Environmental Sustainability
By Spencer Ezzell
Sustainable Energy
Sustainable energy is a form of energy that is gathered from non-exhaustible sources so that this form of energy does not affect future generations from meeting their needs. Sustainable energy sources would be wind power and solar power because they are reusable and will never expire in resources. By utilizing these natural sources of energy, we can create an energy sufficient world that could prosper forever.
Climate Change
Climate Change is inevitable, but there are ways in which we as the world can slow down its rate and theoretically stop it. A warming climate is detrimental to all of the worlds countries especially frozen areas because it will cause the ice caps to melt. Overall climate change can affect crops, freshwater access, and food security. If we want to stop or slow down climate change, we must lessen our greenhouse gas emissions by using more sustainable energy sources and less non renewable sources like oil and coal.
Recycling and Waste Management
In our society, waste management and recycling are both major issues that need to be addressed. If we could manage to increase recycling and minimize waste, we could benefit future generations as well as ourselves. Many organizations travel and teach people how to properly recycle as well as teach them the benefits of recycling and the cons against littering.
Pollution
Pollution affects everything in our environment from water, air, land. We must reduce the amount of pollution in order to allow ecosystems to once again prosper. This would allow renewable energy sources to become used more. Wind energy is gathered through wind turbines which make the energy. No wastes are produced in this form of energy which would lead to much less pollution. Hydroelectricity is formed using water and the gravitational pull of the water which emits no pollution. Another form of renewable energy is solar energy which harnesses the suns energy and is environmentally friendly.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the difference in species on Earth. In order to preserve the biodiversity of the Earth, we must utilize our renewable sources of energy and reduce our pollution. Humans, although we dominate the food chain, we cannot negate other species and must allow them to survive healthily. We eat all of Earths plants and animals, which is why it is imperative that we maintain the Earth's biodiversity for the sake of everything on the planet.
Resource Use
Everyday humans use massive amounts of resources from cars to the food energy we consume. We must use less resources so that our environment is healthier in the long run, and so that we will have enough energy and resources to support future generations. Many countries have acts that enforce resource usage which is beneficial for everyone because it saves money and valuable assets. In order to be successful, these acts have to be enforced by all of the country's citizens.
World Connection
All of these factors of environmental sustainability affect one another in some fashion. Pollution affects climate, resources affect biodiversity. We must reduce fossil fuel usage in order to maintain our resource amount and to also reduce pollution. Everything is related in some way or another, which is why it is necessary that everyone comes together to support the cause.
Bibliography
"Global Climate Change." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2015. <http://climate.nasa.gov/>.
"Pollution." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 04 June 2015. <https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/pollution
"Renewable Energy." Renewable Energy. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2015. <http://www.energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/renewable-energy>.
"Energy Conservation | Energy4me." Energy4me Energy Conservation Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2015. <http://energy4me.org/all-about-energy/sustainability/energy-conservation/>.
"Natural Resource Use." – Wildlife Conservation Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2015. <http://www.wcs.org/conservation-challenges/natural-resource-use.aspx>.