By More agents should consider becoming a Certified EcoBroker®
Janet Rosenberg’s blog post on how her offices are using the EcoBroker® program to their advantage is terrific. I want to congratulate her on taking the initiative and running with it. That’s exactly the kind of outside-the-box thinking that we are trying to inspire in everyone at Intero and I’m glad to see she’s getting some exposure out of it.
When it comes to the health of this planet, I think we’re at an historic point, where the decisions we make as individuals and businesses will have bigger impact on our future than ever before. This may sound exxagerated to some, but the evidence is pretty apparent that we’re in trouble.
Al Gore’s recent winning of the Nobel Peace Prize (along with the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) for his work in promoting awareness of global climate change is evidence that more than just a few people are worried.
"The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity." Al Gore
We formed a partnership with EcoBroker® International in 2006 because I feel strongly about the responsibility we have to try leave this world a better place. I’ve gone through the program myself and am currently a Certified EcoBroker® along with others like Janet.
At our headquarters office in Cupertino, we’re taking steps to reduce our footprint on the environment with simple things like reducing the trash we produce. Way back in 2004, we began participating in a program with the City of Cupertino. We simply provided each desk, each conference room and the kitchen with a large recycling bin (coupled with a smaller trash bin) to help reduce the trash output. This alone made it possible for our Cupertino office to reduce its trash output by more than 35%.
Personally, I’ve made changes that are small, but I think important. At the end of 2006, I purchased a Honda Civic Hybrid, which I drive to the office regularly. Going through the EcoBroker® program was a big step for me as well. I think half the battle is simply being aware of what we’re doing and how our actions affect the environment. I highly recommend it to all agents. You can find out more about becoming a Certified EcoBroker® at our Intero Green page.
Here are some other interesting links, if you’re interested in learning more about what’s going on with the planet and how you can help reverse global warming.
Resources for Going Green
- Josh Dorfman, national radio host and author of The Lazy Environmentalist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish Green Living is all about cutting edge, eco-friendly products and services that can be easily integrated into your day-to-day living.
- NPR partnered with National Geographic to take a yearlong look at what’s happening around the globe with climate change. You can follow their progress at their Climate Connections web page.
- The EPA has a fun little personal emissions calculator that let’s you calculate how your daily activities (on the road and at home) cause emissions of greenhouse gases. Click here.
- You can also view the National Geographic’s Green Guide. Click Here.
- NPR is also sponsoring a “Carbon Counting Challenge,” to encourage families to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases.
- Al Gore will be giving 100 percent of his prize money to the Alliance for Climate Protection. It’s a great resource for everyone.
- Finally, if you’re interested in becoming a Certified EcoBroker® Agent, go to the Intero Green page. Our agents get discounts on certification.
