June 5th is World Environment Day. Is your business part of the green economy?

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On June 5th, millions around the world will be celebrating World Environment Day (WED), an event promoted by the United Nations to increase worldwide awareness of environmental issues and encourage political action.

This year, the theme of WED is “Green Economy. Does it include you?” That’s a good question for businesses in West Palm Beach, Florida and the rest of the United States.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP ), a green economy is one that “results in improved well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities … an economic environment that achieves low carbon emissions, resource efficiency and at the same time is socially inclusive.”

If you have not already done so, here are several ways your business can help meet the goals of WED all year round and help create a green economy:

• Green up your workspace. Arrange for a business energy audit through your local utility company so you can reduce your building’s climate footprint and realize significant energy cost savings.
• Use less paper. Deforestation currently accounts for nearly 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Replace your demand for paper products by using electronic files. For more paper reduction tips, click here.
• Support telecommuting and alternate means of transport. Allow some of your employees to work from home, encourage employees to carpool to work and/or create a bike to work program. Here’s how .
• Conserve water. Install water-efficient fixtures and equipment at your workplace, fix leaks promptly, and shut off water to unused areas of your facility. For other water-saving suggestions, click here.
• Conserve energy. Turn off lights and computers, and unplug office appliances when you aren’t using them. Also, invest in a programmable thermostat that will allow you to regulate the temperature in your office.
• Reduce waste. Recycle everything from paper to plastic to glass and electronics.
• Support other green businesses. Purchase from companies that have sustainability plans, use ecolabels, invest in renewable energy, and are sincerely committed to reducing their carbon footprint.

www.unep.org/wed/ .

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