Businesses Going Green - Research Paper Example

Businesses Going Green Introduction Managers, all over the world, are currently facing the challenge of making their organizations go green. The cost of investing in environmentally safe initiatives seem higher to them. They reckon that this will hurt their businesses, as they will spend more money towards this project. They just say they cannot harm their businesses for the sake of protecting the climate. However, one fact remains clear to them: at some point, they will have to reconcile between economic and environmental concerns. With effects of global warming and climate change being felt all over the world, at least this would be the probable thing to do. Actions of man such use of non-renewable sources of energy have contributed to changes in global climate. These changes affect the production of raw materials that most companies depend on (Gunninghal et. al., 2003). The production of raw materials will be threatened, meaning that lesser and lesser raw materials will be produced unless urgent action is taken. With higher prices of commodities, entrepreneurs business leaders are begin to realize that going green will most likely benefit them. Under this new arrangement, the business wins; and the environment wins, too. It is no longer a cost of doing business by going green; it is actually a catalyst for innovation, new opportunities for market and creation of wealth. The interest in environmental management continues to be appealing as only means that, in the end, the companies will have more profits. For instance, with improved climatic conditions, they will be able to buy the raw materials that they use at a low price, meaning that they will have more profits. In the new green world, managers will design product that do not harm the environment. Rather, they will be design environment friendly products such as the use of non-biodegradable packages and safe disposal of wastes. New Vision is Realistic With the growing concerns of negative effects of global warming, the idea of going green comes in handy. Global warming is occasioned by the actions of man. Managers and players in company processes have a direct impact on Global Warming. The effluents and waste products that they produce cause environmental pollutions. The pollutions go into the nearest water bodies. This affects the aquatic life. Some companies depend on aquatic raw materials. With the reduced raw materials, one thing is certain: the cost of doing business will go up; profits will be reduced and the economy will be harmed. It, therefore, means that investing in environmental programs will do more good than bad to business owners and the employees. It means that there will be the double advantage of saving planet earth as well as improved profits for the business people in the near future. Whiteland and Walter argue that the vision sound realistic, yet time-consuming. Whereas this may be a good observation, one fact stands out: the overall effect will be great. The costs of environmental management continue to skyrocket in most companies. Companies such as the Wal-Mart have recorded that they used up to 2 US billion dollars in environmental programs alone (Streever, 2007). This figure is far much less than what the WHO predicts such companies should use. Companies should not just concentrate on the profits that they will get. Rather, they should also ensure that the products that they produce are environmentally safe and proven not to be of any health risk factors. This environment strategy is in line with the GO-GREEN-CAMPAIGN that is fast gaining roots in most companies (Sharma, 2009). Strong Global Economy The need for reconciliation between economic and environmental aspects cannot be oversimplified. There can never be unrealistic expectations. It usually takes a significant time fo the effects of the GO-Green to be felt, but it remains the best options for company owners and entrepreneurs. However, a strong global economy will integrate social, economic and environmental aspects in order for the Go-GREEN-INITIATIVE to bear fruits. Much of the economic and environmental aspects of the business have been discussed in previous sections, in this paper. However, the social aspects have not been discussed. The social aspect comes in the fact that the general population must also be sensitized on the need to play their part in environmental managements. This means: Safe Waste Disposal Waste products that are non bio-degradable must be disposed of through burying: wastes that as degradable should be burned. Companies now ensure that they use only the packages that are degradable. This is expected to go a long way in ensuring that the impact of wastes on the environment is much contained. Through this, the environment will be preserved. The effects of environmental pollution will be much minimized and the cost of environmental conservation will be lowered. The managers of companies stand to benefit in the end. Safe waste disposal presents a win-win situation for companies. The opportunities are significant (Streever, 2007). Corporate Environmental Commitment Companies should not just focus on the profits they intend to get. Corporate Sustainable Commitment is paramount to every company. Many companies such as Wal-Mart, Unilever, and the Nestle have ensured that they incorporate environmental sustenance programs within their missions and visions. This good move needs to be followed by other companies. To this end- and with the increasing negative impacts of weather and climate on companies- there is an increasing demand for every company to integrate within its mission, goals and visions, corporate environmental programs to ensure that they not only give back to the society, but that they also help protect the environment (Streever, 2007). Most critics to this idea point out the facts that the cost of environmental maintenance could be higher; skeptics believe that the expected financial returns will be minimal. The real benefits of go-green initiatives are just unmatchable to any of these arguments. However, these critics have failed to understand this one important fact: compliance to environmental laws, or nay laws for that matter, is not expected to yield any profits; it should be towards the general good of every individual within the society. So far, the costs of environmental compliance have been unnecessary high. This should not be the case. If the social aspect to the Go-Green-Campaign was taken care of, much of these projected costs would be much reduced (Streever, 2007). Effective Regulatory Reforms Most of the regulatory reforms adopted by world and professional bodies that were charged with looking at the issues of environmental overlooked the need to include the environmental safety programs within their budgets. Literature Review Climate change has a direct influence on the environmental and social health determinants-safe drinking water, clean air, secure shelter and sufficient food (Streever, 2007). Global warming began in the 1970s and is responsible for more than 140,000 deaths annually The direct cost of health due global warming is US $ 2.4 billion a year by 2030 (Streever, 2007). This figure excludes costs in sectors that determine health such as agriculture, water and sanitation.  Major killer diseases such as malnutrition, diarrhea, dengue and malaria are highly sensitive to climate change and will be expected to worsen as the climate changes. Countries that have weak health infrastructures, especially the developing countries, will need more financial help in order to cope or respond to the threats. Reduction of greenhouse emissions will only be possible if better means of transports reused, better food eaten renewable sources of energy used (Streever, 2007). Climate Change Over the last five years, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels have seen the release of excess amounts of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The gases released trap extra heat, in the lower atmosphere hence causing global climate change. In the last century alone, the world warmed by about 0.75oC.  In the last 25 years, global warming rate has been on a steady rise at 0.18oC every ten years.  Sea levels have risen, glaciers have molten and precipitation patterns have changed. These days, extreme events of weather are increasingly becoming more frequent and intense. Impact of Climate Change on Health Although global warming is associated with benefits such as reduced deaths during winter and improved food production I some areas, the overall effects will be negative. It affects the environmental and social determinants of health such as safe drinking water, clean air, secure shelter and sufficient food.  The release of huge amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will lead to acidic rainfall that will cause respiratory diseases in man (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 2006). Extreme Heat Extreme temperatures will contribute to the direct deaths from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases especially among the older generations For instance, in the summer heat wave of 2003 in Europe, more than 70, 00 people died in the wake of intense heat. High temperatures also have significant effect on the protective layer than protects people from direct rays of the Sun. It releases toxic substances and pollutants in the air; it is theses pollutants that cause respiratory diseases and disorders in people as well as cardiovascular disorders (Harvard business review on business and the environment, 2000). Every year, urban pollution causes bout 1.2 million deaths. In the event of high heat in the air, aeroallergen levels get higher in the extreme heat. Sometimes, they trigger Asthma that affects well over 3000 million people in the world. With the ongoing increases in temperatures, this effects could increase further and cause more devastating effects to man. Natural Disasters and Erratic Rainfall Patterns Since the 1960s, climate-related death cases have more than tripled. It is estimated that every year, the number of death cases is approximately 60,000, especially in the developing countries. Sea levels are rising: homes will be destroyed; essential medical facilities will be destroyed in the wake of the rising sea levels. It is estimated that about 75% of the world’s population lives live next to the sea- within a radius of 60 km. People will be evacuated during the event that the sea levels rise. There will be direct and indirect health effects such as the communicable diseases and mental disorders. The rainfall patterns are erratic. It is difficult for farmers to predict planting seasons and as a result, world food security is threatened. The supply of fresh water is also threatened. Lack of or insufficient water can threaten hygiene, leading to high risks of cholera and diarrhea. World Health Organization estimates that very year, more than 2 million people died out of cholera alone. Drought and famine are on the rise. Scientists now predict that, by 2090, the areas affected by drought will have been widened. The effects of dry weather and insufficient food will be felt six-fold. Floods that are associated with erratic rainfall patterns and rising sea levels have contaminated fresh water supplies. Obviously, this will lead to high risks of waterborne diseases (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 2006). They will also create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying organisms. Floods cause drowning as well as other physical injuries. They disrupt supply of health services; damage homes and cause death. The poorest and developing nations will be the most affected (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 2006). The rise in temperatures and the erratic rainfall patterns will cause decreased production of staple food. It is estimated that the reduction will up to half by 2020 in most African countries. With this, the prevalence of malnutrition will be magnified. Malnutrition alone causes over 3.5 million deaths each year. Costs on businesses will be more. Infection Patterns Climatic conditions have a direct impact on animal-transmitted and water-borne diseases, as well as diseases transmitted through cold-blooded animals. Climate change will likely make the transmission of water-borne diseases stronger. It will also alter the geographical range of the diseases since they can be transmitted through continents, as well. A case example is China. It is projected that the area where snail-borne “schistosomiasis” occurs will be widened in the years to come (Gordon, 2001). Climate strongly influences malaria. The Anopheles mosquito-transmitted disease kills over one million people each year. African countries are the worst affected, with the children under the age of five years being the most vulnerable. The mosquito vector, Dengue, is also highly sensitive to climate conditions. Research shows that over 2 billion people will be exposed to the dengue transmission come 2080. Estimating the Health Effects Currently, it is difficult to estimate the health effects arising due to changes in climate. A WHO reports that took into account only minimal health impacts, concluded that, by 2004, global warming and climatic changes had caused more than 140,000 deaths. Significance to businesses Businesses will be the worst affected. All these factors will mean that they will have to spend more in terms of the cost of doing business. They will inject more capital towards green initiatives. On the other hand, if they adopt safer environmental management practices such as safer waste disposal practices, they will stand to benefit more and witness their organizations grow to the next level. Advocacy There is the urgency to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change through debates, campaigns, social gathering, promotions and other avenues. People must realize that climate change is a recipe of their own actions, actions that only they can change. Conclusion The need for Go-Green on businesses cannot be overemphasized. Climate patterns have changed. Companies need to adapt to the changes. They should be part of the solutions, rather than part of the problem. This paper has looked at all those facts. One thing that is for sure: Companies all over the world must look beyond their costs of doing business and profits. Rather, they should start looking at the consequences of not doing so: their businesses will be affected. Profits will be low. Another worthwhile aspect to note is the fact the Corporate Responsibility is important to every company. Above all, social, economic and environmental aspects to GO-GREEN-PROGRAM must reconcile in order to achieve a GREEN-BUSINESS-OPERATING environment. References Gordon, P. J. (2001). Lean and green: Profit for your workplace and the environment. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Gunningham, N., Kagan, R. A., & Thornton, D. (2003). Shades of green: Business, regulation, and environment. Stanford, Calif: Stanford Law and Politics. Hale, M., & Lachowicz, M. (2002). The environment, employment and sustainable development. London: Routledge. Harvard business review on business and the environment. (2000). Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. Sharma, P. D. (2009). Ecology and environment. Meerut: Rastogi Publications. Streever, B. (2007). Green seduction: Money, business, and the environment. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2006). Trade and environment review 2006. New York: United Nations. Read More