Environmental sustainability is a topic that is sometimes taboo in the business world. Environmental and businesses goals are usually not ones that seek a common path until now. Sustainability focuses a large part on figuring out how to consume less resources, allowing for the quicker natural replenishment of those resources by mother earth. In a simple sense, if we consume less energy through the burning of coal, we will have coal for much longer. This meets with the business world because you can save money by using less energy.

The Edison Project was created by Graceland University in the Fall of 2006 and it puts a SIFE twist on environmental concepts. GU SIFE is working with small business owners and residents in their community to decrease energy consumption by changing out incandescent light bulbs to Compact Florescent Light bulbs (CFL) A major part of getting business owners and residents to “make the switch” is to educate them about

the environmental and financial benefits CFL’s have.

The CFL uses 66% less energy than an incandescent, it lasts up to 10 times longer, and on average you save at least $35 dollars on your energy bill over the life of that one bulb. From an environmental standpoint the CFL, because of its lower use of energy, prevents the excess emissions of deadly CO2 gas into the atmosphere.(CO2 is the leading cause of Global Warming) It prevents over 1000 lbs. of CO2 gas emissions over that of a regular incandescent bulb. It also takes 500 less pounds of coal, to power a CFL
over its lifetime, than an incandescent bulb.

Expanding this project in any community is very easy to do. GU SIFE is challenging all SIFE teams to do the same project in their community, and to use our ideas and research to expand their capabilities and impacts. The TSU SIFE team has signed up to be a part of this great initative and is hopeful that it can make a difference at the University, in the community, and within the environment!