I remember Earth Day in 1990. There was a one page ad taken out in The New York Times that Sunday by a prominent upscale department store. It was about the importance of reusing, recycling and conserving. For some reason, I never forgot that ad. It stuck with me. It resonated. There was something quite powerful in the messaging that seemed quite simple.
Fast forward to present day … for the most part, we’re making more concerted efforts to go green. There are mainstream films focused on environmental issues chronicling how we have damaged our planet, such as: An Inconvenient Truth, the 11th Hour and Erin Brokovich. Auto manufacturers have created hybrid cars, and demand seems to be growing. Car pooling is not just for children en route to elementary school, but is encouraged for adults heading to work. There are recycling facilities everywhere. We now know that there are products to clean our households that are deemed as environmentally safe and friendly. There is greater awareness of what we should be doing, and how we should be conducting ourselves in a more environmentally conscious manner. We’re certainly trying. But, is this new found sense of urgency enough? And, what about the place where we spend most of time – the office?!
Well, maybe, maybe not. I know of people who have to bring home cans and bottles to make sure that they are placed in recycle bins. They have to do this because there are no designated bins at their offices. On the other hand, I do receive e-mails from friends and colleagues with the following in green at the bottom: “Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.” I have obviously seen changes in the methods employed to send documentation. More and more data is being transmitted electronically. Rather than sending CDs of information or hard copies of reports via traditional mail or courier service, files are being transferred securely online. This should lead to a reduction in the use of fuel, and fewer emissions of hazardous gases like Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide. The sending of faxes has also lessened with electronic transmission. But, paper is still being thrown away and there are resources being wasted. Lights are often left on when no one is in any given office. Even with utilization of technology and our willingness to take more responsibility, there are constant problems and persistent issues.
So, what can we do to really make things better… to try to save this planet of ours? Is your company environmentally sound, and using their technological ingenuity to be more green? If so, please let me know (amanda.bleich@proginet.com). And, lastly, please think of the environment before printing this blog.
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Tags: conservation, Earth Day, electronic data transfer, environment, recycle
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