 |
|
|
|||||
To Deb Cloutier, president and founder of the sustainability firm RE Tech Advisors, the news that the Trump administration is planning to get rid of Energy Star simply didn’t make sense. Trumps claims that he wants to reduce Americans energy bills is “completely at odds with this move to scrap the program that certifies energy efficient appliances. And she sees no viable way for private companies or nonprofits to fill this gap. She would know what it takes: Cloutier is one of the original designers of the program. Energy Star officially launched in 1992, under President George H. Bush. Cloutier helped shape the programs focus on building efficiency, and then worked as a consultant every year since its launch. In the past 30 years, Energy Star has exceeded all expectations, Cloutier says: It saves consumers more than $40 billion every year on their bills, and helps certified buildings use 35% less energy, which means lower operating costs. Energy Star is voluntary, not mandatory Energy Star was specifically intended to be a voluntary, nonregulatory way of getting businesses to adopt and understand energy efficiency. The program doesn’t force businesses or building owners to participate. And yet more than 16,000 companies and organizations dofrom appliance manufacturers to school districts. Dozens of voluntary programs exist today, but Energy Star was the seminal first program that proved that businesses working in concert with government in a collaborative fashion could learn from one another, and develop resources that would not be brought to market by the businesses on their own, Cloutier says. It has been a model for other public-private partnerships since, some even directly taking Energy Star’s tools: Canada uses Energy Stars buildings portfolio manager for how it rates and ranks its own buildings. Businesses dont often want to be the first to adopt something new like energy efficiency metrics; it’s a risk, and not always clear how the market will respond. But Energy Star was able to convene industry leaders together so multiple businesses could adopt these standards at once. Then, it started recognizing the top 25% most efficient products, buildings, and manufacturers. It really helped spark that competitive nature of businesses to try and set goals to have X percent of their portfolio that has energy Star certification, Cloutier says. An impartial agency, and a recognizable symbol Because Energy Star is a government program, it provides an impartial scoring metric for efficiency, based on rigorous scientific research. Energy Stars iconic blue label is also easily recognizable by consumers: According to the program, nearly 90% of American households recognize the symbol. Without one symbol from a trusted, third-party source, manufacturers or retailers may put their own efficiency labels on products, which would make for a confusing and crowded landscape for consumers. It also wouldnt be clear if those labels are consistent in what they measure or reward, or who’s verifying those claims. And if a nonprofit were to take over Energy Stars role, it’s unlikely that it could cover the same array of industriesretail, manufacturing, residential, schools, and state and local governmentsthat the federal government does. It would be a tall order to find something that replicates the federal government’s impartiality and breadth, Cloutier says. Energy Star simplifies the efficiency process The federal government is in a unique position to have the national energy data, the research from national laboratories, and the industry expertise that underpin Energy Stars tools and standards. The program draws from other government agencies like the Energy Information Administration, and it incorporates state and local regulations around emissions caps and what information buildings must disclose around their energy consumption. If you own and operate buildings in more than one state or multinational jurisdictions, its already a very complex compliant landscape, Cloutier says. But Energy Star helps simplify the process through things like its portfolio manager software tool, which allows entities to enter their buildings energy consumption and receive a score between 1 and 100, and to track their improvement over time. The private sector not only would struggle to access all the national energy data and laboratory research crucial for Energy Star, it would also face challenges from businesses themselves. I think most entities would be hesitant to give what they would consider to be confidential business information around energy usage to a third party, Cloutier says. Private businesses likely couldnt carry out Energy Star at a large scale either. Its portfolio manager is used by more than 280,000 properties. For a private business to fund such an expansive, far-reaching tool, it would likely have to charge for it, Cloutier sayswhich would burden American businesses, buildings, and families directly. As a government program, Energy Star is incredibly cost-effective: For every federal dollar invested, it delivers a return of $350. When you look at the very small budget to run Energy Star, I would say it’s sort of the little engine that could in terms of its results,” she says. The program supports more than 750,000 U.S. jobs, and Americans purchase 300 million Energy Star-certified products a year, worth $100 billion in market value. Energy efficiency benefits everyone Energy Star has long had bipartisan support, and for good reason. Making products and buildings more efficient helps the entire countrynot only by lowering peoples energy bills, but by putting less pressure on the national energy grid. That means less blackouts and brownouts, too. The more we can help drive down the amount of energy used to live, work, and play in buildings, that helps produce more bandwidth on the grid, Cloutier says. U.S. energy demand is only growing, especially with more data centers to support AI and cloud services, which will also likely raise energy prices for consumers. Without Energy Star, Americans might be more likely to choose the cheapest option at the appliance store, not realizing that doing so will actually increase their energy bills over time. Its not easy, without a third-party label like Energy Star, to translate that trade-off in purchase price versus long-term savings. But by having the Energy Star product, consumers know that item inherently saves energy; Energy Star also details the annual energy use of a productand how much that use compares to the federal standard. Consumers can even search for items like dishwashers and the Energy Star website will sort them by energy use. Losing Energy Star also means buildings might lag on efficiency, in part because the process to meet efficiency standards and implement energy-saving tools will be a more difficult undertaking. Building operators may then pass those increased utility costs on to residents, in the case of apartment buildings, or customers, in the case of hotels. Cloutier has seen numerous examples of how aligning with Energy Star standards has helped building operators save money; thousands of school districts, she says, have saved on operating costs that can then make more resources available for teachers. And Energy Star is authorized by Congress, which means it can’t legally be ended in this fiscal year. What happens after that isn’t clear, but Energy Star’s benefits are. During his first term, Trump tried to end the program but faced strong opposition, and Energy Star survived. “I am highly encouraging our clients and peers in the industry,” Cloutier says, “. . . to defend the value of Energy Star again.”
Category:
E-Commerce
In recent months, the New York City subway system has seen a string of shocking and deadly incidents of violence, including several passengers who have been shoved from the platform into the paths of moving trains. A recent report finds that misdemeanor and felony assaults within the subway system have tripled since 2009. For everyday riders and visitors alike, there is now a lurking fear that their next trip on the subway could be dangerous. Many, including the governor of New York, are seeking solutions, which range from adding more police presence to increasing surveillance to installing more lighting to combatting fare evasion. But there’s another approach that could go a long way to improving security and safety in the subway system. Through specific and targeted design interventions, the subway system itself could be retrofitted to reduce violent crime. This is one of the conclusions of What To Do (and Not To Do) About Subway Safety, a new set of policy recommendations from the urban policy journal Vital City. Based on input and research from criminologists, behavioral scientists, transit experts, and policy wonks, the recommendations include focusing on mental health and substance abuse among users of the system, increasing access to social workers, and using police forces more strategically. [Image: courtesy WXY] Claire Weisz, cofounder of the architecture and design studio WXY, contributed to the report with ideas for design interventions that could increase a sense of security and comfort for subway riders. These design ideas include improving sight lines within the system’s underground stations, increasing visibility between passengers, and reducing dead ends and other areas that can isolate people. Rather than calling for a wide scale and expensive investment in safety infrastructure like Japanese-style platform barriers, the design ideas proposed here are lower lift interventions. The standout design idea from Weisz and WXY is the addition of highly reflective surfaces throughout subway stations. Lining ceilings, walls, and even the areas right above the edge of the platform, these shiny surfaces passively increase visibility, spatial awareness, and navigation within the sometimes circuitous underground world of a subway station. A current interior (left) and a render of proposed revisions (right) [Images: courtesy WXY] “Mirrors or mirror-like surfaces, which could be stainless steel, in the right places can actually help people see around columns, see down hallways, see around corners, but also get a sense that I’m getting closer towards an exit, or I’m getting farther away, or here’s where a platform is,” Weisz says. “Right now, there isn’t kind of intuitive wayfinding.” [Image: courtesy WXY] Reflective surfaces can also increase a sense of security. Directly influenced by the violent shoving incidents that have been happening in recent months, the subway design interventions feature a curved reflective surface just overhead of the tracks, called a soffit. This gives people standing and waiting for trains the ability to catch glimpses of their surroundings without having to look behind their backs. “When you’re standing and waiting for the subway, you can see other people,” Weisz says. The soffit also visually tightens the station interior, making it feel more compact. “It closes down the space between the platform and the third rail on the tracks, so that you’re not as open to the whole track.” [Image: courtesy WXY] The idea behind these reflective surfaces comes from the world of hotel design, Weisz says. Hotel hallways and elevators are commonly outfitted with mirrors that let people see themselves but also, perhaps subconsciously, understand that they are also going to be seen by others in this public place. It’s a bit of social engineering informed by behavioral science that encourages more self-awareness and courteous behavior. The surfaces become like eyes on the platform. [Image: courtesy WXY] Adding these reflective surfaces could be a form of tactical design, improving conditions in subway stations without the need for a drastic and expensive redesign. But for a transit system with nearly 500 subway stationsand almost every one having a unique designmaking widespread improvements will not be easy. “Everything’s expensive, but I do think a couple of pilots in stations that are complex would go a long way,” Weisz says. “My hope is some of these discussions are going to bring money forth from philanthropy or from academia to do a couple of pilots that really get monitored and recorded to find out if this is changing how people feel in these spaces as they move through the subway.” Weisz acknowledges that while the shoving attacks that have been reported in the subway system are rare, they’ve created outsized impacts on riders’ perceptions of safety within subway stations. To maintain the system’s essential role in the functioning of the city, she argues, those perceptions of safety must be improved. “Good design allows people to behave in a way that optimizes the use of public space in the system,” she says.
Category:
E-Commerce
Weve been told that the future of work is all about freedom. Companies offer unlimited PTO, flexible hours, and asynchronous communication channels that we can access anytime. The promise is that fewer constraints will make us more empowered, more creative, and more connected. Sounds great in theory, but in practice, that kind of freedom without structure often leads to chaos. Without clear boundaries, work becomes a blur. Expectations go unspoken, resentment builds, and ultimately, trust erodes. And the very flexibility meant to liberate us begins to wear us down. The healthiest organizations arent boundaryless; theyre boundary-wise. Why Boundaries Matter More Than Ever In todays workplace, where hybrid schedules, digital fatigue, and high emotional load are the norm, boundaries arent just a personal preference; theyre the cultural infrastructure. Consider this: 47% of employees say they feel burned out at work, and one of the top drivers is unclear or constantly shifting expectations. Meanwhile, 76% of remote workers report difficulty disconnecting from work. A workplace without boundaries doesnt create engagement; it creates exhaustion. Boundaries arent about protecting hours but about safeguarding capacity in all its forms: the energy, focus, and attention we need to do meaningful work. Many people resist the idea of boundaries because they sound rigid or limiting. But boundaries dont actually constrain our powerthey clarify it. Boundaries reinforce trust by setting expectations, expressing what we truly value, and defining where we end and others begin. As workplace author Greg McKeown puts it: Constraints dont block progress, they shape it. A deadline forces a start. A boundary protects your attention. We need to stop thinking of boundaries as barriers and start seeing them as containersthe structures that give freedom its form. Boundaries dont prevent flow; instead, they create the conditions for it. A Moment When Yes Was the Problem I once worked with the leaders of an innovative climate tech company that was scaling fast. Responsiveness was a badge of honor, Slack was always on, meetings were rarely unscheduled and often urgent, and everything was an immediate yes. But beneath the surface, there was extreme fatigue, frustration, and blurred priorities. The culture looked high-performing on paper, but felt hollow in practice. In a facilitated session, one team member admitted, I never know when Im allowed to shut off. And Im afraid that setting limits will make me look like I dont care. That moment shifted everything. What followed wasnt a productivity fixit was a shared reset. The team introduced core hours for collaboration, quiet blocks for focused work, and Focus Fridays without meetings or Slack messages. Within weeks, their energy felt reinvigorated. A sense of clarity returned, morale improved, and creativity reemerged. The team didnt slow down; it just aligned itself using boundaries. When you stop trying to do everything, you make space for what matters most. How to Build Healthy Boundaries at Work Boundaries arent about shutting others out but about showing up with intention. Heres a simple framework I use with leaders and teams: Be clear about your nonnegotiables. Before you can communicate boundaries to others, you need to define them for yourself. What lines cant be crossedwhether thats after-hours communication, personal ethics, or feedback norms? Clarity starts within, then becomes a shared agreement. Articulate your boundaries early. Dont assume others know. Share them out loud, and revisit them when your context shifts. Setting boundaries isnt a one-time conversationits a leadership habit that evolves alongside your role and relationships. Leave room for a buffer. Not every line is absolute. Build a pause zone for conversation and recalibrationthis could mean committing to a 30-minute delay before responding to nonurgent messages or setting up clear blocks in the week for focused work versus collaborative time. A pause zone creates space to respond with intention rather than react on autopilot. Align with your values. A boundary that protects your time but violates your purpose wont hold. Make sure your boundaries serve your bigger why. The most sustainable boundaries are those that feel not only practical but deeply principled. Notice your signals. Resentment, anxiety, and exhaustion are often signs that a boundary has been breached or needs reinforcement. Your emotional patterns are datalisten to them before they become burnout. Communicate with care and clarity. Boundaries are an act of mutual respect, not a rejection. Consideration doesnt require an apology. You can be both direct and generousand thats often when boundaries land best. Evaluate and evolve. What worked last year may not work now. Boundaries should shift with your life, your leadership, and your team. Revisit them regularly and treat them as a living part of how you work, not a fixed set of rules. Boundaries as a Cultural Practice Boundaries arent just personal; theyre also cultural. When leaders model them, teams follow. And when teams build them together, the results are measurable. Focus sharpens, collaboration becomes more intentional, burnout decreases, trust deepens, and innovation increases, not because people hustle harder, but because theyre working from a place of clarity and care. Boundaries dont diminish connection. They deepen itbecause they make it safe to be fully present. Start by asking yourself and your team these questions: Where in our work are we overextended, unclear, or always on? Whats one boundary you need to set, or revisit? Where is so-called freedom creating confusion or drift? In work cultures without boundaries, people dont thrive. They scatter and self-protect, and eventually, they burn out. But when leaders and teams get clear on their edgeson whats okay and whats notthey build something far more powerful: trust, clarity, creative energy, and a deeper sense of shared purpose. Boundaries arent a sign of disconnection, but a practice of alignment. They dont hold us back; they keep us together.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||