Last night television news magazine 60 Minutes ran a compelling piece on how changes in Antartica, specifically in the number of new penguin births and melting glaciers are an indicator of global warming.
Recently, there seems to be a turn in the tide of public opinion about global warming. I find that many of the people I know now agree that it is happening and that we should be concerned. However. they don't know what to do about it.
Today, BBC News featured the UK's environmental secretary who suggested that rather than just having his own department worry about it, that global warming should also be a concern of ministers who deal with finance and business. Linking global warming with business is a smart strategy to get people talking about environmental issues.
In the March/April issue of CNA we published an article about craft industry companies that were making Green initiatives and conservation part of their corporate plans. My hope is that if readers took something away from that article it is that environmental considerations aren't just good for the world, but that they can be good for business as well.
There are many resources available to advise businesses of all sizes on how to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution and to recycle. Most states have offices dedicated to just that thing. Additionally utility companies can offer advice and at the very least have you evaluate your current energy usage and how you can reduce that usage without feeling harmful effects. If you are planning to build a new structure or refurbish an existing one, I urge you to contact your state offices and utility companies and ask about any financial incentives offered to companies building Green structures. A small investment upfront could save you money down the road.
Your service and raw materials providers can help as well. For example, companies that handle your cleaning services or sell you your cleaning supplies may be able to help you identify Green cleaning products that do the job with fewer harmful chemicals. Your packaging materials provider may be able to direct you to recycled products.
Another thing to do is to consider the waste generated as a by-product of the manufacturing process, returned orders, damaged goods etc. Usable craft supplies, no matter the packaging are highly sought after by schools as well as youth and senior centers. Or challenge students in the engineering department of your state university to come up with a new use for manufacturing by-products- what to do with all those loose fibers or metal cut-outs.
Let's keep the dialogue about craft industry companies + green business practices going. Please share your experiences, good and bad so that industry colleagues can learn from them. Share them with me . I love learning from you!-Beth