CarbonFeet

What factors determine whether a particular asset is efficient or not within any given organization? Put it another way, what are the important metrics when it comes to assessing the viability of an asset and its return on investment? Traditionally, these factors are centered around performance based on specific purpose and the benchmarks used reflect manufacturer or industry expectations.

Asset sustainability is now becoming more widely recognized as an indicator of value. Companies understand how their activities may impact the people and environment all around them and are beginning to interpret the true meaning of corporate social responsibility. The company understands that it relies on natural resources to operate and that it must be a better steward of these resources.

How can a company minimize its exposure while at the same time trying to balance true profit potential? In the modern era this is going to be an increasingly difficult juggling act, especially as engaged stakeholders seem to have visibility into every action.

The concept of asset sustainability concerns the volume of energy that the company is responsible for buying and utilizing. The energy in turn creates greenhouse gas emissions and this is a source of great anxiety in our society in general. Energy, therefore, needs not only to be treated as a scarce commodity, but we also need to analyze the sustainability of each asset using this energy.

Typically, an asset is purchased for a particular purpose and its efficiency measured according to industry or product benchmarks. In short, the asset is termed to be operating efficiently and to purpose if it performs as measured by specific parameters. Very rarely is it measured according to its carbon output, or determined to be ultimately sustainable, or not.

Asset design and manufacture will in future be based on asset sustainability. This is a novel concept and dictates that actual efficiency may need to be less than ultimate efficiency, if it is determined that by going for the ultimate, the product will become environmentally unsustainable.

How do we determine asset sustainability? We need to monitor each piece of equipment to show its energy consumption statistics. Again, this is not undertaken by the majority of companies, many of whom are only beginning to realize how their energy-related carbon footprint can be controlled by electricity use. We will need to look behind the meter to monitor each asset and will then be able to compare against historical records.

We can no longer expect assets, once installed, to merely perform to expectations until they are replaced, but rather asset sustainability has more importance.

Daniel Stouffer has much more data about asset sustainability and how a visit to www.verisae.com will be of use to you.

The term full cost accounting is alien to many. Basically, it is as far away from the traditional definition of cost analysis as you can get. Traditional accounting, which we’re all familiar with, maintains a very strict and particular approach to interpreting data. Everything is effectively black and white and must balance without error. Double entry reconciliation is the name of the game.

There is a significant difference when it comes to full cost accounting, as compared to the traditional approach. We need to account for everything in holistic terms and know that there is a social and environmental implication to everything that we do. This is often referred to as “triple bottom line” or “3P” style of reporting. A full cost accounting approach should always be used when it comes to the construction of the water costing profile, so all actions and potential implications are understood and dialed in to the plan. This is, don’t forget, our most precious resource.

Accurate and inclusive water costing is a vital exercise for every company. This is our most precious resource after all and we can be sure that over use and a lack of sustainability will be heavily penalized, whenever scarcity rears its head. Go further than the absolute calculation associated with water costing, or”direct” costs. These are only baselevel costs of course and do not reflect the true cost of using and eliminating water.

The true picture will only be revealed when water costing takes into account all the indirect costs associated. This is where we start to enter a gray area in accounting and corporate disclosure terms, as there is no absolute method in favor. Nevertheless, many of the most forward thinking companies are adopting a comprehensive approach to water costing, by really interpreting their actions from every angle.

Direct water costing should be considered first by the company, as these costs are fairly easy to calculate. Largely, this will involve treating, transporting and modifying the water for our use, based on the cost of procurement and discharge. We must include the technology required to handle the water, the cost of regulation and other “behind the scenes” costs such as management, equipment, time and materials.

The direct water costing liability is only part of the equation. The next part will require a brainstorming session to unravel the company’s impact on its surroundings. For example, how will water use and discharge effect delicate ecosystems and local ecology? If there is a service disruption, how will it impact internally and externally, in broader terms? If a company chooses to use water in a particular way, is it likely to annoy or otherwise influence an important group of important stakeholders? What additional, potentially significant costs could arise?

Inclusive water costing calculations must be available and considered before any strategic initiatives are considered by the organization. If expansion could involve an increase in the amount of water consumed or discharged, how would this affect people and planet, quite apart from profits?

Every resource usage has its own implications. Justification must be apparent when it comes to each kilowatt of energy, each individual gram of carbon and each drop of water.

Daniel Stouffer has a lot of information about water costing and how a visit to www.verisae.com will be of use to you.

A frontal system is the change of different types of weather systems. Learning how they work is a fascinating subject. Do you know how a weather front works?

As we know, the sun heats the Earth’s atmosphere. However, this happens in an irregular way for a variety of reasons. The atmosphere seeks equilibrium so large masses of air are constantly in motion, thus setting off different climate changes.

For example, if a cold mass of air moves into an area already occupied by a warm air mass, we say a cold front is moving in. However, when a warm front moves in, it rides over the colder air mass. As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, forming water vapor. On the ground, we see high cirrus clouds form, followed by mid-level clouds then stratus clouds that may produce wind and rain (or snow).

Cold fronts often produce volatile weather because they force the warm air mass up sharply, making the climate unstable. This situation forms cumulus clouds and triggers storms along the edge of the front. A low pressure area also forms, strengthening existing winds. That’s why we often see strong winds and heavy rains when a cold front passes through.

It sometimes happens that a slow-moving warm front is overtaken by a faster-moving cold front. If so, the warm air front is upward and the two fronts move together and called an occluded front. These fronts typically have stratus clouds and light rain or snow.

On other occasions two fairly weak air masses meet and are too weak to replace each other. This stationary front usually signals a cloudy period and long periods of rain or snow that may take days to pass by.

Land masses and large bodies of water affect how front systems act. For example, sea water stores heat and thus is heated and cooled more slowly than land. Therefore, the ocean carries warm and cold water all over the globe and surface temperatures and climate are affected by undersea currents.

It is amazing how climate in one part of the world is affected by climate in another region half a globe away. The warm Gulf Stream makes Great Britain’s climate much more temperate than similar parts of the world. Also, when the warm Gulf Stream meets cold air from a polar region, the result is a winter storm on the U.S. eastern seaboard.

When a frontal system moves through, the weather can change dramatically. In summer, when a front passes and brings thunderstorms, the effect can be blessed relief from the heat. Or, it can mean storms of terrifying intensity. It is well worth your while to learn more about weather fronts and how they can affect your life.

Kurt Schefken is writing for the most part for http://www.alicante-spain.com , an internet site on alicante spain weather . You can come across his contributions on weather forecast for alicante on his site.