Going Green: Economically and Environmentally
Written by: Madyson Studenek
While there are many ideas about solutions to ‘reverse’ climate change, yet one is the best option: is to create ‘greener’ stores and businesses in order to not waste energy and reduce our carbon footprint. Many companies have already made the beginning steps towards going green or at least greener. From Tesla to McDonald’s companies are pairing with PETA and scientists to reduce the waste and emissions their businesses produce. This is creating a healthier economy as well as ecosystem since the companies are saving money, but also saving the environment. 
Wal-mart has already hopped on this bandwagon because they have introduced the use of white roofs and LED lighting as sources of saving power, and whether this is a more cost-effective way or not, they are still recognizing the environmental aspects of their decisions. Wal-mart has been making claims that they hope to be powering their stores with 100% renewable energy in the near future and produce zero waste. NBC News looked into this progress: “Wal-Mart recently opened an experimental store in McKinney, Texas, to study environmental efforts such as heating the store with used cooking and motor oil. Scott said the savings so far were not enough to cover the cost of building the store, but that it may be economically feasible if Wal-Mart takes advantage of its size and rolls out such changes across the chain” (MSNBC). While they have not made enough to cover the store, Wal-mart is still not giving up on their green goal. They recognize that the startup is all about working out the kinks and creating a model for all of their stores hereinafter.
Another company that has been working to create a more environmentally friendly company is Tesla. Tesla has created a program where the owners can come to the Tesla facility and swap out their dead car battery with a charged one in order to reduce any waste that would be created by disposing of the old batteries by consumers. Since the companies will be investing more this will cause Real GDP to go up. Additionally, they have opened a charging station where drivers can go to plug in their cars and quickly charge the battery so that they can continue their commute and go on with their busy days with minimal interruption. “Tesla opened its first superchargers, which all Model S owners can use for free, in 2012 to encourage long-distance travel. As of March 2015, the company had installed 425 supercharger locations worldwide with a net book value of $128.5 million. The company plans to increase its supercharger locations to 570 this year, and Musk told shareholders that over time solar panels will be added to all locations where it's possible” (Korosec). Tesla has been using this model in order to reduce waste and create more convenience for their customers causing the demand to increase for these cars. Their goal is to be waste free and use all renewable energy sources which is why they made plans to install solar panels wherever it’s possible in the near future.
I think it's great that companies are trying to go green and help conserve resources. I'm wondering how much it would cost to implement all these eco-friendly tools, and if the offset would be worth it to companies who do. Would they have a reason to push green energy if it meant they were spending more money? Of course, as you said they are just starting out so there are bound to be pitfalls and kinks to work out. Tesla has the right idea in giving their customers an incentive to use green energy stations by making them free - this in turn would increase the demand for their cars, and would help them make a profit.
ReplyDeleteI agree with going green I think it is beneficial for both business owners and the environment to go green. The world is slowly dying like the rest of us. There is no determining how much longer the earth will survive but we want it to be here for our generations to come. What we don't want to do is ruin the earth for everyone else, we should want to leave it the way we got it. Yes, its a little late to leave the earth exactly how we got it because as humans we evolve and develop. But simple everyday things can help even if you don't think you are changing anything every effort counts. It can be as simple and turning off the lights unplugging things your not using, walk places, bike places, car pool use public transit, recycle. I think these's stores are going to be role models for future development of more businesses, and homes. I think this should be heard of around the world and maybe in less developed countries they will use this method of going green.
ReplyDeleteIt is my utmost hope that this becomes the norm. The world is warming and our current amount of consumption is unsustainable. The need to switch to new sources of energy is dire and the fact that it is beginning to become profitable is good for everyone. If it is profitable there is more incentive to develop these technologies further so that they're more profitable and efficient.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMany people tend to divert away from renewable energy because of high costs of implementing the resources. I think that because Wal-Mart and Tesla are such huge corporations, others will soon follow as well. Green energy is an investment, so if many more companies, be start ups or already large firms, start to convert their energy sources, in the long run their investments will pay off. It may not pay in terms of money, but it will towards the environment. The use electric cars, solar panels, wind energy and so much more can lead to a safer and healthier environment, for us people and all the other animals on the Earth. But it is understandable that because this rise in green energy is fairly new, it's going to take decades to figure it out and work it into society efficiently and effectively. Also, if more money is spent by firms or even the government, this may also increase real GDP. So, in my opinion there are only bright sides to start turning towards green energy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing valuable information. Nice post. I enjoyed reading this post.
ReplyDeleteSolar Power In Albuquerque
Solar Power Systems
Solar Power To Home