Guest Columns
Experts Explore the Payoffs of Investing in Sustainability
In 2012, investors may want to bet on "green."
"Companies that actively manage environmental risks - and take advantage of associated opportunities - increasingly seem to outperform those who don't in the stock market. That could be a very ...
How All Professional Roles Contribute to Sustainability
In my last article, I wrote about how environmental sustainability can relate to any educational background or functional group in a company. One of my colleagues asked how he could contribute to the sustainability movement without an ...
Demystifying Green Real Estate Development
If you're like most small- to mid-size real estate developers, the idea of going green and sustainable is intriguing, almost sexy at times. But then a fear begins to grow like algae in the back of ...
Mass Transit Goes Green With Enhanced Energy Storage
To avoid ever-rising gas prices, more people are making the switch to public transportation. Instead of traveling by car, they are more apt to ride the bus or train which increases the need for mass transportation. Manufacturers and ...
Five Steps for Planting the Seeds of an Energy-Savings Program
In recent years, the term "green your office" has become increasingly prevalent in our eco-conscious society. Corporations large and small have either introduced or are beginning to take steps toward implementing environmental efficiency programs to show their commitment ...
Tools of the Manufacturing Trade, Part VI
More Comments on Software
In my last article, I posed the question, "Suppose you want to take some action - either at the design end or the manufacturing end. What tools can you rely on ...
‘For-Benefit’ Corporations Value Environmental, Social, Financial Impacts
Fortunately, we're seeing a plethora of green products flood the market, as well as prolific messaging about decisions that individuals can make to enhance the sustainability of their lifestyles.
Sustainability is permeating our business culture as well—the acceptable ...
Identifying External Environmental Costs
KPMG recently released new research analysing a system of ten sustainability megaforces that will impact each and every business over the next 20 years.
The report, Expect ...
The Business Case for Product Sustainability
Global directives, national initiatives, state, and local regulations are all affecting what companies should or should not use in their products. Additional pressure is coming from consumers, employees, business partners, and non-government entities (NGOs), that affects the way we ...
Six Surprising Sustainability Facts
1. Fuel efficient cars would eliminate North American Oil Imports
If every car in North America got the same fuel efficiency as my Toyota Prius there’d be no need to import any oil into North ...
Best Practices in Communicating about Sustainability
While sustainability initiatives have boomed in recent years, many companies are still seeking help in developing strategy and others are struggling with communication efforts. I'd like to offer some clarity and share best practices regarding sustainability ...
Life in the Fast Lane: Electric Vehicle Observations
Recently I had the opportunity to use a Nissan Leaf for several full days, a much more interesting exercise than a simple test drive. As someone working in the sustainability area, as a co-chair of the ...
Geothermal Energy’s Implications for Buildings and Homes
Did you know that the US spends between $30 and $50 billion every month on foreign oil? I find that number to be huge and think that we need to reduce that amount if we want ...
Study: Baby Boomers Believe in Sustainable Principles (and Will Pay for Them)
In the late 1990s I stood with Dr. Henry Kelly, assistant director from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, at the country’s pioneering, large-scale sustainable development, The Community of Civano, and shared my concern ...
Global Water Resources Pushed to the Brink
Reaching a global population of seven billion people could push water resources to the brink, unless agriculture and industry act fast to cut demand.
Water use could reach 8,680,000,000,000 cubic meters this year. A study warned in ...
Careers in the UK Offshore Wind Industry
Last year, global investment in renewable energy rose by 32 percent to $211 billion. And $142 billion of that was new financial investment, which excludes government and corporate R&D. Growth in the wind energy sector is ...
Water, Cleaning, and Sustainability
The professional cleaning industry is far larger than most people realize, with more than $50 billion estimated in annual sales, and its impact on the environment and sustainability is considerable as well. An estimated 6 billion pounds of ...
Policing Chemicals in the Supply Chain
An Outlook of What to Expect 2010-2013
More sustainable products depend on more sustainable materials coming from a supply chain. The spirit – or level of enthusiasm – for sustainable materials and stewardship in industry can be gleaned ...
Making Sustainable Packaging the Standard
In recent years, consumers have become increasingly sensitive about the issue of sustainability and the effect their actions and choices have from a sustainable perspective. They are taking an ever more proactive approach to making purchase decisions ...
Sustainability: Turning Philosophy into Competency
At an executive briefing I recently attended, a panel of Fortune 500 CEOs was asked if their organizations aspired to leadership in sustainability. Polite laughter broke out, with comments like "would we really want to be up ...
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Texas Instruments Sustainability Report: Normalized Emissions Jump 23%
