Blog 10: Products Usage and the Effects of it

Product usage and consumption is a deadly increasing problem in our modern world. The amount of products we use and dispose daily is staggering. We are using a lot of our non -renewable sources each day and we do not even realize it. Think about what you do each day and how much products you use  and dispose each day. In our modern world we need all of these things but we never think about the implications it causes to our earth.

One of the biggest reasons that product consumption has increased rapidly in the last couple of decades is due to the introduction of plastics. Plastics are the most handiest material on earth. They can be shaped, heated, molded and colored in any variety and they are very durable. Unfortunately though most plastics are non – biodegradable. Below shown is the plastics product life cycle.

Our ever increasing product use has caused serious problems to our planet such as:

Depletion of our Non Renewable Resources

Plastic which supplies us with most of our products, is made from crude oil a non renewable source. With more products the value of oil will only go up.

Global Warming and Climate Change

The manufacturing process and the distribution of products both use fossil fuels. The increase in the amount of products the increase in the use of fossil fuels which produces more emissions. These contribute greatly to the problem of climate change.

Human Toxicity 

The waste from our products can seriously damage peoples health. Large amounts of waste can be dangerous and very unhygienic and can cause illness.

Aquatic and Environmental Toxicity

The manufacture process and the waste of our products can seriously harm the environment. Water pollution can be another serious problem caused by the manufacture process of products.

The over use of products is an ever growing threat. Although these products do aid our lives in so many different ways it causes too much waste and other problems for us  to continue creating more products.

 

 

 

Blog 9: Corporate Social Responsibility and it’s Benefits

Corporate Social Responsibility was our topic this week. Corporate Social Responsibility is the responsibility that businesses ensure that their work is among the ethical and legal standards and that their work does not damage the environment. Social standards include everything in society (e.g. economy, human rights, environment, labor).  It is the responsibility of the corporation to meet theses requirements and maintain them. In my blog I am going to discuss the implications of some of  the different factors of corporate social responsibility.

The Community

Business’s has a right to meet the social expectations of the surrounding community. As well as to provide jobs and industry to the people of the local area they have to meet the requirements they expect such as not causing unwanted traffic and transport. Also by reducing the noise pollution of the area. It also should not disrupt the daily lives of the locals.

Human Rights

Human rights implement the responsibility that companies have to treat all employees and customers equally. Race, religion and nationality are not factors that should be taken when dealing with other people involved with the company socially.

Environment

Corporations have a right to make sure that their waste, manufacturing or production does not harm the environment. Pollution is a huge problem caused by industry so industries should make sure that their actions has a minimal effect on the environment.

Labor

Companies have a right to make sure that they do not over work their employees and that they keep within labor laws. They must also make sure that their employees are of an appropriate age. Also they must make sure that their workers are insured in case of an accident. They must also ensure a safe working environment.

Although Corporate Social Responsibility takes time, effort and money to complete there are benefits in my opinion. Companies that ensure corporate social responsibility have a  better reputation and brand image in the process. A better reputation in business often means better sales and more investors. It can also improve customer loyalty and sales as customers trust this brand. But even more importantly I think corporate social responsibility is a huge benefit because it helps improve the worlds sustainability. Industry can cause so much problems to the environment and to the people in it but corporate social responsibility ensures that people and the environment involved with industry are protected. Corporate Social Responsibility ensures the world’s sustainable development is always improving.

Blog 8: The EU on Sustainable Development and Combating Climate Change

We discussed European Law and the environment this week in detail. Law and regulations are vital towards sustainable development. These rules are there to protect every living thing in the environment. Sustainable development and living is one of the most important factors to the EU. The EU released their own view on sustainable development on 15th of June 2006.  EU’s perspective on sustainable development is the following:

• meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
•  Sustainable development is about safeguarding the earth’s capacity to support life in all its diversity.

• It is based on democracy, gender equality, solidarity, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Protecting our resources and our natural habitat plan of action can be traced back to the European Commission. The Environmental Action Program (EAP) was introduced in 1973. This action program implemented regulations that reduced damage to our environment and forced polluters to pay up or be punished.

In more recent times though, the EU are concentrating on combating climate change. In fact it was an Irish physicist from Co. Carlow, John Tyndall was one of the first scientists to show the earth’s natural greenhouse effect. Back in the 1860′s he said that changes in the Earth’s atmosphere could bring about changes in climate.

John Tyndall

The EU have implemented an energy and climate change policy in December 2008, including ambitious targets for 2020. The EU hope to make a sustainable future for Europe by:

• cutting greenhouse gases by 20%
• reducing energy consumption by 20% through increased energy efficiency
• meeting 20% of our energy needs from renewable sources

These regulations must be kept for us to reduce global warming and the hazardous effects that it can cause to our planet. These were set by the EU to stop the rise in temperature of the earth which has been steadily rising since industrialization started. In my opinion I think these targets should be met by 2020 for the better of everyone in the environment. These regulations are for the better and can lead to a more sustainable future.

Blog 7: The Kuznets Curve and the Pollution Haven Hypothesis

This week in our lectures we discussed Environmental Economics. During these lectures we spent time discussing how as the environment changes it affects the economy. But inversely  as the economy improves or gets worse it can also have a huge impact on the environment. A really good representation of this is the Environmental Kuznets Curve.  Environmental Deterioration is on the Y- axis. Factors that make the environment deteriorate include pollution, deforestation and climate change. Per Capita Income is on the X axis. The increase in money for each person means the economy is growing and improving.

As you can see, as the economy increases the environments safety deteriorates. But after a certain amount of increase in Per Capita Income it reaches the Turning Point Income. The environment starts to improve with an increase in Per Capita Income from now on.

Why does this Turning Point happen?

The reasoning for this turning point is up for debate. My personal opinion is that as countries develop and their economy grows people start to leave agriculture jobs for industrial jobs. As people migrate from rural areas to urban areas, the environment gets worse as more fossil fuels are used and pollution increases. But as development of a country continues people obviously get more educated. Scientists and engineers become more aware of the damage being caused to the environment. Developed countries then started implementing rules and regulations to protect the environment. This aided the environment significantly in developed countries.

But what about developing countries?

A country developing still has a growing economy even though there are no rules or regulations in regards to environmental protection. Their environment is being openly damaged while these countries are developing. In developed countries  environmental deterioration is low but environmental law and regulations are very strict. Therefore industry from rich developed countries move their business to poor countries where environmental regulations are not strict.  This is called the pollution haven hypothesis which we also discussed in class. Since environmental laws are  not strict  the environment  is being continually damaged and polluted by foreign industry. Meanwhile the environment’s safety in rich countries is untouched even though the economy is growing due to having their industry in a poor country. In my opinion this is very cruel on developing countries because the environment is always deteriorating and unless proper regulations are installed  this problem in poorer countries will always be there.

Student Assignment Part 2

Here is my second student assignment:

Student Assignment Part 2

Blog 6: Our Field Trip to Cloughjordan and Ecovillages across Europe

This week in the sustainable development lectures we discussed Food but since we had our field trip to Cloughjordan this week I think it is very adequate and fitting to discuss our field trip and Eco villages around Europe. I found our field trip very interesting because it shows how people can live in fantastically constructed houses and communities without having a big impact on the environment.

In Cloughjordan we first saw  their solar panels which help heat their homes. Altogether there was 500 square metres of solar panels. Shown below is a picture of them.

We next saw the wood burning furnace which they also use as a method of energy. They use wood chips from factories as fuel. All the leftover ash from this used on their own personal farm. We next saw the range of different houses and we saw the different materials they were made from. Some house were made out mud and clay even. We got a tour of one house and the first thing that hits you when you step inside the house is a wave of warmth. The house was so well insulated that the house owners heating bill was next to nothing. The picture below  shows one of the houses viewed in Cloughjordan.

Most people produced their own food through vegetable gardens. They would also frequently use cycling as means of transport. The village was the most Eco – friendly place I have ever been. The village conserved a lot of energy. Another fantastic advantage of these kind of villages is the great sense of community and generosity. Unfortunately a lot of the village was under construction. But the houses that were constructed and finished, were brilliantly designed. It also is a very good tourist attraction that would bring a lot of visitors and business  to the local area. These kind of villages are the way for ward in sustainable living.

Personally I think it is a shame that Ireland does not have more Eco villages. They are a brilliant way of saving money and protecting the environment. Eco villages are common throughout Europe but in some places more than others. I have constructed a table showing the separate Eco-friendly communities throughout Europe.

Italy	12
Spain	12
France	9
Germany	9
Great Britain	8
Portugal	8
Greece	6
Sweden	6
Switzerland	6
Hungary	5
Netherlands	5
Russia	5
Austria	4
Finland	4
Latvia	4
Lithuania	4
Turkey	4
Iceland	3
Norway	3
Poland	3
Romania	3
Estonia	2
Ireland	2
Slovakia	2
Croatia	1
Slovenia	1

As you can clearly see Italy and Spain have the most Eco friendly communities. Ireland is far down the list and I wish there was more ec o friendly communities in Ireland. However some major European countries have no Eco friendly communities. These include Belgium, Ukraine, Serbia, Luxembourg and Belarus. Eco friendly communities in my opinion are the way forward for Europe and the rest of the world in the challenge make earth environmentally safe.

 

Further Research :

This is a very good site for Eco villages across europe ->

http://gen-europe.org/home/index.htm

 

Blog 5: Fracking in Ireland

In Fridays’s class we discussed in great detail the fracking operation that could go ahead in counties Letrim and Fermanagh. The local councils and people have opposed exploration of the gas fields lying under the hills of Letrim. Even though this could be a multi billion project for the Irish economy and it can create hundreds of jobs. Fracking which stands for Hydraulic Fracturing has a lot of problems associated with it. People are afraid that this operation could cause Irish lakes and water supplies  to become contaminated which could cause disease. The Australian company Tamboran Resources are looking to undertake this project and they say that the harmful effects caused by the method fracking will have a minimal affect on the environment. In my blog I would like to discuss the advantages and disadvantages that fracking implement on Ireland.

Advantages:

• This operation could generate billions of euro for the struggling Irish economy. Our economy which is dire need of revenue would benefit greatly.
• The operation would create jobs for the local areas. Over 600 estimated jobs could be created with this sort of project.  Since immigration is so popular in rural areas this operation will reduce immigration and boost the local area.
• Tamboran Resources said that Ireland’s energy supply would be assured with this project.
• Tamboran Resources has also said that there will be no chemicals used in the fracking process. This will help protect the environment.
• In these recession times it will boost the enterprise of the area. Since Letrim and Fermanagh are rural parts of the country that is  struggling at these times it could benefit them greatly.
• This operation could heat Irish homes for decades to come.
• Ireland is an attractive place to set up multi international companies since it has low tax and English as a first language.
• This will reduce Ireland’s dependency on foreign imports of fossil fuels.
• The gas reserves will last and provide energy for a long period of time.

 

Disadvantage:

• Fracking can lead to contaminated lake and water supplies as it cracks up rock underground and releases gases.
• If the dangerous gases does get into the surrounding environments it could be very dangerous for the people who live in these areas. It could easily cause widespread disease and illness if the dangerous toxins are not controlled.
• The building and setting up of this operation is very rigorous and time-consuming. It could be up to 5 years before the gas is produced commercially.
• The fracking can seriously damage the natural wildlife. Fish, plants and trees are all under threat  with fracking.
• Fracking can damage the agriculture industry by using up valuable farming land.
• This operation can also damage the tourism industry in the local area.
• Fracking is banned in certain countries such as France and it causes a lot of unrest among locals which is shown in the USA.

 

In my personal opinion I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. I think it is a huge benefit for the economy it should be implemented in Ireland as long as the environmental effects are kept to a minimal value. I also think it benefits the local area.

 

Further Research:

This is a RTE News report on fracking in Leitrim ->

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0201/fracking.html#video

 

And this is an interesting documentary on fracking in America and the problems it caused ->

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8