Even Without A Greentech Breakthrough, Businesses Cutting Their Electricity Bills
from the dual-bottom-lines dept
As oil prices continues to rise and concerns about global warming become more widespread, there's been a spike in investment in green technology. This has prompted some debate about whether there's a bubble in this space. Of course, even if there is a bubble, some good can come out of it if many different avenues are rapidly explored. But while researchers throw noodles against the wall to see what sticks, there are already many concrete steps being taken to abate energy use. Increasingly, industrial manufacturers are recognizing that environmental friendliness and cost savings go hand in hand, and so in the absence of any major energy breakthrough, they're finding ways to reduce the energy needs at their factories. Some of these things are as simple as using more energy-efficient lighbulbs, while some facilities are increasingly employing cogeneration, an old concept that involves recycling excess heat and steam back into usable energy. The effects aren't minimal; according to the Energy Information Administration, energy use among manufacturers in the US is now half of what it was in 1979, despite a doubling of output. There's nothing wrong with exploring new types of fuels and energy sources, even if some are of dubious value, but in the absence of a silver bullet, it shouldn't be overlooked that businesses' endless need to reduce costs and improve efficiency is already leading to immediate progress.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Wasteful tests
And they did not give me any papers indicating my salary, is that shit legal?? They said they only give such contracts to doctors. I'm supposed to trust the figure they gave me over the phone. Is that legal in Alabama, or are there federal laws against that?
On the way home I had to do a drug test. Haven't done one of those things in ten years. The lobby of the testing center had a giant fish tank. The new tests give you the results instantaneously -- you can see bars rising on the side of the cup, and if it passes a certain line, you're negative. Of course, I was negative on all counts.
Unless, was anyone ever so stoned that they pissed in the fish tank at a drug testing center?
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Re: Wasteful tests
You giving short arm inspections? No wonder, I've often thought you'd do that kind of stuff gratis (and no need for color distinction to check rectum's either).
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Re: Wasteful tests
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and for an on topic reply...
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Turn off computers
Plus, this could be a security issue: with the monitors turned off, the cleaning crew won't see any secret documents that may still be open. And, yes, I'm sure there are still plenty of people who don't log off or lock their PC when they go home at night.
Someone said that the turning on and off will reduce the lifespan of the device. Um, what's the average lifespan for a computer in an office? 3 years? 4 years? How long will it take for today's computers to be replaced because they "only" have a 100G hard drive?
I would think the technology would become obsolete (or the office managers will think it's obsolete) long before the machine breaks down due using the on/ off switch.
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Re: Turn off computers
Besides, lots of monitors turn off after a period of inactivity. Even the cheap ones. Our office (finally!) got new hardware. All new (very cheap) LCD monitors and terminals that interface with the mainframe instead of every employee having their own PC. These things save energy and are low cost in both the short and long run.
Surprisingly enough with all this "green" movement, not many earth shattering "green" technologies have come out that are feasible for current use (maybe in a few years). Most of these things that offices are installing were created with the idea of energy savings in mind. And not saving to be "green," but saving to save some green (ok... that was pretty corny).
-B
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No More kids? Are these guys serious?
Pretty soon, you'll start seeing studies that indicate that if you want to save the world, families should limit the number of kids they have.
Ooops I spoke too soon.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/heat-on-parents-to-have-fewer-kids-to-cool-planet/2007/05 /06/1178390140826.html
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