Week 12 Building Sustainable Communities
In the vision of a sustainable society there are many variables. These include basic conditions, population size and technical efficiency at the system level, but we also have to deal with the social and psychological situation, needs of the people, their understanding. The result could hardly show up in your computer as a response to the balance system. This will require both creative ideas and good will. Here we look at three important factors, in which, if we build a vision of sustainable development, there is hope for a better future on planet Earth.
Week 11 Sustainability Metrics and Indices
In week 11 of sustainable development we talked about: Sustainability Metrics and Ecological Footprint.
The indicators are presented in a “pyramid”, that is divided into three levels:
- At the top of the pyramid are the indicators for monitoring the general objectives of the Sustainable Development Strategy (“Lead Objectives”).
- The second level of the pyramid are the indicators for operational objectives, which are leading indicators in the various subtopics (“SDS priority Objectives”).
- The third level involves detailing the indicators that are leading indicators (“Explanatory variables”).
There are also called. ”Contextual indicators” that are part of SDI indices, but does not directly monitor the SDS objectives. They are difficult to interpret in a simple manner, however, provide valuable background information for events directly related to sustainable development and can be useful for analytical purposes.
The list of indicators includes 10 thematic areas, which are divided into further, more specific subtopics. The main themes are:
- Socio-economic development,
- Sustainable production and consumption,
- Social inclusion,
- Demographic changes,
- Public health,
- Climate change and energy,
- Sustainable transport,
- Natural resources,
- The global partnership,
- Good governance.
Week 10 Sustainable Production & Consumption
This week we covered sustainable production and the consumption
While sustainable consumption and production as an environmental policy gained importance since the Kiev Conference in 2003,so far achieved few results. The negative environmental impacts increasing production and consumption continues to grow. Before challenge facing all countries to abolish link between the increase economy on the one hand and harmful to environmental consequences of consumption, use of natural resources and waste production.
Production and use of natural resources:
• Economic sectors which have the greatest pressure the environment in the WCE are: energy supply, electricity, gas and water supply, transport services, and agriculture. In the EECCA countries, where lack of the detailed data, the list of priority sectors is likely to be similar, although will be quite significant additional impact of mining and production of metals and industrial minerals.
• Processed products account for the part of the trade with the WCE and SEE for EECCA. The EECCA countries exporting to the WCE and SEE above all, fuel and industrial products mining. This asymmetry causes impacts on the transboundary movement environment.
• In the last decade in the region Pan-European consumption has stabilized resources per capita. Efficient use of raw materials, which varies considerably between countries, in 15 countries old EU is several times higher than in 10 new EU countries and countries of SEE, and almost twenty times higher than in EECCA.
• The forecast use of natural resources both in the 15 old EU countries and in 10 new EU countries shows an upward trend until 2020, which highlights the urgent need introduction of sustainable of development.
• Creation of environmental policy, taking into account the life cycle (called life-cycle thinking) includes whole chain of cause and effect of mining or production, to final disposal of waste. In this way, environmental impacts are not masked by transferring them to other countries or at other stages of production and consumption.
• In addition to improving energy efficiency, equally important is to invest in innovative technologies that reduce consumption resources and raw materials. Support also needs introduction of such technologies to the market.
Consumption:
• Household spending is three (In the 15 old EU countries) to five times (SEE countries) higher than the expenditure of the public. In all European countries household consumption per capita increases, and its level in the 15 old EU countries is almost four times higher than in EECCA.
• Indeed, changes in the structure of consumption in region – the declining share of food, and the share of spending on transport, communications, housing, recreation and health. In many households in rural areas of EECCA still there is a shortage or even absence of the basic needs of living. On the other hand, in urban centers EECCA small but rapidly growing middle class acquires Western consumption patterns.
• Food and drink, private transport and housing (including construction and consumption energy) is the most affecting categories of consumption on the environment. In countries WCE, tourism and air travel to areas where particularly fast growing detrimental impact on environment.
• Both in EECCA and the EU were recorded some separation between economic growth and nomic resource and energy consumption (decoupling). Not is unclear whether and to what extent have contributed to benefit the environment shifts in consumption, especially as the increase in consumption followed in terms of ef taining the largest impact on the environment.
• The current changes in consumption patterns cause severity of the negative impact on environment, because expenses are transferred to the categories with a more intense impact .In these two areas, reduce the potential impacts arising of technical progress is offset by growth in consumption.
• The impact of consumption on the environment limited by the specific controls in places of production and use of resources and goods, and waste disposal, or by actions aimed at bringing the demand to carry category of strongly influencing consumption
the environment sko those less affecting.
(EE – Eastern European)
Week 9 Corporate Social Responsibility
This week we discussed Corporate Social Responsibility.
There is no one universal definition of the phenomenon known as CSR in a but here is is the most frequently used:
Corporate social responsibility is defined as a concept whereby companies at the stage of strategy into account the interests of voluntary social and environmental issues, and relationships with various stakeholder groups. Being responsible means not only the fulfillment of all formal and legal requirements, but in addition to increased investment in human resources, the environment and relations with the environment the company, which is a voluntary commitment. Social responsibility is a process in which companies manage their relationships with various stakeholders who can have a positive impact on success in business, and should therefore be treated as an investment not a cost.
In other words, corporate responsibility is an effective management strategy, which through the social dialogue at the local level contributes to the competitiveness of enterprises on a global level and at the same time shaping the conditions for sustainable social and economic development.
Responsible business is a strategic approach, long-term, based on the principles of social dialogue and the search for solutions that will benefit both for the company and its entire environment, employees, stakeholders and the community in which the company operates. The liability of a company means increased investment in human resources, environmental protection and relations with the community’s, or stakeholders.
According to the European Commission, corporate social responsibility strategy leads to sustainable business success through dialogue with the environment, taking into account the environment and building social capital. Therefore, CSR can contribute to the objectives defined in the Lisbon Strategy, which are also obliging the EU to new members.
By design, an adaptation of socially responsible behavior is the domain of business, creating the current relationships with their stakeholders. However, social responsibility contributes to the creation of social value, through its impact on sustainable development, so it should come within the scope of interest of the public authorities in the promotion of positive practices for the environment and society created by the company.
HISTORY
At the threshold of XXI century, the idea of corporate social responsibility is widely known throughout the world and responsible business has become a global phenomenon. In many places there are initiatives to engage business leaders, NGOs and government. The idea of corporate social responsibility, a number of years present in Europe, recently gaining popularity in Poland. The business sector, which by definition aims to make a profit, take action on behalf of its stakeholders and the community, treating them not as a cost but an investment that lead to the achievement of this objective, while ensuring the achievements of all the interests of the company.
In 2000, during the European Summit in Lisbon, the European Council presented a 10-year socio-economic program of the Union called the Lisbon Strategy. The Strategy and action associated with it, called the Lisbon process is to make the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable development, with more jobs and social cohesion.
The next year the European Commission presented a document Green Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility to call a public debate on corporate responsibility. In the consultation process have included the EU institutions: Commission Directorates-General for Employment, social affairs, enterprise and information society, trade, environmental protection, industry, trade unions, media, experts, NGOs and academic institutions. A year later the Commission presented a strategy for the implementation and promotion of responsible business practices in the European Union. The concept of corporate responsibility has become one of the key themes in the economic policy of the EU. Were set up appropriate institutions, the national parliaments began the legislative processes, research programs have been launched.
The result of the consultation on the Green Paper has become a new document – the strategy implementation and dissemination of corporate social responsibility – White Paper: Communication on CSR. This document is addressed to European institutions, Member States, social partners, business organizations and consumer
One of the effects of measures to implement the Lisbon Strategy is the European Campaign for Responsible Business 2005. The objectives of the campaign conducted by CSR Europe, with the cooperation of other organizations are promoting the idea of social responsibility in the business environment, promoting good examples of implementing responsible practices, education leaders.
Week 8 Public Policy and EU Law
In the week 8 we went through European Law + the Environment and Policy Development. I found this topic in Sustainable Development really interesting.
First we discussed the European law which is a kind of legal system, distinct from international law and also different from the laws of the Member States. European law as we understand the current European Union law and the formed principles in which the emphasis is on understanding and application of legal norms,attention is paid to Public policy, judicial decisions, customs and values that are inherent in the functioning of the European Union. European law is an ordered system, ordered because of the specific criteria by which it is classified.
Taking as a criteria of law, European law, we can divide them on:
- the primary law which is to be set by the Member States through international agreements
- Secondary legislation which are the Community authorities, on the basis of and within the primary law.
Then we moved on to Environmental policy which is now regarded by the European Union as an integral part of policy for sustainable development. Further growth of the Member States, as well as benefit of its residents - including concern for their health - they require constant care for the environment and take all possible measures to protect them from degradation. At the same time as the EU’s natural environment depends not only on the actions within it, but increasingly on the actions of third countries, is an active member of the network constantly staging conventions, international agreements in environmental protection.
Fundamentals of treaty policy in the relation to environmental protection
The Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community do not have any provisions on the environment. Only in the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community were provisions for health and safety of the population from the effects of radioactive materials.
Because economic development is increasingly visible with a progressive degree of environmental degradation and the need for consumer protection rules, the European Economic Community began to increasingly intervene in this sphere of activity, previously reserved exclusively for Member States. This was possible by reference
The first Community legislation on environmental protection, of positive on the basis of the foregoing articles, related to hazardous chemicals, detergents, and motor vehicles, but later referred to the sphere of operation of the industry. At the same time Member States to provide in this respect the national legislation.
Objectives of the Environment Policy
One of the tasks of the Community is to promote a “high level of protection and improvement of the environment”. To achieve the objectives set the Community includes policy for environmental protection. It clearly defines the need to integrate environmental considerations into all sectoral policies. Commission is required to examine the consequences of their proposals for the environment. requires the Commission to the submitted proposals on the environment have taken a base a high level of protection. also Parliament and the Council of the EU, within their competence, should strive to achieve this goal.
EC Treaty defines the objectives of Community action on environmental protection:
• preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment,
• the protection of human health,
• reasonable and prudent use of natural resources,
• supporting international activities concerning regional and global problems related to environmental protection..
Rules
According to the EC, the Community’s environmental policy is based on the following principles:
• prevention of environmental damage . To guarantee a high level of environmental protection and health in situations in which the available scientific evidence does not allow full assessment of potential risks. The reference to this rule is subject to the conditions: to identify the potentially adverse effects, the available results of research on this topic and to estimate the level of risk.
• repair of ecological damage in the first place at the source. Is the removal of sources of environmental pollution, not only of the contamination.
• the ‘polluter pays’ principle. The costs of restoring the environment to its state before the damage should bear the perpetrator.
• The principle of subsidiarity. Community shall take action only in so far as the objectives of the proposed action can not be sufficiently achieved by Member States, by reason of its scale or effects, be better achieved by the Community.
The basis for determining the Community and national strategies for environmental protection have become a certain programs.The most recent one is sixth program.
The sixth action program for the years 2001-2010 titled: Environment 2010: Our future, our choice.
Identifies four areas for immediate action. They are:
• Limit climate change in order to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at a level which avoids unnatural diversity Earth’s climate.
• Environmental protection and biodiversity. Activities in this area are intended to protect, and where necessary, restore natural systems and halt biodiversity reduction in the EU and globally, as well as protection against soil erosion and pollution.
• Health and quality of life. The purpose of the activities in this area is to achieve such a state of the environment in which air pollution, water and the noise does not have a significant impact on human health or threaten him. Strengthening the monitoring and control of labeling genetically modified organisms.
• Natural resources and waste. Commission proposed to ensure the sustainable use of renewable and non renewable natural resources and the independence of this consumption from economic growth through more efficient use of resources and reduce waste.
Assumptions of an environmental program for the period 2001-2010 provide for taking action in the following areas:
• Air pollution,
• re-use waste
• rational management of natural resources,
• protection against soil erosion and pollution,
• improve the quality of life of urban citizens,
• sustainable use of pesticides,
• care for the coast and marine environment.
Week 7 Economic Development and the Environment
In the lectures during week 7 we talked about economic development as well as the effect economic has on the environment. I found the topic introduced to us that week very interesting.
Environmental pollution in the world today is one of the side effects of economic development. ” Is protecting the environment even possible while concentrating on the development of economics and while dealing with enrichment of population ? ” this is the question that we were asked at the beginning of our lectures and it stayed on my mind for few days, until we answered this complicated question. We were told that the number of people interested in environmental protection in recent decades has definitely increased. Some people argue that the public interest in the environment rose when economic growth reached a certain treshold, which resulted in wealth of societies, which have gained a sense of security. This is obviously related to the continuous technological progress and economic development which is a cause of polluting the environment.
When talking about the environment, we think of natural environment but also the environment “transformed by humans” such as cities and their change in infrastructure. Naturally, the main objective of every country in the world is economic growth
which is recognized as the key to economic development, which forces the imperative dominance of production over environmental protection. Economic growth is a priority importance because of its global or at least the international
character, especially since the end of the Cold War. It is therefore better to create a favorable climate , otherwise the lack of investment and the flow capital will lead to stagnation and economic recession. However, the economic development is made at the expense of the environment. The environmental problems are the result of the social election in favor of development, and attitude is so deeply rooted in the consciousness that humanity no longer sees them as choices, but necessary things to do. Dynamic development of modern technology allows people to create a form of natural processes out of which they can achieve the profits and therefore take advantage in the future. The components of the environment are inextricably linked, but contaminated environment on a national scale impacts on a much larger scale. So troublesome on the international scene are situations where production is cheaper at the expense of the environment - an example is China, whose rapidly growing economy is based on outdated technologies. These technologies are often two times less efficient, and consumes two times more energy than those applied in developed countries, it happens that in developed countries have been banned because of their devastating impact on the environment. The danger is also in the ”migration” of the cheap technology to developing countries, but which remain at a lower level of development. In addition, measures to protect the environment, endangered by the emission of hazardous substances as a by-product in the growth process, should be conducted in a comprehensive manner. In other words the environment must be protected everywhere, not only where the person establishes an area of special protection, point of action in selected areas have only minor impact on the overall environment. This fundamental conflict between effective management and environmental protection concerns both fierce environmentalists and their opponents. The need to strike a fair balance, balancing the benefits and losses from the business,resulted in the creation of several political theories. These theories appear as an active policy of seeking a balance environmental and economic.
Week 6 Food Production
This week we were introduced to the concept of food and the amount of energy needed to produce it, but also we talked about sustainable farming and what we can do differently to prevent taking so much energy being taken in to produce food. I found out that food production and distribution itself requires a huge amount of energy, for example when we look at USA we can see that 10% of the energy used annually is consumed by the food industry which shows that it is a quite a big number. But for all the energy we put into our food system, we don’t get very much out.
GROWING PRACTICES
The biggest originator of fossil fuel usage in industrial farming is not transporting food or fueling machinery, its the chemicals. As much as forty percent of energy used in the food system goes towards the production of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Fertilizers are synthesized from atmospheric nitrogen and natural gas, a process that takes a significant amount of energy. Producing and distributing them requires an average of 5.5 gallons of fossil fuels per acre.
PACKAGING, PROCESSING AND STORING FOOD
Approximately twenty-three percent of the energy used in our food production system is allocated to processing and packaging food. Another thirty-two percent is burned in home refrigeration and cooking.
SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND FOSSIL FUELS SAVINGS
The most obvious way that small, sustainable farms help reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels is by selling their products locally. The less food has to travel, the less fuel is needed to transport it. But sustainable farming practices also have the potential to reduce fossil fuel by eliminating wasteful production practices. Making all our farmland’s irrigation systems just ten percent more efficient would annually save eighty million gallons of diesel spent on pumping and applying the water.
At the end of second lecture we came up with few ideas that would slightly decrease the amount of energy used for food production. To be honest we couldn’t think of many things that we could do but we got few solutions :
- Buy foods grown locally. The reason for that is very simple: the closer the farm is to you, the less fuel is needed to transport its food to your table.
- If you want to have lettuce or any other vegetable you like that’s truly local? Plant a garden and grow your own fresh produce!
- Avoid buying processed foods. These foods take more energy to produce (and have less nutritional value than whole foods). In addition, choose foods with minimal packaging. This reduces the energy used to produce the packaging and eliminates these materials from the waste.
- Cut back on meat, it1is the least fuel-efficient food we have. Large quantities of energy are required to cultivate, harvest, and ship animal feed, house, transport and slaughter animals, process and package their meat, and refrigerate it until it’s cooked.
Week 5 Energy, Peak Oil and Fracking
This week we were introduced to the topic of energy in more depth. Once again I found it very interesting when our lecturer spoke about Oil (Peak Oil) but also when he told us what fracking is and why are people complaining at the moment so much even though they don’t really have a chance to convince others as say in this have only big companies that control it and the government .
PEAK OIL
In the article I found that ”The Peak of World Oil Production And The Road To The Olduvai Gorge” geologist, Dr. Richard Duncan, calculated that energy production per capita has increased several times in the years 1920-1979. Since then, energy production per capita is falling. The rate of decline in production may be very high. In Norway (the country from which Ireland get most of energy) in 2005, production fell by 11% per year therefore it gets harder to get the oil out. This is why prices of oil and natural gas are going up so fast and most of people don’t even have a clue why the prices are going up. In 1998-1999, oil prices hovered around 9 euro a barrel. In 2006 he came to 56 euro. We were also told that a phase of decline also entered world largest oil field, Ghawar in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately we can not confirm this information because the state-owned companies in OPEC countries, in contrast to companies listed on stock exchanges are not required to verify the data reported by external auditors which is very bad for countries that are dependant on oil from Sudi Arabia.
ENERGY USE
Energy consumption is one of the major factors affecting climate change. Most of the energy we use comes from fossil fuels, which means that every time when heating our homes or watch television, we emit carbon dioxide (CO2). Therefore, each of us can make a positive difference to the climate through the most efficient use of energy in everyday life. Energy is extremely important in everyday life. The energy required in many areas, driving machinery, factories, to operate the devices, used by us. As energy sources are used coal, natural gas and crude oil. Using all these sources to produce energy which is to help us survive it is associated with certain risks for the environment. During the extraction of energy from these deposits, a huge amount of pollution forms that directly enters the environment thus threatening the health and human life. To prevent or at least reduce the amount of these impurities, you can use natural energy sources such aswind, water and some plants.
Method currently used for shale gas acquisition significantly increases the contamination of drinking water with methane. Fracking or Hydraulic Crushing is a pumping mixture of water, chemicals and sand into the rocks. This allows for obtaining methane from the rocks. But the growing popularity of this method (it is estimated that by 2035 up 47% of the gas extracted in the U.S. will be obtained by this method), raises increasing concern about its impact on the environment. Homeowners near the extraction sites complain that drinking water is contaminated with methane or water used during the crushing.
