Economic growth is what propelled America's leap to become the world's only superpower and most influential nation, but not without sacrifice. Our exponential growth has depleted our nonrenewable resources and polluted many of our nation's greatest natural wonders. While it is imperative that America's economy continues to the dominate and the lead the world into the 21st Century, it is equally important to ensure we preserve our natural resources in order to preserve America's future status as an economic powerhouse. Through the following market and incentive based programs we can recognize and promote environmentally sustainable business practices, making them more palatable for private enterprises, to tackle three main causes of climate change: Energy, Waste, and Agriculture.
To understand the solution we must first understand the problem and its complexities. Public polling shows that more American people than ever are aware of global warming. A study of CBS polling shows that public awareness of global has jumped from 27% in 1997 to 42% in 2007 (Nisbet, Matthew C., and Teresa Myers. "The Polls--Trends." Public Opinion Quarterly 71.3 (2007): 444-470. Business Source Complete. Web. 16 Nov. 2012.). Meaning, that is a relatively new issue in the minds of most. However, climate change has long been an issue of concern for policy makers, leading to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 2, 1970 to research and combat climate change (EPA History, About EPA, EPA, Website, , Retrieved 11-15-12).
[...] However, we must be careful not to harm or penalise the engines of our economic growth through overzealous regulations and fines. Such practices promote secrecy and questionable tactics by industry, as they desperately attempt to continue growth under crushing policies. Only by promoting sound economic and environmental practices that reward, not rebuke, corporations can we achieve transparency, along with real and lasting solutions. Works Cited 1.) Environment and Business, Hitchcock, Blair, Alasdair, Routledge 2000 (Library Source) 2.) Nisbet, Matthew C., and Teresa Myers. "The Polls--Trends." Public Opinion Quarterly 71.3 (2007): 444-470. [...]
[...] From Perry Farms, Georgia, where PepsiCo. uses a compost and manure program, to Mexico, where PepsiCo. has tested the use of the volcanic rock, Zeolita, which increased yield by over corporations such as PepsiCo. have become committed partners in our quest to decrease use of synthetic fertilizers. In addition to drastically reducing their use of synthetic fertilizers, PepsiCo. has also launched successful programs aimed at conserving water resources. By installing drip irrigation systems on nearly two-million acres of farmland in India PepsiCo. [...]
[...] Extreme weather patterns, including drought, hurricanes, and temperature extremes, can cause for product scarcity or astronomical price increases, which can quickly cripple any business. Due to this fact, many businesses have begun to research and develop environmentally sustainable practices. One such industry leader is PepsiCo., which is pioneering the use of sustainable agriculture, energy, and reduced waste. In India, PepsiCo. has installed a new anaerobic digester, capable of converting twelve metric tons of solid waste per day into bio-gas which is used to power fryers. [...]
[...] Environmentally sustainable economies Economic growth is what propelled America's leap to become the world's only superpower and most influential nation, but not without sacrifice. Our exponential growth has depleted our nonrenewable resources and polluted many of our nation's greatest natural wonders. While it is imperative that America's economy continues to the dominate and the lead the world into the 21st Century, it is equally important to ensure we preserve our natural resources in order to preserve America's future status as an economic powerhouse. [...]
[...] Policy makers can support programs like these by offering a property tax reduction of a set rate for every acre that was sustainable farmed. These proposals are only a brief overview of the multitude of profit and yield improving practices that go hand and hand with increased environmental responsibility. By adopting policies that recognize that corporations must continue to grow and profit, while also combating climate change, we can incentivize going green for businesses both large and small. While there is no “magic bullet”to win our war on climate change, pursuing a strategy which combats pollution from energy, waste, and agriculture is a powerful beginning. [...]
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