How do we ensure that there is clean water available to us all in the years to come? This issue of GoodBusiness presents the thoughts and analyses of a number of authorities, all with considerable experience dealing with water and corporate responsibility for this precious resource. Experts from industry, government, research institutions and advocacy groups share their perspective on this growing concern. Several authors review steps taken by their industries to mitigate the water crisis in their specific fields. Two environmental leaders share their perspectives on the future of the water supply, what it means to us as individuals and as part of the corporate world. A look at Georgia's new state water plan will provide readers the opportunity to understand and prepare for the changes brought on by its implementation.
The articles provided here will give readers a comprehensive view of the complexities of the water issue as well as practical, business-oriented advice on how to handle those challenges.
Sustainability Leadership at Emory University
Ciannat Howett, director of sustainability initiatives at Emory University, provides an overview of the sustainability efforts at Emory University in Atlanta. Her presentation provides a comprehensive look at what an institution can do to become more sustainable through innovative practices, a commitment to building greener buildings, better water management practices and a plan to maintain important ecological systems in an urban environment. Institutions of all types – public and private, academic and business – can learn much from Emory's commitment and practices.
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Optimism and Hope in a Hotter Time
David Orr, a highly respected educator and environmental leader, provides an overview of the consequences of climate change on many of the earth's systems, including how it will affect the world's water supply. This article, reprinted with the author's permission, appeared in Conservation Biology, Volume 21, 2007.
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Water Challenges for Utilities ad Customers
Don Cope is president and CEO of Dalton Utilities, a comprehensive provider of services to an important manufacturing community in Georgia. He shares his insights into how Dalton Utilities provides its services in a cost-effective and environmentally sensitive manner. Mr. Cope gives the reader a lesson in how a utility provider and its customers can work together to address water conservation and other concerns.
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Georgia's State Water Plan
This article, by Gail Cowie and Deron Davis, explains Georgia's new state water plan, which will have a major impact on how water is used. This program is in its early stage. Business and industry, municipalities, and other water providers must understand and plan for the changes the implementation will bring.
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Agricultural Water Stewardship: Looking forward through the Rear-view Mirror
Gary Black, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, provides an overview of agriculture in Georgia and its use of water. He describes some of the innovative practices being developed in the agriculture industry to conserve this precious resource and the transformation of the agricultural business and its important role in managing resources.
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At the Crest of a Wave: a Proactive Approach to Corporate Water Strategy
Reprinted with permission from The Pacific Institute, this report by Jason Morrison is an important resource for business leaders considering strategy decisions concerning the availability and use of water. As this increasingly stressed resource becomes a more visible part of planning for businesses, there are many dimensions that must be considered. The article discusses the many issues that will be faced in the years to come and is intended for any person concerned with water supply and water quality in the years ahead.
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A Carpet Industry Perspective of Our Water Resource
In this article Jeff Carrier, sustainability manager of the Carpet and Rug Institute, describes the innovative ways in which the carpet industry has become a leader in sustainable business practices. Over the last decade, this industry has changed its manufacturing processes, including its use of water, to become more environmentally sensitive and economically successful.
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Water Conservation in the Hospitality Industry
The hospitality industry is a large consumer of water. In this article Randy Childers describes some of the steps that the industry has taken to address its high demand for water and the resulting efficiencies.
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