The world is changing, and maybe not for the better. A look at The United States, as well as many other industrialized countries, finds that nearly 85% of energy comes from fossil fuels. Oil is integral in today’s society: we’re dependent on it. When oil is transported or burned, it emits CO2, among other air pollutants, which rises into the air and is breathed by everyone. The emitting of significant amounts of CO2 has been said to be a major impact on climate change. In order to preserve the future, the world needs to look towards green and alternative methods to produce electricity such as windmills and solar energy.
Solar panels harness the energy of the sun and converting it into power. On a micro-scale for the local homeowner, the benefits are tremendous. Not only do you do your part for the environment, you end up with cheaper utility bills. In California, more people are getting a solar energy system for their house, which can increase their property value when it comes time to sell the home, and it doesn’t take an MBA or otherwise, to figure out that’s just good business sense. People are also rethinking the way they travel, choosing greener hybrid and electric vehicles, taking public transportation, or seeking out carpool opportunities.
The biggest economic advantage of going green is to ensure that there will be a future for future generations. When one person installs a solar energy system in their home their neighbor may think it’s a good idea, then do the same. Over time, the amount of people can add up, making a considerable dent in the use of coal and oil. Homeowners also have a chance to save money on taxes and get tax cuts if they invest in alternative energy or energy-saving sources for their home.
The landfill is another environmental issue because some things don’t compost naturally. Tires, aluminum, and plastic remain for thousands of years, taking up space, never breaking down. People are beginning to build houses out of recycled material like tires and recycled cans. This provides excellent insulation; in the long run the person would save a lot of money on heating due to the natural insulation tires provide. This also keeps tires out of the landfill and trees in the forests. These houses made out of recycled tires are known as earthships.
On the macro-scale, as more companies and businesses move toward green energy, the benefits affect the corporate world as well. California approvedacontractwithBrightSource that will allow BrightSource to generate electricity from two of their solar thermal power plants. The power plants will be built in the Mojave Desert, and BrightSource will be able to supply Pacific Gas & Electric with 1,310 megawatts. That is a step towards a greener future.
If more companies like BrightSource crop up and start building power plants that run off solar energy, they will be able to power more utility companies. According to the U.S. Geological Survey in 2006, 48.9% of electricity came from coal, 20% from natural gas, and only 3.1% came from renewable sources. If more companies set up solar power plants and supplied power to utility companies, that would decrease the dependence on coal plants, thus decreasing the amount of CO2 and pollutants being released into the air.
Looking at greener energy on both a small and large scale, it is easy to see how continued initiatives and changes in traditional thinking can lead to a significant shift in how our natural resources are used. It only takes a few innovative leaders in communities and in the corporate world to pave the way for others to follow.
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Kate Manning is a writer for MBAonline.com.
