Hold on. Do you even want to “go green”?
Energy conservation. Sustainability. Climate change. Green living.
It’s in the news. It’s someone’s motto. It’s an advertising campaign. And you better believe there’s an app for that.
The point is efficient living is on the table. And people are considering the offer. Whole families, universities, businesses, and cities are pursuing the idea. But, we still aren’t seeing the action we thought we would (“we” being those who’ve bought into and are now selling the efficiency package in one way or another).
Why? Don’t people want to “go green”?
It’s a wise investment from a business perspective. Efficient use of electricity, water, or raw materials lowers operational costs. It means producing the same (or more) for less. Efficiency is a great way to avoid costs down the road in other ways, too. Carbon regulation is inevitable. Why not be ahead of the curve? And efficiency is attractive. It can draw customers to a brand, or talent to the business.
What about the resident perspective? I’ve addressed the benefits of Home Energy Management Systems in a previous article. To summarize generally: replacing equipment and/or learning better habits lowers utility bills.
And it’s not like people can’t acknowledge that. Or at least most people. That’s why there’s so much attention paid to the topic. Yet, we still have many just talking the talk. Why aren’t the green marketing messages working?
More companies are divulging sustainability efforts and energy use. But, the reports reveal that sustainability still isn’t the majority’s main concern. More or less, they’re discussing it just to make an impression. They’re not actually changing anything.
Residents claim in surveys to be tackling efficiency. Unfortunately, that usually just comes down to buying LED bulbs and maybe unplugging unused appliances. And those are just claims in surveys anyway — no one can verify them. Regardless, the majority are not approaching bigger steps. Like replacing appliances. Or actually attempting to improve their appliance use habits.
How do we get people to move beyond acknowledgement to action? How do we get them to walk the walk, too? Efficiency is worth it. But, what tactics should we be using to get the message across?
Guy Champniss, vice president of consumer science at Enervee, claims that the money argument shouldn’t be the first card drawn. Blogger Suzanne Shelton says that this kind of left-brained argument will only bring up defense mechanisms. Most Americans say they’re barely making ends meet. So putting efficiency and money in the same sentence causes people (business owners and residents) to automatically assume they can’t afford it. Or, at least can’t justify the expenses.
So, how do we make the call? How do we make you — the greater or specific you — realize just how important this is?
It’s time we changed tactics. Saving money is good — and it is important. But, that can’t be the only reason to “go green.”
Instead, let’s discuss the other reason you should buy into energy efficiency.
#1 It’s the right thing to do
We as humans are believers in doing the right thing. Or at least we should strive to be. And it’s right to do our part to reduce our collective carbon footprint. It’s right to pursue renewable energies. It’s right to do whatever we can — as residents or owners, consumers or businesses — to take care of this earth of ours.
Right now we’re not doing our best. We’re not giving it our all. But we can. And we should. Let’s find the ways to be efficient and green together.
Let’s rally to the call!
