Sami Grover
December 6, 2011
Treehugger
(Daniela Rivera, IKEA, August 3, 2011)
Summary:
In the UK, IKEA bought a wind farm at a whopping twelve million dollars and is also planning to install solar panels (39,000) on seventy-five percent of its stores and allow them to run on 100% renewable energy. Their very first solar energy system installation occurred on August 3rd of this year and happened at Costa Mesa, California. This one solar energy system consisted of 1,078 panels. Most of the installations will continue to happen in California and also the east coast. IKEA has planned to "own the installations outright" instead of leasing them, so they do not make profit off of this project. It is only a matter of time before another well-known retailer will adopt themselves a green stimulus package themselves (actions that can be taken to help better both your life/business and the environment).
Picture:
Solar panels are one of several well-known alternative energy sources and as IKEA gets ready to begin construction on their stores, Amp Solar Group Inc. representatives pose for a picture as they prepare to provide IKEA with their company's solar panels.
Opinion:
This is quite wonderful! It is nice to know that a large corporation like IKEA is taking a big initiative and trying to make a difference. And the fact that they will not profit from the solar panel through any lease makes it all the better. Especially since if you want to do environmentally friendly, you should be doing it with your own will and not some profit incentive. I always feel like California is THE state of solar energy or eco-friendliness. There was that one time in class where we talked about how California (San Diego specifically) had houses where people would place plants all on top of their roofs not only to help keep their houses cool (because the plants would absorb the sunlight) but would also help grow plants better and the more plants, the more oxygen! That is like a personal green stimulus plan in fact! I do wish more large companies would do what IKEA is doing and has already done once to help the environment. It is a nice way to make up for the products that they sell which already use up so much of our resources.
Questions:
1) What is another corporation/company that would be a good choice to initiate the green stimulus package (most benefit) and why?
2) Do you think this project is a good idea? Consider the resources that will be used and what needs to be done to even produce the solar panels that will be used.
3) Have you ever initiated a personal green stimulus plan for yourself? (In other words, what are some things that you have done or actions that you have taken that has helped better yourself and better the environment?)
Wow! I am really glad to know that at least some part o the major companies are taking part in the go-green act. Many large companies are in fact doing the opposite of this; going out of their way to make more money for themselves no matter what impact it may have on the environment or the people. Ikea really showed me that the world can change one step at a time, and gave me a little hope too. Also, I think that this project is a great idea! All the electricity being used, the bills that will go down, and the solar energy that will be created. All the work and the cost of the panels themselves may be a little pricey but they'll pay for themselves quickly anyway and they're great for the environment. Other companies should follow in their steps and be part of the big green help.
ReplyDeleteI think a compant thet should initiate a green stimulus pack would be Walmart or McDonalds. i think this is a great idea. I have never decided to go green for myself but i think its a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThis reminded me of the time in sixth grade, we were learning about solar pannels and how they can harvest the suns energy.
I think this is agreat article and idea and it should inspire more companies to go green.!
I like seeing that businesses, especially Ikea, are promoting 100% renewable resources now. It's good that more people are starting to go green.
ReplyDeleteAnother corporation that could do this would be gas stations. They run lights all day and night for people to know where to find them. If they got solar energy, it would bring the electrical cost down which in turn may bring the gas price down; just a theory. Also, if airports put in solar energy more people would notice because of importing and exporting and travelers. Again, like gas stations, they use lights twenty four seven and could benefit from this energy.
Its nice to see that a big corporation like IKEA has converted to going green. Maybe this will convince other big time businesses to go green. It will be one step closer to make our earth environmentally healthy. I remember learning about alternative energy sources and how beneficial they can be compared to using fossil fuels. These alternative sources can be renewable while fossil fuels are non-renewable sources. I think that other major companies like Costco and Best Buy should go green. It would really help their reputation and spread positive reviews about their stores.
ReplyDelete