Showing posts with label green. Show all posts

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Solar Power – Subsidies Could Create a Dynamic Shift in the US [infographic]

May 31, 2012

Solar Power – Subsidies

In a recent news article on Reuters, Germany has announced that almost half of its electrical power on the grid originates from solar power. An estimated 22 gigawatts of electrical power is produced per hour, by solar panels in Germany, the equivalent of 22 nuclear power stations. In Germany, the government is in full support of green energy production with heavy subsidies, which is quite different in the US.

Here is an interesting infographic from 1bog.org , comparing the two countries energy production and subsequent subsidies for solar power. It’s an interesting look at the potential that could be there is government is willing to step in with heavy subsidies for solar. With the huge solar potential in the US, focus and subsidies could result in a dynamic shift on dependencies and on the economics of energy in this country.

Green Business

Earth Day sparks the green thoughts in everyone, including the eager entrepreneurs ready to jump on green business opportunities. Green practices, policies, are trending upwards, and if you are in the right green realm as an entrepreneur, you may be able to take advantage and start or expand your business in the environmentally friendly direction.

Eco-friendly, green strategies and practices are good for the environment and are also good for business as it helps build solid positive relationships with customers who will make a connection with the green conscious business. The green environmental sector is big business, with 2011 revenue estimates at nearly $330 Billion.

Here are some ideas of green businesses for entrepreneurial consideration:

Green businesses – Eco-Friendly Products

Green Retailing is big business in the US, accounting for billions in revenue. Entrepreneurs jump on the opportunity of providing products that don’t have an impact on the environment, don’t contain harmful chemicals, or products that are available with eco-friendly packaging. Organic products, falling under this business category, include some opportunities such as organic produce retailers, cosmetics and specialty garden products. According to some reports, customers are willing to spend an estimated 20% premium on organic products.

Green Marketing Agencies

Getting the message out about your green practices, polices, procedures and products helps your business resonate with the consumer base that is trending green. The segment of the consumer market that is eco-friendly will make a connection with your company, and thus a customer relationship will be made. Marketing professionals can specialize in this area of green marketing, helping companies develop and implement strategies for positioning their green products and services.

Green Businesses – Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering is the profession that provides science and engineering services to improve the natural environment. Services include consulting, development and planning, and mitigation of projects that may have an impact on the environment. In many jurisdictions, it is required to complete environmental screenings or assessments, and that’s where the environmental engineers come in. Government agencies and the private sector seek environmental engineering firms to help meet environmental regulations and standards.

Eco-Efficiency Consultants

Eco-efficiency professionals specialize in finding, developing and helping your business implement environmentally friendly practices. These consultants dig into your operations and analyze aspects such as energy consumption, product use, and practices.

The specialists would ultimately provide your business with a set of recommendations to reduce waste, reduce cost and move to more environmentally friendly practises in your business.

Research and Development Companies

Businesses that currently develop and provide consumer products often branch out to undertake research and development of better, more eco-friendly and efficient products. Such is the case with light bulb manufacturers, with the development of compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and newer light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Whether it’s an existing corporation or a newly funded start-up, there is plenty of opportunity in the environmentally friendly, product development realm.

Green Businesses Recycling and Recovery Companies

The consumer turn-over of products is amazing, such as the electronics industry where some products are replaced every one to two years. Companies specializing in recycling and recovering metals and plastics and other materials from discarded consumer products are well poised to take advantage. Valuable metals and materials can be recovered from the more than 200 million mobile devices that are discarded every year in the US. For instance gold, silver, palladium and sometimes platinum can be recovered from computer boards. At the current metal prices, some other these recovery business opportunities would be worth investigating.

Strategy Plan One

http://strategyplanone.com

Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

Saturday, 21 April 2012

Green Practices – How Eco-Friendly is the Internet? [Infographic]

Strategy Plan One

April 21, 2012

Green Practices

Most of us generally know that with everyone, everywhere connected on the Internet, that it generates energy consumption and environmental impacts from the global use of the Internet. There are both pros and cons to Internet usage… while it is a huge energy consumer, the upside is that it may be a more efficient method in business practices to getting the work done. Collectively, this makes a significant impact on the environment.

Embedded in this brilliant infographic from Wordstream, here are some shocking statistics and data from global Internet use:

Total global population is estimated to be connected by 2017
61 Billion kWh – US Power consumption of 10.3 Million data centers
2000-2006 : Internet traffic increased 32 Million %, Energy consumption up 200%
62 Trillion Spam emails produce the equivalent of the emissions of 1.6 Million cars
Per month Google produces 260,000 kg of CO₂

Strategy Plan One

http://strategyplanone.com

Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

Thursday, 19 April 2012

Green Strategies – Small Business Survey [Infographic]

Strategy Plan One

April 19, 2012

Green Strategies

Eco-friendly, green strategies are good for the environment and are also good for business as it helps build solid positive relationships with customers who will make a connection with the green conscious business. The green environmental sector is big business, with 2011 revenue estimates at nearly $330 Billion.

During February 2012 Office Depot surveyed over 1000 small businesses to gauge information on implementation of green strategies and use of green products across operations. The small business results in this infographic were surprising, with:

70% to implement green strategies in the next 2 years
61% of small businesses currently implementing green practices
82% having a recycling green strategy
56% learning about green products online

Concerns by small business implementing green strategies and products:

39% concerned with the cost
21% concerned about lack of green strategy and product options
13% concerned about clarity around going green
13% cite concerns on quality of green programs / products, and
11% state lack of time as a concern

Source: BusinessWire

Strategy Plan One

http://strategyplanone.com

Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

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Thursday, 31 May 2012