CarbonFeet

Environmental management is no longer something for scientists, environmentalists and politicians to debate, rather it is a theory that must be put into practice as a result of boardroom initiatives across the land. Until the latter third of the 20th century these kinds of environmental issues had been largely ignored in real terms by commerce and industry, even though it was clear that there were potentially serious repercussions down the road.

For the longest time, big business decisions were based on how much better and how much bigger we could become and driven by consumption needs. Fossil fuels were seen as the best way forward to create energy for our burgeoning needs. Sustainability was far from people’s minds and our environment was constantly ravaged as we sought to go the extra mile.

Following the introduction of the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act in the late 1960s, environmental management solutions became more widespread. When the International Standardization Organization introduced its ISO 14001 standard, following closely on the heels of the European Eco-management and Audit Scheme, everything took off. Now a series of criteria had been laid down and it was the right thing to do for organizations to adopt the standards and for others to see that they were doing so.

A number of other environmental management solutions exist to complement or extend the ISO 14001 standard, many of which have been introduced to smaller organizations for whom the main ISO standard may be too onerous. It is recognized that full implementation of an ISO 14001 standard may have adverse trading repercussions for smaller organizations and developing countries alike.

Environmental management solutions have been put forward by the United Nations based on a natural capital approach. This advocates using accounting reform and the adoption of the triple bottom-line philosophy, to take into account ecological and social performance in addition to traditional outputs.

Some proponents of alternative environmental management solutions advocate self-regulation as a better way to proceed rather than through enforced compliance, auditory checks and other standards. As an example, consumable and durable products would then be seen as distinct from “unsalables,” otherwise classified as toxic products.

An integrated management approach to the introduction of environmental management solutions is currently favored. All elements within an organization must be aware of their contribution to the life cycle of the business product and must be internally responsible for their impact environmentally. This is in particular focus as new legislation is discussed to reduce one of the greatest environmental hazards, emission of toxic greenhouse gases.

Environmental management solutions can form part of a wider goal to help ensure that an organization achieves sustainability. As particular focus is placed on reducing a carbon footprint, the organization must also ensure that it is environmentally efficient as a whole. Wastage at all levels will not be tolerated from a societal or economic point of view, with the twin threats of reputational harm and regulatory penalty ahead.

Daniel Stouffer has much more information about environmental management solutions and how a visit to www.verisae.com can be of use to you.

Bred from a worldwide panic of global warming, some have chosen to harness the energy of solar electrical panels for all of their electricity needs.

These incredible pieces of silicon can literally transform radiation from sunlight into usable energy to power our electrical needs. The silicon panel itself is made up of several solar cells, that, when exposed to sunlight reacts in a very powerful way.

Photons strike off the surface of the silicon panel, which produces a very formidable force. This force pushes electrons in their fields out of their orbits and out into free space. The solar cells on the panel direct the electrons into one direct path with each other resulting in a current that, through similar cables and structures as regular methods, makes its way inside to where it is needed.

So what makes solar energy different? There seems to be some separation of people who believe in global warming. For those that do, there is little time to waste to start changing how things are happening for the sake of the ozone layer surrounding the Earth. Coal energy is still the most used source for electricity, seconded by nuclear sources, but many have recently been made aware of the damaging environmental effects which have them considering alternatives like wind and solar energy.

But why should I be considering solar energy? Well, assuming that you are seeking out safer, “greener” method of attaining your electrical needs, it beats having a giant windmill in your front yard. Of all the environment conscience electricity sources, solar energy is the most cost effective for the individual.

But make no mistake about it, solar energy is not cheaper than nuclear and coal provided electricity. It’s not cheaper for right now anyway. For instance, in California the average cost of conventional electric has gone up by 6% annually for the past few years. Solar energy, in many cases involves only the initial start up to install and pay for the equipment. It has been stated for the average 3-bedroom home will require a system that could range from thirteen to twenty seven thousand dollars to set up. This does not include rebates several states are offering.

So it’s safe to say those who have taken on solar panels for their energy requirements have more passion to change the effects on the environment than saving that money in their bank.

Solar electrical panels give people a means to rid themselves of a dependence on destructive energy norms, and move into the freedom of letting Mother Nature give you enough sunshine to fuel anything in your home.

Since the dawn of the industrial age, we have come a long way and have made significant technological moves forward in what is essentially a short period of time. Once we had discovered that the fossil fuels that we find all around us could be converted to energy and thus make our way of life that much better, we did not look back. However, 300 years later we can now see how much damage the conspicuous consumption of these fuels has caused and this has lead to the call for greenhouse laws to try and reverse the damage to our environment and to stave off the potential for significant climate change.

Little did we realize as the decades went by and as we became more and more reliant on fossil fuels for our energy, that the byproduct of energy generation, production and usage was the release of damaging gases, which in large volumes created a warming effect in the atmosphere. We now realize that we must do something to severely curtail this problem and greenhouse laws are now being introduced to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide equivalent gases are the main target of greenhouse laws as these products are very dangerous. A threat exists to all forms of life on the planet, as patterns change and weather events intensify. Those who are deemed to be the largest culprits, the biggest emitters of gases will be in the crosshairs of this new legislation and they will be forced to seek alternative methods of energy production.

Significant goals have been set by the UK government when it comes to reducing carbon emissions. It is intended that they will be reduced by as much as 80% within the next 40 years. To start the ball rolling, mandatory laws will come into place in that country in 2010 and 2011, requiring the major contributors to the problem to get their house in order.

A cunning “cap and trade” scheme will effectively force large emitters of carbon gases to reduce their figures, as a consequence of a value being placed on carbon itself. The scheme is part of the greenhouse laws being introduced in Britain and once the administration sets an overall limit on the total amount of gases that are permissible, market-driven forces will take care of the rest.

The British Carbon Reduction Commitment is a major step by a government and is a realization that large emitters of carbon gases will not act sufficiently through goodwill alone. Up until this point, mandatory greenhouse laws have not been tried, but it is felt that this is the best way to address the overall climate problem.

Environmentalists and scientists have long said that we need to take a serious look at the problem of climate change, although it has only been in recent times that governments have come on board. In the 90s, the Kyoto Protocol was the first significant step in the right direction but many countries did not actively follow up on their initial enthusiasm. To make any real changes work, mandatory greenhouse laws will undoubtedly be very likely.

There is considerable pressure on the United States to take some form of leadership role. Up until this point, various excuses have been given by the US administration and while the Congress is debating its own greenhouse laws, there seems some doubt as to whether they will soon be passed into law, as seen in the UK.