| Energy conservation is the most talked about topic in | | | | power consumption. |
| business circuits today. As the gap between demand | | | | Businesses should advocate the use of organic and |
| and supply of oil becomes wider, governments and | | | | recycled materials by following the practice |
| businesses are joining hands to tap replenishable | | | | themselves. Energy efficient lighting, thermostats, |
| natural resources and implement energy efficient | | | | water and toilet appliances are widely available and |
| practices. The threat of global warming is apparent in | | | | can be procured in bulk for installation at offices. |
| unseasonal climatic changes and catastrophes that | | | | Companies manufacturing computer storage devices, |
| are hitting nations across the globe. | | | | parts and accessories are also focusing on developing |
| Green consulting companies help businesses build a | | | | equipment that reduces carbon footprint and |
| sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure. They also | | | | increases system performance. Even if the costs of |
| educate the workforce on simple steps that reduce | | | | such appliances are higher than their energy hogging |
| non-biodegradable waste and save energy. Actions | | | | counterparts, they more than make up for it in the |
| such as switching off equipment when not in use, | | | | long-term savings. |
| avoiding the use of polystyrene disposables, reusing, | | | | An increasing number of businesses are looking at |
| recycling, and taking double sided prints can be | | | | diversifying their energy source. They are working to |
| practiced by every individual in every office. Though | | | | harness other forms of energy - nuclear, solar, tidal, |
| small, these measures add up to make a big | | | | natural gas, biomass, etc. Though this move has |
| difference in conserving energy. | | | | become more a necessity than a preference with oil |
| A business has to do much more than preach green | | | | becoming costlier and scarcer, any reason that |
| practices to its employees. It has to make changes in | | | | propels organizations towards energy conservation is |
| its way of working to contribute towards energy | | | | good. |
| conservation and be a role model to its peers. By | | | | Another carrot is the federal tax credit to small |
| installing VOIP and business phone systems that | | | | businesses for making energy efficiency upgrades. |
| support teleconferencing and web conferencing, | | | | While not directly affecting consumers, |
| travel costs can be cut down drastically. The quality | | | | manufacturers of energy efficient washing machines, |
| of these communications is excellent and employees | | | | dishwashers and refrigerators are eligible for tax |
| can participate in any conference irrespective of | | | | breaks themselves, which may lead to increased |
| where it is held. What's more, they can do this from | | | | availability and a reduction in prices for these |
| the comfort of their homes and at any time of day. | | | | energy-saving appliances in the future. |
| Think of the savings in terms of commuting and | | | | Building a sustainable business calls for some right |
| traveling costs, and fuel consumption. | | | | actions today. No more passing the buck. We cannot |
| Many businesses have taken internal operations such | | | | undo the damage our environment has already borne, |
| as finance, payroll and HR totally online. By doing this, | | | | but we can certainly take steps to minimize it in the |
| they have been successful in improving performance | | | | future. It's the least we can do for the planet that |
| and profits while maintaining a lean model. Online | | | | sustains us. |
| operations cut down on paper usage, ink usage and | | | | |