Go Green Go

Environmental activists and politicians have been talking about global warming since the early 1980s, but no one paid notice to them. We couldn't feel the changing in the temperatures, so to us it wasn't happening.

The term "global warming" refers to a phase of climactic change that the earth is going through. This change is mainly due to human interference, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases, throwing off the cycles of the Earths climate.

Today is October 9th, in Ithaca, NY, and the high temperature for today was 80 degrees F. That is 20 degrees higher than the average high for Ithaca. This is the first year that students at Ithaca College are actually starting to really wonder (and are worried) about global warming. The companies of the world have also become more aware of the climate issue, trying to do all they can to help. From the international fashion industry to GE to Ithaca College, everyone is seeing green.

Companies have a corporate social responsibility and a responsibility to their consumers. Just saying your company is "green" does not mean anything. Branding experts have a hard time of pin-pointing what exactly is green marketing. A company can be accused of greenwashing. "Consumers appear to be wary of companies who label their products as being 'green,' or environmentally friendly," said Market Research Company Ipsos Reid. [GreenBiz] Securing guidlines for green marketing would be better for the consumer and better for advertisers. Is just going organic enough to say that you are green. What about the entire production of the product. Is it eco-friendly, fuel efficient, biodegradable, natural and organic?

When a company wants to make their building green The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System (LEED) created by the U.S. Green Building Council. The amount of points achieved will determine which level of LEED® certification the project is awarded. There are 69 possible points and four certification levels. Corporations should have the same type of cirtification process when going green. This would get rid of consumer scepticism, build the brands trustful image and strengthen brand loyalty. Beyond all these questions as to what is "green marketing" there are many benefits to it.

Here are the top five reasons to GO GREEN:

1. You will receive attention and business from the environmentally concerned consumer
Consumers are recentrly concerned with their carbon footprint in the environment. One thing that consumers do to decrease their impact is buying products that they know have a smaller impact on the environment than other products.

2. You will create positive public awareness towards your brand
If you are doing something positive for the world, the world will have a positive view of you

3. The impact that your company singularly has on the environment will be dramatically reduced

4. You will save your company money in the long run
By investing in making your production process more friendly to the environment and more fuel efficient, you will save your company money on energy and other utilities, as well as decrease its negative impact on the environment. Its a Win-Win.

5. You will be making the world a better place to live in!

For more GO GREEN marketing information, data and tips, go to Yankelovich

[GE green commercials]