Global Warming & Nuclear Power

Thesis Statement

This paper seeks to give a review of reasons for believing that the problem of global warming is more urgent than widely assumed, largely following the lead of a recent book by Lovelock. It is argued that increased use of nuclear power is the best course, especially if fusion power can be achieved.

Discussion

In part one of this two-part interview, Ray Anderson, founder and chairman of Interface, Inc., explained how he adopted the cause of sustainability(Petit, 90). He also showed how his billion-dollar carpet company became even more profitable by going green.

Here are just a few of Interface's successes: Between 1996 and 2008, Interface cut its net greenhouse gas emissions by 71% in absolute tons (the Kyoto Protocol, in contrast, called for 7% reductions by 2012, which many said was impossible) (Meehl, 100).

Yet over the same time frame, Interface increased sales by 66% and doubled its earnings, expanding its profit margins and propelling innovation. Interface also reduced greenhouse gas intensity (relative to sales) by 82%, wastewater stream by 72%, landfill-bound scrap waste by 78%, total energy usage by 44%, smoke stacks by 33%, and effluent pipes by 71%(Lovelock, 112).

These efforts and others landed Interface at the top of GlobeScan's Survey of Sustainability Experts -- all while saving the company $405 million(Meehl, 78). And since 2003, Interface has sold 83 million square yards of carpet with zero net global warming effect.

In this second part of the interview, Anderson explains how other companies can do what Interface has done. For starters, he says, cut waste. Ask for help if you need it; Interface has a consultancy called InterfaceRAISE that can assist businesses with their sustainability initiatives(Petit, 90). Ask your suppliers to get on board, because that will have an environmental ripple effect and prevent you from inadvertently "green washing."

Just ...