Looking into the ethical question of whether a big company should do everything it financially can to reduce its energy usage, I found that the United States Postal Service is doing what it can already. By 2015 the USPS has to reduce its energy consumption by 30%. The most simplest solutions are being installed. Thermal windows, less lights, efficient lighting, thermostat settings, to name a few of the old-standards. The most aggressive and impressive effort by the USPS is at the Manhattan Midtown location. The building has a 2.5 ache roof, which is now been turned into a the largest "Green roof." Grass and trees now cover most the roof. Green roofs reduce heat gain by reflecting light, reduce rain/snow run-off by up to 75%, reduce annual energy consumption in heating or cooling by 40%, and the effects are long lasting, up to 50 years in some cases. Since 2007 this green roof has saved that location over $1 million dollars.
To present, the USPS has reached 70% of its goal. And they are not just stopping with energy consumption. They are recycling tons of cardboard and paper daily. The USPS is set to have the world largest fleet of hybrid vehicles. With 220,000 vehicles travelling more than 1.2 billion miles, the potential savings is enormous.
The USPS has been awarded 70 major environmental awards: 40 White House Closing the Circle awards for environmental stewardship and the 2009 Climate Change Champion of the Year Award.
We all should use the USPS more often, they are doing plenty of good.
Cabe
pic is of the green rooftop of the Manhattan Midtown USPS