Anyone that knows me well knows I'm a massive Google fan. For me, it's hard to imagine life without Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, and the plethora of other products Google build; they're the bread and butter in my attempt at an organised world. Whatever Google does, it seems to do so well. I never have any issues with any of the products, and things just seem to get better and better as features roll out week on week, month on month, year on year. If they'd have me, on be on their payroll in a shot.
But one of the things I admire — and that inspires me — most about Google does is their focus on, and commitment to, sustainability. This video shows a little of what I mean:
Watching that video makes me want to work for Google, or a company with the same values, even more. To be a part of the drive towards a better community, a better world. They're sticking their money where their mouth is. Yes they have a lot of money and can afford to invest in all of the green projects they do, but so can a lot of companies. And so can all of us as individuals too.
Watching this video makes me want to march into the offices of big wigs at my company and show them what we could be doing, what is possible. I want them to know how inspired I am by it, and how inspiring it would be to the rest of the employees at the company. I want to show them how much of a difference it would make, not only to the company internally and the morale of everyone involved, but to the image of the company on the outside, to the rest of the world. People want to make a difference. People want to try new and exciting things and know they're are contributing to the greater good. We humans can be a lazy bunch, but when we're inspired and committed to something we believe in, we can be unstoppable and powerful.
I ride to work everyday. Initially I started riding to save money because the cost of petrol is becoming ridiculous, and in my opinion will become unsustainable at some point in the not-too-distant-future. I ride to work because there are showers available and the facilities... facilitate it. But a lot of people aren't able to, and are forced to take the un-green option because they're not encouraged and/or their companies don't make it an option. Businesses, not matter how big or small, and individuals too, need to take a leaf out of Google's book and get inspired, get inventive, and start working towards sustainability.
