The relationship between humankind and the environment is a strained one. Especially with new technological developments and post-industrial processing, it can be challenging to establish a personal or business relationship with the world around you. Keeping that in mind, what can you do to comply with sustainable environmental needs on these two levels?
Think of a few reference points to get you started. There is pollution compliance when it comes to business matters. There is your personal carbon footprint that is an essential function of your relationship with the external environment.
And then there is the level of business ethics that you and your company are willing to adhere to. Beyond what the law regulates, your ethical decisions regarding sustainable environmental needs via a business perspective are in an entirely different category.
Pollution Compliance
It’s important to eventually curb the amount of pollution that we put out into the atmosphere. At some point, mother nature will fight back. So, regulations are in place to try to curb some of humans’ enthusiasm for industrial waste before it’s too late. There are power plant pollution reduction technologies that are in place.
There are several different types of technology to help cars reduce their emissions. Putting out anything into rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans is becoming a problem, so companies are now doing more to filter out the worst waste. Sometimes pollution regulations are federal requirements; other times, they are simply smart suggestions.
Personal Carbon Footprint
What are you doing on an individual level to create a sustainable relationship with the earth? Are you reducing your carbon footprint? Are you doing everything that you can to avoid wasting precious nonrenewable resources? Are you investing in cleaner energy?
Are you getting rid of the consumer culture aspect of your personality and replacing it with a more minimal version? All of these things can help you sleep better at night, knowing that you are trying to be a better person in the grand scheme of things.
Levels of Business Ethics
Finally, there’s the matter of business ethics. If you own a business, what do you do to go above and beyond sustainable earth regulations? Do you set up appropriate recycling for your company? Do you buy energy-efficient appliances?
Do you suggest to your employees that they do things that are better for the environment? By having this higher degree of business ethics, you can transparently show the public at large that you care. This is a great business endeavor because it will give you an excellent return on your investment as well as saving the earth. Especially as concern over pollution gets worse, ethical business leaders will be revered.
