As strange as it may seem, it is only a recent societal development that has the average citizen dishing out some amount of concern for the well-being of the environment. Whether it was the media-storm of eco-friendly messages, gas prices sky-rocketing, or Obama’s new ‘green’ stimulus money, the American population as a whole can now be considered a tad-bit worried about our planet. Prior to this ‘revelation’, conservation and sustainable living were considered elitist left wing movements designed to take our eyes off of more important topics of conversation – like WMDs.

Now that Americans are green – what do we do about it?

US industry has taken terrific leaps and bounds to ‘green-ify’ its image – from the confusing eco-marketing campaigns for hip clothing apparel  to the pastoral package imagery of organic  foods.  The word ‘Organic’ itself has traveled generations in meaning and is now worth billions of dollars to companies like Whole Foods, whose brand fully depends on people thinking they are ‘greener’ by buying their food.   The truth  is, most companies like these are rapidly re-branding with the primary goal of getting a different sort of green.

There are a handful of companies which the public needs to keep an eye out for and support for being genuinely green-focused.  These are companies that are often targeting a niche environmental problem and are doing their jobs very well.  These businesses deserve the utmost support from both the private and government sectors – for our future truly depends on their continual evolution.

So what are a few of these companies?

Tesla Motors: Tesla Motors is truly an innovator in creating cars of the future that can have an impact on today.  Space enthusiast Elon Musk’s company has already created a successful electric sports car, the Tesla Roadster, that has caught the eye of many a celebrity.  The next endeavor will be the cheaper and more accessible Model S.  Hopefully smaller manufacturers like Tesla will have the support to grow and accommodate for many of the unemployed workers from teetering auto-industry giants. Grid Alternatives:  Grid Alternatives is a California non-profit that provides power to communities in need through alternative energy sources like Solar Cells.  Companies like these not only address growing environmental problems, but also do so in a socially responsible manner that impacts communities across California. Green Energy Technologies: The developer of the WindCube- a cutting edge wind turbine that is designed to be installed on commercial urban and suburban locations.  Technologies such as the WindCube represent an eco-friendly option for  city dwellers.   More of our population is now condensed within urban centers than ever before.   Transporting power over shorter distances will play an important role in stemming our energy-usage.

How can we support companies like these?

One way for other companies to support green technology is either by utilizing their products for enterprise needs, or by offering helpful services to them.   Large and small businesses  alike can consider making an investment in the future by purchasing something like a WindCube to supply their energy needs.

One great example of this  is Newton On Demand, a recruiting software company whose technology is currently powering the hiring and applicant management efforts of Grid Alternatives.  This is extremely important because finding and retaining the brightest minds for an eco-friendly company like this will put the green-technology sector one step ahead.  The more genius applicants that can be pulled towards helping our planet, the better.

The easiest way for the public to support companies like these is also to utilize their products or services.  Although most people still don’t have the cash (especially in the current economy) to purchase a new Tesla or WindCube, a non-profit like Grid Alternatives is largely supported through donations, where even a small amount can help.

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To some people living green is a catchphrase.  It’s trendy and everyone wants to be green or at least be perceived as being green.  Recently the biggest place to be reminded of green living is in the checkout aisle of the supermarket. It seems everyone has reusable cloth bags.  Some have the store name; others promote cancer research or some other
cause. If you actually buy a reusable shopping bag, you might even think about being green later on at home.  As you unpack your groceries you look out the window and think…what is green?

Windows are probably the biggest contributor to energy loss and cost, making them probably the least green feature of the house.  Windows transmit heat readily, which means that in the winter; heat is literally sucked out of the house.  Even if the windows seal well and have no drafts, windows will be significantly colder than the surrounding walls.  And the more windows the more heat loss.

In the summer, there can be two issues.  First, the windows will bring heat in to the house (heat always goes from hot to cold). Second, infrared heat from the sun can pass through the windows to heat objects in the room and thus heat up the room.

Probably the easiest way to combat heat loss or gain through the windows is simple window treatments.  A thin, semi transparent curtain called a shear can create an air space between the window and the room, mitigating heat loss.  Like the reusable cloth shopping bag, a little cloth can address a big environmental problem.

Newer houses usually have double pane glass, which have two layers of glass with an air space or vacuum.  This can allow you to not have a window treatment while not loosing heat, although even double pane glass looses more heat than an insulated wall, so cloth shears can still help you to have eco friendly living.

If you have an old house, it will cost a bit more to truly get green and eco friendly windows. There are several ways to improve your windows and they vary in cost.  The cheapest is to put poly film over the outside of the windows in the wintertime.  Thin plastic film can be put up with double face tape and or staples. By having the film on the
outside, it helps to seal drafts as well.

The second least costly way is to put storms and screens on your windows.  Storm windows are a single pane glass that goes over the outside of your windows, much like the film. These are mounted on made to order frames and attached to the house.  Most also come with a provision for screens, allowing them to be opened up for natural cooling in the summer.

Finally if you really want to have the best and most eco friendly windows, you can put in replacement windows.  This will replace your old fashioned windows with modern insulated double pane glass windows.  If you are going to do this you are probably the person who doesn’t buy just any reusable shopping bag, but an organic cotton bag! These
windows can have a payback time of 5 years or so, but represent the greenest option.

Go look out your window, then look at your window and ask, can I be greener?

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