- What types of policies on the part of government could promote energy efficiency?
I think the policy, or policy type, that would have the greatest impact is a carbon tax. So far we have seen numerous companies commit to sustainability, and numerous states have implemented their own cap and trade or RPS, and while there has been some improvement in terms of efficiency I think we would experience a bit more should policy be implemented at a federal level. By instituting a cap and trade or enforcing an RPS, it forces the industry to innovate at a much quicker pace, this innovation breeds competition which ends up reducing costs across the board as implementation and adoption are fast-tracked.
- How would you develop a business that has the potential to move this idea forward?
I don’t know that any one business would have the potential to push an RPS or cap and trade policy. Rather, this is something a coalition would do and various businesses or industries would lobby the government and market to the people why it is so necessary. For example, the energy production industry could become much more efficient by eliminating antiquated technologies and investing in new. However, they won’t have much incentive to do so unless it is profitable or the government sector requires it of them. A coalition could help educate people on why it is important to utilize new technologies, for both short term and long term benefits. In a sense this would be a nonprofit business whose goal is to convince the public these policies are important.
Great post, I am glad you touched on cap and trade because truly having that enforced more (globally) will really make a difference. More often than not large companies get tax breaks for creating jobs, staying local, etc. but are never taxed for the amount of pollution they are doing to the environment and poor health/safety regulations. We truly need to start restricting which companies/countries we buy from until they make changes. For example, I did research on solar panels in their life cycles and the pollution they create and it really changes based on where they were made. China is getting a lot of credit for making a majority of solar panels available today, however they are creating way more pollution then say Europe is when they construct their solar panels. So really China is not that energy efficient even though they are creating energy efficient devices! Thanks for sharing!
Hello Danielle,
I too agree that carbon pricing is a way to speed the transition to efficiency and resource management in the United States and other developed nations. Cap and trade has been a technique favored by politics because it allows firms to negotiate to a level of efficiency that meets their profitable needs. Therefore, I would like to see a more rigid carbon-pricing platform for these firms to impart the right message (it is not tolerable to increase profit margins at the expense of society and the human-environment system). However, considerations are necessary to prevent negative effects on low-income groups. My ideas focus more on the investments side of efficiency, and how the capitalist principles prevent a speedy transition to efficiency and sustainability. I believe private ventures in investment capital firms can provide the social call necessary to move from business as usual.
You can find my post at http://engr312.dutton.psu.edu/2014/09/17/stama-efficiency-policies/
-Tip Stama
Hi Danielle, I agree with you, it would be really hard for one single company to steer consumer behavior, but it’s possible…. I also agree that if respected individuals from all aspects of life would promote sustainability in a much more public way whether it be a nonprofit or kickstarter campaign, we would be well on our way to a more sustainable world. My blog post mentions bringing out the beloved Public Service Announcement. I have yet to see a sustainability focused PSA on T.V
Here is a link to my post
http://engr312.dutton.psu.edu/2014/09/15/3-5-what-have-we-learned-barnes/