This Is How the Fashion Industry Will Reduce Its Carbon Footprint

As environmental organizations have recently been looking at the carbon footprint of various industries, let’s see how the fashion industry contributes to the global carbon footprint. In 2018, it was found that the fashion industry produces around 4% of greenhouse gases.

Many industries are striving for sustainability these days as it has become a necessity. Becoming environmentally-conscious forces us to rethink our consumption habits, and consumers are more willing to buy sustainable products. In addition, environmental laws are becoming more severe.

How much does our wardrobe cost the environment?

Closet, Clothes, Blue, Clothing, Wardrobe, Fashion
Reduce Carbon Footprint

It’s easy to calculate the total cost of a shopping spree; you take all the receipts and add up the total price, but did you know some costs go unnoticed? Behind every item of clothing, there is an environmental cost.

More than 3 litres of water are used to make one pair of jeans, equivalent to emitting more than 30 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Annually, the fashion industry uses about 93 billion cubic meters of water, and half a million tons of plastic microfibers are thrown into the ocean, equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles.

Another major problem the fashion industry is facing is fast fashion. While many of us are happy to buy new clothes every week because they are so affordable, clothing stores are forced to design new garments weekly due to high demand.

In 2000 alone, 50 billion new garments were made, and 21 years later, that number is still increasing. You might think that there is still recycling of clothing, but keep in mind that only 1% of this production is recycled. More than $500 billion of clothes are thrown away, sometimes not even worn or recycled, and they end up directly in landfills.

How should the fashion industry change?

Rolls Of Fabric, Factory, Material, Manufacturing
How Should Fashion Industry Change?

Even though it does a lot of damage to the environment, the fashion industry is one of the industries that create the most jobs after tourism: about 75 million direct employees. Even if there is a pandemic, the only real challenge for the fashion industry is sustainability. The situation will worsen in the next 30 years if no action is taken to solve the problem.

Below we have listed some ways to make the fashion industry more sustainable:

Second-hand Shopping

We’ve seen an increase in secondhand shopping culture, and Millennials are buying more secondhand clothing than ever before. This has prompted brands and retailers to recycle their vintage pieces.

Shoppers are aware of sustainability, which is also an eye-opener for manufacturers. Studies have shown that the secondhand clothing market will be worth more than $50 billion in three years.

Tailored clothing

royalty free tailor photos free download | Piqsels
Tailor-made clothing is one solution to combat mass production.

A new fashion trend is custom-made and on-demand clothing. Who wouldn’t want to have unique and customized outfits?

Manufacturers are now focusing on providing their customers with a tailored fashion experience that reduces mass production and conserves natural resources.

Ethical fashion

The fashion industry has long been known as a tormentor of animals, workers, and, of course, the planet. Some thoughtful manufacturers are now opting for veganism and sustainability. And why? Because consumers are now choosing more eco-friendly brands. So what do brands do when they have environmentally conscious customers? They need to go green with their products.

The five R’s of fashion

Reduce, Repair, Recycle, Reuse and Reinvent. Upcycling fashion aims to be sustainable, using garments worn before or after consumption to create new products. Several brands have taken to repurposing and reinvent old pieces.

We encourage consumers to choose green fashion to make the industry more sustainable. Let us know what you think about sustainable fashion in the comments.

Green-washing Alert: What is Bamboo Fabric, and is it Sustainable?

With pollution and climate change on the rise, people are trying to be mindful of our resources. We’ve sounded the alarm too many times, and it seems that now is the time to change our destructive habits before it’s too late. Many brands have responded to the cry for help, but some unscrupulous brands are taking advantage of the situation. They merely see sustainability as a trend or a label they can plaster everywhere to increase sales. The worst part is that some of them don’t even change their production to fit into the sustainability category but just label their product as such. Let’s find out what greenwashing is and why bamboo is not sustainable in the fashion industry…

Bamboo…

bamboo trees during day
Bamboo Are A Sustainable.

Lately, we’ve been experiencing a real bamboo craze. We have toothbrushes, straws, and even cutlery made of bamboo. The reason for this new obsession is that bamboo is a very sustainable material…. but does the same applies to bamboo fabrics?

Did you know that the textile industry is one of the top five most polluting industries in the world? People are rushing to find solutions to make the fashion industry more eco-friendly and reduce its impact on the environment, but some brands take advantage of this situation to increase their profit margins.

Greenwashing…

If you’ve never heard of greenwashing, let me introduce you to the concept. Brands that claim to be sustainable, but are only partially sustainable, or not at all, engage in greenwashing. Environmental issues give our marketers ideas; terms like “green”, “eco,” or even “natural” are thrown at any product to increase sales. Do some customers believe that something that is natural is automatically sustainable, but is this really the case?

Is Bamboo Eco-friendly?

Bamboo fiber Raw Bamboo Fibre, for Textile Spinning,Yarn, Packaging Type: Loose, Rs 500 /kg | ID: 21391530997

Brands that use bamboo rely on true facts: Bamboo is the fastest growing plant, as it grows up to ninety centimeters per day, and it also removes pollutants from the soil and purifies the air. However, all manufacturers have pounced on this material, leading to great demand and the destruction of bamboo forests- not something that is sustainable in any sense of the word. 

Bamboo is one of the biggest businesses in China, worth more than $60 billion. Research has shown that bamboo is not grown or harvested ethically, defeating the whole project from the get-go.

If the harvesting is unsustainable, what of the production side of things? There are two ways of producing textiles from bamboo: bamboo rayon and closed-loop.

Bamboo rayon is not sustainable at all, and producing it resembles the way synthetic fibers are made. A lot of energy and chemicals are used in its production, and there is so little bamboo in the final product that it cannot be called sustainable.

Closed-loop is closer to the sustainable side. Ethical companies try to replace toxic chemicals with much less toxic ones. It’s not perfect, but it’s better.

Should You Buy Bamboo Fabric?

I guess you’re all waiting for a clear and direct answer, but I don’t know. I would have waited until I was sure the raw material was grown and harvested sustainably, but if you want to try it out as is, that’s fine, and I have some tips for you.

When buying, try to ask the seller about the fabric to avoid buying bamboo rayon or bamboo viscose. Pay attention to the production method and look for the closed-loop production process used to make the Lyocell bamboo fabric. Ensure there are fair trade certifications and that the bamboo producer is organic (look for FSC certification).

Sustainable production of fabric has a long way to go, so we will have to be patient. Let us know in the comments what you think of bamboo fabrics…

14
Sep, 2021

5 Ways to Have a Positive Impact With Your Money

The pandemic has seen a surge in trading on the stock market, with more young people than ever before turning to investment to generate savings. This new generation of investors is also driving ethical and sustainable investment trends across the globe. In Australasia, sustainable investing grew by 25% between 2018 and 2020 and a recent report from Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) found 69% of millennials consider social issues when investing.
Values-based investing takes many forms — socially responsible investing (SRI), environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, ethical investing and impact investing. In addition to these investment strategies, there are simple steps you can take to ensure your money is having a positive impact, such as switching banks or energy providers.
Below, we outline five ways to align your finances and personal values.

Reconsider Where You Bank

Bank
Bank

This might seem basic but research shows many young Australians still use the same bank as their parents. A 2019 survey by Credit Union Australia found that 50% of Australians between 18 and 24 opt for the same bank as their mum and dad. This helps explain the continued dominance of the ‘big four’ banks — NAB, CommBank, Westpac and ANZ — which hold more than 80% of mortgage borrowers in Australia.
What is your bank doing with your money? It might seem simple but when considering the institution’s ethics you give your cash to, it should be the first question you ask. Lack of transparency can make it challenging to find an answer, but online resources show what industries banks invest in. A market analysis released in 2019 revealed that despite making public climate commitments, the big four Australian banks loaned $7 billion to 33 new or expansionary fossil fuel projects between 2016 and 2019.
You have a few options as a consumer in terms of how to approach this. Firstly, you could send a strong message to the big banks by taking your money elsewhere. Several Australian banks do not invest in destructive industries like fossil fuels and gambling. Some only invest in projects that have a positive environmental and social impact, such as Bank Australia.

Switch to an Ethical Super Fund

Another way to have a positive impact on your money is switching to an ethical super fund. Again, start by doing some research into your current fund’s investments and seeking out ethical alternatives. The Responsible Investment Association Australasia website has fact sheets and guides to help you learn the basics of responsible investing. They have also published a research paper on the Australian super funds engaging in this practice.
Once you’ve compiled a shortlist of super funds you’re interested in, head to their websites to read more about the specific projects they support. Look for a fund’s investment policy, charter or criteria to find detailed information about their screening process and the impacts of their investments.

Explore Impact Investing

Investing
Investing

While there are many types of ethical and sustainable investing, impact investment is perhaps most closely aligned with the principles of a circular economy. Impact investing goes beyond screening out negative investments to actively invest in projects with social and environmental benefits. This type of investment is part of a new regenerative finance paradigm that conceptualizes money as a force for positive systems change.
Impact investment supports projects that generate measurable social, environmental or cultural outcomes alongside financial returns, from renewable energy to social housing. Impact investing finances both biological and social regeneration projects, with the underlying aim of improving equity and well-being.

Use Sustainable Investment Platforms

Once you know enough about investing to give it a go, the next step is to determine what platforms to use. This will also require some research into the robo-advisor platforms and micro-investment apps offering ethical investment opportunities.
Robo-advisors are digital platforms that provide algorithm-generated investment services. A number of these platforms are dedicated to specific social or environmental causes, such as Ellevest which aims to improve gender equality or EarthFolio, which invests in funds with solid ESG (environment, social and governance) practices.
Many micro-investment apps also come with the option of building ethical or sustainable investment portfolios. These apps allow you to invest small amounts of money over time, with minimum investments starting at $1.

Use Your Purchasing Power for Good

Last but definitely not least is using your purchasing power for good. Every time you shop for food, clothes or other goods is an opportunity to support local, ethical and sustainable businesses. This might mean buying your fruit and veg from a local market — giving money directly to producers and avoiding all the carbon miles and packaging associated with supermarket veg — or buying from a small company that uses recycled materials to make its products. As consumers, we can vote with our dollars for the businesses working towards the kind of world we want to live in.

 

Let us know in the comments below if you plan on being socially responsible with your money.

19
Jul, 2021
Sustainable Development

How to Contribute to Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The concept of needs goes beyond simply material needs and includes values, relationships, as well as the freedoms to think, act and participate – all amounting to sustainable living, morally and spiritually.

It is such a crucial subject that in 2012, the United Nations met to discuss and develop a set of goals to work towards. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) eventually came up with a list of 17 items that included, amongst other things:

  • the end of poverty and hunger
  • better standards of education and healthcare, particularly as it pertains to water quality and better sanitation
  • to achieve gender equality
  • sustainable economic growth while promoting jobs and stronger economies
  • sustainability to include health of the land, air and sea

As this is an issue that all countries are facing and we all want to leave a better world for future generations, here are a few tips on how each and everyone can contribute to save our planet.

  1. Good Health and Well-Being

    This refers to reducing the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

    – Don’t drink and drive

    – Lower the speed while driving

    – Drive considerately

     

  2. Responsible Consumption and Production

    This refers to reducing the global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

    – Don’t “overbuy” – plan meals and use shopping lists

    – Freeze fresh products and leftovers if you don’t have the chance to eat them before they go bad

    – Eat less meat, poultry and fish. Producing meat takes a lot more resources than producing plants.

    – Buy and eat seasonal produce from local growers

  1. Reduced Inequalities

    This refers to empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin or religious belief.

    – Don’t be judgmental to differences but be open-minded

    – Embrace differences and learn from people different than you

    – Be helpful, be a friend and take your time to listen to peoples’ different opinions and situations

  1. Responsible Consumption and Production

    This refers to substantially reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

    – Donate what you don’t need – clothes, books, furniture or food. By donating, you also contribute to other goals aiming towards no poverty, zero hunger and reducing inequalities.

    – Shop second-hand or trade clothes with colleagues, friends or family

    – Use refillable water bottles and coffee cups

    – Use reusable cloth bags rather than plastic

     

  2. Decent Work and Economic Growth

    This refers to drastically reducing the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.

    – Encourage youth to work and get an education

    – Provide jobs, trainee spots and internships

    – Inspire youth by showing the value of having a job, earning your own money and being able to provide yourself and your family

    – Show value in contributing to society

  1. Clean Water and Sanitation

    Sustainable Development Goal #6: Clean Water and Sanitatio… | Flickr

    This refers to achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.

    – Convince your company to commit to a water, sanitation and hygiene pledge (WASH). This will not only help keep your community clean but set a standard and expectation for others to follow, including your competitors.

  1. Sustainable Cities and Communities

    More and more people are packing into urban areas each year. The sustainability of cities is vital to the future of humanity but they are eating up our natural resources. As big consumers of energy, businesses can take the lead in reducing energy consumption by investing in renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and biofuel.

As we move forward, we can all continue in our resolutions for the new millennium – ensuring that no one is left behind on the way to a safer, happier future.

What is your way of contributing to the goals? Share your thoughts in the comment section below because there is no such thing as too many ideas when it comes to making the world a better place.

11
May, 2021

I Want to Respect the Environment, but How Do I Do It?

I Want to Respect the Environment, but How Do I Do It?

Summary

– Step 1: Know your energy consumption

– Step 2: Innovative and efficient heating systems

– Step 3: Change your behavior by adopting simple gestures

The preservation of the environment and the fight against energy waste have become a priority for everyone. It is even an obligation in the construction sector, especially with the 2012 thermal regulation, which requires all new buildings to be low-energy consumers. Using energy differently is both eco-responsible and good for your wallet.

1. Know your energy consumption

Air pollution and global warming are partly due to greenhouse gas emissions. These are produced by human activity, particularly in the transportation and housing sectors.

By having an energy performance diagnosis of your home carried out by a professional, you can know both your energy consumption and your greenhouse gas emissions. Better informed, you can then, thanks to the advice of the thermic technician, envisage work to reduce your energy bill and adopt an eco-responsible behavior.

When renovating, be careful when choosing the energies that you will use to optimize your bill and integrate the environmental dimension in your decision. This post will provide you advice on this subject.

2. Innovative and efficient heating systems

Advances in heating technology have made it possible to optimize energy consumption, particularly in terms of heating, with:

– the use of thermostats to regulate the temperature and stop heating when it is no longer necessary;

– the appearance of new, more efficient boilers: condensing, hybrid, cogenerators, etc.

Good to know: Replacing a heating system is worthwhile if your home is adequately insulated.

3. Change your behavior by adopting simple gestures

Replacing a heating system, using renewable energies, and insulating your home are the main ways to consume less energy and help preserve the environment.

You can also control your consumption daily in the following ways:

– By lowering the temperature of your heating by 1°C, you reduce your energy consumption by about 7%.

– Have your heating, ventilation, and hot water production equipment checked regularly. If they are dirty, defective, or badly adjusted, they consume a lot of energy and pollute.

– Choose showers over baths, as they consume less water and less energy.

– Have your hot water temperature set to a maximum of 60°C to prevent the appliance from scaling up too much.

– Wash your clothes at 40°C.

– Defrost your freezer regularly. A 3 cm layer of frost increases your refrigerator’s electricity consumption by 30%.

– And, clean your light bulbs regularly, and buy energy-efficient ones

Hope you have liked this post. Please leave your comments in the section below. 

You can also read:

11
May, 2021

Corporate Social Responsibility: 7 Steps of an Environmental Audit

Corporate Social Responsibility: 7 Steps of an Environmental Audit

Summary

 – Environmental audit: definition

 – Characteristics of the environmental audit

 – Environmental audit: steps

An environmental audit is an internal or external evaluation of the practices implemented by a company to respect the environment. It is a strategic approach of the company that is conducted in 7 steps. 

 Environmental audit: definition

An environmental audit, or environmental diagnosis, is an evaluation of the policies put in place in a company to preserve the environment.

Good to know: it is about understanding how companies integrate issues related to sustainable development.

The definition of an environmental audit is “a periodic, systematic, documented and objective evaluation of the organization, management systems and the performance of the equipment put in place to ensure environmental protection.” 

 It would help if the company carries out an environmental audit with a standard (e.g., ISO standard), a regulation (e.g., EMAS regulation “Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.”

Example: mandatory use of low consumption light bulbs. 

It is also a commercial argument that companies can put forward to stand out from the competition. 

Characteristics of the environmental audit

Forms

An environmental audit can be internal, i.e., carried out by a company’s department, or external, i.e., carried out by a firm outside the company.

Content

The environmental diagnosis evaluates many aspects of environmental preservation. Some examples are:

 – greenhouse gas emissions,

 – discharges into the aquatic environment,

 – soil contamination,

 – the use of energy,

 – all kinds of nuisances,

 – risks of environmental accidents,

 – transport of goods and people, etc.

Example: noise, odors, vibrations, dust, visual nuisances, etc.

Environmental audit: 7 steps

An environmental audit is a precise procedure that is divided into 7 steps:

  1. The opening meeting: this first meeting sets the framework for the intervention of people concerned by the audit, both the audited and the auditors.

2. Technical execution: this is the phase during which the auditors carry out their investigations.

3. The audit team’s meeting: the people in charge of the audit meet to share the results of their different investigations.

4. Meeting with the management of the audited company: the team that conducted the audit transmits its observations and recommendations to the management.

5. Closing meeting: this meeting allows the strengths and weaknesses of the company in terms of environmental protection to be presented.

6. The audit report: all observations, investigations, measures, and recommendations are summarized in an audit report.

7. The follow-up of the audit: the follow-up allows to ensure the implementation of the corrective measures requested.

 

Hope you have liked this post. Please leave your comments in the section below. 

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28
Apr, 2021

Green Museums in the World

Today, like many buildings, museums are also following the latest trends of sustainability. And by adopting eco-friendly practices, green museums do not only provide opportunities for us to look back at the beautiful historical past but can also protect our future. So, from Russia to France, here are some astonishing green museums!

State Hermitage Museum – Saint Petersburg, Russia

Hermitage, Saint Petersburg, S, Petersburg, Russia

Founded in 1764, the State Hermitage Museum was initially the main residence of Russian Tsars. Unknown to a few but loved by many, this museum is the second-largest art museum in the world, housing some of the most prominent art collections. For instance, it includes artworks of Picasso, Van Gogh, Caravaggio, Gaugin. Matisse and Cezanne.

The museum can also be considered as the third greenest museum in the world. Why? Well, you will be surprised to learn that this whole architectural structure has managed to decrease its overall energy consumption by about 60 %. And this was accomplished by only replacing the traditional light system with energy-saving light bulbs.

What an innovative strategy to turn a magnificent building into a green museum!

The State Hermitage Museum is an example to prove how even ancient buildings can play a role in the protection of the environment.

The Parisian Quai Brainly Museum – Paris, France

Paris - Musée du Quai Branly | Gros-Caillou | Quai Branly Th… | Flickr

Just a short stroll from the Eiffel Tour and you will get the chance to visit the most exotic museum in Paris, the Quai Brainly Museum. Opened in 2006, the museum symbolizes 200 years of history, enrichment, study and conservation of public collections. The museum houses approximately 370 000 works originating from Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Near East and the Americas and these works depict the richness and cultural diversity of non-European indigenous civilizations from the Neolithic period.

However, the museum is not only famous for its representation of indigenous art and cultures but also for its green architecture.

  • Firstly, one of the significant green features is the stunning 800mq vertical garden.
  • And, by itself, the green wall is said to improve the air quality and also reduce thermal dispersion during both winter and summer.
  • The museum also consists of a renewable energy system that is based on solar and geothermal energy.

Undoubtedly, this museum displays its green commitment towards environmental sustainability.

California Academy of Sciences – San Francisco, California

California Academy of Science | Thomas Hawk | Flickr

This natural history museum and research institute found in San Francisco would have definitely received the gold medal among the greenest museums in the world. This scientific structure combines perfectly scientific research with awareness-raising of environmental issues.

With more than 11 buildings, which consist of an aquarium, a natural history museum, a planetarium and a big rainforest exhibit, it is known as one of the largest museums of natural history in the world.

Completely rebuilt in 2008, you will be surprised to discover the extent to which this museum is committed to sustainable development and environmental protection.

  • Designed by Renzo Piano, an Italian architect, and completed in 2008, its green “living” roof can provide energy, control wastewater and nourish various plant specimens (and I am not talking about only a few, but more than 46 million). In addition, it can also reduce the building’s energy requirements by keeping the museum cooler.
  • The air conditioning system of the museum was replaced by openable windows.
  • Solar panels are used as the main energy source for lightning.
  • Metal structures are made up of nearly 90 % recycled material.

This seems like a huge step to the promotion of sustainability, isn’t it?

Jeongok Prehistory Museum – Yeoncheon County, South Korea

Heady Mix: Cité du Vin in Bordeaux by XTU Architects - Architectural Review

Did you know that the Jeongok Prehistory Museum was built on a site of archaeological significance in South Korea, where an Archeulean hand axe was found for the first time in East Asia?

The museum was built with the aim of creating a space that brings the prehistoric past alive for visitor and this is why it also known as the “door to prehistoric age.” It is a perfect archeological learning place where people can experience the amazing evolutionary trace of humanity through a model of human bone fossils and the reproduction of cave paintings. Besides, the museum offers great programs and activities such as children’s cave painting activities and excavation programs. As a result, it became the center of tourist attractions of the Northern Gyeonggi area.

Let us now take a look at the building’s green features:

  • The museum was built between two elevated points, hence placing it seamlessly with the natural environment.
  • The soft edges and curvy structure evoke the natural flowing water and, together with the prehistoric garden, makes a perfect natural landscape.
  • The exterior of the structure was constructed in a way to regulate the temperature in order to minimize energy waste.

Do you want to visit these places? Please share your comments below!

 

 

 

1
Mar, 2021

The Rio Declaration – Part 2

In the first article, we discussed the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and the objectives behind the conference. We also briefly touched on the Rio Declaration. Today, let’s take a closer look at the first fifteen principles of the declaration.

Principle 1

Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.

Principle 2

States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles 13 of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Principle 3

The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitable meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

Principle 4

In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.

Principle 5

All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order to decrease the disparities in standards of living and better meet the needs of the majority of the people of the world.

Principle 6

The special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be given special priority. International actions in the field of environment and development should also address the interests and needs of all countries.

Principle 7

States shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the earth’s ecosystem. In view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated responsibilities. The developed countries acknowledge the responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit of sustainable development in view of the pressures their societies place on the global environment and of the technologies and financial resources they command.

Principle 8

To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.

Principle 9

States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacity-building for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation, diffusion and transfer of technologies, including new and innovative technologies.

Principle 10

Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided.

Principle 11

States shall enact effective environmental legislation. Environmental standards, management objectives and priorities should reflect the environmental and developmental context to which they apply. Standards applied by some countries may be inappropriate and of unwarranted economic and social cost to other countries, in particular developing countries.

Principle 12

States should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that would lead to economic growth and sustainable development in all countries, to better address the problems of environmental degradation. Trade policy measures for environmental purposes should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. Unilateral actions to deal with environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country should be avoided. Environmental measures addressing transboundary or global environmental problems should, as far as possible, be based on an international consensus.

Principle 13

States shall develop national law regarding liability and compensation for the victims of pollution and other environmental damage. States shall also cooperate in an expeditious and more determined manner to develop further international law regarding liability and compensation for adverse effects of environmental damage caused by activities within their jurisdiction or control to areas beyond their jurisdiction.

Principle 14

States should effectively cooperate to discourage or prevent the relocation and transfer to other States of any activities and substances that cause severe environmental degradation or are found to be harmful to human health.

Principle 15

In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

What do you think of the above principles? Please share your comments!

25
Jan, 2021

5 Ways Sustainable Communities Are Becoming More Popular

If you look for a definition of what a sustainable community is, you will find many different answers, but most agree that a sustainable community is one that provides for the needs of everyone in the community while protecting and limiting damage to the environment. Thus, aspects of a sustainable community in the 21st century would include well-insulated homes based on renewable energy, local employment, an extensive public transportation system, sustainable food production, and a near-zero waste management system. Sustainable communities are popping up all over the United States as new ways to bring neighbors together to support a common goal. The premise of these new neighborhoods is to promote responsible use of natural resources and can sometimes involve communal living, although this varies from community to community. Successful planning of sustainable communities can be divided into two categories: physical sustainability and social sustainability. Information on the first category (physical sustainability) is readily available, but what about the equally important social aspects of building an off-the-grid eco-village? Once energy self-sufficiency, food self-sufficiency, and structure self-sufficiency (house building) are addressed, how do you ensure that people will want to stay in your community, and that new people will want to join, both of which are foundations of sustainable community growth?

 

How can we make cities more sustainable? | World Economic Forum

 

If you’re curious about why these are popping up more and more across the country, check out these 5 reasons why you might want to consider one if you’re planning to move soon!

1. They help protect the environment

One of the main requirements of living in a sustainable community is adhering to rules about eco-conscious living. This can include using sustainable or renewable materials when building your home, driving low-emission cars (carpooling and public transportation are also encouraged), and reducing energy consumption. When the community follows these rules, it helps reduce the carbon footprint of the community as a whole, which helps reduce greenhouse gases.

2. They help educate the city around which they are built

Sustainable communities help to educate the public as a whole by showing the eco-responsible options available to everyone. Whether it’s learning about composting, how to use less electricity, or how to work with local governments for help with sustainability, these communities educate the public by leading by example.

3. They promote the community as a whole

In many large cities, neighbors have become strangers, and the common bond that used to be central to a neighborhood is missing. In sustainable communities, the community as a whole works toward a greener neighborhood, forcing neighbors to interact with each other. This fosters new lines of communication, and brings back friendly neighborhoods that seem to be disappearing elsewhere.

 

10 ways to build more sustainable cities in the face of global growth

 

4. They offer an economic advantage to cities in recession

Sustainable communities engage in environmentally conscious activities, such as rejuvenating areas that have fallen into disrepair (rather than building on new land). In economically depressed cities like Cleveland, OH, Greenville, SC, and even parts of Seattle, the population was revitalized when sustainable communities renovated neighborhoods.

5. They promote change at the governmental level

States like Maryland and California have begun offering tax breaks to communities that focus on sustainable living and are popping up in their cities. As many in the communities become eco-activists, they also become political activists by ensuring that their elected officials take note of the new developments. Once the government begins to notice the benefits these communities have for residents, they begin to push for change throughout the city. San Francisco, CA saw what can happen when a neighborhood comes together to promote eco-conscious living, and were so impressed with the changes that legislation began working to give activists more say in how businesses affect their communities, green spaces and environments.

Communities focused on eco-conscious living are on the rise, and for good reasons! Promoting renewable and sustainable ways of living helps the environment and the community. If you are looking for more information on how to join a sustainable community (or create one in your own neighborhood) contact your local legislators for steps and resources.

24
Dec, 2020

Greenwashing – The Enemy of Sustainability (Part 1)

Sustainability is meeting our needs without endangering the available resources for future generations. It is a term which you may have heard often. However, have you ever heard of the term ‘greenwashing?’

If not, then get ready to discover and learn more about it in this ongoing series!

What Is Greenwashing?

The United Nations has always supported sustainability efforts and encouraged the worldwide implementation of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, as per the Nielsen Global Survey, many online customers from over 60 countries agree that they would be willing to pay more for environmentally friendly goods and services. However, instead of genuinely integrating sustainable practices into their business models, some companies make the wrong use of the sustainability concept to boost their profits.

Greenwashing, also known as green marketing, is based on the term ‘whitewashing’. It refers to a type of marketing strategy employed by companies which convey false and misleading information by claiming that their products are environmentally friendly when they are not. Green values and green marketing are used to deceive consumers into believing that a company’s overall production is highly sustainable. It is about companies spending more money trying to persuade consumers that their practices are environmentally friendly than actually making them so. These companies aim to have a more positive impact on consumers and build a better image of their organisation in consumers’ eyes.

A classic case of greenwashing is the Volkswagen ‘Clean Diesel’ engine scandal. The car manufacturing corporation admitted to having cheated with the emission tests to make their cars appear more sustainable than they actually were.

Origins of Greenwashing

The origins of greenwashing can be traced back to 1986, where the hotel industry placed notices in each room asking the guests to reuse their towels to save the environment. At that time, Jay Westervelt, an American environmentalist, noted that there was a considerable amount of wastage in the hotel despite this environmentally friendly act and no real efforts were being done to reduce it and promote sustainability. In the end, hoteliers benefited from the increase in profit due to a reduction in laundry costs.

Around that same period, Chevron, an oil industry company in the United States, ran a campaign called ‘People Do’ where its employees were protecting bears, butterflies and other animals. The series of television and print ads had the sole purpose of convincing people that they have environmentally ethical business practices. The commercials were so persuasive that they even won the 1990 Effie advertising award. However, Chevron was sued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as it violated the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act by dumping oil in wildlife refuges.

How Greenwashing Works?

To increase the demand for their products, companies make false claims about how their goods are produced from recycled materials, free from chemicals, more natural and biodegradable. Sometimes their claims may be partly accurate, but the companies will tend to exaggerate to convince people to buy from them.

For instance, Tyson Foods, an American food multinational corporation was accused due to their false claims of using antibiotic-free chickens while McDonald’s paper straws were found to be non-recyclable due to the recycling structure in England. Additionally, the European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) in Germany was subjected to much criticism as rather than being a scientific research organisation as suggested by its name, it is a lobby organisation which spreads fake news on climate change on its website.

Moreover, a rise in demand will lead to an increase in price which will most likely benefit suppliers and hence products are renamed, rebranded and repackaged. They are used to trick consumers into believing that they are sustainable products. For example, words such as ‘go green’, ‘eco-friendly’ are used as marketing ploys. For instance, L’Oreal mislabelled some of its hair products by marketing them as ‘vegan-friendly’ despite having done product testing on animals. As a result, greenwashing is a weapon used by companies to increase their net profit.

Furthermore, the media such as TV commercials and press releases are widely used by both individuals and companies to greenwash their products and services. How can we forget when the former US President Donald Trump claimed to be “the number one environmental President since Teddy Roosevelt” during his speech in Florida?

What do you think now that you have learn about greenwashing? Have you encountered companies who have used such a strategy? Please share your opinions and don’t forget to come for part 2 of this ongoing series to learn about the seven sins of greenwashing!