Business Leaders Say Green Initiatives Are Key To Improving Economy

By Courtney Costello- Talk Radio News Service

Businesses are embarking on green initiatives to help offset their carbon footprint, sustain resources and create jobs, according to a panel of business and energy experts.

The discussion entitled, “Corporate Sustainability, The Environment and Economic Recovery, Investing for the Future”, touched upon aspects of sustainability and economic accomplishments achieved by Americans. The panel also discussed future goals.

Executives representing different companies and environmental organizations, as well as Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY) and Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN), spoke about instilling sustainable initiatives in households, businesses and the government.

“We need the revenues [from sustainable development] to ever grow our own economy again, to lead the world…in the energy solutions for the future, cause the nexus between the the environment, energy and our national security is the most important policy nexus of our time,” said Rep. Wamp.

Video conferencing is one sustainable initiative that businesses could consider in reducing their carbon footprint. With video conferencing there would be less traveling via car and airplane, said AT&T Chief Sustainability Officer Charlene Lake. Lake cited the American Consumer Institute, stating, “Video conferencing substituted for ten percent of business travel [at AT&T].”

“[Video conferencing] would reduce carbon emissions in the U.S. by some 35 million tons annually, that’s equivalent to the electricity required to power more than 4.2 million homes annually,” said Lake.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, contains a provision called PACE, Property Assessed Clean Energy, in which federal, state or local governments would buy bonds to finance improvements on residential homes and businesses.

“It’s going to take businesses working together and working through this downturned economy, its going to take good public policies that underpin that transformation to making us the most energy efficient economy in the world, and all the good environmental security and economic advantages that will come out of that,” said Kateri Callahan, President of Alliance to Save Energy.