From Guest Blogger Dixie Somers: Green Biz–Five Ways Companies Can Face Climate Change

Climate change is a very real threat that is going to change the way we all live in the coming decades. While most workers (except perhaps engineers) don’t have the resources to address climate change on an international scale, every business can make small changes that will have a major impact on their local environment. You don’t have to have a master’s in energy to tackle climate change; here are a few steps your business can take to reduce your carbon footprint and support those who are pushing for improvements on a much larger scale.

Establish Incentive Programs

Creating a green incentive program is one of the easiest ways to nurture an eco-friendly culture in your company. The primary goal of your incentive program should be to reduce the amount of waste that your company and employees produce. Business owners can offer incentives to employees who decrease the amount of paper that they use, cut back on energy consumption, or ride their bicycles to work.

Create a Paperless Office

One recent study has revealed that the average office worker uses over 10,000 sheets of paper every single year. While you might not be able to go completely paperless, a few simple changes could help you reduce your paper consumption by quite a bit. That includes switching over to digital faxes, using e-sign software, and offering small bonuses to employees who enroll in direct deposit.

Get Involved in Local Politics

Local politicians love to be supported by business owners and their employees, and that gives you a substantial amount of leverage. Before supporting any politicians, you should first ask about their environmental policies and what changes they plan on making. You can also make it clear that your company will only get behind a politician who is going to focus on eco-friendly policies.

Schedule an Energy Audit

Energy audits are typically carried out by a specialist who has a master’s degree in energy, sustainability, or another similar field. During these audits, the inspector will go over every aspect of your business to uncover any issues with efficiency such as leaky air ducts or older light bulbs. You will then be given a list of changes you can make to cut back on energy consumption and waste.

Support Green Non-Profits

Donating to charities is a great way to improve the image of your company while earning tax breaks. When you are deciding which charity you would like to support, you should choose an organization that spends most of its funds on research or direct work instead of raising awareness. The Wildlife Conservation Network, Ecotrust, and the National Geographic Society are all excellent non-profits that continue to fight climate change.

Even relatively small businesses can change the environment when they work together. Not only will many of these tactics have a positive impact on climate change, but they could even help you cut your costs by reducing your overhead in the coming years.