Air Pollution Can Be Linked to a Chain of Disruptive Events - Essay Example

ISSUE Background Like many environmental problems, air pollution can be linked to a chain of disruptive events including soil damage, damage to forests and lakes, and disruption of the global ecosystem. The industrial revolutions in capitalist and communist countries affected the environment adversely in equally devastating ways. Many scientists consider pollution to be an input of nutrients exceeding the capacity of the ecosystem to process them. This problem is of increasing importance when one considers the theory of the greenhouse effect, in which these pollutants and carbon dioxide produced do not simply burn off, but become trapped within the earth’s atmosphere, creating, according to many scientists and scholars, a significant increase in the temperature (global warming) when the sun’s rays are trapped in this greenhouse of pollutants, refracting from the outer reaches of the atmosphere. Today’s companies need to be proactive and dynamic about reducing their carbon footprint, as well as being more socially responsible and ecologically conscious in their choices: global warming is not merely a profit issue, and the stakeholders are humanity. Problem statement The problem with mainstream energy sources used by most companies currently existing on the power grid is that they release carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere; how can companies be more socially responsible about this issue of air pollution and combat associated issues such as global warming, while still maintaining a cost-effective stance? Statement of goals Short term: To promote social and environmental consciousness in organizations To disseminate educational material about the potential social costs of greenhouse gas emissions To find a working paradigm of cost savings through green building initiatives To point companies towards ways in which they can encourage employees to reduce their carbon footprints To balance the risk of new energy sources with the cost savings the organization may pursue To advocate legislation controlling energy and power To seek local solutions to global problems Long term: To research, prove and demonstrate cost savings that would make a reasonable and socially responsible choice To promote the drive towards protecting the environment in every way possible To advocate knowing the line between actual cessation of greenhouse gas production and excessive greenhouse gas production To see the rules and codes of the society in terms of generalized drives towards ethical behavior must be followed by the government and perceived as such by the individual To downplay polemical arguing, self-interested aggrandizing, equivocation, and partisan politics as they relate to this issue Options Option A. “Green Building” The actions of green building include turning the company’s physical plant into the focus of environmental awareness. Companies in the materials industry are, like the building and construction industries, increasingly paying attention to building green, both from a consumer demand perspective and from a cost-effectiveness perspective of the building industry. Of course the environmentalist perspective goes without saying. Benefits through building green can include improvements to lighting systems, HVAC controls, and the building envelope of insulation and windows, which can also lead to long-term cost savings. However, from a risk perspective, the short term expense of green building can be prohibitive, because many of the materials are more expensive than traditional building materials, and credit programs can be complicated. Employees are also not inherently involved. Option B. “Employee contract” The action of the employee contract is a written agreement between the company and the employee, which states that both parties are going to make new efforts to reduce their respective carbon footprints. The contract would not be strictly enforceable, but it would highlight ethical employee behavior. An individual who is making an ethical decision must think of how the behavior will effect others in terms of positive and negative repercussions (protecting the environment, increasing the gap between rich and poor), and they must also think how the decision will effect themselves in terms of conscience (thinking of issues of increased price vs. increased protection of the environment). In terms of risks, this is a potential problem because although many people have highly-evolved consciences, there are possibly an equal number of people who are more goal- than conscience-oriented in their behavioral choices, and would simply ignore the contract. Option C. “Alternative power sources” The action of this option focuses primarily on wind and solar power improvements, which can help the company save costs while producing their own energy source. For example, many companies decide to put solar cells on the roof, in control of the building’s water systems. This way, they have their own self-sustaining way to heat water. “Energy improvements that can save most of our electricity what the utilities now pay for coal, which generates half of US power and pollutes in its fossil fuel carbon emissions. Further more in recent years alterations in power plants, including renewable sources such as wind and solar power have begun to hit their stride” (Lovins, 2005). In terms of risks, although wind and solar energy are much less expensive than they used to be, the technology is still growing, and there is still some degree of expense (although arguably less than green building). Solar and wind power apparatuses also require maintenance and upkeep costs. Another risk is that in some areas of the country, these ideas are simply not tenable. A solar heating apparatus in Seattle, for example, would not do much good, because this is a region of the country where the climate is very cloudy and rainy for most of the year. In contrast, a company using wind power on the plains of Kansas, would have better luck and be able to maintain more power than a company using wind power in some calmer area. Recommendation Option C, “alternative power sources,” is the best option. The technological development of alternatives such as wind and solar power is still developing, and is being helped out by the current political climate, as environmental policy is much more likely to be advocated by a democrat than a republican majority. When investigating alternate sources of power as a viable solution to the over-production of carbon dioxide, several problems still arise, however, despite decreases in cost and increases in technology and craftsmanship. Aside from those mentioned above, there are also issues of infrastructure and power grid uncertainties. However, it is the opinion of the current investigation, in reference to this problem, that the ecological benefits of alternative power sources outweigh the drawbacks, and that even these problems have their solutions. Through effective change in attitude and social responsibility, wind and solar power can be made into a new energy source that is discussed in terms of application instead of future potential. “Today’s increasingly competitive global economy is stimulating a lot of interest in energy investment. If governments can remove institutional barriers to dynamism and free enterprise, the markets will naturally favor changing patterns of wealth, protect the climate and build real security” (Lovins, 2005). As with many other environmental problems, the key to solving the problem of pollutant energy sources is to become an advocate and educate the public about how they may be compromising their own welfare and environment. All solutions start with the individual, who may do something as simple as carpooling or riding a bike to work, in order to do their share to help solve the problem. Although companies may also educate employees and initiate green building measures, the option that seems to be most cost-effective in the long term is the option of alternative power. REFERENCE Lovins, A (2005). More Profit with Less Carbon. Scientific American Read More