Work From Home. Save Some Green. Save The Planet.

I don't know about any of you, but I know that I have spent many hours driving to and from work or even to business meetings. Not only have I spent a lot of time, but in doing so I have spent a lot of money in my effort. In addition to those negative aspects of my daily commute, I have also produced a lot of CO2 emissions as I burned fuel to travel the distance each day. I can't help but think that all Americans could benefit from driving less each week to work. As we will see below, it can lead to less stress, additional money in our pockets, a better environment, and more productivity in our jobs.

According to this 2005 ABC News Poll Americans spend an average of 52 minutes or an average of 32 miles each day on the road in order to get to work. So if your car gets an average of 20 MPG and gas costs $2.00 per gallon, then you are spending $800 per year just to drive to work. This also adds up to more than 200 hours spent driving...in traffic...not being productive. Lastly, according to CarbonFund.org's carbon calculator, my car would have emitted 2.84 tons of carbon into the atmosphere. There has got to be a better way.

Is it truly worth it to go into the office each day of the week? Yes, the interaction with coworkers is important to establishing team unity, friendships, and the all important networking. But what if we could work from home 20% of the time or maybe even 40%. If we worked from home two days a week then we could almost cut the above numbers in half. Traffic would be reduced since less cars are on the road, employees would be more productive, and the employees and employer would save money each year.

There are a multitude of services out there which would allow employees to access there work computers from home. The most popular being GoToMyPC. This low costs service is easy to use and makes it entirely possible to work from home and have access to all the same information on your work computer without any security risk. Also, for those business meetings with clients that can take you across the county, state, or even country the same company makes a product called GoToMeeting. With this product companies can hold employee training sessions, sales meeting, client presentations, etc. without ever leaving your home or office.

Another option that is gaining traction is the option to work only 4 days a week, 10 hour per day. This allows employees to accumulate the same amount of hours per week, but ultimately have 3 days off each week. I know that city workers, like police officers and fire man, have always had this option available, but now may be a good time to introduce into your company.

Have any other ideas for ways to drive less each week and to have more free time to your yourselves?

Is the Public's View of Global Warming Shifting?

Lately, it has seemed as if the public's attention and the media's coverage of global warming and environmental issues has shifted.  You just don't hear about it as much anymore.  At least not as much support or unity in the fight against global warming.  The economy has clearly dominated the news headlines for the past 6 months or so, but has the view of global warming and the need to prevent further degradation of the environment taken a negative turn in that same time frame?  

Recent news articles in the past week have covered topics such as:

• Global Tropical Cyclone Activity is Lowest in 30 Years
• Gallup Poll:  U.S. Still Skeptical About Global Warming - 41% of Americans said they are doubtful that global warming is as serious as the mainstream media reports.
• New Study Claims Earth is Undergoing a Natural Climate Shift - Scientist have concluded that the warming trend over the past 30 years has stopped and in fact have leveled off since 2001.  

When President Obama was elected president, environmentalist around the world rejoiced because a large part of his campaign platform was centered around our need to get away from fossil fuels and to fight global warming.  Obama has plans for a new cap and trade system, his recent budget included increased spending in clean tech and bio fuels, etc.  Has this all been overshadowed by the slow down in hurricanes, decrease in gasoline prices, the recession, and a list of other issues?  If so, how do we ensure that Americans do not lose sight of the importance to keep environmental issues at the top of the list of our collective priorities?   

The Last Frontier

Nearly 150 years ago, Henry David Thoreau wrote, "...in Wilderness is the preservation of the World." Thoreau meant this statement literally. He saw that his countrymen had become disconnected from the natural world and that they were naturally impoverished as a result. Thoreau's words are even more relevant today. Scientists warn us that global warming presents an unprecedented challenge to humanity and that we must take action quickly to slow its progress.

It is even more relevant as we see plants and animals face growing threats all over the world. Some scientists calculate that thousands of species become extinct every year. Fortunately, mountain ranges provide a vital refuge for plants and animals that used to flourish over wider areas. Even in these bastions, though, pollution and human encroachment post a threat. Perhaps nowhere else is this more evident than in Europe, one of the most densely populated parts of the planet.

In Pyrenees, several national parks serve to provide refuge for the local flora and fauna. In such protected areas as these, visitors get a chance to see what has become a last frontier for many endangered species.

Species fighting for survival:

Flowers. Some of the most beautiful wildflowers grow at altitudes above 5,000 ft. Snow gentians and trumpet gentians with their vivid-blue petals, carpet slopes well above the tree line. Farther down the slopes, nestled among beech trees, a grove of endangered lady's-slipper orchids flourish. Hundreds of visitors come here every year just to view the beautiful flowers.    

Butterflies and Bees. Unspoiled alpine meadows with abundant wildflowers like the above mentioned provide refuge for colorful butterflies. The large Apollo butterfly, with its vivid-red wing spots, fly here freely. Smaller flowers receive constant visits from blue butterflies and copper butterflies of the Lycaenidae family. Painted-lady and tortoiseshell butterflies briskly patrol the higher slopes. The air also is a-buzz with bees flying from one flower to the next pollunating them. Each species share this amazing world with the other.

Animals. Many of the larger animals of Europe once roamed over vast tracts of the continent. But some have been hunted almost to extinction. Wolves, bears, lynx, bison, chamois, and mountain goats are just a few that now survive in just a few mountain ranges or only found in the far north regions.

The majestic animals, plants, and insects in these Pyrenean reserves offer a reminder of the wildlife that once abounded in these mountains. It makes those who are visiting wonder what the future holds for the few that remain.

Is "Cap and Trade" the Best Method of Reducing Carbon Emissions?

If you have watched the news on TV or picked up a newspaper this week there seems to be a new issue on the hot seat. That issue is whether or not establishing a "Cap and Trade" system in the US to reduce carbon emissions is good for the ailing economy and whether or not the system will ultimately help in reducing CO2 emissions.

Included as part of Obama's recent budget plan is an estimated $78.7 billion in new revenue starting in 2012 that would be generated through a carbon emissions trading system. While Democrats have traditionally been more proactive in endorsing legislation that seeks to protect the environment, it seems like there are even Republicans, such as John McCain, who support such a system as long as it is done in an economically responsible manner.

According to the Obama Administration, some of the benefits of this type of system include:

• It is estimated that this program will generate $645.7 billion in new funds that will be reinvested into "clean" energy projects and will help low to middle income families offset higher energy costs.
• This will be the first nationwide system implemented in the U.S. that aims to reduce carbon emissions, which many scientist say are contributing to global warming and rising sea levels.
  
• In order to reduce emissions, this system will encourage carbon emitting companies to reduce their carbon footprint and will hopefully increase investment in clean energy sources.
  
• Some companies welcome the new plan in order to help them prioritize their sustainability initiatives and plan for new business investments in green technology.
  

While there are some potential benefits to this type of system, there are also others who believe that this system is not ideal for the following reasons:

• Many Republicans will likely reinforce the Bush Administration's opinion that this system will cost jobs and increase energy costs for consumers.
  
• Democrats in states that rely heavily on manufacturing and coal production will likely also put up some resistance to this plan in an effort to protect their regional industries and jobs in the current recession.
  
• Obama has also admitted that this plan will likely cause a spike in energy costs and will plan on using $60 billion a year to help offset costs through tax credit programs.
• Some analyst estimate that this Cap and Trade system will cost taxpayers as much as $330 million per year.
  
• Some lawmakers feel the plan will be ineffective in reducing carbon emissions as evidenced by the performance of the current European emissions trading program.
  

Legislation will have to be passed in the next year or so in order for the program to be in place by 2012 and Obama's goal is to see carbon emissions reduced by 84% by the year 2050 from the 2005 levels. This plan will continue to be a source of contention by lawmakers since there are clearly pros and cons on both sides.

So what do you think? Is this plan coming at the right time given our current recession and the potential for increased energy costs and potential for lost jobs? Can we wait any longer in developing a comprehensive, nationwide carbon reduction plan given the environmental concerns we all face?

Food For Thought Part I: What is your carbon footprint?

Wikipedia defines carbon footprint as "the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product (UK Carbon Trust 2008). The concept and name of the carbon footprint originates from the ecological footprint discussion. The carbon footprint is a subset of the ecological footprint. An individual, nation or organization's carbon footprint is measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it."

So, what is your carbon footprint?

It's a question that's being asked more and more of both large and small companies. And it can be tough to answer, as most companies still don't have a basic understanding of what "carbon footprint" means and how to even begin measuring it. To start of with, there is no standard definition or measurement of carbon footprint. In some contexts, it simply refers mainly to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions: what an individual or company is emitting to contribute to the greenhouse gasses would be this carbon footprint definition.

In others it refers to the full measure of impacts involved with designing products, sourcing materials, sales, IT departments, etc -- and in deeper depth, the use and disposal of products or the manufacturing and distribution of products. In either case, figuring out what to count involves several layers and deeper understanding of science.

Many companies are assessing their footprint today, especially for carbon, and a few are disclosing them publicly. It is becoming more and more the trend for companies to disclose their environmental and corporate social responsibilities. Soon, it will be a required feature for company's, not just a nice-to-have function that raises their brand awareness and creates a positive rapport. It is a promising trend. As companies begin to fully understand their impacts, they will be better able to find opportunities for reducing emissions and costs, and their customers will be better able to make smarter choices, reducing their impacts and raising their knowledge and awareness on environmental policies, too.

So...what's your carbon footprint? What's your company's carbon footprint? Will you be able to answer those questions when asked?

And the WINNER of our One-Year Anniversary Contest is....

Congratulations to Tisa, one of GreenFixes' readers who participated in our contest.  She won the eco-friendly gift basket that we were giving away for our one-year anniversary!

**The gift basket contained an eco-friendly shopping bag and features the DVD "The 11'th Hour" along with a host of healthy, organic, and environmentally friendly packaged goodies and kitchen towels made from bamboo.  Two bottles of Beckmen wine are also included - this is a favorite, as their wines are made by implementing biodynamic farming methods and all grapes are estate grown, as well as an organic cookbook.**

Thanks to everyone else who participated!  We look forward to future giveaways.  Remember to spread the blog to your friends...

Voyage For Clean Energy: 2041

I had the opportunity to attend an environmental lecture last May in Santa Barbara, CA and although I am only now writing about it, the subject of the lecture has stuck with me all these many months. A few years earlier the issue of Global Warming seemed to have hit the main steam with the release of the film, An Inconvenient Truth, and since then it has been a topic of conversation, conflict, and concern with us all. If you did not know any better, then it would have seemed as if this issue was only a few years old and that Al Gore was the only person working to solve this problem. When in reality there have been many others who have devoted their lives to bringing about global awareness and solutions to environmental issues.

Well, on May 21 of last last year the lecturer was Robert Swan. He is a polar explorer, environmental leader, motivational speaker, and the first man ever to walk to both the North and South poles. On that day he was speaking about his history, past experiences, and most notably his ongoing effort to preserve Antarctica, earth's last untouched wilderness. Currently, the development of Antarctica is prohibited by the Antarctic Treaty of 1991. April 2008 marked the beginning of Robert's 5 year Voyage for Cleaner Energy on his boat, the "2041",that will culminate with his report to the U.N. at the 2012 World Summit on Sustainability. His primary goal is to ensure that the Antarctic Treaty is renewed for at least another 50 years and I think the quote from Robert below sums it up best:

His boat, the "2041", is powered by 100% renewable energy including solar panels, bio-fuels, and wind turbines. Also, through his partnership with the Coca-Cola Company, it is also the only boat in the world with a sail that is made from recycled plastic bottles.

The first and second phases of his voyage have passed, but if you have the opportunity to attend any of his stops in Phase 3 (Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, etc.) or Phase 4 (Europe, Middle East, Asia), I highly recommend it. If you have any concern at all for ensuring that our children will have a clean earth to live in for centuries to come, then hearing Robert speak may be that spark that ignites in you the motivation to take action and help spread his word.