Guest articles

When we see the images of the impacts of heat stress, icebergs melting, forests burning, unprecedented flooding and continued plastic waste littering our landscapes and oceans, it's easy to feel as though the mission to save our planet is an impossible one. The scale of these challenges can be overwhelming, a seemingly insurmountable wave of problems. But is it really impossible? Or can we turn the tide?

Think about the latest Mission Impossible movie you watched. Our protagonist, Ethan Hunt, never looks at a mission and deems it impossible. Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, he and his team always find a way to succeed. So, let’s borrow a leaf from his book and believe that no mission is impossible.

Now, let's consider our mission: To save our planet. At first glance, it might seem like we need to be superheroes to make a dent. But what if we told you that you don't need to be Ethan Hunt to make a difference? In fact, every one of us can contribute to this mission.

Our enemy is not a rogue spy organization, but our habits. Our habits of convenience and consumerism and the choices we make. All our businesses play a crucial role in the mission to reduce environmental impact. 

Here are some steps that businesses can take:

1. Embrace Renewable Energy: If possible, businesses can switch to renewable energy sources such as solar power for their operations. Installing solar panels are great steps and there are more companies in the market helping businesses to covert to using solar in their facilities.
2. Energy Efficiency: Implement energy-saving practices. This could involve using energy-efficient appliances and lighting, or improving insulation to reduce cooling costs.
3. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle, : Implement comprehensive approach to your procurement practices. Initiate a transparent recycling program in the office. Encourage employees to use less and recycle more. This includes paper, plastic, electronics, and more.
4. Paperless Policy: Where possible, businesses should aim to go paperless. This can be achieved by transitioning to digital invoicing, record keeping, and communications as the BBG has done recently.
5. Sustainable Suppliers: Businesses should aim to work with suppliers who also adhere to sustainable practices. This might involve sourcing locally to reduce carbon emissions, or choosing suppliers who prioritize waste reduction, fair trade and ethical work practices.
6. Sustainable Products or Services: Consider developing sustainable products or services that are designed to minimize environmental impact, such as products made from recycled materials or services that help offset carbon emissions.
7. Encourage Green Commuting: Encourage employees to carpool, or use public transportation to get to work. Providing incentives for green commuting can make a big difference.
8. Water Conservation: Businesses can take measures to conserve water by installing low-flow faucets and toilets, checking regularly for leaks, and educating employees about water conservation.
9. Educate Employees: Provide training to employees about environmental issues and how they can reduce their own impact both at work and at home.
10. Carbon Offsetting: If a business can't avoid producing carbon emissions entirely, it can invest in carbon offset schemes that balance out their emissions by funding equivalent carbon dioxide savings elsewhere.

Reducing unnecessary plastics is also a perfect example. They’re convenient, sure, but at what cost? They pollute our landscapes, choke our oceans, and harm wildlife and contribute to growing global emissions. And the scariest part? They will outlive us, remaining on this planet hundreds of years after we're gone.

Here's where our mission continues, with steps towards sustainability. By simply switching from plastic water bottles to filtered water solutions like Liquid of Life, we can all play a part in reducing plastic waste, reducing emissions. It may seem like a small step, but remember, even Ethan Hunt's missions start with a single step.

At Liquid of Life, our goal is to provide sustainable, affordable, and healthy hydration solutions. By replacing plastic water bottles with our filtered water solutions, we have been able to reduce the number of plastic bottles that end up in landfills and oceans for many businesses and also help with cost saving. 

So, is the mission to save the planet impossible? We have to believe that we can. Every mission starts with belief and action. By believing we can make a difference and taking action in our daily lives, we can start to turn the tide in the years and decades to come. 

In the words of Ethan Hunt, "I am the storm". And so are you. Let's be the storm that cleans our planet, not the one that destroys it. Because this mission, the mission to save our planet, is one you should all choose to accept.