One frustration that I often encounter; lots of theories and studies and not enough educating communities in what already has been established.
The Natural Step Framework has already been introduced and is working. Yet, higher education and international organizations are disecting it to pieces along with the Framework for Sustainable Developement. How many scientists and researchers do we need to continually break everything apart?
Can we at least train more individuals to take the message to the streets? If business never gets the basics, then how will we ever influence industry and local government?
I encourage you to take TNS framework and share it with one company. It at least plants a seed for future change. It may not seem like much now, but it will influence the future.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Follow-up from upset
A few months ago I shared an experience with you regarding an executive getting irritated at a comment that was made.
Funny thing, he now contacts me on a regular basis to share the environmentally friendly materials that they are now including into their new building program.
So keep on talking and giving small education tidbits to everyone you come in contact. The world is changing, just not as fast as we would like.
Funny thing, he now contacts me on a regular basis to share the environmentally friendly materials that they are now including into their new building program.
So keep on talking and giving small education tidbits to everyone you come in contact. The world is changing, just not as fast as we would like.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wrong doors
It's sad when you see ignorantly wasted energy. While walking through a public building, I noticed a gap of about 2/3 of an inch between the doors. Several years ago while trying to save money when building a partition the decision makers used sets of double doors as exterior doors which were actually designed to be used as interior doors. Not only do they have open space on all sides of the doors, they are made of all glass.
So not only do the doors allow massive amounts of cool and heated air to escape, the glass is not weatherproofed for all season energy efficiency.
When talking to a person feeling insignificant in the organization, it was learned that their energy bills ran excessively high and that an expert builder had told them that the doors currently used for exterior purposes were actually designed for indoor use several years ago.
Wow, wouldn't setting a savings baseline of just one year, be exciting, let alone a 3-year. But getting them to spend the money is the issue. You can tell someone how much they would save, but getting them out of the fear zone to make improvements is the challenge.
So not only do the doors allow massive amounts of cool and heated air to escape, the glass is not weatherproofed for all season energy efficiency.
When talking to a person feeling insignificant in the organization, it was learned that their energy bills ran excessively high and that an expert builder had told them that the doors currently used for exterior purposes were actually designed for indoor use several years ago.
Wow, wouldn't setting a savings baseline of just one year, be exciting, let alone a 3-year. But getting them to spend the money is the issue. You can tell someone how much they would save, but getting them out of the fear zone to make improvements is the challenge.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
I'm back
There was a lull in blogging from April to now. Lots of changes going on. So now we'll get back to understanding sustainability and using it.
An incident happened several weeks ago that surprised me. It was hard to deal with and definitely unexpected.
Some information was requested by an organization so I sent some teasers to find out how much they actually knew about sustainability. Although people tell me they know what I'm talking about it, I find that their knowledge is very limited and really don't understand what I'm saying. So they hear what Snoopy did in the Charlie Brown cartoons, BLAAHHH, BLAAAHH, BLAAAHHH. Or to better explain, having a teenager tune you out because what you're saying is more than they can comprehend or want to understand.
Well, one of the executive's decided to automatically become offended at the email saying that it was rude and insulting. When approached he said, it sounded like you were saying we didn't have any concern about the environment at all.
Well, do they have any environmental programs in place? I wanted to ask that question so sarcastically...but business kicked in and I gracefully took the dress down.
Through a lot of humility, they've at least agreed to put in Occupancy Sensors. Whew!
An incident happened several weeks ago that surprised me. It was hard to deal with and definitely unexpected.
Some information was requested by an organization so I sent some teasers to find out how much they actually knew about sustainability. Although people tell me they know what I'm talking about it, I find that their knowledge is very limited and really don't understand what I'm saying. So they hear what Snoopy did in the Charlie Brown cartoons, BLAAHHH, BLAAAHH, BLAAAHHH. Or to better explain, having a teenager tune you out because what you're saying is more than they can comprehend or want to understand.
Well, one of the executive's decided to automatically become offended at the email saying that it was rude and insulting. When approached he said, it sounded like you were saying we didn't have any concern about the environment at all.
Well, do they have any environmental programs in place? I wanted to ask that question so sarcastically...but business kicked in and I gracefully took the dress down.
Through a lot of humility, they've at least agreed to put in Occupancy Sensors. Whew!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sustaining in everyday living
Sustainability is all about balance. Balancing your consumption in every area of your life. Making sure that we are leaving our children a wonderful world: not one destroyed by our greed.
So how do you lighten your daily load on the environment? Well you've listened to simple things that can be done, such as, make a list of errands and then map the most direct and wisest path to each location. Make all the errands in one day instead of spreading them out over the week. Use your extra time for other things, such as marketing your business or spending quality time with a loved one or friend.
But let's get into something more detailed, like home furnishings. Do you really need to buy more items? How much life can you continue getting out of your coffee maker that's only 2 years old. Yes, it's fun to have the latest technology, but have you thought about the carbon dioxide emitted in the transportation of a new imported coffee maker? Was it made in the US or imported from overseas. The manufacturing process, shipping (flight or water transport), then ground transportation, storage facility before making it to the retail shelf. More importantly, the carbon dioxide emitted when you traveled to the store. All of these processes are included in a new coffee maker making it onto your kitchen shelf.
How expensive are your wants versus your needs? Keep checking back to find out the results.
So how do you lighten your daily load on the environment? Well you've listened to simple things that can be done, such as, make a list of errands and then map the most direct and wisest path to each location. Make all the errands in one day instead of spreading them out over the week. Use your extra time for other things, such as marketing your business or spending quality time with a loved one or friend.
But let's get into something more detailed, like home furnishings. Do you really need to buy more items? How much life can you continue getting out of your coffee maker that's only 2 years old. Yes, it's fun to have the latest technology, but have you thought about the carbon dioxide emitted in the transportation of a new imported coffee maker? Was it made in the US or imported from overseas. The manufacturing process, shipping (flight or water transport), then ground transportation, storage facility before making it to the retail shelf. More importantly, the carbon dioxide emitted when you traveled to the store. All of these processes are included in a new coffee maker making it onto your kitchen shelf.
How expensive are your wants versus your needs? Keep checking back to find out the results.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Shopping for sustainability
As a carpenter notices another craftsman's work, so does a sustainability consultant. While shopping I'm always in search of how the retail industry is putting sustainability to work in their stores.
It's exciting to see creative ways that some industries are slowly moving away from plastic. In the bedroom section of some stores you will notice bed sets are now being placed into matching fabric totes. Formerly, we would see them displayed in plastic zip-ups.
Definitely a sign of finding creative ways to use less petroleum products.
It's exciting to see creative ways that some industries are slowly moving away from plastic. In the bedroom section of some stores you will notice bed sets are now being placed into matching fabric totes. Formerly, we would see them displayed in plastic zip-ups.
Definitely a sign of finding creative ways to use less petroleum products.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Looking at the New Year
Businesses are struggling harder than ever to find ways to save money. Cutting back on every item possible all the way to outsourcing snacks in the breakroom or lounge areas to independent vendors. But what about the way they do business?
Traditional consultants teach business to cut back, cut back, cut back. But what if your business could find a different way of producing your product through innovative methods? This type of audit has saved companies millions of dollars. An outside look at the way you do business is essential. Sometimes you're too close to the situation to see that there's a different way of doing business. Even if you don't produce a product, maybe it's a service.
An outside look is vital. Are you're employees giving it all they've got on the job? If not, maybe there are other factors involved that could help. If their not able to give 100% to the job you're losing money. But it may not be their fault. Have you considered lighting? But yet, tradition tells us to fire them. Is that good social sustainability?
Just some things to consider.
Traditional consultants teach business to cut back, cut back, cut back. But what if your business could find a different way of producing your product through innovative methods? This type of audit has saved companies millions of dollars. An outside look at the way you do business is essential. Sometimes you're too close to the situation to see that there's a different way of doing business. Even if you don't produce a product, maybe it's a service.
An outside look is vital. Are you're employees giving it all they've got on the job? If not, maybe there are other factors involved that could help. If their not able to give 100% to the job you're losing money. But it may not be their fault. Have you considered lighting? But yet, tradition tells us to fire them. Is that good social sustainability?
Just some things to consider.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
It's Not Easy Being Green
As you know, in all business there's a lot of selling, and in this economy everyone asks for something free before giving in to the fact that they need to pay.
UGH! Sometimes it's frustrating to get across to others that they will save money, but first they need to learn how to save the right way. If their habits don't change, then everything will go back to the old ways. Change is an ever working effort.
Sustainability does not sell you on tree hugging, it sells benefiting your environment! If you want to tree hug later because you've changed your mind, then fine! But first let's find some balance between your business and your local environment!
How are you answering the question, "What are you doing to improve the environment?" What are you telling your customers?
Do you really think you can keep putting off the fact that one day you'll need to answer this question?
UGH! Sometimes it's frustrating to get across to others that they will save money, but first they need to learn how to save the right way. If their habits don't change, then everything will go back to the old ways. Change is an ever working effort.
Sustainability does not sell you on tree hugging, it sells benefiting your environment! If you want to tree hug later because you've changed your mind, then fine! But first let's find some balance between your business and your local environment!
How are you answering the question, "What are you doing to improve the environment?" What are you telling your customers?
Do you really think you can keep putting off the fact that one day you'll need to answer this question?
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Year, New Initiatives
2010 is a new beginning to win with sustainability initiatives. In this economic downturn, we've already cut back on our budget. You may be asking where else can I save?
Personally and in business, ask yourself where can I save electricity, gasoline, water and consumption? Have you thought about LED lighting? If so, have you thought about switch sensors? These sensors can be set to turn off a light in as little as a few seconds to 15 minutes. Yes, these are not only for businesses, but also for home use.
Now what about gasoline? If you're not interested in carpooling or using public transportation, have you thought about retrofitting your car with an alternative method such as using vegetable oil, if you have a diesel engine? What about a H2O gas retrofit? Both save hundreds of dollars per year in expense and also burns cleaner than gasoline; therefore, helping our environment.
In saving water, have you thought while cooking using the water in the cans of food you open rather then draining them? At work, what about buying a water filter for the break room/kitchenettes instead of buying the bottled water? Saving money and water.
Now let's talk about consumption. Consumption is a big area we can all find ways to cut back. It's the easiest area to come up with ideas. Food is our biggest temptation. For a start to the New Year, let's try and not buy food in containers that cannot be recycled or reused. Many Asian restaurants now use plastic containers that you can reuse at home or recycle. If you don't have a place to recycle then, wash and give them away to someone. They make great freezer containers. Better yet, prepare a nice dish and take it to them and say, "Keep the container." At least it was reused.
Finding Alternatives Until You No Longer See the Need to Take = Sustainability
Personally and in business, ask yourself where can I save electricity, gasoline, water and consumption? Have you thought about LED lighting? If so, have you thought about switch sensors? These sensors can be set to turn off a light in as little as a few seconds to 15 minutes. Yes, these are not only for businesses, but also for home use.
Now what about gasoline? If you're not interested in carpooling or using public transportation, have you thought about retrofitting your car with an alternative method such as using vegetable oil, if you have a diesel engine? What about a H2O gas retrofit? Both save hundreds of dollars per year in expense and also burns cleaner than gasoline; therefore, helping our environment.
In saving water, have you thought while cooking using the water in the cans of food you open rather then draining them? At work, what about buying a water filter for the break room/kitchenettes instead of buying the bottled water? Saving money and water.
Now let's talk about consumption. Consumption is a big area we can all find ways to cut back. It's the easiest area to come up with ideas. Food is our biggest temptation. For a start to the New Year, let's try and not buy food in containers that cannot be recycled or reused. Many Asian restaurants now use plastic containers that you can reuse at home or recycle. If you don't have a place to recycle then, wash and give them away to someone. They make great freezer containers. Better yet, prepare a nice dish and take it to them and say, "Keep the container." At least it was reused.
Finding Alternatives Until You No Longer See the Need to Take = Sustainability
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