How Businesses Can Protect Themselves from Climate Change

Climate change is an inarguable threat to our lives and cultures, and the severity of its consequences are increasing at a rapid pace. Many of these consequences are due to the effects of the Industrial Revolution. Thus, reversing the effects of our environmental damage could mean forfeiting some of the conveniences of modern life.

Businesses feel this tension on a structural level because the means of production tend to rely on climate-harming conveniences. Primarily, this applies to electricity, hazardous materials, and fossil fuels. By utilizing non-renewable energy and substances, the free market contributes to the greenhouse effect and puts our world further into an environmental rut.

These actions need to be addressed with haste, though. The more we contribute to climate change, the worse off Earth will be in the near future. While many individuals and businesses are working to reduce their use of fossil fuels, there is more that needs to be done. 

Make Sustainable Energy Installations

Sustainable workplace improvements are more accessible than ever before. In the past, it was difficult to install devices or systems that use renewable energy due to high costs and scarce equipment. But in recent years the means required for these adjustments have become more widely available, and cheaper as well. Contractors are beginning to invest in these installations, and if businesses take advantage of said options, they will be better able to help the planet.

This goes beyond the environment, though. The truth is that commercial property owners will save around $500 per month on electricity, and then some, if they install solar energy systems. Additionally, the Federal Solar Tax Credit allows claimers to deduct 30% of their installation costs, which in some cases could amount to over $5000.

Unfortunately, these systems are still far from perfect. Although they’re more readily available, they are not quite efficient enough in terms of power storage and grid infrastructure. This problem could hold solar energy’s growth back for another 15 years. But there are engineers and scientists who are working to fix that. Hopefully with their expert care, these opportunities will be more beneficial for their users.

Prepare For Natural Disasters

Right now, we’re seeing extreme natural disasters occur multiple times per year, when such catastrophes previously happened once every half-millennium. The need for care in their wake is the biggest public health concern facing the world right now. How can businesses help, as well as protect themselves from the same disasters?

This may start with companies and organizations taking care of their physical work locations and their employees. To the best of a business’s ability, it should take physical precautions to prevent flood damage. This could include:

●  Ensuring walls, entryways, and basements are watertight.

●  Installing flood shields.

●  Installing backflow prevention valves.

If a business is located in a coastal area where these disasters happen often, it may be smart to invest in commercial flood insurance, too. Additionally, setting up a safety plan in which employees are able to protect themselves on work premises is crucial in case a storm hits during office hours.

However, securing the premises and keeping employees safe are only parts of the equation. Customers are a business’s lifeblood, and if a company wants to keep their service in the wake of a natural disaster they will need to have a customer communication plan. This may include:

●     E-mail communications about the effects of a disaster on operations.

●     A back up plan for product manufacturing and shipping.

●     Keeping all customer information safe on a cloud system.

Stay Socially Conscious

Globally, consumers are showing their desire to support businesses that are environmentally conscious. Simply put, they want to make the world a better place and would like the help of the brands they support in doing so. This is taking precedence over the conveniences and low prices offered by corporate giants like Walmart.

Even within their own homes, consumers are beginning to prefer renewable energy. Businesswire actually described it as “the dominant customer choice” for electricity earlier this year. By extension, businesses can appeal to customers by utilizing this type of power. After all, millennial consumers at large want brands that hold some semblance of their personal ethical principles.

The United States and China are still demanding that natural gas be used, especially with the world’s energy requirements growing. However, consumers know the damage of natural gas and are becoming less inclined to support companies that profit at the expense of the planet. Staying socially conscious is a way to maintain brand loyalty, and is crucial in this time of climate crisis.

Summary

Climate change is real, and its effects on our planet are detrimental. Businesses have a unique responsibility to reduce the carbon footprint left by modern industry. They can make sustainable changes to their practices by installing solar systems and using renewable materials for products.

If businesses operate in places that are vulnerable to natural disasters, they have even more reason to reduce their carbon footprint. This is because increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere intensify tropical storms and hurricanes. Additionally, consumers are looking for companies that represent their values, and modern consumers tend to value the world they live in. Therefore, staying socially conscious and making environmentally sound business decisions will earn customer respect, which can have a positive lasting effect on a business’s survival.