Over the years, I’ve learned that giving back is the key to moving forward. Many corporations around the globe have also taken this belief to heart by giving to non-profits, charities and causes, especially during this time of year. I’d like to highlight one cause that is in dire need of our serious attention and help not just now, but 365 days a year: the environment.

Many corporations focus on ways to reduce energy consumption, many local governments encourage residents to recycle, and many shoppers reuse grocery bags. But these are just a few of the myriad ways to have an impact. The world is just beginning to understand that the environment is, arguably, the most important cause of all.

I’m proud that companies like Johnson & Johnson, Nike and Starbucks were recognized along with IBM as part of Newsweek’s 2009 Top 500 Green U.S. Companies list. These companies have all made serious efforts to “go green” and the reasons are clear.

A staggering 884 million people in the world lack access to safe drinking water. The U.S. Geological Survey predicts that in just 10 years, Glacier National Park will have no glaciers left because of global warming. Paper wasted in offices each year could build a wall from New York to California. Additionally, even though the U.S. only makes up 5 percent of the world’s population, we produce 72 percent of all hazardous waste and consume 24 percent of the world’s energy.

While many companies are making a concerted effort to better the environment, the problem will continue to grow unless many more make a serious commitment to our planet and society. Fortunately, that’s where we—as scientists, engineers and researchers — come in.

We have the power to turn things around if we focus on these issues today. With new innovations in technology, the promise of a future built on energy efficiency, resource management and environmentally friendly practices is real.

Consider that almost all industries need natural resources. As businesses grow, so will their demand. Take, for instance, water, which makes the world go ‘round even more than money. Just to put things in perspective, it takes 10 liters of water to produce one sheet of paper, 91 liters to produce a pound of plastic and nearly 11,000 liters to make one pair of jeans.

IBM’s chip manufacturing plant in Burlington has been a poster child for smarter water management. After analyzing water usage in the chip manufacturing process using real-time sensors, we were able to make improvements that could reduce overall water usage by 27 percent and increase production by over 30 percent — a savings that amounted to $3 million a year. And, we’re taking our water management expertise outside of the company, too: we’re working with public utilities around the world to modernize aging infrastructures with technology, enabling things like real-time monitoring of water quality and predictive asset management so that disasters like burst water mains can be prevented, meters read accurately and sensors can detect hazardous water conditions.

This holiday season, consider the contributions you can make to the environment through your everyday life and your technical career as well. There is no better time than now.