The Eiffel Tower is Saving Energy: Setting an Example in your Community

This week, Eiffel Tower managers announced that they’ll be cutting down on their lights show to help save energy and set an example for the community. Since 2000, the Eiffel Tower has twinkled using flashing bulbs for ten minutes every hour. Going forward, they’re cutting the light show to just five minutes every hour.

Setting a Green Example

The energy used by the Eiffel Tower’s lights is relatively small, so cutting the twinkle time in half won’t really save all that much energy. Although every little bit helps, this is about setting an example for the community more than it is about making a big impact.

That’s something you can do in your own business as well. I can’t stress enough that you need to avoid greenwashing – making your company seem green when you aren’t really making a big difference. However, there are ways in which you can set an example, even if your business doesn’t lend itself well to making a huge environmental impact.

• Choose green holiday gifts for employees.
• Donate to green charities (and announce it in your company newsletter or on your website so others can do the same).
• Use CFL bulbs everywhere, but especially in your showrooms.
• Have a “go green” page on your website that gives little tips to your customers as well as talks about your environmental efforts.
• If there are greener versions of your products, display their green qualities in your store or, if you don’t keep the item in stock, have signs offering to special order them.

Every little bit does help, simply because you’re encouraging others to go green as well.