Blog Action Day: 5 Ways Your Office Can Help With Climate Change

Climate changes have dangerous consequences on the Earth and the animals and plants inhabiting it. Here is an interesting article, “100 Effects of Global Warming,” that lists the 100 ways climate changes can be disastrous.

I’ve worked in a few offices, and I am always shocked on how they are not trying to do much to help with environmental issues. The amount of materials wasted is mind boggling, especially when you consider that it isn’t just one or two offices doing it, but the majority of them.

Here are five ways that offices (regardless of their size) can help control climate changes:

1. Allow Employees to Telecommute – With the advancements of technology, people are more connected than ever. More and more, companies are adopting cloud computing technology and laptops/netbooks. However, even though this is increasing, companies still want their employees to be at the office five days out of the week. This is a form of micromanaging and unwilling to change that is causing more harm than good. It’s also a known fact that telecommuting has more pros than cons, so there is no reason to not start allowing this today. Telecommuting allows companies to save money while helping the environment because you minimize the use of electricity needed at the office. If you are worried about the productivity level of your employees, then try it on a trial basis. You will more likely find that it’s a good change.

2. Web Conferencing/Teleconferencing is a Good Thing – Meetings are a necessary evil because you want to work alongside your clients to provide the best solution for them. However, many of these meetings could be held via web conferencing/teleconferencing. This eliminates the need to travel by car, train, or plane, which lowers fuel emissions, while saving money. Majority of offices have this option available, but rarely use it. You are paying for a subscription to this service, so start setting up web conferences/teleconferences with your clients today.

3. Eliminate Paper Waste – The amount of paper that is wasted in an office is incredible. I try and skim through documents on the screen, or print on both sides of the paper for those documents that I need to really read. However, there are plenty of people who don’t. They print out any and every tidbit they come across, and then throw it in the trash when they are done. Additionally, the amount of paper cups, plates, and utensils that are used in an office and then thrown away is even worse. This is something that employees need to do. Stop wasting so much paper! The majority of the documentation that you are reading can be read online. There are many ways to store data without having to print a hardcopy. You don’t need paper lying around that is just collecting dust.

4. Turn Off and Unplug Electronics – Many people leave their computers, printers, scanners, faxes, etc. running at all times at the office. It does not hurt if you turn them off and unplug them before you leave the office. You save energy, which in turn helps the Earth. Another great way to save energy is by buying electronics that have the ENERGY STAR label. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it can save up to as much as 90% savings for some electronics.

5. Encourage Employees to Volunteer in Helping the Earth – Find ways to have your employees volunteer by partnering with groups that have environmentally-friendly activities, such as recycling, cleaning the environment, biking to work, etc. If you get your employees involved, they might be more receptive in being accountable for their actions around the office.

If we work together, we can start helping the environment.

Use Technology to Teach Kids to Go Green

My five-year old daughter told Santa Claus, who visited her school, that she wanted a Nintendo DS, a portable video game console. When I heard this, I couldn’t help but reminisce of the time I was her age. I wanted a Cabbage Patch, board game, or to have sidewalk chalk. How times have changed.

Children are consumed with video consoles, electric gadgets, and computers. We might frown upon this, but these mediums can be the launching pad we need to make our children aware about environmental issues. Below are three ways to turn technology into tools to educate our kids about the world surrounding them:

1. Let them play online games with no guilt - If your children are into playing online games, like mine are, then this is for you. Nickolodeon has launched a new online gaming site, The Big Green Help, to teach our kids about going green. Before children are allowed to play, they have to make a pledge to reduce their carbon emissions. They get a pledge list where they choose the things they are going to do to help the Earth. It’s a great way to let them have fun playing while also educating them.
2. Use the television to teach them about the world – There are many children shows out there that are just a waste of time. However, there are also some that can educate them and not make you feel guilty if they are watching TV. Discovery Channel and Animal Planet have great documentaries, such as Planet Earth, that will help children appreciate how beautiful and wondrous our world is. Additionally, these channels sometimes have a week, like Shark Week, that is dedicated to a cause that even adults are not aware is hurting our environment. PBS is also rich with great shows, such as Animalia and It’s a Big Big World. Before you realize, your kids are going to be hooked on these educational shows instead of wasteful shows.
3. Video games are not all bad – Remember my five-year old daughter who wanted a DS? Well, she told my mother what she wanted, and my mother, like any grandmother, got it for her. I worried she was way too young and will be glued to the DS, but I found a way to use it to teach her about our responiblities to the Earth while she enjoys her new toy. Two DS games that I purchased are The Littlest Pet Shop and Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol. In the Littlest Pet Shop, children have to take care of their pets and the environment surrounding them. Chibi-Robo is Nintendo’s first green game. It is about a robot whose world is becoming contaminated, so his job is to clean it up. I have seen that she is starting to ask environmental questions that I am shocked are coming out of her mouth.

These are the three ways to turn technology into something that will make our children aware and educate them on ways they can help the Earth. However, do not forget to take them outside to enjoy the real world and leave their electronics behind.