The eco-office: can you avoid being part of the problem?

But as far as futures go, this one seems a long way off. According to eco-activist and bestselling author Naomi Klein, a true ecological policy will never come to fruition unless capitalism acknowledges its excesses in the face of global catastrophe.

In her book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, Klein documents how capitalism evades engagement with climate change protestors while still damaging the environment – all in the name of profit.

Businesses aren’t the only guilty parties, however. Governments are, too. And the effect their actions are having on the planet is plain to see.

Crops in India are struggling thanks to nearby power plants. Gas masks have become viable fashion items in the major cities of Japan and China, thanks to the smog that creeps around the streets. The Hollywood sign can barely be seen from the ground because of the volume of exhaust fumes being pumped into the air.

The cause and effect between business and pollution is clear, yet few companies are willing to acknowledge it.
But how does all this apply to your SME? For one, a business property needs the right kind of future-proofing to ensure it’s running at an optimal level.

With that in mind, we’ve created a mini list to help you get you started – and keep your carbon footprint low in your building.

Fight fire with steel

Fire might seem like a minor concern in the grand scheme of things. In the average business they are rare. But when flames hit your workplace, they will decimate everything in sight, and send thousands of harmful chemicals flying into the air.

To stop flames dead, we’d recommend a blast-proof material like Durasteel, which can contain fire for up to four hours. So you’ll reduce the ecological impact of a fire in your workplace.

Help the little things

Every business could do that little bit more to stop global warming. Switch all your lights off before you leave your office. Make sure all computers are shut down when not in use. And keep heating optimal, not wasteful.

They might seem piecemeal, but they’ll benefit the planet in the long run.

Insulate, insulate, insulate

Insulation is the energy efficient way to maintain heat. Place effective insulation in your walls and you’ll save cash on heating and other expenditures. In many cases the government can help you cover the cost of insulation.

With just a few of these practises in place you’ll reduce your contribution to the blight of global warming.