By Reading for 100 Blogger, Raffaela Gualtieri, a student at RACC who plans to study neuroscience. She serves on RACC's Sustainability Task Force and is a member of Reading for 100. The city of Reading was once prosperous. Businesses thrived. The overall economy was good. People were happy, and life in the city was bright with hope and opportunity. People from Philadelphia, York, Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Collegeville, and beyond would come, one bus after another, to visit this city, shop, and tour. From the 90s into the early 2000s, Reading was known as a major coal and fossil fuel industry that excelled. But in 2008 when the economy crashed, business crashed along with it and eventually, the buses stopped coming. What happened and what went wrong? While economics is difficult to understand, the truth about Reading can be boiled down to this---the city needs to have an identity and values that attract businesses, residents, and consumers. Sustainability is one way to do this. Consumers have become more aware of the danger our environment is in, and they make choices with that in mind. Lancaster chose to make their city more environmentally friendly by having created a sustainability plan where the city now has LED street lights and a significant decrease in the city's solid waste. Consumers noticed. It is without a doubt that consumers in Reading care about sustainability and will notice environmentally friendly businesses. Companies such as Penske, East Penn Manufacturing, and Reading Hospital have already adopted sustainability. A study from MIT proves that going green can indeed boost an economy. The takeaway from this study shows that having a more positive company image increases profit. For example, the company Interface created new machines, material, and designed a new manufacturing process for carpet sales. The result was an increase in sales by 66%, doubled earnings, and a rise in profit margins. This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Deanne Boyer, who operates Willow Run Farm, located in Fleetwood, PA. When asked about what ways her farm “is green,” her response was, “A huge part of our shift towards sustainability has to do with being a grass-fed beef farm. As a pasture focused farm, we use a fraction of the fuels used by conventional farmers because our system is set up around getting the animals to do a lot of the heavy lifting (grazing instead of using equipment for harvesting). Since our land is permanently in pasture, we also take care of our soil in a way that sequesters carbon, reducing the impacts of climate change.” To help cover for expenses, she went on to further explain that her farm was approved for a USDA grant that covered for 16% of their system costs, and she will be receiving tax credits for taking the step to go towards sustainability. What is even more shocking is that her farm has generated enough electricity to operate the business, and in times when they generate more than they need, they receive a payment from their electric company. These are only some of the benefits businesses can experience when making the choice to go green, and there are avenues that can help with costs! When asked what her advice would be for businesses that are considering on going green, she said, “I would say, do your research and find the organizations or government programs that are available to offset the costs of energy projects.” For those interested in following Willow Run Farms, check out their facebook page! Here are four major reasons for businesses in Reading to start adapting sustainable energy and green solutions:
In the long term, it saves YOU money. Although solar is fighting competitive prices with the fossil fuel industry, with advancing technology, it will become cheaper in the near future. Moreover, the initial cost is quickly offset by the savings in energy it will save you over a period of 1, 5, or 10 years.
Consumers care about sustainability. They will respond to companies who make choices that support sustainability.
It will slow down climate change and save our environment- WE ONLY HAVE ONE PLANET EARTH.
It will help an economy and community adapt to existing and inevitable impacts of climate change.
There IS financial assistance when taking the steps to saving our planet.
For the city of Reading to begin crawling out of the economic slump and to increase the city’s efficiency, it is critical for businesses to begin going towards sustainability. What is YOUR business doing to go green? Email us at readingfor100@gmail.com to have your business highlighted and to show your support, on our website, for a just transition to 100% clean energy here in Berks County. Pictures courtesy of Willow Run Farm.
