December 28, 2011 Like everyone, I have thoughts and wishes for 2012. Besides personal ones for me and my family, I have one I wish to share with you, my fellow environmental professionals. My wish for 2012 is that we go back to the way it was about a decade ago or so and live [...]

December 2011 The year-end holidays are a time for big meals, family, etc. But we should always keep the thanks in Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc. Here are some statistics to drive home the importance of sustainability and for the holidays. You probably heard the news story about a month ago that the Earth’s population [...]

December 13, 2011 The majority of the corporate sector has not jumped on the bandwagon to go “green”, despite the evidence that doing so has many direct positive financial benefits. A major reason, I believe, is that the decision makers (CEOs, CFOs, etc.) are older and do not have a comfort level about sustainability. They [...]

December 6, 2011 Many companies are beginning some sort of sustainability program, recognizing its financial benefits. While many companies are instituting programs, many do not realize the importance of developing metrics and properly communicating progress. What type of data needs to be collected? Should sustainability be communicated at all or should it be delayed until [...]

November 22, 2011 Thanksgiving and the year-end holidays are a time for big meals, family, etc. But we should always keep the thanks in Thanksgiving. Here are some statistics to drive home the importance of sustainability and for Thanksgiving. You probably heard the news story about a month ago that the Earth’s population has just [...]

November 1, 2011 More and more corporate upper management understands the picture that in these tough financial times, going “green” or being more sustainable is not an idealistic statement of millionaires or old hippies, but is smart business and engineering management. While technology can help reduce one’s energy use, water use, and waste generation, etc., [...]

Oct. 17, 2011 More and more U.S. organizations see the financial advantages of setting and attempting to meet sustainability goals. However, many others are still waiting for the “right time” to start such a project. Some consider sustainability a risk, a venture into the unknown, which, of course, fosters avoidance. However, a solid body of [...]

October 3, 2011 Sustainability is all the rage as many significantly-sized companies are evaluating it and seeing how it can fit into company plans and maximize economic benefits. We in the environmental community believe that sustainability programs almost always deliver a good return on investment (ROI) because of the economic benefits of reducing waste, water, [...]

People say we should ignore polls; the country should make decisions based on pure science or pure economics. But the reality is that governments and companies take their cues from public opinion, want to be seen on the “right” side and certainly not in the forefront of something divisive, even if is beneficial. Several studies [...]

July 2011 You are aware of the business arguments for establishing a sustainability or “green” program (see last month’s newsletter!) and are seriously considering or have begun such a program. It is therefore important to plan the proper metrics of your program in order to demonstrate success so that all stakeholders understand your benefits and [...]