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What can industries do?

Energy

Energy companies can begin converting their power grids to generate electricity by renewable means like wind, sun, and water. In 2018, more than 17% of total United States electricity generation came from renewable sources. Worldwide, this total was 24% in 2016. More research and innovation is needed to make nuclear power a more viable option. Currently, it is expensive to build nuclear power factories and dispose of nuclear waste properly. The major benefit of nuclear power is that it has essentially no greenhouse emissions.

Agriculture

The agriculture industry is responsible for 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions, second only to energy production. There are a variety of ways agricultural practices produce these emissions. Deforestation for clearing out land to grow more crops leads to carbon dioxide emissions and removes the natural process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the trees. Methane is released by organic waste and manure management from livestock. The agriculture industry can reduce deforestation by using existing farmland for crops and raising livestock in tropical areas. They may participate in biofuel production which can help make them more money by utilizing resources already available. It is made from vegetable oil or animal fat and can be used instead of regular diesel fuel. Biofuels reduce sulfur, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide emissions, and is also biodegradable.

Corporate Involvement

Corporations can take action by encouraging their employees to also participate in the Do What You Can Movement and encouraging employees to carpool or take public transportation. They should make the switch to recyclable products and provide bins to recycle paper, plastic, and cardboard. It is currently difficult to determine the carbon footprint of most companies because they refuse to release that information. To show their dedication to helping the environment, companies should release their production costs and emission reports publicly.

Sources:

Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (n.d.). Renewable energy. http://www.c2es.org/content/renewable-energy/

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Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (n.d.). Nuclear energy. http://www.c2es.org/content/nuclear-energy/

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Goldhammer, B., Busse, C., & Busch, T. (2016). Estimating corporate carbon footprints with externally available data. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(5), 1165-1179. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12522

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Institute on the Environment. (n.d.). How does agriculture change our environment? Environment Reports: Food Matters. http://www.environmentreports.com/how-does-agriculture-change/#section2

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Shumacher, J., Hamlen, S., Vogel, M., & Geiger, M. (2011). E3A: Biodiesel applications for the home, farm, or ranch. E3A: Exploring Energy Efficiency and Alternatives. https://www.e3a4u.info/wp-content/uploads/B1286-biodiesel.pdf

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Zwane, E. M. (2019). Impact of climate change on primary agriculture, water sources and food security in Western Cape, South Africa. Jamba, 11(1), 1-7.

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