The Challenge

So, what are we talking about here? What can I, or you do, to make photography more sustainable? The amount of "low hanging fruit" at this point is just astounding. Where shall I start?

While I am counting on all of you, as creators, consumers, and suppliers to the image creation field to contribute most of the ideas, news and content herein, let me outline a few ideas to get things started. Many of you may have already started down this path, and if so I hope you'll write in to let us know of your experiences, and successes (or not-so-successes). It is NOT going to be smooth sailing, and we will make mistakes. Some ideas will just not work. Others will look good initially but won't gain traction. Still others will just plain hurt (economically) to adopt, but may be necessary.

Anyway, here goes:

First, do a sustainability inventory of your business AND your home. Start with energy use. Most of you have probably already changed out your light bulbs to Fluorescents, but have you asked your local energy provider to assess other ways you could save energy? In my area of California, the local provider is P G & E, and they provide free (limited) energy audits of your home or business. They might recommend things like ceiling or basement insulation, newer, more energy efficient appliances, double-paned windows, more efficient water heaters, better thermal seals around your doors, etc. Whether or not you own your house or commercial location, there are still many things that can be done to save yourself money in energy costs. If you have a landlord who is environmentally conscious, they might even be willing to help pay for any improvements to the building itself (well, you can dream, right?). And in many areas there are even rebates and incentives to help defray some of the upfront costs. In almost all cases, the money saved in heating and cooling costs will, over time, pay many times over for the cost of the improvements. Energy efficiency upgrades are among THE most cost efficient ways to save energy, and therefore to reduce greenhouse gases.

After you've done all of the efficiency upgrades you can, and if you own your home or commercial building, then look into installing solar. In many states there are now amazing rebate programs and incentives that can bring down the cost of a residential system by as much as half, and a commercial system by up to 80 or more. There are even companies that will install solar systems on your home or business, at zero cost to you, and all you will need to pay is the same amount you were paying to your utility before. Called Power Purchase Agreements (or PPA's), these and other creative financing mechanisms are sweeping the industry and allowing many who didn't think they could afford to go solar to do so. The really cool thing about these PPA's is that you get to lock in your electrical rates at current prices, and these prices can remain constant over the life of the contract. But do your homework on these and shop around. DO NOT just jump at the first offer that comes your way. As in any new, emerging industry, there are good deals and better deals. So just be sure that you understand all of the details.

Next post: Folders, albums and frames