Strategies for Environmental Sustainability

Environments consequences

It is past time for all the people of every nation has to participate in the search for more sustainable communities. This effort is vital for the worldwide population so there will really be a planet for our kids and their kids to live in the future. An environment sustainable movement is recommended for every nation to have a real chance in returning earth into its natural balance. With the planet population becoming the more discriminating, factor each day, it will be critical to alter to the dwindling carrying limit of the planet. The worldwide population is in excess of seven billion individuals today, and the projections point to the overall increasing to between eight and ten and a half billion in the coming year 2050 (Dale, 2011). It must be central to be extremely adept in resident flight, trade and industry diversity and success, natural possibility, and the longing of people to live in such a sensible community. The major justification behind the anxiety is that natural resources are coming to be scarce. Supposing that we were to examine the world’s health at present, what might we find? One might notice four worldwide developments that are especially unhealthy: (1) increasing populace development and its adverse impacts on human well-being, (2) a decline of indispensable ecosystem services, (3) the destructive impacts of worldwide climate change, and (4) a misfortune of biodiversity (Wright & Boorse, 2011). Human over dependence on fossil fuel comes with a price and we are now beginning to see that the cost may be too much. Our planet clean water supply is dwelling fast due to the populace and the lack of seasonal rain in some areas due to global warming is not making thing better At our present rate this is undeniably unsustainable, worldwide climate change is glaring us square in the face because of this abuse. For these perilous reasons, the time is at present to start action. The creating of sustainable neighborhoods through green action techniques, and a major decreasing of fossil fuel consumption is an elementary key for human endurance.

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The trepidations of human to continued fossil fuel usage; first we must identify what they are how they came to be, as well as where the consequence of their continue use. History tells us that before man stood on two feet millions of years ago, the dinosaurs walked the Earth, at that time, the planet had countless numbers of swamp areas, and abundant plants, and the ocean was full with algae. This time is known as the Carboniferous Period (Dale 2011). Dated between three hundred sixty (360) and two hundred eighty six (286) million years ago as its name suggests, the growth of carbon in living matter was a characteristic dominant of the period. When the vegetation perished, they derived to the lowest part of the swamps as well as oceans, where layers of peat were shaped (a tan, typically soggy material comprising at any rate in part of decayed vegetable matter). Those deposits were then held by sand in addition to more peat, and over time, it came to be progressively compacted. The ensuing phase might be the mass of material crushing out the part of the water that occurred between the layers, or remains of plant life that had previously existed. Over a period of years, this substance converted into what is identified as oil, coal, commonly stated to as fossil fuels (Dale 2011). These are the main energy sources for the earth. They contribute more than ninety (90) percent of the energy exhausted worldwide (Botkin & Keller 2011). The concern with this is they are finite. Coal, oil, and common gas are not renewable resources. These natural resources are being depleted at a disturbing rate for the most part, since the Industrial Revolution (McConnell & Abel 2008). The abuse of these energy sources has placed the Earth’s populace ay a stage where we need to think of alternate energy sources.

The using of the resources has made several known environmental problems for example air and water contamination, acid rain, and undoubtedly global warming. Coal oil and natural gas account for ninety (90) percent of the energy used by the global populace, they also accounted for seventy five (75) percent of the carbon discharges for the planet as well (Botkin and Keller 2011). The over-all adverse impacts from the abuse of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution and the beginning of climate change. Some scientist has stated that climate change is a natural global cycle. However, the ten hottest years on record happened in the 20th century. In 2005, a new record was set for worldwide temperature—the hottest year ever since the late 1800s. Since the mid-1970s, the normal worldwide temperature has climbed 0.2°C for every decade. Global warming is occurring in particularly rapid at high latitudes predominantly in the Northern Hemisphere. Mainly because of the continued growths in anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the apparent warming is recognized to be the result of an “improved greenhouse impact” (Wright & Boorse, 2011). Coal has the most harmful effect and long-term impacts on the earth eco system and human health. The extracting of coal leads to destruction the area, as well as nearby bodies of water. When coal has been extracted, rail and trucks typically transport it. These delivery systems have an effect on the atmosphere as well as the roadways. Nonetheless, as naturally worsening as it is to remove and transport coal, burning it for energy is maybe the most damaging. Coal is essentially carbon, and when burned it releases additional carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere (Dale 2011). Coal burning power plants releases other pollutants into the atmosphere besides C02, mercury as well as arsenic; both are harmful to human as well as the environment. Nearly all the energy we human use contains a number of environmental concerns; yet, fossil fuels will leave a much larger carbon footprint (Dale 2011). Essentially, there are major drawbacks when talking about the recovery and utilization of fossil fuels. While a few benefits may include economic success for a few countries and companies, the most important is what best for man and the planet. It is apparent for government to fund research of other means of energy to transfer from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy sources. Global warming, diminishing of natural resources, as well as long term health risk of every human warrants an immediate re-action to curb the use of fossil fuels. The crucial steps we must take is planning a diverse agenda of energy sources with a mix of both fossil fuel as well alternative that someday replace fossil fuel. Scientific has established that there is a limited amount of natural resources left (McConnell & Abel 2008). The human population exploded rapidly, so has the demand for more the natural resources. It took decades and thousands of pounds and gallon of use to realize that these resources could not sustain the demand and the damage these sources will do to the environment, and when these resources are depleted, there are gone for good. Sadly, what is an incomprehensible is these resources are being mine without any constraint or thought of the future consequences, sustainable choices for the future must be tended to or cataclysmic occasions will plague the planet (Dale 2011). Achieving sustainability will call for the more widespread exploitation of a variety of alternative energy sources and a lesser amount of dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable energy like wind, solar naturally recharged unlike fossil fuels, which are in limited supply. Renewable energy can provide the energy we need and perhaps reverse the situation we now face. Renewable energy has both minor scale and larger scale applications it brings about considerably lower emissions of greenhouse gases, less air pollution, and lesser waste outputs in general. Although renewable energy sources it are in it earliest stages compared fossil fuel. In 2009, the United States acquired 8.2% of its total energy and 10.5% of its electricity from renewable sources (Dale 2011).

Conferring to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the Ontario Round Table on Environment and Economy, there are six managing standards for sustainable advancement (EPA 2012):

• Anticipation and avoidance of possible environmental degradation. Avoid pollution before it occurs. As we know, environmental degradation can occur naturally or thru neglect of human activities in some area there are major oil spills that results in loss of an local environment deforestation has destroyed countless of natural habitat

• Complete cost accounting. Natural resources — air, land, water, soils, wilderness, forests and wildlife — are the fundamental base of the entire economic activity. Nature is like a retail store that is perfectly willing to sell us the resources at cost price. However, what is the cost price? Like any business deal, the seller must not be worse off than before. For the withdrawal of any resource, the price must be at least that which reimburses nature for any damage done to her while consuming it. Using this principle in the entire areas will give economic incentives for clever resource usage.

• Informed choice-making creating (environment-economy coordination). Sustainable development needs the union of environmental and economic contemplations in decision-making. Documentation must be provided for the short and long-term outcomes of these decisions. In addition, the decision must be dependent upon sound data. In addition, the individuals who settle on economic must be liable for the environmental outcomes of those decisions.

• Living off the investment (doing superior with less). This statute treats the constrained natural resources as a feature of capital fortune. Such “natural assets” must be displaced as it is drained, or else be reused or recycled. If not, individuals will bankrupt themselves similarly as though they had used the greater part of their fiscal resources.

• Quality over amount. Making a sustainable society involve in transforming their way of life, state of mind, outlooks, behaviors and standards. An increasing awareness on excellence of economic development will bring about in smarter production and consumption patterns

• Admiration for nature and the privileges of forthcoming generations. The economy depends on not only on the continuous stream of resources as well as on the insurance and upgrade of ecosystems and habitats. The choice-making process must distinguish not only today’s necessities, but also the necessities of future groups by assuring that a extended and adequate prospect is used in the assessment procedure (EPA, 2012).

Achieving support for these rules will not be easy, and will undoubtedly be met with a number of oppositions. Nevertheless, to lessen the dependence on oil, coal and natural gas, it will require a global effort. Lessening the adverse effects of nonrenewable energies will pressure all nations to adopt groundbreaking energy procedures and penalties for exploitation. Having extreme consequences for not abiding by prompted policies will be the best way to pressure the worldwide population to join as one to preserve this planet.

One cannot dialog about fossil fuels without speaking on the extreme environmental effects they have had on our planet. Global warming is a reality whether politician are will to admit or not and major piece of this discussion. Consistent with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the principal decade of the new millennium was the warmest ever documented. Climate change has turned into a constant concern and is not getting it the consideration as it should. Normally spring is consider a time for tornadoes but recently fall has taken that spot 12 tornadoes struck Nebraska and Iowa Oct. 4-5, 2013, causing millions of dollars of damage. These October storms underscore the fact that spring is not the only season for dangerous tornadoes. Global warming is attribute to more devastating flash floods ,Tropical Cyclones, Tornado, Tsunami, Wildfire, Drought, Hailstorm, Heat Wave, Hurricane, Epidemic, Notwithstanding to global warming, environmental disasters have gone to the lead of planetary problems for society to manage with (Dale 2011).

On March 24, 1989, the oil tanker of Exxon Valdez bumped into the Bligh Reef, leaking about 11 million gallons (10.8) of oil rights within the sound (Oceana 2012). The leak hit in excess of one thousand three hundred (1300) miles over the coastline, it caused the death of hundreds of thousands of marine life, and cost an excess of three hundred million (300,000,000) dollars of financial damage to more than thirty two thousand (32,000) individuals whose lives depend on fishing (Oceana 2012). This data is significantly dreadful, however, compared with the amounts of oil and prices, a drop in the bucket in contrast with the most devastating oil slick on record for America (Walsh 2011). This might be clearly the BP greatest accident of April 20, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oilrig explosion located in the Gulf of Mexico (BP 2013).Spurring millions of gallon of oil into the Gulf it was estimate that 100, 000 of gallon was being release daily

There should not be any argument about situation the earth and its ecosystems is in at this moment because of man and their development in population and manufacturing/technology. In the event that population growth is not maintain, and man continue to deplete resources at an unsustainable rate, abnormal weather pattern will increase storms will intensify global warming will proceed to a point of no return. Man goal should be leaving less of a carbon footprint so we can leave this world a little better off than it was when we can. The only way is to through the decline of fossil fuel consumption and an aggressive approach on renewable energy; this should be the primary objective of the occupants of this world .To ensure this, society enjoy the beauty of natural all that dwell within it and give a promise of future generation that same opportunity. We must live a lifestyle that does not destroy the place we call home. The question remain are we will to make a sacrifice now for the ensuring of the future for our kids the decision lies with us. Addressing climate change is not an issue to which there is a scientific answer. Ethical issues are not beyond the scope of reason, and I attempt to examine different ideologies and tactics with a opinion to reaching a reasoned opinion about which principles and approach is vital towards finding common ground, to a sustainable future.

References

BP (2012, December 20). Deepwater Horizon Accident and Response. Retrieved from http://www.bp.com/

Botkin, D.B., & Keller, E.A.(2011).Environmental Science: Earth is a Living Planet.(8^thed).Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley.

Dale, L. (2011). Environmental Policy. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.

McConnell, R. L., & Abel, D. C., (2008). Environmental issues: An introduction to sustainability (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Oceana | Protecting the World’s Oceans. (2012, March 20).Oceana. Retrieved from http://oceana.org/en/our-work/stop-ocean-pollution/oil-pollution/learn-act/exxon-valdez-oil-spill-facts

United States, EPA, Smart Growth. (2013, February 4). Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities: Strategies for Advancing Smart Growth, Environmental Justice, and Equitable Development. Retrieved

Walsh, B. (2011, April 21). The BP Oil Spill: Forgetting the Lessons of Drilling in the BP (2012, December 20). Deepwater Horizon Accident and Response. Retrieved from http://www.bp.com/

Botkin, D.B., & Keller, E.A.(2011).Environmental Science: Earth is a Living Planet.(8^thed).Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley.

Dale, L. (2011). Environmental Policy. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.

McConnell, R. L., & Abel, D. C., (2008). Environmental issues: An introduction to sustainability (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Oceana | Protecting the World’s Oceans. (2012, March 20).Oceana. Retrieved from http://oceana.org/en/our-work/stop-ocean-pollution/oil-pollution/learn-act/exxon-valdez-oil-spill-facts

United States, EPA, Smart Growth. (2013, February 4). Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities: Strategies for Advancing Smart Growth, Environmental Justice, and Equitable Development. Retrieved

Walsh, B. (2011, April 21). The BP Oil Spill: Forgetting the Lessons of Drilling in the Gulf.TIME.com. Retrieved from http://science.time.com/

Wright, Richard T. & Boorse, Dorothy F.(2011) Environmental science : Toward a sustainable future. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Gulf.TIME.com. Retrieved from http://science.time.com/

Wright, Richard T. & Boorse, Dorothy F.(2011) Environmental science : Toward a sustainable future. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.