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By addressing certain items head-on, your engineering firm can have an impact on its carbon emissions and operate more environmentally friendly.
America is waking up to face its responsibility in addressing sustainability. Representing 5% of the world population and consuming approximately a quarter of the world's energy, the United States is the dominant player in addressing the threat for our future. The current world economy and population cannot be sustained on this planet if we continue to follow current trends, and if America is to serve as an example for the world.
Building design professionals are aware of the central role they play professionally in reducing sustainability impacts. In addition to their individual roles, the businesses they are associated with also have a role in helping to facilitate change. Building designers have both a unique opportunity and a fundamental responsibility to address this issue-for clients and staff alike. Your business involves significant development of the built environment, and the result impacts the environment.
Your business also produces carbon directly as a result of operations, and your employees generate carbon at work and in their day-to-day lives. This impact is as important as offering sustainable products and services. Firms must tackle these impacts and should embrace sustainability as one of the dominant issues of today.
Viewing the big picture
The sustainability crisis demands a much higher level of awareness and action than currently exists. Business is the most powerful institution on the planet and can be a potent force for good. The sustainability crisis represents a threat to all living beings but also a unique business opportunity.
The key to taking action is getting started, and with leadership from the top of an organization. Much like obesity, this issue does not have a quick fix-it needs regular attention and effort. One needs to:
Have a plan-not a haphazard response
Continue development over an extended period; learn from your mistakes and don't worry about making them
Publish your plan and also your results
Establish a baseline
Become educated, and seek tools and reliable information to make informed decisions on climate change.
What are the sustainability opportunities for your company? When you view the issue of sustainability, consider the opportunities this provides for your company:
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