Economics, Consumerism and the Environment Essay

Economics, Consumerism and the Environment - Essay Example It is typically measured in tons of CO2 equivalent. (Kyoto Protocol) Many companies can create the carbon offset by introducing the renewable energy such as installation of solar energy system, small hydroelectric projects, geothermal and biomass energies etc. Moreover there are carbon sequestration projects that destroy the carbon dioxide. (David Suzuki Foundation) Especially for large corporations promoting consumerism like Wal-Mart, Kyoto protocol can be an effective scanner to check their accomplishment of their responsibilities towards safe guarding the environment. In this age of consumerism the conservation of energy through efficient usage and the minimization of energy wastage can be most influential measures to ensure sustainable development. The Wal-Mart Supermarkets, Stores, SAM CLUBS and Neighborhood Markets have set example of utilization of daylight through skylights to restrict energy consumption that saves 250 million kilowatt of energy every day. Besides that Wal-Mart system has adopted other measures such as the efficient process of heating and cooling, the white roof system of interior lighting and retrofit program to prove how the energy can be efficiently utilized to restrict energy-demand. (Wal-Mart) However the management of Wal-Mart should keep it in mind that a long way has to be still made to provide a perfect eco friendly operational environment. Efficient energy use, on one hand saves energy and on the other protects the environment. CFL consumes less energy than conventional tube, while providing per unit more luminance; Wal-Mart might reorient the internal lighting system through CFL. Furthermore Air conditioner and refrigerators emits harmful Chlorofluorocarbon, so it might try to ration their use. (New York State: Department of Environmental Conservation) Keeping, the air condition’s temperature at a moderate level results in less consumption of energy and less emission of CFC. Wal-Mart might