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OAKLAND, Calif. -- Despite being a centerpiece of celebrations the world over, fireworks displays often release toxic chemicals into the environment; researchers are developing a new generation of fireworks that shine as bright but leave less of an impact.
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ELMSFORD, N.Y. -- Coca Cola signed a 10-year contract with UTC Power that will bring two fuel cells to a southern New York bottling plant, where they will produce enough heat and energy to satisfy nearly a third of the facility's needs. The state of New York also provided $2 million for the project.
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GENEVA, -- Efforts by the world's leading cement companies knocked down carbon dioxide emissions from the industry’s manufacturing process by 35 percent even while production climbed by 53 percent, according to a new report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Cement Sustainability Initiative.
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You Can't Go Green Without Adding a Little Blue
If you're seeking the green holy grail called sustainability, you'd better be sure it's filled with water. Many companies are hyper focused on carbon footprinting, green buildings, and energy saving treasure hunts; however, the sustainability landscape is evolving, and these green issues will become table stakes. A new, blue dimension of sustainability -- one that affects capital costs, consumer values, and environmental integrity -- is on the horizon and rapidly approaching: water.
Two key factors are going to change the way water is managed inside companies: 1) water availability will change as a result of climate change, and 2) water scarcity will become more widespread as world population continues to grow.
These factors will directly impact the availability of water, thereby influencing its cost and the cost of business operations. Water prices rose 27% between 2001 and 2006 and are forecasted to continue to increase, according to the NUS Consulting Group. To compound these issues, some say that population growth will cause water quality to decline from increases in waste and non-point pollution.
Companies are beginning to realize that water, like energy and carbon, should be a key pillar of a corporate sustainability strategy. Both PepsiCo and General Electric have made commitments to reduce water consumption 20% by 2015 and 2012, respectively. Weyerhaeuser, an $8.8B company in the lumber and wood production industry, set a goal to reduce water at its cellulose fibers mills 20% by 2012.
Despite these impressive commitments, few companies are managing water as a strategic resource. More often than not, companies are dealing with water-related issues in a scattershot fashion by focusing on risks associated with water withdrawal, use, and disposal.
Some of the biggest water-related risks companies face are:
- Operational: Changes in water availability or costs could disrupt business operations
- Regulatory: New regulations or lawsuits associated with water use could add to capital costs or restrict operations
- Reputational: Failing to address social concerns associated with water use could prove damaging to a company's reputation or brand
Developing safeguards for these types of risks can help companies stay off the radar of watchdogs, but they will not offer competitive edge in the market place.
Corporations need to look beyond risk-management when developing sustainability strategies. A successful approach should include defensive (risk-management) provisions as well as offensive strategies that foster growth (innovation and conservation).
Growth Through Competitive Advantage
In order to gain a competitive edge, companies can focus on process and product innovations that deliver cost savings to the company and the consumer through the more efficient use of water. There are three main ways a business can achieve this goal: implementing process efficiency measures, redesigning existing products, and developing new products that enhance environmental performance.
Operational Efficiency: Innovations that reduce water use through elimination, reduction and recycling offer benefits in terms of cost savings, by reducing water, energy, treatment and disposal costs; environmental impact, by reducing pressure on local water supplies; and reputation, by promoting an image as a responsible community member.
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water conservation
Exactly what we have been talking about for years! Water is and will be our biggest environmental issue. stone paper- FiberStone® saves 16,000 gallons of water per ton produced!
Beyond Manufacturing
Looks like we should be using Kentucky Blue Grass in our logos in the future.
While a lot of the usage is in manufacturing, is is appalling to see the amount of water wasted on landscaping in strip malls and business parks around the country. A switch to low water planting, combined with water sensing sprinklers are the way to go. Can't tell you how many times I have pulled in the parking lot at a former employer with the rain pouring down and sprinklers running too.
We have the technology, let's use it!
The Green Decoder
http://thegreendecoder.blogspot.com
Http://twitter.com/greendecoder
Fix the leaks!
Another quick hit you don't list here would be to fix the leaks in the industrial pipe systems. The water-carrying industrial infrastructure has been neglected and, just like our municipal network, the pipes are aging. Detecting and fixing those leaks is a direct saving in both water and dollars. There are some sleek new technologies to precisely identify the location of a buried leak even on plastic pipes.
Greg Boutin, GrowthRoute Ventures
Fix the leaks!
Another quick hit you don't list here would be to fix the leaks in the industrial pipe systems. The water-carrying industrial infrastructure has been neglected and, just like our municipal network, the pipes are aging. Detecting and fixing those leaks is a direct saving in both water and dollars. There are some sleek new technologies to precisely identify the location of a buried leak even on plastic pipes.
Greg Boutin, GrowthRoute Ventures
Deal with population growth
we can't just keeep growing. until we take population growth seriously, everything else we do is just a temporary fix, including reducing water usage. Population growth is the key issue we need to look at.
Albert Kaufman
Portland, Oregon
Storm Runoff and Pollution
... is the biggest identified threat to the health of rivers and water quality in most urban watersheds. About 40 percent of US rivers and streams still don't meet the goals of the Clean Water Act, after 35 years of effort so far.
Anyone with rooftops or pavement can and should improve their operations by utilizing "green infrastructure" and innovative best management practices for stormwater. Rain gardens, green roofs, cisterns or rain barrels, pervious paving systems, and preserving/enhancing green native vegetated buffer areas along streams and rivers will pay big dividends for the sustainability of rivers and groundwater.
These undervalued water resources are a key basis for everyone's health and quality of life.
H20 - Taken for granted
This problem exists on two levels. On a macro level it is a political hot potato and recent history in places like Spain and Jordan have shown the potential for water usage rights to cause problems both within and accross state boundaries. At a local level, while individuals and businesses continue to take water usage for granted, then they will not fix the leaks or opt for green water usage in the way that you and the other commentors have suggested that they need to.
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