It wasn't so long ago that an environment-friendly person just had to recycle properly. However, the goal posts have been shifted a long way due to growing concern over the uncomfortable and inconvenient truth of climate change and global warming that is causing a rise in the sea level and abnormal weather, rapid depletion of natural resources, etc. It's simply not eco awareness these days if a person isn't being completely carbon neutral.
It's a simple but strikingly brilliant concept. If every entity, be it an individual, business or organization, learns to take responsibility for curbing their own carbon emissions, there isn't anything more that needs to be done. It doesn't work that way in reality because people have other priorities that take precedence over leading a green lifestyle.
But the bigger problem is that people don't care, which may be because they don't know about this existential crisis facing the planet or they think it's just some climate scientists and tree-huggers looking for publicity. It's why a lot of efforts undertaken by various governments and non-profit organizations focus more on awareness campaigns than on passing regulations or laws. Events like Earth Day or Earth Hour are not just about saving resources for that brief period of time, but more about engaging large sections of the population and teaching them the importance of conservation and the dangers of not doing so.
But let's say a person who's now eco-aware wants to lead a green and carbon-neutral lifestyle. It can be done using two methods. The first one is to reduce emissions as far as possible. The second way is to offset whatever there is left over with carbon credits.
Emission reductions are there for the taking in every aspect of an individual's life. Vehicle owners can eliminate the harm done by their driving by getting an electric vehicle and charging it using clean power from a solar generation system. It's a hassle to make the switch, and it's expensive too. But the end result of zero-carbon transport with no gas costs is well worth the trouble.
Usage of energy and other resources within the home can likewise be reduced a lot. A full energy retrofit will cut down the electricity needed and the utility bills. It gets even better in an LEED certified property. For instance, dual-flush tanks in the toilets and artificial grass replacing a lawn will save a lot of water.
Businesses and companies have a corporate responsibility to make the workplace an eco-friendly place for employees through use of natural materials in products that can be recycled, and through various other green practices. Factories with their own solar arrays on rooftops will run on clean power, and paperless offices will reduce deforestation. Pollution can be controlled by recycling industrial waste that would otherwise end up in the rivers and oceans or go to landfills.
Even with all such efforts deployed, it's still impossible to be a zero carbon entity. Thankfully, whatever is left over can be offset by purchasing credits. There's a price to be paid, but it's simple - the seller plants trees, generates clean power or undertakes some other such activity that actually reduces carbon emissions. The buyer can pay for credits equivalent to a specific part of that reduction.
It's a simple but strikingly brilliant concept. If every entity, be it an individual, business or organization, learns to take responsibility for curbing their own carbon emissions, there isn't anything more that needs to be done. It doesn't work that way in reality because people have other priorities that take precedence over leading a green lifestyle.
But the bigger problem is that people don't care, which may be because they don't know about this existential crisis facing the planet or they think it's just some climate scientists and tree-huggers looking for publicity. It's why a lot of efforts undertaken by various governments and non-profit organizations focus more on awareness campaigns than on passing regulations or laws. Events like Earth Day or Earth Hour are not just about saving resources for that brief period of time, but more about engaging large sections of the population and teaching them the importance of conservation and the dangers of not doing so.
But let's say a person who's now eco-aware wants to lead a green and carbon-neutral lifestyle. It can be done using two methods. The first one is to reduce emissions as far as possible. The second way is to offset whatever there is left over with carbon credits.
Emission reductions are there for the taking in every aspect of an individual's life. Vehicle owners can eliminate the harm done by their driving by getting an electric vehicle and charging it using clean power from a solar generation system. It's a hassle to make the switch, and it's expensive too. But the end result of zero-carbon transport with no gas costs is well worth the trouble.
Usage of energy and other resources within the home can likewise be reduced a lot. A full energy retrofit will cut down the electricity needed and the utility bills. It gets even better in an LEED certified property. For instance, dual-flush tanks in the toilets and artificial grass replacing a lawn will save a lot of water.
Businesses and companies have a corporate responsibility to make the workplace an eco-friendly place for employees through use of natural materials in products that can be recycled, and through various other green practices. Factories with their own solar arrays on rooftops will run on clean power, and paperless offices will reduce deforestation. Pollution can be controlled by recycling industrial waste that would otherwise end up in the rivers and oceans or go to landfills.
Even with all such efforts deployed, it's still impossible to be a zero carbon entity. Thankfully, whatever is left over can be offset by purchasing credits. There's a price to be paid, but it's simple - the seller plants trees, generates clean power or undertakes some other such activity that actually reduces carbon emissions. The buyer can pay for credits equivalent to a specific part of that reduction.
About the Author:
Find out how to build your eco awareness by visiting our official website today. To know more about our educational objectives, click the links at http://www.eco-mentor.com .
No comments:
Post a Comment