| The world population has been growing at a | | | | organizations are putting pressure on countries to |
| phenomenal rate. With more people on this planet, | | | | adopt green policies. |
| there is increased energy consumption. Experts | | | | Slow but surely, the message is getting through. |
| predict that with the current rate of population | | | | Governments are now beginning to realize that |
| growth, CO2 emissions would have increased by | | | | the environment is hurting, and they can no longer |
| 55% in 20 years time. The amount of CO2 that is | | | | sit back and do nothing. Hence, many countries |
| emitted is directly responsible for global warming. | | | | are offering support for commercial companies |
| Many countries are already feeling the effects of | | | | that are willing to go green. |
| a warmer climate. International committees and | | | | Solution 2: Energy efficiency. |
| organizations are starting to pay attention to the | | | | The second solution is a more immediate and |
| startling consequences. A couple of possible | | | | economically viable solution. By getting more from |
| solutions have been proposed. | | | | less, the amount of CO2 emission can be reduced |
| Solution 1: Alternative energy sources. | | | | directly. Energy efficiency leads to cost savings in |
| Some have started to look at alternative energy | | | | the long term, and less environmental damage. |
| sources as the solution. The assumption here is | | | | While we wait for a viable energy source (of |
| that if these alternative energy sources (e.g. solar, | | | | course, there is no guarantee that one will arrive), |
| wind, and other renewable sources) are viable, we | | | | energy management appears to be the most |
| can stop emitting CO2 into the environment. At | | | | practical solution. |
| present, the heavy reliance on oil means that the | | | | When energy measurements are implemented, |
| more energy we use, the more CO2 we emit. A | | | | companies and organizations find that they can |
| shift away from oil would result in drastic | | | | save cost without having to sacrifice |
| improvements in the environment. | | | | performance. These are measures that can be |
| Unfortunately, development of such energy | | | | used immediately. |
| sources have been slow. Cost is the primary | | | | Alternative energy sources may be the future. |
| concern. If it's not economically viable, it's very | | | | But while we wait for the technology to mature, |
| hard for an energy source to acquire mass | | | | the environment is hurting. A middle ground |
| adoption. Besides, development of alternative | | | | solution can be very useful during this period. |
| energy sources threaten the very existence of | | | | If you haven't looked at green initiatives, you may |
| some of the largest companies in the world. | | | | wish to start soon. Many initiatives are backed by |
| These companies develop products that depend | | | | the government, which means that there may be |
| primarily on oil for power. So the tendency for | | | | incentives for your company for taking the Green |
| them is to put up strong resistance against any | | | | movement seriously. |
| initiatives for alternative energy sources. | | | | No effort is too small, and every single step |
| However, despite such formidable challenges, | | | | counts. Even if it means taking a small step today, |
| some companies have gone ahead with green | | | | it's going to make a difference. So start taking |
| initiatives. For example, more and more web | | | | action. |
| hosting data centers are going green. International | | | | |