorofluorocarbons.
Congressional sources told The Associated Press that the EPA will announce its proposed finding Friday April 17th and begin a comment period before issuing a final ruling. This is the first step toward regulating pollution linked to climate change.
The action was prompted by a Supreme Court ruling two years ago that said greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act and must be regulated if found to be a human health danger.
The Ozone Layer & Us
Without the ozone layer not only would mankind and most forms of present day life not exist but the environment of the planet would also be very different.
What is the History of the Ozone Layer?
Hundreds of millions of years ago, only single cell organisms existed on Earth and the planet lacked the oxygen that is needed in order for our survival. Through photosynthesis as these organisms evolved they began to release small amounts of oxygen. Over millions of years, this led to the creation of the ozone layer.
What is the Ozone Layer?
Our atmosphere is split into layers. The troposphere is where we live. Above that is the stratosphere. While ozone exists to some degree in all of the layers most of it (about 90%) is produced naturally in the stratosphere.
By acting like a filter or a web the ozone layer plays a very important part in protecting us from most of the sun’s harmful radiation. It traps harmful radiation while still allowing heat from the sun to reach the Earth.
Scientists believe that without it we would most likely die. We would quickly suffer intense radiation burns. We would be forced to find a way to safeguard ourselves by wearing clothing made from special protective material or by living underground. A lot of the plant life that humans and animals depend on would die out, making food sources extremely scarce.
What is Ozone?
Ozone is a type of oxygen. Unlike the oxygen we need to breathe, it’s a poisonous gas. Ozone in the stratosphere is good and performs a vital function but ozone at ground level is bad.
Do we Affect the Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer begins about six miles above us and extends to around 30 miles above. Scientific records show that until the 1970s, its level remained fairly stable.
There have always been factors such as the seasons, weather conditions and solar cycles which affect its density, but these are all part of a natural cycle where ozone is continually formed, destroyed and formed again.
In the 1970s scientists discovered that this natural balance had been upset and that the ozone layer was being depleted. Ozone was being destroyed at a faster rate than it was being naturally produced. Research determined that much of the damage was being caused by man-made chemicals, most of which had been introduced since the 1920s.
What is the Montreal Protocol?
In 1985, scientists with the British Antarctic Survey discovered a “hole” in the ozone layer over Antarctica. Two years later over 20 countries signed an international agreement, known as the Montreal Protocol.
The Montreal Protocol called for the phasing out of ozone depleting chemicals, including CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) thought to be responsible for damage to the ozone layer. Many other countries have since signed up to the agreement and it has proved to be extremely successful. Former UN General Secretary, Kofi Annan, described it as probably the most successful international agreement ever signed.
What is Being Done to Protect the Ozone Layer?
The phasing out of ozone depleting substances (ODS) is helping to fight climate change since many ODS are also powerful greenhouse gases.
Now that ozone levels are constantly monitored experts predict that by 2070, the ozone layer will have returned to pre-1980 levels. It’s expected to take this long to “repair” itself because the chemicals which caused the damage remain in the stratosphere for many years.
How Does it Affect Us?
It was suggested that higher concentrations of ozone at ground level could affect people’s health and history has shown that ozone is now known to be a main ingredient of today’s city smog and aggravates conditions like asthma, bronchitis and lung disease.
Scientists in America believe it has already led to an increase in the number of deaths from the most fatal form of skin cancer. and experts are concerned that new factors could continue to damage the ozone layer causing a slow down or even preventing its recovery. Some scientists believe that global warming is likely to accelerate ozone depletion.
What are the Dangers of Lower Ozone Levels?
Low levels of solar UV are vital in the production of Vitamin D. Without exposure to the sun, people would suffer from diseases linked to Vitamin D deficiency. Too much UV exposure damages our DNA and causes skin cancer, causes damage to the eyes and scientists now believe that it affects the immune system, allowing people to become ill more easily.
There are also serious impacts for biodiversity. Increased UV-B rays reduce levels of plankton in the oceans and subsequently diminish fish stocks. It can also have adverse effects on plant growth resulting in reduced agricultural productivity.
What is The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer?
Celebrated on September 16 every year to focus on the importance of protecting human health and the environment. On this day primary and secondary school educators throughout the world organize classroom activities that focus on topics related to the ozone layer, climate change and ozone depletion. Some teachers use educational packages from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that have been specifically tailored to address topics about the earth’s ozone layer.
Other activities organized by different community groups, individuals, schools and local organizations across the world include: the promotion of ozone friendly products; special programs and events on saving the ozone layer. (http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/international-ozone-layer-preservation-day)
How are Trees Beneficial?
Trees are vital, nurturing forces which provide many benefits to our environment. The air we breathe is improved by the presence of trees. Trees absorb harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide and in turn give off oxygen. They filter and trap pollutants such as smoke, dust and ash making our air cleaner.
Trees absorb water thus preventing flooding and also help disperse rainfall over a more even area. By retaining water, trees help reduce the amount of topsoil that runs off into our sewers and streams. Leaves on the ground, keep moisture close to the ground aiding growth and trapping chemicals keeping them out of lakes and rivers.
Trees help maintain our global environment by acting as enormous carbon sinks. Trees absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. If there were no trees to perform this essential function, little could be done to alleviate the effects of global warming caused by the Greenhouse Effect.
Trees not only benefit our physical environment, but also attract birds and other wildlife.
Trees are also a source of medicine for the human race. Many people, tired of chemical treatments, turn to trees and plants for assistance.
For instance the ginkgo tree dates back more than 300 million years and is the oldest know species of tree. For centuries the Chinese have used tea made from ginkgo seeds as a cure for respiratory illnesses, such as asthma. In more modern times, ginkgo leaf extract has been used as a treatment for a wide range of ailments such as Alzheimer’s and depression. The Native Americans use Aspen bark for reducing fever and fighting influenza. More recently, the medical community has taken more notice of the natural cures found all around us as herbology continues to grow in popularity.
Earth Day – April 22, 2009
Earth Day April 22, 2009 will mark the beginning of The Green Generation CampaignTM which will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. http://www.earthday.net/earthday2009
Plan a special Earth Day event. This issue is important enough to be elevated to a national day of recognition. That should be a good enough reason for all of us to take a closer look at how our current habits and actions are impacting the environment.
Everyone should be figuring out ways and implementing efforts they can exercise in order to help protect our environment not only for this one day but every day of the year!
Encourage friends and family members to get actively involved in environmental education programs. Strive to support and bring awareness to issues that have great personal importance to you and your community.
Teach your children the importance of their role in helping to preserve and save our environment as well as the environment that will be their future. This offers a wonderful opportunity for you to connect with your children. Get outside and plant some flowers, bushes or trees. Collaborate with teachers and faculty members to initiate green campaigns that actively involve and educate children on the importance of saving our environment.
Once habits have been established they are difficult to break. Make reusing and recycling a way of life. Pay attention to what your children are most interested in doing then work toward getting them directly involved to help support, maintain or improve the causes that are important to them.
There are so many environmental agencies helping to connect people with nature making it easier to research and get educated on all the spectacular environmental efforts going on not only in your area but all around the world!