Traffic / Coal Plants Increase DC Pollution

News that the Washington DC metropolitan area outpaces some industrialized nations including Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Denmark or Switzerland, each of which has more people when it comes to pollution (Washington Post, 9/30/2007) may come as a shock to those who were unaware that the combination of the nation's second-worst traffic and the number of coal-fired power plants in the area (like this one in Maryland) have had this effect.

At the same time, surveys show that the majority of Americans believe that the 'green' label is nothing more than marketing 'spin' rather than a reflection of actual commitment and practices to safeguard our environment.

What is a responsible business to do? The Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW) offers a number of ways companies can implement and become recognized for their commitments and practices. Through the use of SB NOW's 'Essential Guide To Greening Your Business' companies can measure and become certified for their efforts. This third-party validation can go a long way to telling your customers, employees, stakeholders, regulators and the community in which you operate that you're more concerned with being green than being seen as green. For more information, email greenguide@sbnow.org