Ecology marketing strategy is all wrong for American July 2009
I was sitting here thinking that I need to update this website with the pictures from the trip to Payson Arizona, when I saw an ad telling all of us about how important the environment is and that if “you don’t do you part” you are contributing to the plants demise.
If the Ad Counsel, or however put this marketing scheme together, though this was the way to American’s ecological hart, they need a reality check. Here are some facts:
Even if America went green today, the pollution from India and most of Asia would be enough to keep the cycle of global warming going. This is NOT to say that we should do nothing – remember, I am for saving the planet –but that this has to be a global effort if we really want to save the place and America is the place to start.
The issue is that all of these alternative energy sources are being sold as "save the planet technology" but as per my paragraph above, this is not going to really have that much affect worldwide and we know it.
Rather than saying “Buy solar, save the planet”. How about, “Buy solar and you will not have an electric bill”. Here in Arizona that is $450 per month in the summer. “Buy a hybrid and cut your gas expense by 75%.” These are the kind or marketing tools that work in this country.
Most of the US economy from manufacturing has gone overseas, unless that is, if the companies are taking TARP or any other funding from the government. With this in mind, reinventing US was Information Technology in the 80’s and 90’. Why not solar and other alternative sources of energy in this century.
I have to admit that more than anything else; I too want to save money.
Eco friendly computing March 2009
Ever wonder which computer is the most in tune with the environment?
Sadly, it is not the ever popular PC no matter the brand. Most manufactures of computer products are not looking out for mother nature at all. These computers are made with plastic screens and components that will stay in our landfills forever not to mention the toxicity of the internal parts. Microsoft keeps the cycle going with operating systems that require more and more power to run meaning newer and newer computers are required in odder for Windows to run properly. The IRS even allows computers to be amortized over three years rather than the 5 other products must adhere to.
There is one manufacture that is looking out for the planet. MAC's new MACBOOK and MACBOOK Pro models are made with recyclable aluminum and glass. In addition, because they run the MAC operating system, which is UNIX based, most can continue to be upgraded to the latest version with out any upgrades. While green purchases and ideas generally save money, this is not the case with the MACs. They are more expensive than traditional computers. If you are buying one, you are doing so for personal and environmental reasons. Remember that the longevity of these units is longer than that of the PC but it will take you a while to recoup your investment.
One thing you can do when looking at your next computer is to consider buying a notebook over the desktop models. Not only can they run on battery power, which saves energy, but the input power they require is a scant 12 volts rather than 120. You might also consider staying with an older operating system over upgrading to the latest offering. Your computer will run faster and will not require hardware upgrades.
Get sensible about conservation: Aug. 2008
Getting sensible about the environment is something that is just NOT in America’s vocabulary. We typically have some knee jerk reaction to issues such as conservation that in the end we cannot achieve or pay for. Our very government reeks of no change. The beauty of the US has always been that no matter who is in office, nothing really significant ever happens. Government regulations are expensive and never result in any progress.
The only way we can make a long term difference is if we slowly, and I mean really slowly, nudge people into change. We have lived the life of huge energy consumption throughout our country’s entire existence and to say we can make our dependency on foreign oil go away in 10 years is just not going to happen. Why? Here is just one example:
In order for people to convert their cars to hybrid, a couple of things have to happen. First, the car owner has to be ready for a new car. If I own my car out right, why would I sell a perfectly good car just so I can buy a hybrid? Now I am making payments and buying gas. With the economy the way it is now, anyone would be foolish to take on a car load when they don’t have to. Second, the fuel efficient cars are going to have to come down in price. For the cost of a hybrid, I could buy a used BMW 328, which gets nearly 30 miles to the gallon and has a proven track record of reliability.
I agree all of us need to check our selves into the Betty Ford Clinic for energy addiction but, it is ridiculous for us to think that we can just stop using oil tomorrow or that everyone can afford a $24,000 hybrid. We need to do everything possible to solve energy issues and that includes conservation, drilling, and nuclear power. This is certainly going to tick off a few tree huggers but America needs to ensure long term energy independence with a price tag everyone can live with. The typical reaction we American are famous for is going to cost everyone a lot of money and in the end produce no results.
Here are 2 things I think we can look at. The idea here is that individuals can make the change that will, in turn, influence others to make changes with out having a law that further burdens our incompetent government.
Population:
The shear number of people in the US alone increases our carbon foot print along with the fact that many countries are not involved in conservation of any type. Humans are the biggest consumer of the environment just by virtue of their existence. If we could stabilize the number of people on the earth, we could, in essence, reduce the amount of food we need, the number of cars on the streets, and most importantly, the amount of land required to sustain all of us. For the same reasons that China has a one child law, we should adopt not a law but a personal policy of common sense when it comes to family. I am not questioning someone’s right to have children, I am just asking people to THINK about the long term affects of our population on the world.
One way to reduce the affect of us on the world is to travel less plain and simple. A company that has a work from home policy will see higher profits due to a reduction in office expenses and workers will reduce their cost of going to work, which is in and of it self a pay increase.
Get out there:
Sporting goods stores are deserted while the Apple store is always jammed with people buying yet another gadget that keeps them inside and inactive. People are spending more time in front of the computer and less time exploring the great outdoors. Take your family camping or hiking. Respect for the wilderness is learned and being in it is the best way to see what you will be missing when it is all gone.
The real answer is for people to make the changes without government regulation and set an example for others to follow. Make ecology just as trendy as the SUV and others will want to be in the in crowd.