Renewable Energy

What are the environmental “bad words” to which society has become desensitized? I think “disposable” is one. We need to replace it with “reusable.”

Caterpillar Inc. published its annual Sustainability Report today, detailing the progress made in 2015 despite challenging economic conditions. Recognizing Caterpillar’s 90-year history as a global leader of sustainable progress, the report – titled “What We’ve Built. What We’re Solving.” – highlights the company’s aggressive efforts to manage through a challenging business cycle by focusing on cost management and innovative, durable products that help solve some of the world’s toughest challenges associated with energy, water, land and climate.

2015 spotlighted the IoT journey with the rise of connected cars, homes, and machinery. A smartphone is the remote control to our lives; network connectivity is the link to improving everyday experiences from finding a parking spot to monitoring personal wellness. Where is the IoT journey positioned to travel in 2016? Three main areas of focus include:

Thanks to Big Data, also known as the Internet of things, facilities management professionals can go beyond just monitoring temperature and air quality in a building. They can go as deep as monitoring keystrokes to report on productivity or analyzing vocal patterns in customer telephone interactions. The ability to collect data is nearly endless.

The 2016 Workplace Trends Report, which examines key trends impacting business, points out that while companies have the ability to closely monitor and track employees, they also need to be very transparent about what data is being collected and how it will be used to improve the company and its results, or it risks just creeping out their employees. Big Data must be coupled with Big Judgment to bring desired results.

The Land Institute is offering a $1000 prize for the best submission that addresses their specific design brief in the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge

As the countdown to World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour begins, individuals, businesses, cities and landmarks from around the globe prepare to switch off their lights for one hour to draw attention to the urgent need to address climate change.

We’re pleased to share that our Go Green commitment is beginning to reach beyond the walls of our business and help create renewable energy for communities that we serve. For the past couple years, TWC has invested in solar deployments in Southern California, North Carolina, and Hawaii.

On May 16-17, the U.S. Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and PXYERA Global, will host the 2016 Sustainability Forum, Better Business, Better World: Mainstreaming the Circular Economy in Washington, DC.