In Business, Creating Sustainable Enterprises & Communities

EDITORIAL

n Business, September-October, 2006, Vol. 28, No. 5, p. 3

FUTURE IS NOW FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY, CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS

CALIFORNIA became the first state to legislate for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions - 25 percent by 2020. The state's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, also has set a target for cutting emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

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An article in a special report on climate change in a recent issue of The Economist quoted the president of California's Chamber of Commerce, Allan Zaremberg, as saying these targets will “impose huge new costs on local businesses,” and chase away factories that emit high levels of carbon dioxide. Similar complaints were heard in the 1970s, notes the article, when the state imposed tough emission standards for other pollutants. But the outcome on business and industry wasn't as dire as predicted, with Zaremberg conceding that “business has benefited from tough clear air regulations.” California's environment is more attractive and technologies developed in the state for things like energy-efficient buildings have subsequently been sold elsewhere. “These facts make it hard to argue that California is groaning under its heavy regulatory burden,” concludes the article.
Founders and managers of sustainable businesses have first-hand experience with the opportunities presented by pro-environment initiatives. The need for solutions to climate change is a case in point. While oil, gas and coal conglomerates and their political allies have been fighting tooth and nail against greenhouse gas reduction initiatives, entrepreneurs, researchers, nonprofit organizations and public policy makers (primarily state and local) have been developing alternatives to current practices.
Both the upfront news departments and featured articles in this issue of In Business showcase some of the innovative alternatives and solutions being offered commercially or under development. “A Room With A Very Green View” (page 10) describes how a Doubletree Hotel in Portland, Oregon is completely integrating sustainable practices into all facets of its operations. “The Little Town That Could Create Renewable Power” (page 18) highlights activity in BioTown USA (Reynolds, Indiana), which declared itself on a path to energy independence by utilizing biomass and various organic wastes to generate power and biofuels. “Driving Beyond Oil” (page 24) discusses a road trip via flex-fuel and hybrid vehicles to drive home the feasibility of “gas pump-itis.” “Using Innovative Solar Systems In Commercial Buildings” (page 26) shows how straightforward it is to reduce power loads on the local grid.
The inspiration from the stories told in In Business is strongly reinforced by the speakers, participants and exhibitors whom we will be seeing at the end of October at the BioCycle Sixth Annual Conference on Renewable Energy From Organics Recycling in Minneapolis, Minnesota (see page 1 for conference details). This group of individuals and the companies, public agencies or nonprofit groups they represent have been pioneering solutions to address climate change, dependency on foreign oil, impaired water quality and sagging rural economies. No longer does this group need to labor in the shadows of oil rigs and coal-fired power plants spewing greenhouse gases. The future is now for renewable energy and climate change solutions. - N.G.