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 GREEN YOUR BUSINESS – PATRICIA JORDAN (VOL. 20, NO. 5)
Thank you for your article called “Green Your Business” in the October 2008 BarTalk. I applaud the CBA’s move to reduce, reuse and recycle. However, let’s focus on the first pillar of “going green” – reduction, and one place that the legal profession needs to most help – reducing paper consumption. To this end, I am wondering if the CBA could give members the option of receiving BarTalk and all the advertisements that come with it electronically. Think, every BarTalk/ad package is about two centimetres thick... if there are only 1000 CBABC members, that results in a stack of paper 20 metres high! Think of the environmental and economic savings if we reduced that number, even by half.
My firm, like some others, has implemented a green initiative that aims to scrutinize all of our operations and implement “green” alternatives whenever possible. One of our initiatives is to eliminate all of our printed newsletters in favour of electronic distribution. In my view, going “paperless” is one of the most effective ways to “go green.” Of course, this must coincide with the efforts of others (like the CBA and our clients) to adopt and implement effective and reliable software and technology.
More to the point, most of the greenhouse gas emissions that a law firm emits are indirect – they are emitted by our landlords, suppliers and service providers, though at our request or at least, with our acquiescence. To be truly effective, therefore, any effort to “go green” must involve taking a critical look at those we are in business with – i.e. industry associations, landlords, caterers, courier companies, paper and office product suppliers, etc.
There is only so much one law firm can do in order to effect some positive change – but there is strength in numbers – imagine if the CBABC, as our industry representative, helped to facilitate positive action by preferred suppliers. I realize that the slowing economy has focused attention to cost savings. However, efficiency measures pay for themselves eventually, and, paradoxically, now may be the best time to take concerted action – after all, when, if not now, will suppliers and service-providers be hungry enough for our business to listen to our calls for change?
– Michal Jaworski, Clark Wilson LLP
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From the Senior Editor
CBABC staff and the BarTalk Editorial board are actively examining strategies to reduce BarTalk's environmental footprint while maintaining our service to all of B.C.’s legal professionals. Currently, BarTalk is published with funds entirely derived from our advertisers. However, we are exploring other revenue models as well as enhanced online options (BarTalk is available online at www.cba.org/bc). In 2008, we began printing BarTalk on FSC certified and recycled stock as a direct result of feedback from members. We welcome your comments and suggestions.
Send your "Letters to the Editor" to bartalk@bccba.org.
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This letter was published in the February 2009 issue of BarTalk.
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