The Sustainability Movement

                                Image via WikipediaBy Matthias Hager

In recent years, the topic of environmental sustainability has gained a lot of press. Perhaps the big push toward environmental friendliness has been driven by a poor economy and the high cost of gasoline. When we were spending almost five dollars a gallon to fuel our SUVs that only go 12 miles on that gallon, a light bulb suddenly turned on in the heads of many average Americans.

Sure, when the cost of oil went back down, SUV sales rose once again - some people will never learn, but for most of us, we now give a thought to the environment in our decisions.

The matter of sustainability is not a decision left only to the individual. It starts there, makes its way to the top CEOs and VPs, Congress and the President, and back down to small business owners and local governments. It will be a unified effort in every aspect of daily life that makes a difference. Corporations, Government, Small Businesses, Individuals, all play a factor in environmental sustainability.

For the individual, this begins with simple life changes. Fathers are no longer telling the children to turn out the lights when they leave the room just for the energy bill. There's a renewed passion in their tone. Mothers are not piling up hundreds of plastic grocery bags over the years. Instead, a few reusable shopping tote bags stay in her trunk at all times. The children are encouraged to ride their bikes to the pool and the park, rather than catching a ride. Car pool lanes are becoming more common and gaining more usage.

Small businesses are finding ways to recycle. Cardboard boxes aren't being tossed in the garbage dumpster. Blinds are being opened and the lights left off during the day. Doors are no longer propped open during the high heat of the summer with the air conditioner at full blast. Company cars, instead of gas guzzling SUVs, are now eco-friendly Priuses and fuel efficient Civics.

Corporations are focusing on the supply chain. Transportation and distribution is becoming more efficient. Trucks become more fuel efficient, carry more load. Product packaging is being cut down, reducing waste and making for lighter transportation loads. New recyclable and decomposable materials are being developed. Innovative storage facilities are being built that save cooling costs. Water is being conserved. Carbon dioxide emissions are being reduced.

Government is enforcing stricter regulations. Driving corporations toward social environmental responsibility. Rebates, tax breaks, and benefits are being shelled out to businesses and individuals that are making sustainable life choices. An energy efficient car? Rebate. Solar panels? Tax break. Their own facilities are conserving energy.

Decisions big and small are the driving force behind this environmental revolution. It's not a movement that can thrive on the power of individuals, or of the government, or of corporate America. It truly is a matter of working together. The question is not if we can turn things around, but is it too late? If we had this environmental sustainability revolution 30 years ago, Earth would be a healthier place. It's time to set the mark for the next generation.

Matthias Hager, an Internet marketing specialist with Mountain Media in Saratoga, NY, provides writing services for websites such as AHCGroup.com. The AHC Group, founded by Dr. Bruce Piasecki, has provided environmental sustainability and corporate governance expertise for nearly 30 years. You can read more about AHC Group's environmental sustainability consulting services on their website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthias_Hager
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Sustainability-Movement&id=4798840