How Much Does Your Vegetable Oil Contribute to Global Warming?
On Feb. 2, 2007, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that changes observed in the atmosphere, oceans, glaciers, and ice caps are unequivocal signs of global warming. The leading scientists on the panel have a “very high confidence” that human activities are responsible. The report also confirmed that the marked increase in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the result of human activities.
The report was produced by some 600 authors from 40 countries. Over 620 expert government reviewers also participated. Representatives from 113 governments reviewed and revised the Summary, line-by-line during the course of this week before adopting it and accepting the report. The opponents of the thesis criticized the report for presenting a skewed view of the issue.
The trend in the business world has moved in the direction of concern regarding global warming over the past few years. Whether they believe it or not, companies around the world are becoming more environmentally conscious and pushing for prompt action. For one, they calculate their carbon footprint. Recently PepsiCo, the owner of the Tropicana brand, calculated and measured the emissions from energy-intensive tasks such as running a factory and transporting heavy juice cartons. They came up with an astonishing figure: 3.75 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted to the atmosphere for each half-gallon carton of orange juice. Startling, indeed, but company officials are not sure how consumers, anxious about the future of our planet, will interpret these results.
Yet, other companies are following Pepsi Co’s lead and jumping on board with major plans to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere and to find ways to teach the public how to interpret the carbon footprint of a product.. Overall, this is a clear indication of raised sensitivity about climate change and increasing sensitivity as to everyone’s carbon footprint.
Fully aware of the potential effects of the on our planet, Saranabu Sa, a Lebanese family business based in West Africa is a harbinger of change in the region with its efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions. With 15 years of experience in the Oils and Fats trade, Saranabu Sa has earned its reputation as reliable suppliers to both industries and merchants in the region, and now it is proud to adopt environmentally friendly programs and policies. As Mr. Najem, the founder and CEO of the company, states “Saranabu Sa has always sought to be a model for other businesses in the region for its work ethic and uncompromising customer service. Now the company is proud to lead again in the desire of lowering carbon dioxide emissions and hopes that other companies will follow its lead.
Mr. Najem also acknowledges the difficulties associated with these efforts, especially in Africa, a continent facing major problems such as finding and affording food at today’s high agricultural prices for an ever growing population. “Rising temperatures, melting glaciers and ice caps are not the priorities for a continent struggling to survive, but if we do not take bold action, the future could be perilous as the supply of agricultural land has already been depleted by decertification and urbanization”, says Mr. Najem.