Environmental Innovations vs the Space Program Innovations

Of course, one of the threads in the space discussion was what innovations and jobs had come out of the space program. Some of the products used daily that came out of the space program include mylar, advanced keyboards, microcomputers, portable coolers and warmers, athletic shoes, more aerodynamic golf balls, Dust Buster, shock-absorbing helmets, home security systems, smoke detectors, flat panel TVs, programmable pacemaker and various and numerous health related advancements, engine lubricant, interactive computer training, self-locking fasteners, better brakes, and better winter tires. Who would have thought so much came from one multi-faceted program?

And the innovations from the space program that help the environmental movement, especially as it applies to the hospitality industry, include improved insulation, air and water purification systems, sewage treatment, solar energy, noise abatement, energy saving air conditioning, wireless communications, environmentally friendly lubricants, and electric cars. The products themselves are valuable, but the job creation that came with them is also an important aspect to recognize.

Combining this conversation with the innovations I read about in Green to Gold (reviewed here at ECOnomically Sound) by Daniel C Esty and Andrew S Winston, awakened in me the realization that the green movement could be the next space program, as far as contributions to society and job creation. I have found yet another great reason for the hospitality to green its operations: improve the economy through job creation. But innovation is more than job creation.

Innovation, as defined in Green to Gold , is "bringing imagination to bear to solve problems and respond to human needs. According to the authors, it lies at the heart of success; my augmentation of that thought is it's the key to success in greening the hospitality industry. Being innovative will save more money in the long run than regulation, which is a common approach when people don't take action on their own.

Let me list just a few of the improvements and innovations that have come from businesses striving for better and/or cleaner approaches to business and the environment, to reduce pollution and save money and resources.

• 3M reduced waste, and thus pollution, in 20 ways and saved $11M over 30 years


• BP (British Petroleum, or Beyond Petroleum) found ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (cost: $20M, savings: $650M)


• DuPont holding its energy use flat, saving it $2B in 10 years


• Herman Miller ecofriendly chairs; low waste and emission products


• Sun Microsystem's energy-saving chip; energy saving in operation and in its cooling demand


• Toyota's hybrid gas-electric car

The kinds of innovations the hospitality industry can be involved in are diverse and numerous.

• increase profit by reducing your use of materials and resources


• push your suppliers to be better environmental stewards in the products they sell and the way those products are packaged


• design your building or renovation to be low impact through design and choices


• develop innovative products to help your guests

Identifying your guests' needs and desires so you can better design products and processes to meet them isn't easy. But effective marketing is part of your success plan in the greening of your operation. The number of ways you can innovate and help create jobs is growing. Be part of the economy's recovery, and save the environment and your financial well-being, too, by being an innovator of green products and procedures for the hospitality industry. It's an ECOnomically Sound way to operate.