Buzzworm Earth BlogEnvironmental solutions and conservation news.

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How are businesses responding to the environmental issues facing society?

How are businesses responding to the environmental issues facing society?

All businesses that wish to respond need to do so in a way that is cost effective and efficient. They can’t go broke trying to save energy otherwise that would defeat the purpose.

As an automotive retailer we can’t cut our power totally without closing our doors. We need electricity to power our computers, tools, lights, etc. However what we can do is buy higher efficient computers, use light fixtures that generate more light per watt and keep a close eye on the thermostat.

Currently there is a Ford factory that when they remodeled not only did they make the place more economically efficient they even built a botanical garden on the roof. They have developed products that are biodegradable such as the foam seat cushions in some of the newer vehicles (combination of soy and hemp).

Another Ford factory was done to be more efficient however on this one they built a large HE solar grid system. This grid not only supplies power for the plant but generates enough green energy to feed homes in the local area.

This summer I was going to roof my home which houses the computer lab for another business. I had full intention of installing a solar grid system that not only performed better than the old systems but had an attractive look about it. However I found out the tax credits that I desperately was counting on have been canceled as of February this year. It took me 2 years to save the money to start building this system and the credits were suppose to last 2012. However I found out that in February the stimulus bill that Obama proposed also has a section canceling all tax credits not already spoken for. So now there is no incentive to go green other than if we can afford it, I can’t.

If we are all going to work hard at going green then green energy has to become competitive. Government needs to cut wasteful spending and focus on becoming economically viable itself. Only then we can free up the money to promote advancement in green technology. What company will spend an additional $80 billion in developing better products unless we allow them to have more money for research and development?

Unfortunately ford recently changed their site. They did have this entire section of well made videos showing their green initiatives. It looks as if all the videos have been removed and the sections replaced by articles.

Jeffrey Hittner: Business, Consumers, and Global Issues