Tech entrepreneurs have been widely responsible for creating some of the best and worst technology from an eco-friendly perspective. Fortunately, many tech companies are now much more sensitive to the needs of the environment, and many cater to a green audience. As a result, everyone who is involved in the world of technology, or even just business in general, has the ability to make a notable impact on the planet. This is true regardless of whether an eco-conscious individual runs a startup or is the CEO of an international company.
The truly exciting part of these technological and business advances is the fact that new information is released daily. This makes it impossible to stay completely current on eco-friendly options, but on the other hand, it also proves that there is a large demand for these products and services. For example, May 2016 was kicked off with Taiwan’s Green Trade Project Office announcing the development of a new line of green building products. Additionally, 11 U.K. based companies were awarded the status of “Go Ultra Low Company” for their commitment to helping the environment.
Other recent green technological and business related forward strides include Chile hosting the first Eco-friendly race in Latin America and China outpacing the U.S. in electric vehicle sales. A recent U.K. survey also indicated that 20 percent of British residents are more likely to choose a hotel that utilizes renewable energy. Unsurprisingly, this is something that many hotel chains are beginning to incorporate worldwide. This makes a lot of sense because these businesses are able to save money and impress consumers with their Eco-friendly approach.
According to BestCompany’s recent blog post on solar innovations, there are several upcoming advances that are poised to change the way consumers and businesses look at solar power. Currently, the U.S. has an abysmally low solar power rate that accounts for less than 1 percent of the nation’s total energy production. However, the near future is likely to see solar-powered airplanes, specialized solar engineering classes, pay-as-you-go solar energy systems and even access to power without a solar panel. This is in addition to the rapidly falling cost of installing a solar panel system, which will help numerous home and business owners make the switch this year.
It is important for businesses of all types to recognize the many advantages that come with offering a more Eco-friendly environment. Even if your company has nothing to do with green technology, you can still help the environment and improve your reputation by making a few simple changes. Keep in mind that switching to an environmentally conscious energy source will save you a lot of money in the long run. Studies have also shown that green workplaces burn through 20 percent fewer employee sick days. When you put all of these factors together, it really becomes a no-brainer to adopt an Eco-friendly approach.
The city of the future is also projected to focus at least partially on the environment. In fact, the under construction Masdar City project in Abu Dhabi is intended to make full usage of clean energy solutions. It is likely that the digital city being designed by Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs will follow a similar path. If these development projects successfully come to fruition, they will place an even bigger emphasis on incorporating clean energy into homes, businesses and cities worldwide.
Image by Daniel Brieva Maga, “Torsa the Visionary,” via vimeo.com