
Image taken on 2009-07-27 14:25:42 by UGArdener.
Archive for the ‘Sustainable’ Category
A Sustainable Arts Center (and Goat Farm) in Dial, Georgia
Thursday, July 29th, 2010Sustainable Houses – The Things We Can All Do To Live A Little Greener
Friday, July 23rd, 2010In a consumer society that is often compared to the life decisions that can have an impact on our environment and one of the biggest decisions we all make is the type of house we have chosen to live in the twin fangs global warming rising energy costs have seen a shift in emphasis in recent years after “To hell with the environment, let me see the plasma! in finding ways that we can live in greater harmony with our environment. As such the” Sustainability has become a guiding principle in all types of decision making. Sustainability is about using resources in a healthy environment and provide long-term needs of the community. A house to highlight sustainable Two main themes will be built and furnished with environmentally sound materials and using energy as efficiently as possible. sustainable homes try to be an extension of their environment, rather than a tax, or most importantly, a leak in it.
A person wishing to live in a sustainable home, is facing one of two options: to build a sustainable house from scratch or adapting their existing house to make it more green.
There are things we can all do, regardless of what material is built our home, to live more Greenly. These measures were mainly a more efficient use of energy and water. Use of energy efficient technologies, experience and common sense, owners can dramatically reduce home energy costs and pollution with energy use and production. The first place to start is with appliances. If you buy a new refrigerator, washer, dryer, air conditioning, or other means of high energy consumption, then do your research to find the most energy efficient option. Similarly, if you have old heating and / or air conditioning, you may want to look at his replacement. Energy savings will be paid in some years. You can also save energy and money by using efficient lighting. CFLs are a good choice for homes where the lights are on for a few hours a day. You can reduce energy consumption by up to 80 percent and go for years without replacement.
The way we behave at home will also impact on the consumption of water and energy. Simple measures such as taking reusable bags when shopping, HAVING shorter showers, switching equipment, the starting power whenever possible, from a compost pile and installing ceiling insulation or oil have a positive impact on the environment and what a way to help us live more sustainably.
For those who are trying to build houses from scratch, however, there is room for greater respect for the principles for sustainability. A house that is being designed with sustainability in mind can make use of solar energy for heating and electricity, as the sun (through skylights and sun tubes) with natural light. Grey water systems can be installed to ensure the most efficient use of water, and the house can be built with non-toxic and sustainable materials collected.
Trends Impacting the Ethical and Sustainable Packaging Market
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010Ethical product development is a major problem in the field, and this trend includes the use and promotion of sustainable packaging formats. Ethical packaging is being driven by consumer environmental concern, retailer pressure and the development and promotion of manufacturer CSR. Retailers and manufacturers should be considered to contribute to a greener and more sustainable life for the media, industry and consumers. To remain competitive, retain consumer loyalty and be innovative retail and food and beverage producers need to invest in ethical policies by either developing the product packaging or promoting ethical and reminding consumers to act ethically and responsible.
Trends in Ethical and Sustainable Packaging is a new management report that examines the innovations in ethical and sustainable packaging by category, region and material. It profiles major innovations within food and ethical and sustainable packaging of beverages, including the latest packaging technologies and materials.
Discover the key trends affecting the market for ethical and sustainable packaging and understand how these are changing packaging design with this new report. . .
This new report will allow
Gain insight into industry opinions on the use and future of ethical and sustainable packaging through an exclusive survey of industry executives carried out.
Create more effective competitive strategies with this report a detailed analysis of packaging technologies including recyclable, lightweight and natural biodegradable packaging. Evalualte the pros and cons of these packaging innovations and decide whether these may be appropriate for the organization.
Improve targeting and effectiveness of your NPD strategies with this report analysis of the data produced can be launched more than 6,000 containers of ethical and sustainable products between 2005 and 2008. The detailed analysis of the main types of packaging and ethical perspectives in key regions and packaging materials.
The answers to your questions. . .
To what extent manufacturers and retailers invest in ethical and sustainable packaging? Which countries are driving NPD in ethical and sustainable source? What are the most innovative forms of ethical packaging? How does the regulation in the management of ethical and sustainable packaging NPD? What are the major players like Wal-Mart and PepsiCo investing in ethical and sustainable source? What determines the trend of ethical and sustainable packaging?
Some of the key findings of the report. . .
Packaging natural sources is the key ethical innovation. Other important news are biodegradable, light packaging and recycled sources.
There was an increase in the share of food and drinks launched in ethical origin between 2004-2007. Within this percentage recyclable participated in 89. 5% in 2007. However, the strongest growth was seen in the packaging and biodegradable packaging made from recyclable materials.
53. 5% for industry executives believe that recyclable packaging will be significantly important or ethical packaging innovation more important for five years. 37. 5% believe reduced packaging will be the most important.
major retailers are investing in ethical packaging initiatives. This includes Wal-Mart, which has promised to eliminate all private label packaging waste in 2010, aims to have zero land full of packaging waste in 2025.
For more news of interest to you, please visit the following link: http://www. bharatbook. es / market research / packaging. html
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What Do Sustainable Communities Have In Them?
Monday, November 30th, 2009I have to create a model of a sustainable communities and i don’t know what to include
Any suggestions?
Nuclear is not clean nor sustainable nor cost-effective
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Image taken on 2007-11-18 15:05:10 by Pepeketua.
Challenges and Mitigation Plans in Sustainability Implementation
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009Sustainability is still in a premature stage and this is especially true for developing countries. There are common challenges that many people need to consider during the implementation of the concept. This article will explore these challenges and give suggestions on how to mitigate them. The challenges can be separated into three areas, namely internal, client, and government.
Internal challenges and mitigation
Internal challenge is the first thing that you need to face before you start implementing sustainability further. After all, if you do not clean up your backyard first, how you can convince other people to do the same. The common challenges from internal perspective are lack of support, lack of knowledge, and “more works” attitude.
The first thing that you need to do before implementing sustainability in your organization is to gain top management support and commitment. Without this support and commitment, sustainability implementation will not achieve a successful outcome. This may sound easy, but the reality can be different. It is important for you to explore the benefits of sustainability for the organization. Then you need to explain these benefits in term of economic value whenever possible. This is the best way to convince your top management to approve the implementation.
Sometimes, even if top management has agreed to implement the concept, the problem is nobody understand how to do it. Lack of knowledge is a big issue, especially because sustainability concept is relatively new for many people. In this case, you need to prepare awareness programs to increase the knowledge and understanding of people in your organization. You need to explain implicitly the necessity of sustainability for the organization as well as the earth in general. You also can give external trainings to certain people so they can support you to implement the concept.
Another problem is “more works” attitude. When people hear that the organization will implement a new concept, the first thing that comes to their mind is I have to do more works because of this. Again your awareness programs should be able to tackle this issue as long as you can explain the importance of sustainability. Another strategy is to make a sustainability performance review. For example, people who have a good performance in terms of sustainability implementation will receive financial reward or other benefits.
Client challenges and mitigation
Clients can become a huge source of challenges, especially in construction industry, because they are the ones who pay for your service. The common challenges from client side are cost and cynicism. Sometimes it is very difficult to convince clients to spend more initial investment for sustainability implementation. You can mitigate this problem by explaining the benefit of sustainability in terms of life-cycle cost. You need to make them understand that sustainability will bring benefits in the long run. Another strategy is to show previous case studies and what they have achieved because of their sustainability commitment.
Government challenges and mitigation
The challenges related with government are lack of regulation and enforcement concerning sustainability, sustainability is still in premature stage and not a priority because to some countries, they may have more urgent issues. Actually, this situation can become an opportunity for you. You can attract government attention because of your sustainability implementation. You can collaborate with them and become a good example, which will increase your organization marketing value significantly. Another opportunity is to become the first in something sustainable. For example, the first building to have solar panel, the first zero carbon neutral organization, the first green certified office, etc.
Sustainable Wealth: Achieve Financial Security in a Volatile World of Debt and Consumption
Thursday, November 12th, 2009- ISBN13: 9780470496589
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Product Description
A personal finance guide for today’s turbulent world Sustainable Wealth empowers you to achieve your financial goals by unleashing the shackles of debt, no matter how uncertain the future may be. Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, this reliable resource illustrates how you can predict economic booms and busts before they happen, adapt to changing markets and plan for lasting financial stability. Over the course of his career, Axel Merk has b… More >>
Sustainable Wealth: Achieve Financial Security in a Volatile World of Debt and Consumption
The Sustainable Spirit
Friday, November 6th, 2009Dawn is just top of the ridge of the mountain as you walk in silence until his favorite place, a perch where you can see – is not seen by other hikers. Here, the position of himself to meditate. The painting of the golden rays of the rocks and trees with the brilliance of its own energy. You get to cover in sight. Suddenly, you feel as if his spirit leaves the body and becomes part of the world around you. Then, as suddenly, we are back into your skin, wondering what happened. You had a transcendental experience, leaving this coil "mortal" to join with all that is the universe, to become one with creation. Fear is an inspirational experience that can last only a moment, but leaves its impact on life. If you are lucky to have had an experience similar to this, she had a vision of the world as it really is … where everything is connected to everything else. As Martin Luther King said, "we are all involved in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny …" This is the basic principle of sustainability, understanding that humans are not masters of land. We are part and connected to everything that exists. When we understand this basic concept, everything we do in the pursuit of sustainability becomes almost obvious. The SustainablyWhy think we need at this moment in history to worry about sustainability? For many scientists, economists and sociologists, is increasingly evident that human beings have been sowing the seeds of its own extinction. Many believe that unless immediate remedial action, civilization and humanity headed for a global catastrophe. According to the World Resources Institute, at least 3. 5 billion people, the current population of over half the world is expected to experience water scarcity by 2025. As the population continues to grow, the world's fisheries and agricultural productivity is declining. Global warming threatens to raise sea levels and drying of water resources worldwide. Meanwhile, the atmosphere of the heating generates highly variable climate, with devastating storms, snowstorms in the south, heat waves in the North and the paradoxical possibility of a new ice age. Economic disparity is growing worldwide. Today, a few hundred billionaires control more wealth than all the people in the 45 poorest countries. Political unrest, religious fanaticism and ongoing conflicts destroy the environment, the lives and communities. While these are not new phenomena, the technology has become global in its effects. As indicated in the Chinese curse, we live in interesting times. And that is why there is renewed interest in the sustainability of worldwide distribution. To Be or Not To Be … SustainableApparently, it seems that there is some controversy and misunderstanding about the long-term sustainability. It is always politicized, first by those who either do not understand what it means or who feel threatened by their ideas. Simply put, sustainability means the capacity to endure, to continue to exist in his chosen state. To be sustainable, it is necessary to evaluate the conditions under which one lives and limiting the choice makes your life needs these conditions. To be sustainable, we must take only what they need and preserve the resources and capabilities necessary to ensure that future generations can thrive. We must work together to create economies of strong, healthy communities and a protected natural environment. We are living within the carrying capacity of Earth? We are taking only what the earth can offer the time? We who contribute positively to our communities and the natural environment? The answer to these questions will determine what kind of future we leave to those who follow us. There are lessons to be learned from sustainability every day … if you pay attention to the natural world around us. NatureAll learn about life as we know it on Earth live within a "closed system. "Nothing enters the Earth system in measurable quantities, except sunlight. The seeds for new life comes from existing life. All plants, animals, insects and humans obtain their food and water on Earth. After each life cycle owes everything to the ground to support the future. This is the life cycle, and is bound by physical laws can not be broken. The life cycle of all living things link together. We depend on each other, all living and our survival. However, knowing that we need a healthy natural environment and a continuous cycle of life, human beings are the only species that actively works to break the cycle of life. To build our modern societies, we have natural resources, use and then dispose of as waste. During this linear process generated all kinds of pollution. The result is that, unlike other species in nature, reduced natural resources, destroy natural habitats and, consequently, threaten our very existence. Finding the balance: the economic, community, EnvironmentIn nature, strive for balance or homeostasis within their ecosystems. Take time to sit and watch a tree, a creek or in any natural area. You'll find it full of life, even in desert areas. Within an ecosystem of small size, you can see the interdependence of life in action. The plants grow together to help all the waters of the gain and soil minerals. Insects, birds and animals find food and shelter among the plants. You will notice that there is no waste. Anything that serves as food for the rest. Everywhere you look there is a natural balance that continues to be surprised by some external force. Then, each system, together with its components of the life, works to restore balance. To be sustainable, we must think holistically and work together to find a balance within ourselves, our families, our economy, our communities and the natural environment. Let's start with the economy. Note that is the same root, ECO, the Greek for the home or in which we live. Means managing the economy in which we live. This means that the judicious use of resources to sustain life. In today's society, we believe the economy in terms of dollar inflows. That is not our economy. It only vaguely to measure our economy. Genuine Progress Indicators measure how well we're doing. For more information, visit www Redefining Progress. rprogress. org. So, to start making money balance with our economy, we must think differently and to measure progress differently. How do we know when our economy is improving? Certainly not for the gross domestic product (GDP), which records only the flow of dollars. We know that measurable improvements in our quality of life. The children are healthy and doing well in school? Not all children have access to quality education? People who work earn decent wages? Affordable housing is good for everyone? It is clean and healthy air to breathe? They are the elderly and the sick? Water is abundant and safe to drink? The communities are healthy and safe from crime and war? More people working, using less energy and materials to create more value for society? In each of these questions are fabulous opportunities. When answering these questions is yes, then we are beginning to produce a healthy and balanced economy. Connecting with the participation, SupportingStrengthening communities begins with understanding our connections with each other. We are all more alike than we are different. Knowing this allows us to celebrate our differences so that they enrich our lives. Knowing that we all share a dress "one destination" can take us to overcome old antagonisms and to work for the common good. Together as good neighbors, we are able to devise a collective vision and develop the will to achieve it. Healthy and balanced communities requires a commitment. We have to be involved with others at different levels of our society, according to our interests and our talents. Some of us can be great for organizing meetings for the neighborhood. Others may feel the need for volunteers at the local school or a civic group. There are the natural political among us, who represent us in the Council. Each of us can become informed and vote. Restore and preserve our natural environment is fundamental to sustainability. Learning the lessons of nature, we are able to integrate more closely into the cycle of life in which everything that contributes to the whole and nothing is wasted. We can all do simple things. Eat lower on the food chain. Local production of fruit, vegetables and grains of the earth take less processed foods. Make shorter showers. Get out your car and walk or bike. Form a carpool and use public transport when you can. Learn about conservation and living a simple life more rewarding. Stay ContactOur modern life have evolved in our communities and the natural world. We have the ability and the need to re-engage for our welfare and that of everyone on the planet. Connected, each can do our part, and as we all become stronger and more vibrant. So the time. Make significant contact with those around you. Supporting those in need. Share your feelings about today's problems and their dreams for tomorrow. Contribute their talents and good deeds for the real economy that benefits everyone. Back to Nature. Learn from it. Find that special place for you, where you can become one with everything around. We can awaken within himself the power of sustainable spirit.
Sustainable Development: What Does it Mean and Who Wants to Tell You?
Saturday, October 17th, 2009Copyright (c) 2008 Daniel Laflèche
Press of today's commerce and popular culture, but they are inundated with slogans of "sustainable" and "sustainability". Here, we are obliged to hoist the red flag and guard the danger ahead. These different and lawyers do great damage in many ways more of what they know.
Because in this great sea of "sustainability", which covers business strategies and systems, weight loss, one very easy to lose sight of the real battle. We know that overuse of a term can have side effects drowsiness. But the word is so popular, and its use in an exaggerated manner which has become in many cases completely dark. So, you ask, what is sustainable development? Who are his supporters and opponents? And, oh yes, it is precisely because it is so desired, after all?
Ours is an era that was under the twin pressures of population growth is increasing and the accompanying intensification of economic development. This development is necessary to provide the increasing population of the needs and desires. If rates of population growth show signs of slowing, the number of people on Earth will continue to expand massively in the near future. With the addition of the variable of impending climate change, there is a sudden and new awareness of the potentially destructive nature of the human project.
These realities have given great weight to requests for oversight, which explicitly takes into account the fate of future generations. Many definitions are taken from the shadows, but the most commonly cited is that sustainable development "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Consensus opinion that the project for sustainability covers three interactive areas, and these are (1) environmental sustainability, (2) economic sustainability, and (3) socio-political sustainability.
Environmental sustainability refers to the conservation of natural resources and environment of our planet. In its strictest sense, a process that allows natural capital (the net amount of all natural resources and other gifts of the earth), which drains more quickly than can be replenished at risk its ability to function and to serve us adequately indefinite period. Advocates of environmental protection actively seek solutions that minimize the burden of present and future of our natural environment and other industrial occupations. The best solutions are those that find ways to integrate the methods of exploitation of renewable resources.
The concept of environmental sustainability is therefore inextricably linked to the premise of economic sustainability. Rapid advances in new technologies and production techniques are constantly expanding and changing the limit of production possibilities. But ultimately, economics is the science of allocating a finite resource. Promotion of economic sustainability is therefore intended to enable future generations to achieve their optimal level, free from the limitations imposed by our operating patterns in the here and now.
The sphere of socio-political sustainability is interesting as it expands beyond the simple need for economic growth and its effects on the environment are closer to the human element in the equation. A socio-political development promotes social harmony and continuity of healthy political institutions so as to establish a mechanism in place for the entry into force of the collective will (probably a will that is conducive to sustainability).
The sustainable development project has inevitably encounter resistance. Some like to point out that the entire fiscal year involving the depletion of resources is by that very fact untenable. But if this charge is to reduce the discussion to semantics, to support the claim that the sheer impossibility of undoing major effort to court the ridiculous.
Another criticism is more important problem to address. The available data seem to confirm the wisdom of nations, as the accumulation of wealth and poverty are more willing to devote part of their income to pollution and other unpleasantries. The rich industrialized countries of the world at a time when advanced through stages similar to the dirtiest current progress of the economies in the developing world. However, at that time there were no observers or reporters. This school of critics of hypocrisy mourn. Support the "dirty" means of economic growth that rich countries can afford to ignore as the only hope for increasing mass populations abject misery. In this way, try to force the umpires, sustainable development in the unenviable position of choosing between the welfare of the poor of the earth and the earth itself.
In response to these criticisms, proponents of sustainable development to fight for national and international coordination of environmental policies, economic and social progress in promoting accountability. I realize that the world more than ever, is a system of actors, none of whose actions have no consequences for others. Its objective is the daily management of policy decisions that mankind can enjoy the benefits of our natural environment, without exhausting and without selfishness to withdraw the privilege of future generations to do the same.
Without some alarm bells, the sustainability of this color is to be respected and maintained. The dilution of the power of words by those who seek to steal his nobility, as well, unfortunately, and even resisted.
