I try to minimize the use of sarcasm in my observations about the perils our civilization faces vis-a-vis the decay of our environment and the horrific apathy with which our society addresses the challenge. It’s not that being snide and sardonic has no place in writing; maybe my reluctance lies in the fact that I’m not particularly talented at it. (more…)
Here’s our Instagram post from the other day.
Caption: Sweden managed to reach its goal of a 50 per cent renewable energy share several years ahead of the Swedish government’s 2020 schedule, in 2012. The most recent figure of 52 per cent for renewable energy – including electricity, district heating and fuel – is the highest in the EU.
What started as an environmentally conscious trend has turned into a new way to do business. Going green by reusing, reducing and recycling saves businesses money and increases community engagement. Here are three steps your business can take to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Reduce (more…)
Most people would say that a steady paycheck is the reason why they go to work. However, for other people the reason for doing the job they do goes beyond the financial compensation they receive. They get a deep sense of satisfaction from what they do, and they feel like they are having a positive impact on the lives of people in their community as well as on the planet as a whole. The following is a list of some of the careers that are having a positive impact on the environment.
Farming
In the United States, there are approximately 2 million farmers. Interestingly, the majority of them are 55 years of age or over. The work they do not only provides the food we eat, but when performed in a sustainable way using small-scale organic methods, it has a positive impact on the environment. Farming is an area where more help is needed. It is estimated that over the next few years tens of millions of farmers will be needed to fill the farming demand.
Forester
Very few people list Forrester on their top 10 dream jobs. However, foresters do a job that has a powerfully positive impact on the environment, on conservation, and on financial development. The World Bank estimates that more than one and a half billion individuals rely on the forest to live. Foresters work with these individuals to help them go from the destructive slash and burn techniques that many use to a form of planting and growing that is more environmentally friendly. They work with communities and governments alike to address deforestation.
Civil Engineers
Civil engineers are people who are passionate about the environment. Their passion when coupled with the skills learned while earning a master’s in civil engineering allow them to have a greater impact on the environment than any other group of people on the planet. Civil engineers work with the air people breathe, the water they drink, as well as addressing environmental and infrastructure challenges on a global scale.
Installing Solar Panels
The installation of solar panels accounts for more than half a million jobs around the world. Installing photovoltaic cells is a high-paying job, with some individuals earning up to $35 an hour. It is a trade that is growing and is estimated to increase by more than 100,000 jobs over the next few years. Individuals who work in this field play a role in minimizing fossil fuel use and creating sustainable energy that has a positive impact on the planet.
As people’s attitudes toward the environment and protecting the plant change, so will the number of jobs that are available to address these concerns. Whether working installing solar panels, as a civil engineer, as a farmer, or as one tasked at protecting the forest, individuals whose work allows them to protect the environment go home at the end of the day with a sense of joy and accomplishment.
As a modern business owner, it’s important to think about how to make your business more eco-friendly. There are so many things you can do to show you care about the environment. And, it’s your responsibility as a business owner to make sure you do this. Here are some awesome green hacks you can put into practice to help with this. They are an excellent way of making sure your company is more eco-friendly.
Recycle (more…)
A reader asked for my comment on this technology: turbines installed inside of municipal water pipes that converts some of that hydrokinetic energy into electricity.
First, let’s start with the most obvious: this doesn’t apply to water that is flowing because it was pushed along by a pump. This device slows down the velocity of the water, and would therefore cause the pump to work harder to compensate for it. So we need to confine ourselves to gravity-fed pipes. (more…)
As climate change looms larger in the public conscience and energy efficient practices become more accessible, it makes sense for businesses to invest in more sustainable energy alternatives. The rate at which natural resources are being consumed is not sustainable, so altering buildings and business practices to include renewable energy generation is the logical next step. (more…)
There is no doubt that the ultra-low price of gasoline and diesel has made it tough for electric transportation, and, to a degree, renewable energy. Yet, remarkably, the world is experiencing a considerable boom in the clean energy space. (more…)
Civil engineering is a career that involves creating, improving and protecting the environment in which we live. Civil engineers are tasked with planning, designing and overseeing the maintenance and construction of building facilities and structures like roads, bridges, airports, railways, harbors, dams, power plants, irrigation projects and wastewater systems. (more…)
One day last month, Germany generated 90% of its electricity from renewable resources. Though this is a rarity (their average in 2015 was 33%, up from 28% in 2014), the world stands in awe of what these folks have done in terms of innovation in the energy sector. (more…)
