Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you’re probably aware of the public’s growing concern over environmental issues. It’s allover the media, from television commercials to news broadcasts and everywhere in between. Surely you’ve seen (or have at least heard of) Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” in which he discusses the politics, economics, and scientific evidence of Global Warming. Since the film’s debut in May of 2006 we as consumers have been inundated with talk of Global Warming, carbon emissions, and the small things we can all do to make a big difference in the future of our fragile and ever-changing planet.
It seems like everywhere we look we are being asked to be more environmentally responsible, and it’s becoming easier and easier for the average Joe to do so. Eco-friendly advertisements are popping up allover the place for products such as hybrid cars, organically grown produce, and clothing made from organic materials. Even builders are thinking of ways to “go green”; on June 4th The Solara, California’s first ever “green” apartment complex, opened its doors to new residents. The Poway complex boasts solar panels on every garage, carpets made from recycled clothing, tankless water heaters, double paned windows, and appliances which are both innovative and energy efficient. And the best part? The complex caters to low and moderate income families.
It has become the chic new thing to think green—and it’s not just for hippies and college kids anymore. Even some of the world’s largest corporations are hopping on the bandwagon. Companies like Honda, Continental Airlines, S.C. Johnson and Hewlett-Packard have figured out the enormous benefits to being more environmentally aware; not only can they save gobs of money by being more energy-efficient and using less material, they can also prevent further damage to the planet while simultaneously cleaning up their images for the general public. Also, these companies are discovering new ways to profit by solving some of the world’s biggest environmental problems, and increased profits are always a good thing. Additionally, with many of these big companies getting on board, going green has officially hit the mainstream.
So what does this mean for the economy? It means a whole new breed of consumers who are looking for ways to live cleaner, greener lifestyles. According to The LOHAS Journal, approximately thirty percent of American adults are now opting for products which are more eco-friendly—and the numbers appear to be rising. These new consumers seek products that are made from environmentally-friendly materials, are free from harmful chemicals and compounds, that don’t deplete the environment during the production and transportation processes, and that come from manufacturers where working conditions are humane and healthy. Any business in any industry is capable of catering to this growing group of consumers and the demand is only getting bigger. My advice to business owners is to get on board with this growing trend, and do it soon.
