Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a conscious effort of developing a pattern related to use of natural resources to meet human needs while taking care of safety of environment. Sustainable development plans take care for present requirement while arranging provision for the future requirement also. The term sustainable development was first coined by Burtland Commission aiming an explanation for a development plan which can take care of present generation as well as can arrange the needs of next generation as well.

Sustainable development builds coordination between natural system and their “carrying capacities” and the social challenges faced by human community.
Sustainable development is a plan with three integral parts of it: these are sociopolitical sustainability, environmental sustainability, and economic sustainability.

The green police believe that sustainable development does not interfere or include green development into planning range because green development only prioritizes environmental sustainability over the cultural and economic considerations. Alternatively, advocates of sustainable developments opine that it is not possible to manage in many instances overall sustainability and the green development requirement simultaneously.

For example, an environment friendly plant may get shut down due to bankruptcy which should be considered as less sustainable than a plant easily maintained by community although the second one may not be as environment friendly as the first one.

Green Services

There are several green service projects that are happening all over the world. There are large proportions of landfill garbage which can be composted. You can start one of these at home and then work with institutional and restaurant kitchens to develop compost procedure and recipients. You can also start selling compost to gardeners. Plastic bottle recycling is another green service. Many soda bottles are land filled each year. You can consider building and obtaining plastic recycling containers and contact your nearest community recycling center to arrange for the pick up of such bottles and do not forget the concession stands and other areas outdoor. You can also start working for the local hardware or departmental stores to offer special sales on compact fluorescent bulbs and you can sell them as a part of your fund raising program. This will help the buyers to get a good deal on the bulbs and support a good cause and save energy. Cafeterias use large amount of cans for food. The green police encourage you to put out a bin to collect rinsed cans and recycle them or put them in to use for planting in other uses. Metals always have a good recycling value. So these are few of the Green services.

Green Job

Are you worried of the recent lay off? Is it that the increasing unemployment ratio disturbs you by any way? Well, then you need to know about green job that can actually be a great blessing in the recent times. This may really be the right time to start your career afresh with green jobs.

Also known as green- collar job by the United Nations Environment Program, it basically defines work opportunity in manufacturing, agriculture, research, administrative and the service sectors that can substantially contribute to the restoration and preservation of the quality of environment.

A green job specifically means those employment openings that help to protect and preserve biodiversity and ecosystem, reducing use of materials, energy and the water consumption. It’s a thriving industry that brings you a lot of options to select from.

The green police have compiled a list of the top 10 green jobs. These include:

Hospitality:

You get green themed hotels making its way for the green travel employees which are in huge demand in the market.

Health Care

Holistic medicine and the alternative care programs are growing popular. This has opened the door for the alternative practitioners.

Next in line comes green learning, energy efficient construction and design practices, legal services, IT, energy jobs and more to bring you a whole new range of openings to make the best use.

Green Building Products

Products that are used for construction are not beneficial to the environment always. The modern day buildings are mostly edifices built of steel and glass that tower high into the sky. While such buildings may look good and give an impression of power it does not do anything for saving the environment which is already under threat thanks to us. Using green building products are now an option that is easily available and will help you to prove yourself as a social and responsible individual. But what exactly is a green building product and how do you know that it is eco friendly? Here are a few basic facts that you need to keep in mind while looking for green building products.

Products obtained from renewable sources like cork and wood are termed as green products. Bamboo is an excellent source as well. The green police believe it is important to select products that are certified by the FSC if you want your building materials to be eco friendly through and through. Paper, cardboard as well as some forms of plastic can be reused by recycling them again and again. Using such products will help you to contribute to the cause as well. Materials that do not have waste products are also considered to be safe for the environment.

Environmental Protection Policy

Adopting an environmental protection policy would be of extreme help for the cause of protecting our earth. These policies look after the specific environmental issues and work towards improvement properly. Some of such policies also help in building the sustainable development. The famous nongovernmental international charitable trust World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is the largest conservation organization of the world supports numerous projects and policies or the protection of the animals which are prone to extinction. This organization exercises conservatory policies on oceans life, freshwater ecosystems, pollution, endangered animals, and climate change.

The green police believe that an environmental protection policy on a certain environmental ground is now-a-days a common attempt by several countries like USA, Japan, India, Canada, Germany, UK, China, Sweden etc. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of USA makes environment assessments and impact research in various fields to release positive remedies and cure to the nature. An environmental protection policy may be about the animals’ protection, endangerment, extinction, sustainable usage, greenery protection, renewable energy, emission control, wetlands, global warming, swamp habitat, biome protection, rainforest protection, nuclear emissions, renewable products, weather extremity and so on. The policy enforcers not only launch and promote environmental improvements but also encourages the local people to participate. The United Nations Organization gives home to several bodies which work separately according to the distinct environmental protection policy.

Environmental Forestry

Forestry refers to the task of managing forests that may include planting of trees, oversee their growth, prevent them from being affected by pests and insects and also bringing them down in case they pose a threat to human or wildlife. Environmental forestry refers to going about the task in a scientific way so that there a sustainable supply of forest resources and services can be maintained. Forests constitute an integral part of the biosphere and therefore environmental forestry should essential combine technology and applied art to maintain the delicate balance of the forest ecosystems.

Environmental forestry came in vogue after there was a movement for sustainable forestry in some parts of the world in the 1990s. Certification systems from third parties were introduced to ensure that the forestry measures adopted were not damaging the surrounding environment. According to the green police, this held true for some of the less developed countries of the world were there were instances of massive deforestation.

Environmental forestry also takes into account the planting of trees so that there is minimal soil erosion that may even lead to sudden landslides and thus cause damage to life and property. In hilly terrains, forests hold the soils, especially from sliding down the slopes.

Eco Clothing

Saving the environment has become mandatory and the concept is rapidly graining ground as more and more people embrace the idea of going green with a vengeance. The various products that we use are now selected carefully to ascertain that we do not add to the pollutants that already burden our atmosphere. Clothing is one such article that needs to be considered carefully if we want to contribute our bit in saving the environment. Designers as well as the bigger companies engaged in the manufacture of clothes have introduced their own line of eco clothing which has popularized the concept of using eco friendly products as well.

Clothes made from artificial sources have become passé now with people all over the world opting for clothes made of natural fabrics as well as natural processes of manufacturing them. This ensures no harmful waste products and little or no damage to the environment. Organic cotton, Bamboo, soy as well as recycled fleece and hemp are now considered to be fashionable and most haute couture houses have started publicizing their own eco clothing brands. Baby clothes as well as furnishings are available in eco friendly options too and have proved to be beneficial to health as well.

Sustainable Urban Living

In an age where cities are fast replacing rural areas and natural resources are steadily depleting, sustainable urban living is the only way to preserve the environment. Sustainable urban living is a move away from the practice of using and abusing natural resources, harming or destroying ecosystems, and thus bringing about drastic climatic changes.

Sustainable urban living is generally defined as development that brings about social and ecological harmony in cities and town on a long term basis. It is a fairly recent concept and the nuances are still at the drawing board stage. However, researchers, environmental scientists, and urban planners agree on these features of a sustainable urban dwelling: a compact layout that economizes the use of land, extreme accessibility of the various strategic points that minimize dependence on automobiles, better structural designs that optimize the use of available resources, systems that generate less waste and devises that cause less pollution, and increasing use of natural systems.

18Broadway in Kansas City promises to be a living and breathing demonstration of sustainable urban living. The site will bring about efficient water management with innovative measures like storm planters, rain gardens, solar powered electrical water pumps, and swales to filter runoffs from the site and city streets to be re-used for irrigation. The site also plans to implement alternative forms of energy like solar and wind power, compressed natural gas, and biodiesel to power the establishment. The dwellings will feature rooftop gardens, rainwater cisterns, geothermal heating and cooling, and other energy-efficient appliances that highlight the feasibility of sustainable urban living.

Pollution Causes

Radical environmental activism has led to a rise in the awareness levels amongst the masses regarding the types of pollution, causes, and effects. This makes it easy for them to advocate and motivate them to adopt remedial measures to reverse the ills of pollution and bring about lifestyle modifications to ensure that their actions do not contribute to the rising levels of pollution.

You too should know about the types of pollution, causes, and ways to combat them to play your role in the environment conservation efforts. The burning of fossil fuel is one of the major causes of air pollution. Factories using outdated modes of production or using environmentally hazardous substances too spew venomous air into the atmosphere.

Water pollution is one of the major causes of concern for environmentalists. Industrial units often discharge their waste products into nearby streams and rivers, thereby polluting them. The flowing water then carries these toxic materials into their tributaries and distributaries. The only way to counter this problem is through effective waste management.

The human habit of disposing of garbage indiscriminately leads to pollution of land resources. Garbage often contains toxic products that can permeate the ground surface and make the land unfit for agricultural purposes. Often waste products used for landfill purposes lead to land pollution.

Pollution causes environmental degradation, so the green police encourage you to combat the ills.

Green Products

With the spread of environmental consciousness, many have become aware of the threats that our home planet faces. In order to solve these problems and conserve the earth’s environment it is necessary that every individual starts to take initiative towards the same goal, that of a cleaner and greener earth. Green products are a means to achieve this goal.

Green products are those, which are manufactured using methods that do not cause any harm to the earth’s environment. Their manufacturing process does not involve any pollution or toxic waste disposal, making these environmentally friendly. Their compositions are eco-friendly and do not have any adverse effects on the users as well. There are no toxic substances present in the green products.

Why opt for green products? Apart from the fact that these green products are safe from health hazards, the green police believe it is necessary to understand that they offer convenient solutions to the problems that challenge the environment. Pollution is one of the basic troubles plaguing the earth and its environment and it is essential that each individual do his part in contributing to the safeguarding of the environment.

Choose green products for daily use and let the planet be free from the hazard of pollution and toxic wastes.

Green Communities

Green communities are those that take up a program especially designed to provide support to community based energy projects. High pollution, loss of trees, energy conservation and many more such environmental issues can be taken care of if communities take up responsibilities and fulfill them to make their community green end eco friendly.

Green communities work together and keep their communities clean. If each community vouches to go green and take care of a few of the environmental issues then their cumulative effect can make a big difference to the environmental scenario of the planet.

The green police lay out a few of the jobs green communities do here:

1. keeping the community clean by picking up litter
2. catch rainwater, stop misuse of water and save as much water as possible
3. preserve greenery and lakes to keep the environment clean and maintain the ecological balance
4. resort to energy efficient modes of transportation, use cars less frequently as these emit harmful gases
5. reuse and recycle
6. keep their buildings energy efficient and adopt necessary steps

The world is facing serious environmental challenges in the present times. The harmful effects of environmental degradation are not felt immediately as these take place slowly. But these produce irreversible damages. Be a part of green communities and make your contribution.

Environmental Groups

Environmental groups, such as the green police, have managed to sustain the movement for the conservation of natural resources and also managed to address diverse environmental issues. The movement for saving the environment and the planet are carried on by a number of organizations both at the micro and the macro levels. These environmental groups work towards generating environmental awareness amongst the masses. Environmental groups comprise people from all walks of life and such diverse representation may not always lead to a consensus. However, the basic objective that unites all of them is that of saving the planet.

The history of the environmental groups in North America and Europe can be traced back to the nineteenth century when there was a rising concern about environmental negligence. In the United States there were environmental groups that followed two different course of action. While one group under Gifford Pinchot was keen on saving the resources for later use, the other group under John Muir wanted to save the resources for its own sake.

Some of the international recognized environment groups or organizations of the day include names like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Earth System Governance Project, European Environment Agency and the United Nations Environment Programme or UNEP.

Endangered Animals Birds

There are approximately 403 endangered birds in the world today. As human population is on the rise rapidly, more house and food is required to house them and to feed them. This implies only one thing that precious bird habitat is on the verge of extinction. Despite several measures taken by government to protect the endangered animals, birds, many of these species are still at dangerously low numbers.

There are certain birds like Whooping Crane, Ivory Billed Woodpecker, Puerto Rican Parrot, Mexican Spotted Owl and Wood Stork which fall under the category of endangered animals birds and it is our responsibility to protect these birds from extinction. The effect of pollution and climatic changes worldwide isn’t helping the cause of protection of these species and it is high time that we start thinking and act towards this cause. Many organizations have come forward to protect these birds. The government of many countries has initiated many policies to protect them.

The green police maintain that the main aim should be to stop the poachers from killing these species and if they are caught in the act they should be severely punished, so that they never dare to repeat the same offense again. So we should come forward and help to save these birds from extinction.

Deforestation And Climate Change

There are a number of reasons which contribute to climate change. One of the chief factors initiating change in the weather conditions of the globe is deforestation. It is essential to understand the interrelationship of deforestation and climate change in order to take proper steps and necessitate change.

The expansion of human civilization and the necessity of land resulted in deforestation. However the cutting down of trees affected the temperatures of the area. Trees capture the moisture present in the atmosphere and thus help in lowering the temperature. In the absence of trees, the temperatures increase.

The green police believe that deforestation and climate change are also linked on a broader spectrum. Deforestation leaves the earth’s surface bare and the sun’s radiation is absorbed by the surface directly, increasing the temperature and contributing to global climate change. The problem of deforestation has far-reaching consequences.

Everyone needs to contribute their part in order to stop these environmental hazards. Reduction, reuse and recycle are the three steps that are being used to ensure that deforestation does not initiate further damages to the climate. Moreover with each tree that has been cut down, people need to plant more to maintain the balance.

Deforestation and climate change could only be stopped with a conscious effort.

Solar Power Efficiency

Solar power is referred to the term where electricity is generated from sunlight. With the use of solar panels, one can care for the environment and also end up saving money. Solar power efficiency is a wonderful way of providing energy output and at the same time not harming the environment. With the solar energy being transformed into heat energy, solar power efficiency can be utilized for supporting heat systems, as well as for heating water and other purposes.

According to the green police, the solar panel functions by absorbing energy from the sunlight when the sun is up in the peak time or at a time when the sun is shining the brightest. The energy is captured in the form of photons and is absorbed by a silicone-like substance.

If one is opting for solar power efficiency, it implies that the electricity bills will be reduced by about 80%. The solar power efficiency however depends on the collector that is fitted with an absorber. Most of the absorbers are made of aluminum and copper, but solar power efficiency used in swimming pools is usually made of plastic. The surface coating used in the absorbers is selective so as to ensure that a good amount of solar radiation is being converted into heat energy.

Green Products

The products that do not damage our natural environment by causing irreversible change are considered to be green products. The biodiversity as well as the soil needs to be preserved in order to support life. The fertility of the soil needs to be maintained in order to grow agricultural crops which in turn help to feed the multitudes of living creatures. It is but obvious that we would only serve to hinder our progress if we go on destroying the earth’s crust without thinking of the future.

Diversity of both flora as well as the fauna that inhabit the earth are needed for our own existence. Different species of trees help us to obtain lumber along with the crucial ingredients for many live saving medicines as well. The rain forests as well as the hinterlands and mangrove forests that abound in the tropical regions are all required for protecting us from devastating natural disasters. The clean environmental elements like water and air helps to sustain our own health as well.

The green police have indicated that although there are a number of companies pronouncing their products as green, the products need to comply with the recognizable standards that have been set for green products. Green Seal and Energy Star are such standards apart from other internationally recognized governmental standards which endorse a product as green product.

Environmentally Friendly Ways to Dispose Off Garden Waste

The Garden waste such as weeds, grass, vegetables, fruits and even old garden furniture can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner by adopting a few simple ways. While weeds, grass, vegetable peels, and rinds of fruits can be recycled, hard waste and old garden furniture needs to be disposed off safely to prevent any harm to the environment.

Recycling is environmentally friendly as it allows saving energy, helps conserve resources and reduce landfills. Garden composting offers another environmentally friendly option to dispose off your garden waste. Composting green waste in the form of fallen and dried leaves, grass, rotten fruits or vegetables grown in the garden offers an inexpensive method that involves a natural process to transform the garden waste into a valuable resource for manure. Even though garden composting is an environmentally friendly method of disposing off the garden waste, it requires space which may not be available to all. You can adopt this method for disposing off selected kitchen waste.

For the disposal of old garden furniture and other hard waste from the garden, the green police encourages you to make use of the certified local dumpsters. All that you need to do is store the waste in an appropriate manner and then dump it where you are allowed to do so. You can get in touch with the local authorities to find out about the permissible places to dump such hard waste.

Environmental Advocacy

Environmental advocacy should be very seriously practiced to bring about a better change in our environment. Problems of global warming, melting of ice caps, extinction of animals, flooding of several areas, desertification and pollution are becoming more and more possessive of our earth. Environmental advocacy is coming out to be extremely rewarding for promoting reforms, environmental policies and social justice.

The green police believe we should reduce the usage of fossil fuels the burning of which releases dangerous gasses in the air. This will also save the fuel economy standards. We should insist on proper disposal of wastes and this should be more actively followed in the under developed and developed regions of there world. Arctic Ocean drilling should be strictly prohibited. Many NGOs and environmental organizations are starting environmental advocacy from the grass roots level.

Excessive usage of chemicals like pesticides and insecticides are reducing the nutrition and fertility levels of the soil. Over grazing and over multiple cropping done to get more yield is ultimately leaving the lands barren in the long term. Environmental advocacy works to influence the public in the social, economic, cultural and political stages. These advocates organize communities for a cause and operate for a positive result. Environmental advocacy requires the application of social strategies, removing social inequalities, ensuring sustainable development, imposition of environmental law, building of diversity, reinventing environmental activism and so on.

Endangered Animals Mammals

The perils of a polluted environment together with the rapid destruction of the bio diversity are not lost on mankind. Steps are now being taken to reverse the situation at least partially; however, according to the green police, it has been the human beings who can be held responsible for extinction of most of the Endangered Animals Mammals.

The greater horseshoe bats together are one of the most endangered mammals of the British Isles. Apart from indiscriminate killing, the bats have also died out on account of toxic wastes and harmful insecticides in their natural habitat.

Poaching of the Siberian Tiger had been considered to be a profitable venture as all the body parts were used in some form or other. The number of the majestic animal has dwindled down rapidly over the years with the remaining few being kept in the special reserve forests instead of the wild.

The Lion Tailed Macaque found in the tropical forests of India have been hunted down for their fur and flesh over the ages. Destruction of their natural habitat has also resulted in death of many of them making them one of the most Endangered Animals Mammals.

The majestic mountain Gorilla is one of the more prominent Endangered Animals Mammals as well. Apart from being trapped by men, the gorillas often succumb to disease after being exposed to the germs infecting the human beings.

Climate Change Issues

Climate change issues have dominated the world news for quite sometime now. While scientists predict a devastating future for mankind unless the changes in climatic conditions are not combated soon, international communities have begun to express concern over the state of global warming as well.

However, the first hurdle in actively trying to reverse the changes has been the lack of an international regulation or a binding timeframe that deals with negating the effects of Climate change issues. The problem has been solved to an extent at the Earth Summit of Rio where a total of 150 countries gave their consent in support of taking measures in order to combat the climatic change and global warming.

Initially, a few developed as well as the developing countries had reservations about formulating strict laws which called for making huge changes in the entire infrastructure. However, most of the nations have now been convinced about the perils of continuing as before and have managed to convince the multi billion dollar industry to adopt technologies that are environmentally friendly. According to the green police, the debate on Climate change issues still rages on with several developing nations placing the blame of polluting the environment squarely on the shoulders of the rich industrialized nations of the world.