I beg to differ, it is not the average citizen who is wasting energy, it is the average business.

As a troubleshooter, who visits hundreds of companies in a year, the energy waste is overwhelming. This is compounded by the attitude of the C.E.O. and/or other managers who seem to believe it is not their problem and there is nothing they can do.

I attended XYZ Inc, (composite company). As I entered the Lobby I felt serious chill. Although it was pleasant on the pavement, (around 70o)  it was arctic in the lobby. The air conditioners were blasting,  the receptionist was dressed in thick wool, as if a competitor in snowboarding. The lovely draperies blocked out all sunlight, so that every incandescent light in the lobby was on. The office I was to attend was on the next floor and I was directed to the elevator. The stair case was nowhere to be found.

After riding the elevator one story, I emerged into the office which was just as arctic, many employees wearing jackets. Not a single window could open, and I assumed there were windows behind those thick drapes.

Although a number of computer terminals were not occupied, the computers were on displaying their lovely screen savers. I noticed many pieces of equipment also burning electricity and not being used; in fact, for the two hours I was there, the large copy machine was never touched.

At night, when the employees left,  lights were left on in most sections, and I fear many of the computers were as well.

The reason I was called in was because the company needed to cut expenditures and was considering downsizing.

(In every need for a company to save money, the first area of cutting is always the workforce…that is…those who produce the work which the company ’sells’…anyone else see the illogic here?)

Off hand I mentioned a few environmentally friendly policies, which the C.E.O. boxed away as pesky mosquitos.  For my own elucidation, I wished to know who controlled the thermostat. No one knew. I searched for the head of maintenance unsuccessfully. I have no idea if he had been seen in the past year.

I myself indicated the little dohickeys on the wall, which could be set to 78o, mentioned using natural light, shutting off machines which weren’t being used, scheduling the use of the larger machines, etc.  The C.E.O was not particularly interested.

The Carbon Footprint of XYZ Inc is greater than perhaps fifty homes.  When this company goes out of business, it will be of great benefit to the environment.  Although the ‘Green’ revolution has been pretty well sold to the public, it is the Business Community that needs to be brought on board.

During this period of economic hardship, companies can save thousands of dollars by opening windows, using natural lighting, and more intelligent usages of air conditioning and heating. 

Opening windows in the early morning and evening has the added benefit of fighting ‘Sick Building Syndrome’, (one of the reasons why diseases spread so quickly in hermetically sealed environments). There is no reason for air conditioning or heating when the temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees outside.  No reason for lights to be turned on during a sunny day.  

When it comes to Carbon Footprints businesses leave far larger steps than is necessary.