The problem of environmental pollution essay
Outline
- Introduction
A. Background of Problem
a. brief description of the major problem faced by the selected organization’s
b. discussion of the significance of problem-solving
B. Statement of Purpose
- Sources and Methods
a. identification of the types of sources appropriate for research
b. explanation of the usefulness of these sources
- Report Organization
a. detailed description of the organization of research
b. making conclusions on the selected form of report organization
- Discussion
A. Solution and Benefits
a. generation of solar energy as a key tool of green power usage
b. applying waste reduction through recycling methods
c. initiating energy-saving practices
B. Cost
- Conclusion and recommendations
Introduction
Background of the Problem
The problem of environmental pollution is an acute global issue that requires implementing the proper strategies to deal with the negative impacts of industrial output. Currently, scientists provide several causes of environmental pollution, including climate change effects like increased temperatures and raised sea levels. Nevertheless, industrial processes combined with increased levels of CO2 emission refer to the primary cause of environmental degradation. E227 Global Solutions is provided with an opportunity to use clean technologies that help to deal with the environmental consequences of industrial growth. The recognition of the benefits of going green by E227 Global Solutions allows assessing the efforts toward minimizing the organization’s carbon footprint on a global level. The success of the organization in implementing clean technologies aimed at reduction of energy consumption and eliminating chemical by-products, as well as minimization of office waste contributes to addressing the global problem of environmental pollution, but the organization should strengthen its opportunities to adopt certain green strategies, which can help to reduce carbon footprint by 25% in the following year. There is a need for the organization to demonstrate its efficacy in resolving environmental issues to serve as a role model for other industrial organizations. In order to achieve this strategic goal, the organization requires developing an effective plan, which will include a number of methods appropriate for going green and maintaining a leadership position in the industry. These three methods include the generation of solar energy as a key tool of green power usage, waste reduction through recycling, and energy-saving practices ( Gadenne et al., 2009; Hoffman, 2005). According to researchers, “green business practices that maintain and sustain good environmental quality are increasingly becoming a vital component of economic competitiveness” (Ganesh, 2012, p. 56).
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this proposal is to explore the environmental problem faced by E227 Global Solutions and find the proper solution to help the organization go green. Due attention should be paid to cost, benefits, and other relevant issues faced by the organizations while selecting the most appropriate solution.
Sources and Methods
There are several solutions that can be selected by the organization like E227 Global Solutions to ensure carbon footprint reduction. All employees should be informed of the selected solution to achieve the established goals of the organization to go green and maintain sustainability in the industry.
The sources that will be used in the research include peer-reviewed articles, books, and official documentation regarding the implementation of green strategies by organizations. Each of the sources selected for the research study is credible as they provide valid and reliable information on the identified environmental issues. The key goal of the organization is to reduce its carbon footprint by 25% the following year. Hence, there will be three sources used to achieve the set goal.
Report Organization
The report will consist of three sections, including the discussion of the proper solution and benefits, cost and conclusion, and recommendations. Each section of the report contributes to the overall purpose of writing, namely finding the proper solution to reduce carbon footprint by E227 Global Solutions. Due to a detailed discussion of the determined issues, it is possible to explore the benefits of the selected method and its contribution to the organization’s sustainability through the analysis of costs. The organization is provided with an opportunity to explore three methods of going green:
- generation of solar energy as a key tool of green power usage
- applying waste reduction through recycling methods
- initiating energy-saving practices.
Each of the proposed methods allows for saving energy, promoting the organization’s environmentally friendly philosophy, and achieving environmental and economic sustainability in the industry. The proposed method is initiating energy saving practices, which include a wide range of energy efficiency methods, such as using energy saving LED bulbs, upgrading windows of the office, using less electricity while performing tasks and others.
Discussion
Solution and Benefits
In order to make an effective decision regarding the organization’s strategy to go green, it is necessary to describe each option and identify its benefits for the organization.
Generation of solar energy as a key tool for green power usage
One of the proposed solutions is to foster a generation of solar energy as a key tool of green power usage. This option is based on the use of a leading renewable power generation technology, which allows utilizing solar energy for the generation of electricity. Currently, many organizations use the power of the sun as the key source of heat. Electricity is generated by means of a specially developed electronic device that is known as a photovoltaic cell (or solar cell). Solar panels produce power for business organizations like E227 Global Solutions. The only requirement is that solar cells need daylight to generate electricity. The benefits of this option are multiple, including innovativeness, efficiency, convenience, reliability, and environmental friendliness. However, this technology is still expensive for many organizations. Besides, it is dependent on weather conditions. According to researchers, “solar energy conversion depends on solar intensity” (Breeze, 2014, p. 261).
Applying waste reduction through recycling methods
The second solution is to apply a waste reduction strategy within the organization through the use of recycling methods. Business organizations like E227 Global Solutions are comprised of many people who tend to generate waste. As a rule, any type of waste is considered to be recyclable. For this organization, it is possible to recycle the waste generated by people and equipment with the goal – to reduce adverse environmental impact. In other words, recycling materials like paper, glass, plastic, and metal will contribute to the organization’s strategy to go green. Recycling allows preventing environmental pollution and increase environmental awareness of people (Robinson, 2009). The benefits of this option include
Initiating energy-saving practices
The third solution is to initiate energy saving practices that will allow the organization like E227 Global Solutions to go green. This method is based on using energy saving LED bulbs, upgrading windows of the office, using less electricity while performing tasks, and others. According to researchers, LED bulbs can improve light quality and provide energy efficiency, contributing to the improvement of task performance through comfortability, employees’ mood, health and job satisfaction (Veitch & Newsham, 2013). For the selected organization, it is crucial to implement energy-saving practices to reduce energy costs significantly. Due to the use of a lighting system that is able to comply with the energy-efficiency requirements, the company will succeed in its strategic approach to addressing the environmental impacts of business operations. Using energy conservation practices while performing a wide range of business tasks, as well as other job-related activities like eating, social interaction, communication practices, it is possible to reduce energy costs. In other words, this will allow E227 Global Solutions to go green. The benefits of this option are flexibility, easiness to use, convenience, collaboration, low costs, enhanced maintenance, and accessibility.
Cost Analysis
Taking into consideration the benefits of the three options discussed in the previous paragraphs, it is possible conclude that the third option, namely initiating energy saving practices, is the most appropriate for the organization E227 Global Solutions. According to experts, “energy costs often account of 30% of a company’s operating budget” (Raven et al., p.200). For E227 Global Solutions, it is necessary to save up to 25% on electricity bills in order to go green. For example, the organization can use new energy efficient refrigerators and other equipment to save money. There is much evidence that energy-efficient halogens, CFLs, or LED bulbs help to save about 30-80% on energy bills. All employees should be motivated to take energy-efficient actions on a daily basis to help the organization become a leader in the energy-efficient industry. According to experts, “energy-efficient upgrades of existing buildings can provide energy savings of as much as $2 per squire foot” (Raven et al., 2012, p. 201).
Undoubtedly, in order to be an energy-efficient organization, there is a need for making initial investments like buying LED bulbs or energy efficient equipment. Fortunately, these investments with be paid off in spades. Table 1 shows that many organizations have already implemented energy efficient strategies to succeed in energy costs reduction. In 2011, the Power Smart contest provided new energy saving records to demonstrate “the increasing awareness and willingness to use less electricity by the public” (Electricity Saving Outruns Hikes in Electricity Tariffs, 2011). E227 Global Solutions should be focused on cutting electricity use through the identified saving practices.
Conclusion and recommendations
Based on the research of the benefits of the proposed solutions to go green, it is recommended to use the third option, which is aimed at initiating energy saving practices. If the organization replaces old windows in the offices with new ones that are energy efficient, heat will be not lost in cold, windy weather. Besides, employees can save energy by using energy-efficient models of the lighting systems and equipment like refrigerators, furnaces, electric heaters, computers, printers, ventilation, air conditioning systems, etc. Finally, the increased awareness of employees through motivation to save energy will contribute to the organization’s goal to go green.
Hence, it is necessary to conclude that the proposed green strategy is reliable and realistic. This strategic approach guarantees a certain amount of energy savings.
References
Breeze, P. (2014). Power Generation Technologies. Newnes.
Gadenne, D. L., Kennedy, J. & McKeiver, C. (2009). “An Empirical Study of Environmental Awareness and Practices in SMEs,” Journal of Business Ethics, 84(1): 45-63.
Ganesh, K. (2012). International and Interdisciplinary Studies in Green Computing. IGI Global.
Hoffman, A. J. (2005). “Climate Change Strategy: The Business Logic Behind Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reductions,” California Management Review, 47 (3): 21-46.
Raven, P. H., Berg, L. R., Hassenzahl, D. M. (2012). Environment. John Wiley & Sons.
Robinson, B. H. (2009). “E-waste: An assessment of global production and environmental impacts,” Science of the Total Environment, 408(2):183–191.
Veitch, J. A. & Newsham, G. R. (2013). “Lighting Quality and Energy-Efficiency Effects on Task Performance, Mood, Health, Satisfaction, and Comfort,” Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society, 27(1): 107-129.
