Dark clouds of crisis have a shiny silver lining called alternative energy
There are strong signs of a rebound for the alternative energy sector, but how soon will green jobs start impacting the U.S. job market? Though the U.S is surrounded by economic, security, and climate crisis – can green technologies really save us from ourselves?
Some say alternative energy could spark the next “industrial revolution”. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get dirty. Click here for a must-read article from Manufacturing.net that just may provide some fuel for thought!
Charting a Green ENERGY Path for Your Business
Making smart energy choices now is more critical than ever, both from a budget perspective and an environmental one. As awareness of green solutions spreads, more consumers are looking for environmentally sound practices for personal use, and expect the same level of awareness in the businesses they support.
Increasingly, businesses are recognizing that using green energy is not only an effective long-term strategy that’s good for the environment, but it also resonates well with consumers who are increasingly looking for companies with environmentally-sound business practices. Here are top tips on smart energy consumption for your business:
- Participate in demand response programs available through your energy provider.
- Use localized power. Construction of on-site renewable generation for businesses can be a viable and potentially profitable means of limiting dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring reliability of power supplies.
- Maintain HVAC systems. Proper maintenance of heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment can maximize efficiency for the long term.
- Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). One CFL saves about 330kWh over its lifetime—a reduction of about 400 pounds of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. CFLs also generate 70% less heat than standard bulbs, reducing the need for air conditioning. (Source: Previously published in New England Hotel Magazine, March/April 2008)
- Use Energy Star equipment. Energy Star offers several office equipment solutions that may be eligible for tax breaks in addition to saving on electricity costs. An Energy Star labeled computer, for example, uses 70% less electricity than a standard model, and in sleep mode, the same computer will use only 4 watts or less. (Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewal Energy website: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/home_office.html)
Vertical Farming – coming to a highrise near you!
Large-scale farming in the middle of Manhattan? A self-sustaining farm on the Vegas strip?
building concept from atelier soa architects
Vertical farming isn’t an entirely new idea, as greenhouse-based agriculture is a global success allowing crop production year-round. What is new, is the plan that the “greenhouse” would expand to the size of an 18-30 story skyscraper that takes up an entire city block. In fact, prototypes have already been designed specifically for New York City and Toronto.
This may take place sooner than you think. Projections show that the world’s population is on track to include an extra 3 billion people by 2050. In order to feed that many mouths, traditional farming methods would need to expand to include a field the size of South America.
One 18-story high-rise farm could feed as many as 50,000 people.
Online Shopping Taking Over Industrial Sector?
A native Chicagoan from a family of engineers, it’s my love and study of engineering coupled with my Purdue background that launched my interest in this arena. I’m not an engineer, but a smart marketer with a history working with globally successful manufacturers in the automotive, food, agriculture and technology industries. No spin here, I tell it like it is. And ask the scary questions. Like this one:
Is online shopping taking over Manufacturing’s Industrial sector?
This is one sector where despite economic instability – online shopping steadily continues to rise, with forecasts pointing towards steady growth. And this has nothing to do with Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas trees.
The tables have turned on a onetime very 1-1 relationship-oriented sales process. Industrial buyers are shopping online in growing numbers. Most purchasers are conducting the majority of their research online rather than talking to suppliers. Suppliers are now contacted at the very end of the process when buyers have practically finalized their decision and are reaching out to live people at the point of transaction.
Not all manufacturing companies have marketing professionals and there is a strong need for assistance in successful interactive engagement – simply because manufacturing business has moved online and overseas – with many marketing manufacturers struggling to keep in pace. This shift makes easy accessibility to in-depth product information crucial.
A fully loaded, intelligent, and logical website is much needed as well as a truly integrated marketing plan of attack with consistent brand messaging.
With an explosion of media options making it increasingly difficult for Manufacturers to reach their very specific audiences, Manufacturers are finding difficulty in closing the loop and seeking marketers help with an increasing amount of CRM measurement tools and establishing a continuous cycle of improvement.
How are you closing the loop and sealing the deal?
More in my next installment…
Revisit History and Improve its Outcome
History does seem to repeat itself, though there’s no assurance the outcome will be the same.
U.S. President-elect Obama has pledged to boost the economy with the single largest new investment in U.S. infrastructure since the 1950s when President Eisenhower created the interstate highway system. Obama believes it’s critically important for the nation to rebuild its highways, bridges, roads, ports, air and train systems. Expectations include big spending on electrical grids, public transportation, dams and alternative fuels. The cost analysts estimate a range of $700 billion to $1 trillion and the creation of 2.5 million jobs. If this plan goes through, a long-suffering U.S. manufacturing industry may stand to benefit.
For well over a century, the United States manufacturing industry has been a global leader. In recent years, the “brain drain” of talent, labor and material outsourcing to other countries has greatly damaged a pivotal and prosperous U.S. workforce.
If our country truly follows the path Obama has proposed, this may be America’s second chance to reinvigorate what was once the core of its burgeoning economy. It may however require a fundamental shift in corporate practices for our country to reap the full benefits.
Perhaps, today’s business leaders can literally follow Obama’s plan by not only creating jobs for workers but specifically bringing back to our country the strategic positions that have been outsourced in recent years. Companies can dip into the current unemployment pool and have their choice of highly qualified people with hard-earned engineering and technology degrees. Their knowledge and skill is most important to us as we plan and implement infrastructure improvements.
Groundbreaking news or not, maybe this is an opportunity, long overdue, to rebuild a loyalty to company, industry, and country, all of which has been tarnished in recent times.
What do you think the outcome will be?
U.S. Agriculture buzz in a word: Vilsack
December has brought more attention to U.S. agriculture and how the industry is reacting to some of the hottest topics at the forefront of daily news.
Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, an aggressive campaigner for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton before his state’s caucuses in January, has been named U.S. Agriculture Secretary by President-elect Barack Obama. (If his name sounds familiar, in 2004 Vilsack was one of three finalists to be John Kerry’s running-mate. He also campaigned for president himself, but dropped out of the race in February 2007. His unusual stance included cutting subsidies for commodity crops and putting those dollars towards environmental improvements, such as bio-fuel production plants and wind farms.)
Vilsack has been reputed to be an advocate for young farmers and has a defined view on our nation’s place within global agriculture. As a big supporter of renewable energy, he has been a key supporter of Iowa’s ethanol industry, helping to establish the state as the nation’s largest producer of corn.
Q: Where do you think Vilsack will take U.S. Agriculture and will this appointment be a good thing? Very interested in others’ thoughts here.
On other fronts…
