In today's economic climate, everyone's throwing around the word “sustainability,” but for most of us, the concept and exactly how to implement it remain hazy. The definition of sustainability itself is relatively simple: an ongoing balance between use and preservation, which is the ultimate goal of the green movement.

In order to clarify exactly how to achieve sustainability in any given situation, I have created an equation that explains sustainability as it relates to the entire green movement, called the sustainability equation. The formula is simple at first glance but is actually quite complex and in depth. The formula:

S = B + ESP + EM + EEP + RE + CE

As you can guess, s stands for sustainability. Each of the other elements are explained below.

To further refine the sustainability equation for specific cases, each factor in the equation may be assigned a multiplier to indicate its relative significance. Further details of multipliers and an example will be supplied later in the article.

B Is For Behaviors

Behavior is the first and best-known part of the equation. Long before the green movement began, most of us were taught to do certain things to reduce energy consumption. Refining these behaviors can make a significant impact on protecting the environment and improving a company's bottom line.

Actions as simple as turning off the lights may sound like a no-brainer, but walk through any commercial building and you'll see that most lights remain on throughout the day. Such inefficient behaviors not only waste energy, but during peak hours, force energy companies to create energy in less-efficient ways, thus creating a domino effect of waste.

Other helpful behaviors include unplugging chargers and other transformers when not in use (many of which draw percent of their electrical rating whenever they are plugged in), recycling, and acting efficiently by carpooling, planning trips in advance, turning down or up the heating or cooling thermostat, particularly when less needed.

Even on our best behavior, however, other elements of the sustainability equation can have a far greater impact than behaviors.

ESP:  Do You Have It?

Environmentally Safe Products are becoming increasingly accessible but are not yet commonplace. Lubricating sprays, for example, can attract children and pets with their sweet scent, yet be toxic or fatal. Environmentally safe alternatives can be just as effective, though it may take some research to find out which ones work best.

EEP: The Big Key

Energy Efficiency Products are the most important key to energy consumption reduction, but don't tend to get as much attention as other solutions due to ignorance and misinformation. The truth is that EEPs can create 10 times the savings compared to behaviors — both in terms of energy and cost savings —  regardless of behaviors.

A few examples include efficient LED lighting, which draw less electricity, last longer, create a higher-quality light, and are becoming far more affordable than in the past.

Industrial motor controllers is another example, which allow a motor to draw only the amount of power required to do the job instead of pulling full power at all times when in use — think of your clothes dryer which does the same amount of work whether it's drying a full load or a single sock.

Foam insulation offers surprising performance and savings, as do nano particle technology and fuel atomizers for vehicles, although it's important to find out which products actually achieve their claims.

You may be surprised to know that electric cars, due to the overall inefficiency of battery technology, are not yet efficient choices, though battery life in these and other battery-operated technologies may be improved by chemical battery additives.

EM: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Because human performance will always be imperfect, Energy Management or smart systems help by monitoring electricity, meter water usage, and controlling other systems to create greater efficiency. There are few reasons not to have a building energy management system installed in any organization.

RE: Free For The Taking

Imagine what you could accomplish if an unlimited energy source was free for the taking. In a way, that's true of Renewable Energy. Solar power is reaching far greater efficiencies than in the past, though does not yet return a high short range ROI. Wind turbine and belt technology is advancing rapidly. At the rate these technologies are advancing, we will soon have a 100 percent efficient system.

CE: The Bottom Line

The old “green” movement didn't refer to the environment, but to the color of the all-mighty dollar. The new, more enlightened, green movement need not be at odds with old maxims. In fact, it can not survive without them. Cost Efficiency remains a requirement for any well-meaning company to remain viable in increasingly competitive world markets.

Some solutions offer immediate savings while other returns take longer. The good news is that many sustainability solutions are not only good for the environment, but economically sound. In fact, if a solution doesn't result in financial savings, I wouldn't consider it a serious solution.

Multipliers

The sustainability equation may be adjusted to any situation by adding multipliers to any element. These multiplier(s) may depend on an organization's ability to implement specific strategies, available capital investment, zoning or other regulation, long- vs. short-range goals, and so forth.

For example, if you don't have much up-front investment capital, B (behaviors) may be emphasized as an element that does not require investment yet provides immediate savings. Any savings could possibly be reinvested into other solutions. CE (cost effectiveness) also becomes more important. Put a 2 or 3 in front of these factors, then search for solutions with low up-front costs or immediate returns.

S = 2B + ESP + EM + EEP + RE + 3CE

If your organization stands to benefit the most in specific areas, such as fuel economy for a shipping fleet (EEP), lighting and heating and cooling efficiency for an office building (EM or EEP), or reducing environmental toxins for a manufacturing plant (ESP), add an appropriate multiplier to the related element in order to emphasize its importance.

S = B + 2ESP + 3EM + 2EEP + RE + CE

As you see, sustainability is an equation. Each factor in the equation must be considered and researched to discover hidden opportunities to lessen our impact and leave our world a better place than we found it. Any company who pays attention to the opportunities to go green will not only be greener, but save green, which can now be accomplished far more quickly than even a few years ago.

Most people have little idea of just how much we can improve our planet with relatively little effort and investment. Please help spread the word.

Sustainability = Behaviors + Environmentally Safe Products + Energy Management + Energy Efficiency Products + Renewable Energy + Cost Efficiency

Hardy DeLay, IV is the founder of UISM, Inc., located in Apple Valley, Minn.  He can be reached by e-mailing hldelay4@uisminc.com or by calling 952-892-1444.  For more information regarding sustainability and outstanding green products, visit www.UISMinc.com and www.UISMinc.com/news.