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Robert Kennedy Jr on Improving Your Bottom Line
If you missed Sean Murphy's article in the Supply Chain Management Review about Robert Kennedy Jr's speech at the Seaport Hotel in September 2008 let me share what I learned from reading about his speach. According to Murphy, "Going green won't just help the environment. It will help the corporate bottom line, it will help communities, and make all of our lives better." was the message of Kennedy's speech. There are more benefits in going green than not.
Oil prices aren't the only reason for creating new technologies to run US equipment. Robert Kennedy Jr discussed his ideas about clean energy and the environment as he addressed the NationaLease's conference. The hospitality industry will play a big role in moving the US from its oil dependent position to a time of various clean, alternative energies.
Topics Kennedy covered include:
- hybrid technology and battery-powered vehicles as the way of the future
- the economy not being too dependent on oil to thrive without it; likening our dependence on oil to our dependence on slaves, a tradition we not only got along without but actually improved our lot
- developing alternative energy "farms" (wind energy from the Midwest, solar and geothermal in various places), and improving our distribution grid so everyone has access to abundant, cheap energy
- talking about how the news media companies have decreased the news and increased the fluff they provide, making us the least informed but best entertained country in the world
- finding new, clean, efficient forms of electricity [to power buildings and vehicles] is one part in solving the world's environmental crisis, even more so than fuel cells and other alternative fueling technologies
What I hear from his concepts is we need to decrease our dependence on foreign oil (it's nice to hear other people say that), reduce our energy consumption through improved construction approaches and lifestyle choices, and demand more from our news companies. Companies need to find better energy supplies or sources than what we've been using.
The very process of finding better energy sources and ways of running machinery will spark jobs and push us into the next stage of the Industrial Revolution. We'll experience more prosperity and better environmental conditions.
The hospitality industry will benefit from conservation and technological advances because of decreased costs and improved guest comfort. Deciding to make the change is the first step in moving toward these improvements. Sustainable business and living aren't fads, they are cultural changes for how we live in the future, starting today.
As we enter a recession it's important to find ways of improving the bottom line. Greening your business is one great way to do that.
Posted by Kit
