I had a discussion with a friend who works for one of the world's largest companies about ways his employer can help the less fortunate people in the world. I had suggested that in places like Brazil, where his big company has several plants, that they implement as many alternative energy solutions as they can. Such as solar panels everywhere, wind turbines, water flow generators, geothermal, anything that can be harvested near the industrial plants. My idea is to give the people of the country as much of their power as possible. Since in some places power is scarce and only comes on at random periods for random lengths of time. For the record, despite the random power outages, the big company's locations never stop receiving electricity from Brazil power plants. Instead of carnivorously devouring as much cheap energy as it can, give back.
This company has so many locations around the world it's staggering. I have been to many of the places personally and I see a lot of wasted space. If that space was fitted with new high efficiency solar panels, the company would be hailed as an environment hero. And eventually, the panel will pay for itself and then generate a little money. And no matter where the panels are installed, power returned to the system is always welcomed. Somewhere, someone need more electricity, that is for sure.
This can be applied to any alternative energy source that could work at the locations, fill in the blank. So, I am not saying solar is the only way.
My friend has been given the job to find ways the big company can be more ethical and help communities wherever it has an installation. Do you think my idea is the most ethical thing this "super company" can do that can benefit the most people for the longest time? Should super-companies be more responsible with their energy and resources?
Cabe
pic is of a random Industrial Plant not the company I wrote about here, Mineracao Morro Velho (Credit: Paulo Arumaa)