Never mind altruism: 'Saving the earth' can mean big bucks

[jpak]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1025/p04s01-wogi.html

LONDON – Bruno D'Hommee produces a compass from his pocket and points it toward a bright, blustery autumnal sky. "Good," he says, " the roof is facing southwest. It's just about ideal - it will catch the full arc of the sun."

The sun is one of Mr. D'Hommee's most important assets. It does, after all, work long hours for his company, beating down on the solar panels he sells to heat household water. And judging by the growth of his business, which has expanded from one local office in southern England to almost national coverage in recent years, he's selling the idea rather well.

"In 10 years time, I would think most homes in the UK would have either a (solar) device, a wind turbine, or a geothermal unit" for domestic energy, he predicts.

As the international community faces costs in the trillions to address climate change, businessmen are increasingly becoming aware that changing the world - its fuels, technologies, energy sources, and waste disposal practices - can be an opportunity as well as a cost.

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