Sustainable Life and Living/ Positively Impacting the Environment

Concepts on Environmental Impact

How do Humans Collectively Impact our Environment

• Population Explosion
  • Excessive demands on agriculture, livestock and Natural Resources
  • Use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides pollutes the air, soil and water with toxic chemicals. Fertilizer run-offs cause toxic algal blooms that kill aquatic animals.
  • Monoculture reduces biodiversity and negatively impacts the soil
  • Large scale animal farming increase susceptibility to disease. e.g. avian flu, mad-cow disease
  • Waste generation in farms and meat processing plants affects water and land quality in the area.
  • Removal of trees to increase areas of cultivation leads to habitat loss
• Affluent Lifestyle
  • Industrial Revolution - Desire for more and more goods
  • Transportation utilises pollution causing cars, planes and ships
  • Lifestyle at home and at work such as Airconditioning and Heating utilises a lot of energy
• Pollution

How do Humans Affect the environment Positively?

• Wildlife Protection
  • Captive Breeding and release of Endangered Animals
  • Selective removal Invasive Species
  • Protective Native Species
• Controlling Wildfires
• Replacing Industrial Food Systems with Permaculture
• Cleaning Waterways
• Reforestation Efforts
• Finding Renewable Energy Sources
• Development of Local Food Sources
• Using Technology to Reduce Pollution

How can Individuals affect the environment Positively?

• Think before you buy Anything
• Changing the minds of those around you. Discuss, argue and debate
• Lifestyle Change
• 'Go Green'
• Water, Electricity and Fuel Conservation
• Consider Energy Efficient Products
• Recycle, Reduce and Reuse
• Responsible Universal and Hazardous Waste disposal
  • Rely on a paper trail with proper license and certificates.
  • Ensure recycler has an open door policy with open access to what they do.
  • Expect a learning experience and answer all your questions with regards to waste management
• Make a Conscious Effort to reduce carbon footprints
• Food
  • Reduce Food wastage and food miles.
  • Support Farmer's Markets
• Simple Lifestyle Changes
  • toilet Paper
  • Cold Water Shower and Washes
  • Bottled Water
  • Re-use Wrapping Paper
  • Grocery Bags
  • House Plants
  • Junk Mail
  • Buy in Bulk
  • Green your Driving

How can Businesses affect the environment Positively?

• Engage good partners for Environmental Services and Consulting
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Licensed Facilities
  • Shipping Documents
  • Required Waste Labels
  • Professional Staff
  • Inventory Preparation
  • Waste Identification
  • Waste Sorting
  • DOT Approved Packaging
  • Safe Transportation
  • Legal Disposal/ Recycling
  • Cost-Effectiveness
  • Laboratory Testing

Reference

• http://www.retrofitcompanies.com/solutions-make-a-positive-environmental-impact
• http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/How_Do_Humans_Affect_the_Environment

ReSEARCH and Perspectives on Positive Environmental Impact

NGOs, Organisations and Charities

• Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations - http://www.fao.org/
• Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability - https://icrs.info

Businesses and Companies

• Environmental Consulting and Services
  • Retrofit Companies (Canada) - http://www.retrofitcompanies.com/

Websites

• Earth Friendly Gardening: Sustainable Gardening for a Healthy Planet - https://earthfriendlygardening.wordpress.com/

Resources and Tools for Positive Environmental Impact

Carbon Foot Print

• Crop-Livestock Tools - http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/lead/x6108e/x6108e00.htm#Contents - include impact assessment indicators and measurement tools
• Ask Experts
  • Ask Leo and Lucy for Green Living Questions by The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/series/ask-leo-lucy