Going Green Campaign - Essay Example

Task: Going Green Introduction “Hybrid cars are made to save the environment, but are they going to save our economy also?" This is a concern that bothers everyone who has the interest of the environment at heart, much as they want to make profit out of their motor industry-or any other for that matter. I believe that, eventually, hybrid cars are going to save the environment as well as our economy. First, we ought to understand a few facts. Greenhouse gases are’… gases that trap heat in the atmosphere’ (U.S Environmental Protection Agency, February 2012). As a result, temperatures within the atmosphere rise, albeit gradually, to cause global warming. The United States Environmental protection agency has listed five gases as composing the greenhouse gases. These are Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. (U.S Environmental Protection Agency, February 2012). Although carbon dioxide is also produced naturally, it (and the other gases) is primarily produced through human activities, especially ‘… through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of other chemical reactions’ (Environmental Protection Agency, February 2012). This is where automobile manufacture becomes relevant. Green house gases are emitted, not only during the production of cars, but also during their use; i.e. while on the road. This calls for safer methods of production as well as designing ‘green cars’-those that emit less harmful gases or none at all. Such are solar-powered or electric cars. 2. Reality Check Greenhouse emissions have been on the rise in the last couple of decades thanks to increased industrialization. They have risen “… by 15 percent since 1990, reaching over 7000 metric tons in 2006.” (CQ Researcher, Feb. 29 2008, Pg 200). The result is that the earth has become increasingly warmer and weather conditions even more adverse and unpredictable. We have witnessed some of the most adverse weather conditions in the last century; from famines and floods to glacier melting and high temperatures among others. For instance, Greenland’s glaciers have been melting “… 30 percent faster than they were [just] a decade ago.” (Jennifer Welsh, 2012). To curb the effects of global warming, governments, business organizations, activist groups as well as individuals have come out to advocate for more initiative and responsibility-more specifically in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save the planet. The car industry is squarely on the spotlight over taking responsibility over greenhouse gases emissions, since it is arguably the chief consumer of fossil fuel products. 3. The Great Controversy Green products are not costly; neither do they hurt the economy, as some people may have claimed. The problem with such an argument is that the proponents are looking at short term profits and benefits, which may not be immediately realized in the green market. They look at the rate of input versus output; and it looks like a losing game, at least from face value. For instance, relying on solar energy in car production means that we can only reap benefits during the day only- and closing shop at sun set. This means that a 24 hour economy is not possible, and therefore profits may reduce by half. However, this may be the only [greatest] disadvantage with solar energy. On the other hand, we may benefit from a 24-hour economy driven by coal and gas, but we will begin counting our losses sometime soon down the road. Green house effects may be slow, but they are certain. They cause ripple effects that result to consequences that eventually cost more money to mitigate. For instance, more toxic gases are emitted to the atmosphere through industrial wastes; the mean global temperatures rise over time; more ice melts causing dams, rivers and lakes to swell and burst; floods sweep over businesses, animals and humans; more money is required to rebuild the dams, compensate the affected people as well as prepare for any future occurrences. Logically, profits made from fossil fuels are huge initially, only to be ploughed back to the environment when it breaks down under the weight of pollution. 4. Corporate Responsibility A company which is concerned with the environment must therefore move ‘…beyond mere compliance with government regulations to behavior [which] its competitors, and even customers, do not expect.’ (Art Kleiner, 1991). It means that businesses must move away from their comforts and conveniences to concerns beyond mere profit making. Consequently, businesses will be forced by circumstances to allocate more money and personnel to environmental consciousness. This may sometimes seem pretentious, since businesses may only do this to comply with societal expectations. Does this cost businesses money? Yes, as do other investments, and not without dividends as well. For instance, more people are moving away from the popular SUV to more economical and modest car brands-and none could be more economical than green cars. This implies that more money will flow where eco-friendly cars are being sold, and that makes money! Some observers have observed that more people ‘… choose green products over more luxurious non-green products.’ ( Griskevicius, Vladas et al, 2010) either for personal benefit or compliance to trends and social expectations. 5. Humble Actions, Great Results Going green is not for the giant companies alone. The world is not necessarily changed in giant steps by giant organizations. It ‘… need not involve a major change or capital outlay but can grow in accordance with the business’ needs and priorities. (Jennifer K. Lynes & Dianne Dredge, 2006). Contrary to popular belief, compliance to environmental needs and concerns must not cost the business a lot of money. Small businesses can therefore ‘change the world’ in their humble yet significant ways. The smallest motor company will have done enough by ensuring that their few cars are eco-friendly, and they do not have to spend millions in advertising about their eco-friendliness, provided they are eco-friendly. 6. Global Responsibility Going green is a global concern. The buyer would want to participate in making the world a better place for themselves, their neighbors and the generations to come. They would want to be associated with a company which is eco-friendly. By default, the automobile manufacturer that has genuine, explicit and firm principles on environmental conservation will attract more customers and therefore make more profit. This obviously grows the specific company’s economy, and consequently the county’s economy. However, for environmental protection to be meaningful, everyone must actively participate. “If California does something and China and India don’t, then what we do is virtually useless.” (CQ Researcher, Jan 2009) Corporate groups as well as individuals are engaged in a massive campaign “American governors are now working with partners from around the world, as well as with each other, to combat environmental threats.” (CQ Researcher, Jan 2009, Pg 15) 7. Creating Jobs Finally and perhaps most importantly, eco-friendly businesses employ lots of manpower. This refutes claims that going green will send many people out of jobs. “ ‘Green’ investments, on average create more than twice as many jobs per dollar invested as traditional, fossil fuel-based generating technologies by redirecting money previously spent on wasted energy and imported fuel toward advanced technology, modern infrastructure and skilled labor.” (CQ Researcher, Jan. 2009 Pg 17). Giant car makers such as GM, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Fiat and Toyota have given the green light by rolling out their green cars as reported by CQ Researcher (Feb 6, 2009 Pg 117). The entire 2 million plus Americans who work in the auto industry are set to benefit from this trend; just as their counterparts all over the world. “Green is the new gold in the auto making world” (CQ Researcher Feb 06 2009 Pg 12) and that means more jobs and more money. 8. Conclusion Going green in the car industry is good for the environment, as it is for the market and the economy. Though the effects of complying to or ignoring environmental concerns may not be immediate, they sure are real and relevant to humanity’s day to day existence. Governments, businesses and individuals have no choice but to comply, otherwise the entire planet will be put under jeopardy. Works Cited Art Kleiner, “What does it Mean to be Green?” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Jul-Aug 1991. Web May 1 2012 (This source gives a practical breakdown on the implication of going green) CQ Reseacher, “Auto Industry’s Future.” cqresearcher.com. Feb 6, 2009, PDF (Web) May 2 2012 CQ Reseacher, “Buying Green.” rqresearcher.com. Feb 29, 2009, PDF (Web) May 2 2012 CQ Researcher, “Confronting Warming.” cqreseacher.com. Jan 9, 2009, PDF (Web). May 4 2012 (All the CQ Researcher references give a detailed analysis of the implications of going green, its effect to the economy, peoples response to the trend as well as actions taken by various institutions towards going green). Griskevicius, Vladas et al,“Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 98(3).” pschnet.apa.org. Mar 2010. Web. May 6 2012 Jennifer K. Lynes & Dianne Dredge, “Journal of Sustainable Tourism.” 2006. Print. May 4 2012 (This assisted me in appreciating the small actions taken by individuals and small business but which are significant in the greater picture of going green) Jennifer Welsh, “Greenland’s Glaciers Melting Faster, Say Scientists” The Christian Science Monitor. csmonitor.com. May 3 2012. Web. May 7 2012 (Welsh details one of the effects of global warming caused by green house gases emissions) U.S Environmental Protection Agency. “Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” epa.gov. February 27, 2012. Web. May 4th 2012 (This article explains greenhouse gases and their effects on the environment) Read More

 

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