Green Economy
Posted by Arielle.conti on January 26th, 2010Green Technology: Plausible or Erroneous
By: Julian Easterly, Indiana State University, 19
From the fast food industry to companies marketing apparel, everyone seems to want to ride the “green wave.” In a technologically adequate age, the average citizen has access millions of bytes of information, often (though clichéd) at the touch of a button. People who would otherwise go a lifetime ignorant now realize risks associated with certain foods and technologies, as well as their affects on the environment. With this in mind, many companies from a multitude of industries have taken action (or at least claim to have taken action) towards utilizing green technologies and green processes. The question is, are these processes and technologies truly plausible, cost effective, and sustainable?
Green technology encompasses a constant evolution of technology and methods for renewable energy and non-toxic cleaning substances—which sounds great, but is it plausible? While there are obvious gains in switching to power sources like geothermal or solar energies, there are also several drawbacks or rather limitations. While it appears nice to dream of sitting in a solar powered house, watching a solar power television, while messaged by a solar powered Lazy Boy, technology has not advanced to the point where technologies like this are sufficient. One major problem with technologies such as solar energy is the lack of yearlong value. Other green sources of energy such as wind and hydro technology are sources of energy are plausible in some areas while unreasonable in others. In comparison to fossil fuels, a resource that seems readily available to companies and consumers, green technologies may seem like a fruitless venture.
On the other hand, investing time and money into research for such technologies has obvious long-term advantages. While only seasonal or limited in the present, as new technologies reveal themselves, green technologies will grow more efficient. As renewable resources, technologies as such would also grow more accessible; therefore, although initial instillation may seem costly, long-term usage of these resources, theoretically, would pay for themselves.
Other green technologies (i.e. not green energy methods) also have a way of paying for themselves—though not in the form of monetary compensation. Environmentally friendly pesticides, fertilizers, and detergents would create less of a stress on water supplies and other resources than traditional chemicals, thus freeing up resources that can sustain beyond future generations.
All-in-all, the answer seems inconclusive—amounting to both yes and no. Both sides present valid arguments and position on said arguments would ultimately depend on long-term versus short-term intentions of the individual, as well the amount of concern money plays. There are several useful applications to green technology that are overall better for humanity; however, with lack of certain technologies these advancements seem relatively small in the greater scheme of things. Green technology will be a great benefit to our environment also; however, some may argue that rushing into new technologies is what placed us in environmental crisis in the first place. Be the judge: green technology—plausible or erroneous?
Preserving a Vibrant and Living Ecosystem and Economy
By: Arne Carter, University of Utah, 25
The world of today is one that is divided, where so many opinions are polarized one way or the other, and environmental issues are no exception. In fact, environmental issues are often the most controversial issues around. The image of being green seems to go hand in hand with a tree-hugging, hemp wearing hippie who eats only vegetables and wears sandals year-round. The common trend, however, is contrary this stereotype, as Green is becoming mainstream. Being Green, or sustainable, or protecting the environment – whatever terminology is used to express environmentalism, is not just for hippies anymore, and is in fact getting ever more popular. The issue of a deteriorating ecosystem is likely the defining problem of this generation, and must be dealt with in a timely manner, but also cannot be mitigated solely by the hippies and granola nuts of the world. Preserving the environment, out of necessity in some cases, caring in others, and economic reasons in still many others, is quickly becoming something that groups and individuals from many different backgrounds are jumping on board with. The green revolution will not be led by one group alone, just as it will not likely convert all to living in a tent or the opposite of living in a high-rise, but this revolution will come about by the hand of a people who are united in one thing, supporting and preserving a vibrant and living environment and economy.
Needs of Youth Participation in Green Economics
By: Zayin Osman Amin, Sunbeams School, 15
What is Green Economy?
Green Economics is an attempt to work within the current infrastructure of society, while radically overhauling it to one more conducive to continued ecological and economic growth and renewal. The time has come for a strong and empowered Green Revolution to inspire strength and empowerment for all people to acknowledge their own powerful part to play.
Understanding of problem:
We must remember we are all like brothers and sisters disagreeing at times, friends at others but all the while we are all the same ecological beings living on planet earth. Even the most corporate-capitalist fat-cat polluters are so ecologically dependant on the very infrastructure, which they are destroying.
For there to be real change we must work with these people, as with all people, because we are these people. Everyone has the same ability for a developed reawakening and an evolutionary enlightenment for greater good for all. Simultaneous to a top-down approach, we also need to inspire a bottom-up approach in accelerating our social, ecological system changes. For the challenges that we all face, it is so essential to raise as much public awareness and momentum on these crucial aspects as much as possible.
Example of Solution:
A simple way for explaining active Green Economics is as follows: If you have a company who tries to save about $5 million by dumping byproduct waste into a nearby natural ecological site such as an ocean habitat or the atmosphere, Green Economics will illustrate the correct pricing of such pollution. The resulting damage could now represent a $5555 Billion deficit for the ocean. It’s as if the natural resources will now have their very own balance sheet, which will become an automatically incorporated into international economics as no company or indeed citizen can afford to go Environmentally Bankrupt. As a result the logical response for society as a collective will be to ensure that all such companies etc operate in the most efficient way possible in terms of energy, resources and with an accurate consideration for all the overheads used in conducting business.
Why Youth Participation is needed in Green economy:
If we want to really see meaningful results, we have to educate our students in environmental stewardship so they understand the consequences of inaction and the benefits of conservation. That’s how you change the dialogue across the country and cultivate our future environmental leaders
Conclusion:
Citywide collaboration between city government, the school district and community-based organizations including Global Exchange and Community Educational Services—has to work to develop students as environmental leaders for the 21st century. Over the years, Concern authority has to bring critical environmental education into schools through a youth empowered service learning model.
To inspire change through the sharing of power, education and solution finding at a grassroots level, is an essential component of the bigger picture. It is only then that we can truly see a new Global Change in our active lifestyle systems.
Buying Green to Be Green
By: Cydney Seigerman, University of Michigan, 18
The importance of sustaining the environment has permeated consumer habits. People are “going green” and shifting towards environmentally friendlier lifestyles by changing the goods they purchase. For instance, reusable shopping bags and products made from recycled materials have become common sights in shopping carts. While these products provide more sustainable alternatives to everyday items, the hype of buying green tends to promote increased consumption rather than truly eco-friendly mindsets. In addition, many consumers are not sure how to effectively reduce their carbon footprint through their purchases. An increasing amount of programs and companies, however, provide viable options for consumers to live an environmentally friendlier life without increased consumption.
Popularized cloth totes flaunt the recycling symbol and promise greener lifestyles. While they advertise the importance of eco-friendliness, the bags and their contents—stationery, pens, and even paperclips made from post-consumer materials—also promote the idea that consuming more helps the environment. Realistically, consuming less leads to more environmentally sustainable lifestyles. In response to the backward ideals of buying more for environmental preservation, Paul Hankin told The New York Times, “Green consumerism is an oxymoronic phrase” (Williams) Hankin contests that the popularity of being green has shifted attention away from the issues surrounding environmental protection (Williams). However, lack of knowledge regarding environmental issues, including global warming and renewable energy, is not the issue. According to several studies on green consumerism, “[…] consumers know about climate change, understand that reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions will help fight climate change, and want to join that effort. But […] consumers do not quite understand how to act on their greener impulses” (Bonini). In their examination of green consumer habits, Sheila Bonini and Jeremy Oppenheim determined that lack of awareness is one of the barriers inhibiting green consumer practices (Bonini). In order to transform the current vision of green consumerism, consumers must become more informed on how to make purchases that benefit the environment.
Next to the paperclips made from 100 percent recycled material, guidebooks are available to assist consumers gain understanding on buying green. While these books provide another example of the trend to purchase more in order to preserve the environment, many remind readers that the key to environment sustainability is reducing consumption. For example, in Green Chic: saving the Earth in style, author Christie Matheson assures readers that “[…] you can’t buy your way into being green” (xvi). Instead of promoting the buy-green consumer attitude, Matheson offers small adjustments that lead to an eco-friendlier lifestyle. Her advice is coupled with facts on carbon emissions and widespread carcinogens to illustrate the importance of sustaining the environment. While guides like Matheson’s are not a solution to environmental issues, they inform consumers, helping to promote the shift towards environmentally friendlier lifestyle.
Increased availability of more energy-efficient products, such as ENERGY-STAR labeled appliances and light bulbs, also helps consumers make purchases that contribute to preservation the environment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that it established the ENERGY STAR program in 1992 in an effort to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging and recognizing energy-efficient appliances (“History”). The blue ENERGY STAR seal, now found on a range of products including compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), highlights smaller carbon footprints and lower long-term costs. CFLs, for example, conserve energy by emitting less heat. Even though CFLs cost more per bulb than conventional bulbs, the saved energy translates to saved dollars. General Electric Company (GE) provides on its CFLs packaging a chart to calculate electricity-cost savings by switching to CFLs. In addition to cutting energy use, many CFLs, including those of GE, are guaranteed to last for at least four years. The reduction of replacing light bulb supplies additional savings for green consumers, both from an environmental and economic standpoint. Consumers purchase less and do not buy for the sake of being green, contrasting the trends of popularized green consumerism.
Businesses including Zipcar and Zimride provide consumers with alternative methods of transportation and another way to live environmentally friendlier. Instead of individuals owning a car, Zipcar has a fleet of vehicles in various cities around the world for people to share. According to the company, the transition from individualized thinking to a more communal outlook has decreased the amount of cars on the road. In addition, Zipcar maintains that members drive less than they did before joining. For an annual fee of fifty dollars, adults can participate in the car-sharing venture. Although an individual must be at least twenty-one years old to join the worldwide program, networks for universities allow eighteen year olds access to cars on campus. Once enrolled in Zipcar, a member signs up online to use a car, and although hourly rates apply to each car use, Zipcar provides insurance and gas (Zipcar). The system saves members money in addition to reducing carbon emissions from automobile use.
Zimride complements Zipcar to provide environmentally friendlier ways to travel and acts as a carpool service for the United States and Canada. The company, which is less than a year old, matches people with similar driving destinations to fill up the empty seats characteristic of cars on US roads. Members can use their own car or, if they participate in Zipcar, a car from Zipcar, to carpool. Zimride provides its services for free, and despite its youth, more than 300,000 people currently use the company’s carpooling services (“About Zimride”). By decreasing amount of cars on the road, both Zimride and Zipcar illustrate how green consumerism can and should translate to lower consumption. The companies continue to grow in popularity and provide consumers with viable options to reduce their carbon footprint.
The development of environmentally sustainable consumer options has increased the ability to lead an eco-friendly life. These programs and companies, which focus on reducing the consumption of resources, guide the consumer away from the popular trend of buying more to help the environment. With more information, environmentally conscious consumers can responsibly buy to be green and move towards a more sustainable relationship with the natural world.
Works Cited
- “About Zimride.” Zimride.com. Zimride, n.d. Web. 23 November 2009.
- Bonini, Sheila and Jeremy Oppenheim. “Cultivating the Green Consumer.” Stanford Social Innovation Review Fall 2008. Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2009. Web. 23 November 2009.
- Matheson, Christie. Green Chic: saving the Earth in style. Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks, 2008.
- Williams, Alex. “Buying into the Green Movement.” New York Times. New York Times, 1 July 2007. Web. 23 November 2009.
- Zipcar.com. Zipcar, 2009. Web. 23 November 2009.
Green Economy
By: Andrey Bolsun, Encina Preparatory High School, 17
There are many issues of concern; just like all issues they must be taken down one by one. Recycling is one because look what has happened to the Pacific Ocean. You have a Garbage Island full of trash, cans, bottles, plastic bags, fishing lines that could have been recycled. Many people just don’t care about the environment. When you try to picture the future, it won’t have a pretty one. With the ocean getting full of trash, you have global warming melting the earth’s glaciers, then flooding will occur and cover some of the land in the world, pollution is also a big problem. The air isn’t going to be clean and fresh with companies creating hazardous smoke. We are not headed into a bright future, especially our children.
We must move one step closer by using more green economy. We already have some green economic developments such as hybrid cars slowing down the air pollution but we must slow it down some more. We already have renewable energy (wind, sun, water). Renewable energy is the future. Without the green economy the world’s atmosphere will be destroyed faster. We as humans made this problem and we need to fix it. We need to move into the future now, I think we should eliminate all the old cars and miles per gallon requirement should be in place. This will reduce lots of air pollution. The old cars can be recycled, there are so many cars in the world that are barely running and when there driving it sounds like there are gun shots being fired.
There are little things that can be done, and put together to make one big impact on the world. We as humans must work together, and put the time into helping reduce the trash around the world. We don’t spend any time just throwing things onto the ground; it’s harder to clean a mess rather then making one. We all learn this lesson when we are children, they why can’t we do the same to the world?
There is a New Thing Called the Green Economy
By: Bernicia Guercio, Science Leadership Academy, 14
There are many ways to interpret the term “The New Green Economy”, so what does it really mean? One way to interpret the term is that the government is trying to promote the idea “Go Green”. Also, to promote the fact we need to take action on polluting our Earth. Another way to interpret the term are the new jobs created that are going to engage in new green, renewable technologies, also known as green collar jobs. A broad way to define the term “The Green Economy” would be using energy efficient appliances, green transportation, environmental services, and renewable, green energy in everyday life.
With today’s environmental concern you see signs of “Going Green”, but what are companies and people doing to go green and help preserve our Earth’s environment? People are doing simple things such as recycling plastics and paper products more often, using products that are made from recycled products, walking, biking, or using public transportation for reasons of cutting back on the use of toxic fuels, using computers to pay bills and other business purposes to cut back on paper and with fuel efficient cars replacing “gas guzzlers”. Companies are advertising that their products use materials that contribute to the Earth growing healthier, using the Internet to cut back on paper and if they use paper, it is usually recycled. These simple steps that can be added to your every day life can over time help make this a greener Earth to live on!
What are the benefits of the new green economy? The green economy can help create thousands of jobs for Americans and reduce the unemployment rate. The green economy is also environmentally friendly so it will help contribute to lowering the pollution on our Earth. The new green economy will boost up America’s economy along with other countries’ economies to contribute to getting out of the recession. A greener economy could lead and inspire other countries to follow and help make our world a greener place to breathe, grow, play and live for both us and other living things. The new green economy will put forth new technology that will promote recycling and save more trees. Saving trees also means saving habitats for many different types of animals. The greener economy will save and preserve the things that many people take for granted such as this Earth.
The New Green Economy is something that is a way to have the economy in mind, but at the same time holding our Earth’s needs at a high standard. Go Green and support the new economy!
Generation Green I
By: Jonathan Claude Weedon II, Freedom High School, 17
Green technology is a debatable topic that comes with unknown problems as well as unknown solutions. From energy to innovation to sustainability, there are many different factors that go into “green technology.” Green technology is the use of knowledge to better the environment, but while trying to better the environment we must think of future generations. This brings up the sustainability issue. We must make sure that we can use our natural materials and resources without depleting them for our children and grandchildren. With innovation, we can change how we use harmful technology.
According to www.mediate.com, in order to have successful innovation we must “(1) substitute information and communication for transportation, (2) quit wasting enormous amounts of energy and find cost-effective ways of re-using materials of all kinds; (3) live satisfying lives at higher densities.” Those are just a few of several that we must do to successfully innovate. Finally, and probably the most important aspect of green technology, is energy. Energy is something that is over-used in our world for the wrong reasons. Green technology tries to use energy that is less harmful to our environment, but also more efficient. Examples are fossil fuels and the use of solar energy.
Green technology is an idea that will be very difficult to bring to life. It involves worldwide teamwork for a topic that deals with the human population giving up the luxuries and recognizing the global phenomenon that we are in. If the human population works together, understands the phenomenon, and achieve sustainability, conservation of energy, and innovation, our goal to green technology will become easier and might possibly be achieved.
Generation Green II
By: Anna Maria, Encina High School, 17
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word Consumerism is defined as the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable. But is this true? I sure do not think so. The world is big, and so is the consumerism that takes place on it. Consumerism has gone completely out of hand and is affecting the environment in a negative way. What ever happened to the old times when people would buy certain items and keep them for a long time? Today, people are completely different. We are so caught up in advertisements that show different fashions and new products all the time which leads us into thinking that the current items we have now aren’t “cool” enough. Therefore, we throw away our items and fill up our land fills.
People today buy products they think will be useful and look awesome just to “show it off.” But many of us pay very little attention to a product’s true need or the environmental consequences of manufacture and disposal. For example, a friend of mine owned a television. It worked fine, and had very good quality. But apparently she wasn’t satisfied with its looks. She said it was embarrassing whenever her other friends came over and joked about her “1970s” looking TV. So she took the TV and threw it in the garbage. Immediately, she went to an electronics store that was having a big sale special and bought herself a big, flat screen TV. I find it a little sad that she depends on material items to keep herself happy. If only she knew what throwing away useful items meant to the environment. If she did, I’m sure she wouldn’t be very happy anymore. But she’s not the only person in this world who does this. Many other people in the world are victims of this mistake too.
Over consumption not only affects the environment in a negative way, it affects peoples’ living space in a negative way too. It creates clutter, leaving no room for people to relax. Clean homes are also known to help people think better. Therefore, people take all their clutter things and throw them in the trash which leads to the overflowing of land fills. This is horrible for our environment. We only have one planet and the majority of its lands are land fills due to the tremendous amount of products people buy which they use for a small period of time, and then throw away because something newer and better than that product is out for sale.
Many people—almost everyone in the world have this mentality that the more stuff they have, the better their lives are. This was probably true when consumerism first began. But now it just leads to people trying to compete with each other to see who buys better stuff. All of this nonsense doesn’t lead to any good.
Consumerism is definitely not something humanity should look up to. We need to create a future generation in which consumerism won’t take over.
Generation Green III
By: Anna, Encina High School, 17
The economy is supposed to be green, and we will make it to be green by doing what is right which is spending less money on items that are unnecessary. People think that they are not doing anything wrong but we are. We can make this economy green but it depends on the individual if they are willing to change there bad habits and make the economy green. Not only is it individuals responsibility but people in the community have to be involved as well. Working as a community to make the economy green is going to be a challenge but anyone can do it if they set their mind to it. The perfect storm of today’s economy, according to world watch institute the challenge for global political leadership, including U.S. President-elect Obama, is not merely to kick start the global economy, but to do so in a way that creates jobs and stabilizes climate, increases food output using less water and pesticides, and generates prosperity with greater equality of incomes. Successful political leaders will be those skilled at identifying synergies among today’s hydra-headed problems and using them to craft powerful global coalitions from such constituencies as business, labor, and community organizations
A global green deal would have several strategies according to world watch institute which are Transition to a renewable energy economy, Launch an efficiency revolution, Invest in green infrastructure, Make materials circulate, Work for a fairer distribution of wealth within and across borders.
A Green Globe
By: Richard Cornell Harrison, SUNY UCCC, 24
I am currently a student at UCCC, studying Industrial Technology and taking steps to become an Industrial Engineer. The project I am exposing is in AutoCAD and is being completed. I have been researching LEED and advanced “green” techniques awaiting the day my project receives platinum status from the USGBC. I have experience in construction and engineering.
My goal is to present a plan which will innovate, organize through urban planning, increase efficiency, and convert humanity into having a better relationship with our planet. I will persuade you to collaborate with me for the execution of my vector cities called “The Interdependence of Individuality” (All keys and secrets put together through interpersonal skills and people working together)
The innovator in me has pulled together every “Green” concept and system to create a highly advanced city infrastructure. This infrastructure will utilize grey water systems, multi-faceted life cycles, natural gas culmination, and a core of the human hierarchy of needs to the next level incorporated into each city proportionally. Also, much of the urban planning/building arrangement today is spread out instead of built up and by no means setup in an orderly fashion. A term called “smart building” determined to be the maximization of space one can have in a given area will enable us to go above and beyond. With the superior molecular configuration of carbon-nano technology we will have the strength of diamond to structurally build with. The space inside the building is designed with key components in mind; the flow of people’s day, disaster and emergency procedures, higher security, and a higher standard living.
• Laundry, dryer heat is purified/filtered and is used to heat the living sectors
• Piezocrystaline stairs and Energy efficient elevators
• Recycling is made mainstream garbage with 8 compartments
• Zero carbon footprint manufacturing
• Multi purpose HVAC systems and atmosphere recovery package
• Higher Security
• Vertical agriculture and food supply protection
We need to streamline our knowledge, technology, and best techniques for all on Earth to enjoy. Retrofitting will be more expensive in the long run and will waste space we can use more efficiently. My innovation will develop into a hundred year global economic boom as we customize cities for each culture and belief structure. A multipurpose transformation will outdate our current systems and perfect our way of life. The more cities we build the more electricity and natural gas we acquire allowing us to mine Mars for more resources. Since we are running out of fossil fuels this is in our best interest.
Urban planning of the building comes in with the separation of business sectors and living sectors. This transition will be people pleasing; no taking out the garbage, no winter shoveling, no mowing the lawn, minimizing commutes, laundry and room service options, everything you need within a half mile (anything else is delivered), and the highest standard of living is born. In the living sectors, taking away chores that waste people’s time will create a gain in the opportunity costs of what we spend our time doing be it leisure or academics. In the business sectors, we will be pairing up the competition in strategically planned retail floors keeping low prices, low foot traffic, and energy consumption down.
• No need for cars with this infrastructure meaning less accidents and DWIs
• People will save on not having to own a car and pay insurance
• Fossil fuel conservation due to all this
Increased efficiency comes through with
• Green technology – geothermal, wind turbines, solar panels
• Separate electrical lines ranging from 9v-220w smart grid
• Timed sensor lights which will decrease lights being left on
• If possible the heat from manufacturing will be used to purify grey water
• Rain water is collected and gutters have turbines in vertical drop
• Energy management – batteries allocated to different sectors transfers when needed
• Gym machines are all hooked up to turbines
• Magnetically levitated metro systems connecting cities
• Plus waste management improvements
• There is more…
Not only does this infrastructure cut down on the amount of wasted energy lost in long distance transfer and upkeep but improves the way we use our resources in it’s entirety. Each city will be creating electricity and natural gas. Department of Energy leader Dr. Steven Chu expressed a theory on television discussing the global opportunity to culminate renewable resources. Any given time around the planet it is really sunny or windy, if established globally there will be enough energy to power our every need if managed correctly.
My plan to convert Humanity into a better relationship with our planet will ultimately ensure the survival of our species. With enough cities created we will harness global natural gas production. This path leads us to having a supply of energy to get us to other Earth like planets. With proper execution we can solve homelessness, hunger, and take steps to forming a united planet with higher and equal standard of living.
• Resource management reform (demand pull economy) eliminating waste by 95%, also lowering prices across the board
• Recycling cities and packaging regulations regaining 80% used resources
• Establishing the World Wide Railway for transporting and global distribution
These programs are just the beginning and are theologically sound. The benefits of this plan are evident and endless, find out for your self. Private and government cities will allow for competition, diversity and freedom for versatility.
Now that we have visualized the future more organized, efficient, and converted “Green” you will all sleep better at night knowing we are at peace with the earth once again. What you will do from now on is support the goals ahead of us into a better relationship with the planet. Now is the time to invest and eventually be matriarch of your very own vector city. With your hand in the pocket of every market included in your city, call it the recession proof. This plan will triple the asset value of each country. I know we all wish this were a perfect world well with your help we can make it happen. A goal some see as impossible is only a decision away, your decision, with the purchasing power and combined resources working together we can make this a reality.