Five Ways Corporate Leaders Can Do Their Part to Avoid a Climate Disaster
Author Bill Gates Points Business Leaders to Key Actions that Move the Needle on Climate Change
Bustling office buildings, call centers, warehouses, and business parks use lots of energy. So it’s no surprise that corporations are one of the leading contributors to human-caused climate change.
You might wonder how much impact you have on your organization’s energy usage if you’re just one cog in the wheel. Turns out that if you’re a planet-conscious business leader with the sway to make changes within your organization, you can do a lot.
Keep reading to learn about the specific, consistent, and targeted actions that can make a real difference.
- Upgrade Heating and Cooling Systems
Keeping the office comfortable for all employees is vital, especially with increasingly volatile weather and rising temperatures. But comfort doesn’t have to equal increased usage.
Gates says, “Ironically, the very thing we’ll be doing to survive in a warmer climate – running air conditioners – could make climate change worse.” Here’s how to keep employees happy without increasing your company’s carbon footprint:
- Invest in smart glass. This material changes in response to remote control or external temperature, insulating the interior space and blocking light to preserve temperature.
- Install energy-efficient air conditioners. Even with smart glass, your office will likely need some air conditioning. Opt for newer, energy-efficient models.
- Get an electric heat pump. Heat pumps are efficient and climate-friendly. While upfront costs are higher than gas heaters, the usage savings quickly add up.
- Use Smart Thermostats
Even with tools like smart glass and energy-efficient appliances, it can be challenging for busy offices to stay on top of energy consumption around heating and cooling.
Smart thermostats use sensors to predict and monitor when resources are needed and can automatically turn the temperature up or down. Many models come with timers, room-specific settings, and remote-access options. In addition to conserving energy, they’ll save you money on your heating and cooling bills.
- Proactively Organize Carpools
According to Gates, transportation is the number-one cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. So take the initiative to help your employees organize carpools and put fewer cars on the road.
Since logistics are the biggest carpool hurdle for most employees, help by surveying and matching rideshares based on schedules and general locations. While carpooling may not be an option for everyone, every day, many people find that arranging a pool several days a week is both feasible and an enjoyable way to bond with coworkers.
- Support Employees in Green Commuting
In addition to carpools, consider incentivizing walking or biking to work. For example, share safe commuting routes to the office or offer reserved bike parking and locker rooms for employees to freshen up after commuting. You can even create a company-wide challenge with a corresponding reward for walking or biking to work the most days in a given quarter.
- Seek Green Replacements for Tech and Appliances
Gates says, “With every breakthrough in generating, storing, and delivering clean electricity, we would march closer and closer to zero.”
For business leaders committed to being part of the climate solution, embracing green tech is one of the most innovative ways to contribute. Get in the habit of replacing broken or inefficient office appliances, gadgets, and tools with greener options. Be aware that new options may have entered the market since you last looked, so do a little research and shop around.
Whether you choose one or all of Gates’s suggestions for business leaders, your efforts in the fight against climate change make a difference. Share your commitment to one way you’ll be helping tackle climate change on Twitter using #HowtoAvoidaClimateDisaster
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