Untitled Document
Home | Site Map | Contact | Text Size :
 
   
Going Green Is More Than Just Good PR
The environment is often considered a "luxury good," meaning that people are willing to spend more on it as their personal financial conditions improve. Of course, that means that when economic conditions turn sour, funding initiatives to improve the environment takes a backseat to more pressing spending priorities, such as the mortgage or your next meal.

However, there are some companies, organizations, and individuals bucking the trend, showing that it's possible to be a responsible financial and environmental steward at the same time.

Going Green to Save Green for a Good Cause

In Cincinnati, for instance, the local Red Cross chapter was recently awarded LEED Gold certification for its new headquarters and disaster operations center. That's a prestigious recognition of how the chapter used environmentally sustainable materials and practices while building the facility.


Yet the chapter had good economic reasons to go green as well. Its new building is significantly more energy efficient than the one it replaced. In fact, despite its being more than 10,000 square feet larger than the old one, it uses less natural gas and electricity, enabling the chapter to run a larger, more modern, and more effective disaster center for less than it was spending before.

The less money put toward operating the building, the better, as this frees up more of the charity's resources for its primary mission, providing disaster relief and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. And these days, every little bit helps.

Not only does it run more cheaply, but it was built inexpensively, too, coming in more than $1 million under its initial budget.

Running the Numbers on Helping the Environment.

Cheap to build and cheap to run? It certainly is possible -- but only if you treat green initiatives the same way you would any other investment.

To tell when projects make financial sense over their lifetimes, you need to run a financial analysis including "Net Present Value" calculations. In the Red Cross building, environmentally friendly insulation, lighting, heating and air conditioning had higher initial costs than less earth-friendly options. But the savings over the lifecycles of the eco products came out ahead.

Even Wal-Mart is Getting Greener.

The Red Cross isn't alone in realizing that legitimate financial benefits can be found by going green.

General Electric (GE), for instance, has an entire "Ecomagination" business line built around environmentally friendlier technologies. PNC Financial Services (PNC) claims more LEED-certified new construction buildings than anyone else on Earth. PepsiCo's (PEP) Frito-Lay claims eight LEED Gold-certified buildings. And even Wal-Mart (WMT) is working to operate more sustainably.

These giant companies may be reaping the PR benefits of going green, but they realize that there's money to be made, too, or they likely wouldn't be pursuing those goals so aggressively.

For instance, Wal-Mart expects $52 million in annual savings for every mile-per-gallon improvement in its transportation fleet. Likewise, PNC claims a 50% improvement in employee morale and retention in its green buildings, as compared with traditional ones.

Perhaps General Electric best captures the "go green, save green" opportunity when it says this about LEED buildings: "An upfront investment of 2% in green building design, on average, results in life cycle savings of 20% of the total construction costs -- more than 10 times the initial investment."


These days, fewer people have the money to treat the environment like a "luxury good." Given those prevailing economic conditions, it's reassuring to know that there are ways to protect your pocketbook and the planet at the same time.

Motley Fool contributor Chuck Saletta serves as volunteer Chairman of Green Facilities for the Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. At the time of publication, Chuck owned shares of General Electric, and his wife owned shares of Duke Energy. The Motley Fool owns shares of PepsiCo and Wal-Mart. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of and creating diagonal call positions on Wal-Mart and PepsiCo.

รายการข่าวอื่นๆ มีดังต่อไปนี้ :
Global Market for Energy Efficient Buildings to Surpass $100 Billion by 2017, According to Pike Research
Cooling solutions offer energy savings, wellness - Philippine Daily Inquirer
Nest Learning Thermostat hands-on ... How a Thermostat Built by Former Apple Guys Will Make Green Cool
Thailand’s Energy Complex wins Asean Energy Awards 2011
First National Green Building Code Approved! - US
New Ways to Use Less Energy at Home Concrete countertops? Blown fiberglass insulation? The payback may be quicker than you think.
Global warming and green architecture - The Jakarta Post
Green condos worth 15% more, wanted by 63% of buyers
China, Japan and USA Largest Markets for Air Treatment Systems
Air-conditioner sales up 28.64% yr-on-yr [China]
Green buildings now the law in South Africa
5 Ways to Save Money on Air Conditioning
Companiesandmarkets.com: Electric Drives Market in European HVAC Industry
Riyadh takes a giant green leap
Hotels Go Green Across the World
Solar AC System Touted By UC Merced Team
DEP Reveals a 17.5% Growth of Export Volumes of Electrical Appliances in First Eight Months of 2011
AHRI Recommends Homeowners Replace Flood Damaged HVAC Equipment
Carrier Helps Grow Green Building Movement with Comprehensive Global Education Initiative
Rembrandt Hotel proudly receives green building certificate
มีหัวข้อข่าว 232 รายการ : 12 หน้า
Page << Back | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Next >>
   
 
 

        NEWS & EVENTS
บริการของบริษัท
- ระบบปรับอากาศขนาดใหญ่ ชิลเลอร์ CHILLER
- เครื่องทำลมแห้ง AIR DRYER
- รับออกแบบ ติดตั้ง บำรุงรักษา จัดหาอะไหล่ และซ่อมแซม COOLING TOWER
- งานท่อแอร์ และหุ้มฉนวนท่อ DUCT WORK and PIPING
- สินค้าชนิดพิเศษ Special Products
  more>>
สินค้า
- PE Series (Package)
- PE SERIES (Mr. SLIM)
- SE SERIES (Mr. SLIM)
- PS SERIES (Mr. SLIM)
- SL SERIES (Mr. SLIM)
  more>>
ลูกค้าที่ใช้บริการ


more>>
รูปแกลอรี่
- งานเปลี่ยน ท่อน้ำและวาล์วควบคุมระบบ Package Water Cooled
- งานเปลี่ยน Package Water Cooled ขนาด 25 Tons
- งานเคลือบผิวท่อด้วย Fiber Glass พร้อมทำสี
- งาน Overhual Motor & Pump ขนาด 125 HP
- งาน Overhual Motor & Pump ขนาด 125 HP
  more>>
11 Easy Ways to Be Greener on Earth Day
When is Earth Hour 2017? What is it and how you can get involved in the WWF 'blackout' event
Why changing your home's air filter is important
Could this tent make camping COMFORTABLE? £200 Siesta4 reflects sunlight and uses 'air conditioning' to keep it cool and dark - dailymail.co.uk
Decor choices affect indoor air quality - lfpress.com
  more>>



All Rights Reserved © 2011 Muang Thong Engineering (1998) Company Limited
40/5-6-7 Sukhumvit 71 Prakanongnue, Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02 391 8027, 02 390 1242 Fax: 02 391 6100 E-mail: mte1998@gmail.com


cheap air jordans|pompy wtryskowe|cheap huarache shoes| bombas inyeccion|cheap jordans|cheap air max| cheap sneakers|wholesale jordans|cheap china jordans|cheap wholesale jordans|cheap jordans|wholesale jewelry china