How Green is My Law Office? Catching the Eco-Wave Nancy E. Cooper
The Secret to Any Big Lifestyle Change is to Start Simple. Global warming is emerging as more than just a plausible theory. Our vast stores of fresh water are steadily depleting. The BP disaster on the Gulf Coast confirms but one of the risks of our doomsday dependence on fossil fuel. So no matter how masterful your advocacy, there is simply no argument against cleaner air and cleaner water. Period.
By now, most offices probably have some policy in place for the three R’s (for the environmentally challenged, that is reduce-reuserecycle). If you have yet to begin, there is a virtual sea of on-line tips and web guides on how to catch the Green Wave. Indeed, there is so much information on the topic, it’s easy to get thrown off board. Where do you start? And once you do begin, where do you stop? It isn’t enough to buy recycled paper but should we be installing solar panels on the rooftop? The breadth of our eco-blueprint will naturally be a function of our time and money, those two elements that always seem to be in short supply, especially for the sole practitioner. No lawyer has the time to measure and compare the carbon impact of each piece of office equipment. Yet, one can’t simply ignore the pressing need for a change in the way we approach our use of the earth’s resources. The secret to any big change in lifestyle is to simply start and start simple. For your consideration, here is a bare-bones list for the frenzied but well-meaning lawyer who wants to take the first step towards being environmentally conscious. It’s simple, cheap and will get you started. •
Turn off the lights whenever you leave a room.
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Reduce paper waste by using e-mail whenever possible. The industry of law on its own lays waste to a king’s forest of paper every single day.
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Turn off your computer and power bar when you leave the office.
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Buy only recycled office products. This is effortless and buying recycled paper is just the beginning. You can buy almost anything made in 100% recycled materials.
Switch your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights. They use less energy and last much longer. Use a fax service like MyFax, eFax, Send2Fax, TrustFax. Faxing documents directly from your computer saves on paper and ink.
Work from home whenever possible. If you employ others, be flexible and open-minded about telecommuting. This trend is growing. Delegate. Put together a Green Committee to brainstorm on innovative and fun ways to help to preserve and conserve at the office.
Sustaining motivation is an important part of this quickstart guide. Living in Canada with its lush green spaces, clear lakes and rushing rivers, it’s easy to forget that we live on a planet with limited resources. We should all strive to build an office consciousness that is environmentally friendly. Be aware of the resources that you use at work. Be aware of how you may be affecting our earth in a negative way and think of ways to mitigate the damage. The Canadian Bar Association publishes a detailed guide on its website, authored by Janice Mucalov, LL.B., entitled “Greening Your Law Firm: A Practical Guide to Creating an Environment-Friendly Law Office”. Learn more about being green in the workplace: http:// www.cba.org/cba/practicelink/Bsky/greeningyourfirm.aspx. Nancy E. Cooper is a sole practitioner with a criminal law practice in Timmins.
October 2010 | Briefly Speaking • En Bref