Conservation tips: Ways to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions at the office
P reserving the environment is top of mind for many people today, not only at home, but also in the workplace. Successfully combating climate change is a goal for many environmentalists and environmental organizations. But environmentalists and the organizations they work with cannot go it alone — reversing climate change is a global responsibility shared by all people.
One way to help is by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. Because these gases increase atmospheric heat, they are signifi contributors to global warming and climate change.
Reducing energy consumption is a great way to decrease greenhouse-gas emissions. Office workers and their employers can employ several strategies to fight climate change around the office.
Power down computers when they’re not in use.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the total electricity consumed by idle electronics equals the annual output of 12 power plants. Employers can instruct their employees to power down their computers when leaving for the day or when they know they will be away from their desks for extended periods of time.
Conserve around the office.
Many people go to great lengths to conserve at home, but similar efforts at the office can lead to even greater savings. Rather than printing documents, email PDFs so you’re not wasting paper and contributing to the emissions necessary to produce that paper. If you must print documents, consider using your office printer’s double-sided printing feature so you use as little paper as possible. Employers can purchase only those office products made of recycled materials. When replacing equipment, donate old items to local schools or charities rather than throwing the items away.
Sponsor or encourage carpooling programs.
Employers can sponsor or encourage company carpooling programs that can greatly reduce emissions from automobiles that workers use to get to the office. Carpooling reduces fuel consumption and even encourages a greater sense of family within a company. In addition to promoting carpooling, employers can look for offices within walking distance of public transportation so fewer employees will feel the need to drive to work.