The Importance of Environmental Sustainability

Environment sustainability is extremely important, to establish a safe environment for the future. The ozone layer is slowly decreasing, and as it continues to deplete the more scientists will worry about the increase on natural disasters, like heat waves, flash floods, severe hurricanes, etc. We rely too much on crude oil, and the oil spill on the Golf of Mexico has a negative impact to the sea life of the area. Consequently, it is very important that we try to look at other renewable sources of energy, to keep man made damage to the environment at a minimum. There is more than just one way to ensure that we maintain our environment and that it continues for the future. Such as reducing carbon footprints and emission, and reusing as many items as we can. (Such as recycling) We should all use eco-friendly items, not only at home, but also in the workplace. However there is much more to sustainability that just recycling and using eco products. Are there any strategic, economic, or environmental decisions that are being made, to make sure that all of our resources are being used efficiently? Are there any health and safety issues when using these resources? There should be policies in the economy that amplify sustainability, and not the other way around. Green technology is the way to go and any advancement in technology should not block sustainability. In today's world people have to pay a premium to get things such as organic food, solar panels, etc. compared to the much cheaper GM foods. Going green is definitely not cheap. Even though the green products are expensive, they are also hard to find for some consumers. Cooperation from the government is needed to ensure that the green products are made available to everyone and at an affordable price. It takes a great effort to get green products. They are found online to department stores. Going green is more of a lifestyle choice to those who want to do so. More people will need to get involved and go green in the future to make sure that our environment is sustainable. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4861992

The Green MBA - Your Path to Career Success and Personal Fulfillment

Over the last few years Green MBA programs have become increasingly popular and they motivate students to gain a valuable qualification and also protect the environment. A Green MBA is a Master of Business Administration degree that concentrates on sustainability in business. In many ways it is like a conventional MBA, and is granted after one to two years of graduate-level university studies in both the theory and practice of business management. It provides students with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of managing corporations sustainably including subjects like the following- implementing sustainable practices, improving energy efficiency, reducing the environmental impact of the business, cutting back waste and identifying multiple methods to make all aspects of the business greener. Conventional MBA degrees involve coursework and focus on learning about business from a mainly financial standpoint, plus covering leadership, marketing, traditional economic theory and business ethics. A sustainable MBA program, on the other hand, includes these topics and also the study of managing for environmental sustainability and social Responsibility. These are both significant areas of study and all students have to identify specific areas they want to specialize in. A Green MBA program will help you decide on which specialization you wish to pursue in your subsequent job search. With a Green MBA you can start a new career or revive a stalled one. After completing your degree, you will have learned challenging, innovative and invaluable lessons into how to grow and lead sustainable organizations. You will have studies many fascinating and vital topics that may include corporate sustainability, green branding, environmental law and public policy, sustainability consulting, social responsibility, systems thinking, ecological economics, and green strategy. All of these fields of knowledge and skills will become more important over the coming years. Businesses will always need to be profitable, and by integrating sustainable strategies with reduced waste and increased profit, you will become an indispensable member of the corporate team. Many corporations around the world focus on strategies that provide their organizations with a competitive advantage through environmentally sustainable practices, such as energy efficiency, carbon reduction and clean technologies. These represent major profit making opportunities and Corporations need a new generation of business leaders who can provide best practices, and who can understand the issues and opportunities that exist to benefit the organization as well as the world. Those who are fortunate enough to have acquired a Green MBA degree will find themselves positioned as leaders in the new way business is being conducted around the world. A Green MBA can help you to achieve tremendous success in the business world and also help find solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges. They can achieve the ultimate win-win of making their business more profitable and also contributing towards the welfare of humanity and our planet. A Green MBA helps to promote environmental and social responsibility at both a professional and personal level. An increasing number of businesses are recruiting and training employees to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR). The new CSR practices and policies reflect strong demand from stockholders, communities, consumers and even from the government for businesses to consider the triple bottom line that benefits the environment and the community as well as traditional business stakeholders. In today's market, getting a Green MBA may well be the smartest thing you can do. As you look ahead, you will see that soon all businesses will be impacted by the unstoppable trend towards going Green. There is no going back now. Green MBA programs are ready to grow at a rapid rate. Sustainability is the new mantra for both business and education. Employees with the right background will be well-positioned to benefit from the new trends towards Green business. Finding the right program is no easy task. With literally hundreds of different factors to address, your choices might seem overwhelming. With such an important investment in time and money, you will want to examine all your options and consider them carefully. There is no going back now. Corporations have to be environmentally responsible. Today there are many Universities that offer you full time Green MBA programs with many extra subjects that are not provided in other more conventional MBA degrees. As a Green MBA graduate you will develop a career that will help business become more green. Your new skills might include corporate social responsibility, green branding and marketing, resource management, sustainable buildings and energy efficiency. Every corporation and small business will need a new type of management professional who will take advantage of this powerful trend towards sustainability. This is a clear path to both career success and personal fulfillment, as a green MBA gives you the tools and the skills to make a positive difference to your own life, your employer and the world. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6305924

The Definition of Green

The word "Green" is not the omni-term for anything environmental although there is the tendency to substitute the word "Green" for "Environmental." Environmentalism is to grand topic that has several subdivisions. Under this grand topic o environmentalism, we will find Green, Sustainable, Pollution, and Conservation. Each one of these subdivisions are immense subject on their own. In the mash-up of words and concepts, we have lost the fundamental meaning of Green. Environmental, Green, or Sustainable now blur into that ugly green color that we made in kindergarten when we slurred all the colors into one big blob. We cannot progress when confusion reigns, and every science starts out with a definition of terms. The best definition of Green refers to the health impact of what we do on living things. So Green is primarily a health-related issue. This is seen in the fact that cleaning products were the early Green issues. In fact, indoor air quality is a big factor in Green buildings. Sick building syndrome was the result of poor indoor air quality, which is the antithesis of Green. Sustainability is also badly morphed into many applications, but essentially deals with the management of our resources. This is a complimentary issue to Green, so it a Green and Sustainable business means that the company considers the health of the workplace as well as the material demands of the business. The health of the workplace can be impacted by cleaning products, building materials, furniture, as well as paint and carpeting. "Outgassing" is a well documented concern. The installation of new carpet, new furniture, new paint, and new wood leave residual fumes as these items continue to dry out. Your senses will betray you because we think that anything new is clean and healthy, but that is a huge mistake. The varnishes and additives to paint, carpet glue, and wood fall under the category of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are not good for you. If your health is comprised, these fumes can worsen your condition and hasten disease. If you are healthy, the long term exposure will wear you down in time. Think of the dust that is recirculated that contains bacteria, virus, dust mite feces and scales, carbon from the copies, and so much more. It is a wonder that we aren't sick all the time except that we are generally healthy and able to live in hostile environments for a long time. The people who are supposed to help clean our facilities and protect our health through sanitizing processes are the janitors, but clean does not mean healthy. The ammonia in the window spray is harmful, the zinc in the floor finish is bad for humans, the numerous chemicals in the cleansers add to a worsening situation. Mold is a persistent problem for many buildings. The mold spores are never good for the workers, and can become a crisis concern if untreated. Latent issues remain the in the HVAC system as well. It is fair to say that the air of any building is a kind of "Ground Zero" for any office or business. If the employees are negatively impacted, productivity will fall. Afternoon headache, occasional nausea, and lethargy can be signs of an unhealthy indoor air quality. So, while your building may be energy efficient, and you may be conserving water as well as recycling your trash (sustainability issues), the building may be very un-Green because it is unhealthy. The Green Business League believes that a Green office starts with an understanding of the healthy office and a serious look at the components that compromise indoor air quality. Consider using a Green certified janitorial service that also uses Green cleaning products, microfiber cloths, and HEPA vacuums. Do not let mold go untreated. Be mindful of all paint, carpet, and furniture used in the facility because they introduce a large volume of gases into the air. Green is a primarily a health-related issue that blends into the other topics of sustainability, pollution control, and conservation. By dividing out the topics properly, the plan of attack seem much more clear. To attack the issue in a methodic manner, businesses should considering "Going Green" first then moving into the sustainable issues. The early disdain for the word Green comes from the anti-business attitudes of ultra-conservationists that needed a target for their vitriol. Green is not an anti-business concept when properly understood. A Green business is one that is a good place for living things in the workplace, in the community, and in the world. R Michael Richmond is the director of the Green Business League [http://www.greenbusinessleague.com], and trainer for the Certified Sustainability Officer [http://www.certifiedsustainabilityofficer.com] course. If you serve in the capacity of a sustainable officer, certification is invaluable.. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/858846

Why Your Business Needs To Go Green Immediately

Business Sustainability Initiatives Nothing lasts forever. More companies are beginning to realize that preserving the environment and working to be more conscious of pollution while utilizing renewable resources is no longer just a trend but rather a staple of entrepreneurship. Frequent environmental issues and weather tragedies have brought attention to the sustainability market and challenged self-awareness regarding global initiative responses. The wave of economic uncertainty that struck the United States in most recent history also developed a need for cost conservation and popularity for a "going green" attitude. While the concept of "going green" was originally predicted to be a brief fad in business, we now know that it has made strong presence and is here to stay. There are many reasons why your business will need to take some type of sustainability action in the near future. 1. Competitive Edge Sustainability practices throughout businesses are widespread but not yet highly established. For this reason, taking advantage of renewable resources, monitoring water usage, recycling, and even not testing on animals are all ways that have potential to give your business a competitive edge and upper hand. Running an environmentally conscious business reflects responsibility and concern for the well being of humanity. When compared to businesses that do not take advantage of the sustainability concept and resource alternatives, consumers will demonstrate more respect for the "green" direction of your business. 2. Well- Prepared Sustainability practices corporately communicate preparedness for future successes. It is common knowledge that our environment is not in as pleasant a condition as it once was and that it may be in need of regulation and conservation from its inhabitants. The attitudes of the public are on a continuous rise toward innovation and conservation. The level of economic uncertainty and the recent recession has developed a need for cutting spending and utilizing renewable resources. Any business that can prove constant practices of sustainability and "green-friendly" production, will be more favorable. Participating in the environmentally conscious movement displays your company's preparation and readiness for what is to come. Assuring your customers that you are prepared for any obstacle the future may bring, communicates a sense of security through your business that they will never turn down. 3. Pinching Pennies The inevitable truth is that wherever and however a consumer or manufacturer can cut costs, they will. That is what makes the sustainability trend much different from all other come-and-go business fads. Participating in more environmentally sound practices for your business usually means cutting production costs and resources for you, and the benefit of well-being and health for your consumer. Some ways that businesses have successfully progressed in the green market have been monitoring of water usage, regulating raw material attainment, formulating products with more plant-based ingredients, removing non-biodegradable additives, and adjusting use of power and energy supplies. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8871200

Marketing Your Morality - Business Sustainability and the Green Revolution

Increasingly, a business' success is determined not only by the products it creates and the efficiency of its productive apparatus, but by the symbols it can attach itself to and the community in which it is a part. Principal in this new wave of business marketing is the emergence of 'Green Politics' and the environmental revolution. The 'Green Revolution' started in the 1960s alongside the sexual revolution and the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement with the publication of Rachel Caron's Silent Spring, a book which would eventually become required reading for any environmentalist. Since then, the 'Green Revolution' has splintered and has turned into several unique and often competing factions. There are of course, still the extremists who tie themselves to redwood trees to prevent the destruction of a forest, but in recent years, a moderate line of environmentalist thought has come to prominence among Hollywood stars and media elites and has seeped into the playbook of modern entrepreneurs. To say it simply: Green sells. The sooner that a business is able to get in on this revolution the quicker they will see returns on profits and growth in general. Additionally, 'Going Green' has the added benefit of being metaphorical glue among workers and is an excellent way to improve employee morale. Only a few years ago the publication "Entertainment Weekly" began its annual 'Green Issue', featuring the likes of Leonardo Di Caprio and other famous Hollywood movie stars telling their stories of environmental consciousness and sharing their own personal tricks and tips to conserve energy and improve the environment. One need not cite such marketing staples as brand awareness, sexuality, and action to point out that what sells in Hollywood sells in the business world at large as well, and perhaps for this reason alone it is worth taking note of the steam that the Green Revolution has been building. The secret to going Green as a company is to know how to correctly sell your morality. It is not cynical to say that a business is in the business of making money, and that from this standpoint, any amount of environmental ethics is meaningless if it is not recognized and appreciated by the consuming public. This is to say, a building with energy efficient air-conditioning and a firm that cuts down on the amount of paper that it consumes will not see returns in their profits if they cannot properly inform the public of their environmentally conscious ways. One should seek to combine both the cold, profitability of a greening business with the imminently marketable fact that a energy efficient venture, known to the public, is a 'good' business. Furthermore, an energy efficient company boosts employee morale and contributes to a sense of oneness with the community. More than their parents, this generation of workers is concerned with so-called 'extra-economical' issues such as environmental morality and human rights issues. Take full advantage of the opportunity to unify your employees and provide a spark of life into the work place by taking the time to fully inform your employees about the reasons and methods that your company will undertake to become more environmentally sustainable. While there are certainly a wealth of reasons to 'Go-Green' for profitability's sake, the true and underlying impetus for a sustainable venture is found in the spiritual uplift that it will have on the community and in the world at large. By itself, a business may not be able to change the face of environmental destruction, but it can certainly make a start. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1562268

Faith Based Sustainability - Going Green For The Greater Good

As a Unitarian Universalist proud of our liberal religious faith, I'm confident that environmental stewardship is important in my religious community. Our Seventh Principle charges us to "respect the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." UU churches often seem to grow out of the very ground in which they're planted, with a preponderance of yurt-like buildings, and an emphasis on union with the environment. The Unitarian Universalist Association has a Ministry for the Earth, and my own church is actively seeking Green Sanctuary certification through that ministry, working hard to sustainably walk our ecological talk. But beyond us, within larger religious communities where we often part company on the basis of creed or dogma, a growing stewardship movement appears to herald something of a cosmic shift in mainstream theology. Can churches succeed where government stalls? Can we connect with an environmental ethic inherent in the lives of all people that would change lifestyles and social structures to positively impact our environment? In a dissertation titled, "Faith-Based Environmental Groups in the United States and Their Strategies for Change," written by Angela M. Smith, of the Center for Environmental Studies, at Brown University last May, Smith observes that the modern environmental movement has its roots in the spirituality of its forebears such as Thoreau and Muir. "Today," she writes, "that spirituality can be still be seen in the secular, ecofeminist, and environmental justice segments of the present-day environmental movement." - things we, as UU, recognize and to which we readily respond. However, she notes three significant reasons for the increase in overall faith based stewardship movements: 1) Increased attention from mainstream press for religious calls to environmental action; 2) A crisis of conscience in the secular environmental movement, which has been criticized for its failure to promote broader ethical principles; 3) Faith-based environmentalism being seen as a way to recapture earlier calls by people like Aldo Leopold for an environmental ethic to guide our relationships with the natural world if widespread degradation is to cease. "An environmental ethic inherent in the lives of nearly all individuals, "suggests Smith, " would change lifestyles and social structures in such a way that the number of environmental issues arising would dramatically decrease. In theory, people would simply live justly and responsibly with the earth, and there would be no conflict between whether or not to drill for oil in a national refuge, for example, or to better promote public transportation since one would simply know what the ethically correct solution to such a problem would be." Smith notes, too, that: "While the faith-based environmental movement is growing, the proportion of the adult American population that is Christian has declined from 86% in 1990 to 77% in 2001 . The percentage of non-Christian adults has remained fairly steady, only increasing in ten years by less than half a percent, to reach 3.7%. In addition, there is a trend wherein the percentage of adults who identify themselves with a particular religious denomination has steadily declined from 90% in 1991 to 81% in 2001. "...Evangelical Christian churches and those that are nondenominational, on the other hand, have seen the most significant increases in membership over the past decade. The Roman Catholic church, bolstered by immigrants, has likewise seen an increase in number of adherents. That being said, an additional group that has witnessed important increases in numbers consists of individuals who profess no religion. This suggests that these changing patterns have as much to do with a rejection of faith as they do with the seeking of different faiths among Americans." Might the common search for a sustaining environmental ethic become the engine that drives our theologies in a new direction? There are many religiously driven efforts underway to help people think about the world in new ways, and Smith breaks them down into three categories: Christian stewardship Creation spiritualists and Eco-justice advocates Within the category of Christian stewardship, which includes aspects of the creation spirituality and eco-justice, divisions occur, even as groups try to move forward in their search for a unifying theory of religious stewardship. Often, differences hinge on principles of eco-justice, the main difference between Protestant and Catholic environmentalism, notes Smith. "In Protestant environmentalism, eco-justice is only one among many approaches to solving the environmental crisis. Within Catholicism, ... it seems to hold greater weight." To me, that makes the intensity of faith based environmental efforts, even more poignant. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in the foreword to a global effort called the Earth Bible Project, put it this way: "Planet Earth is in crisis. More and more life systems are being threatened. Scientists estimate that at least half, and perhaps as many as 80% of the world's animal and plant species, are found in the rainforests. The rainforests are the lungs of the planet producing much of the oxygen that humans and other oxygen-dependent creatures need to survive. The rainforests, alas, are still being destroyed at an alarming rate. "Resolving the ecological crisis of our planet, however, is no longer a problem we can leave to the scientists. Just as are all part of the problem, we are also part of the solution. We all need to come to terms with the forces that have created this crisis and the resources within our traditions that can motivate us to resolve the crisis. One of those traditions is our biblical heritage." The Earth Bible project seeks to "develop a set of principles to re-read the biblical text from an ecojustice perspective." The project seeks not to defend biblical text blindly, says Tutu, but to "identify those passages which may have contributed to the crisis and to uncover those traditions which have valued Earth but been suppressed." It's a complex effort, at best, and the Earth Bible Team acknowledges that "much of the Bible does not seem to reflect a religious worldview that was particularly sensitive towards the natural environment." Yet they nevertheless hope to uncover "suppressed Earth traditions that resist the dominant patriarchal anthropocentric orientation of the text, "" Readings from the Perspective of the Earth" the first part of the Earth Bible project, lays out six eco-justice principles: The Principle of Intrinsic Worth The Principle of Interconnectedness The Principle of Voice The Principle of Purpose The Principle of Mutual Custodianship: Earth is a balanced and diverse domain where responsible custodians can function as partners with, rather than rulers over, Earth to sustain its balance and a diverse Earth community. The Principle of Resistance: Earth and its components not only suffer from human injustices but actively resist them in the struggle for justice. This first volume identifies many problematic biblical texts, including an analysis of the Book of Amos, which is full of a lot of God-ordained pummeling of the earth and withholding of vital natural resources, like rain. It also looks at Psalm 8, which declares that God has made man "little less than a god, crowning him with glory and honor. Thou makest him master over all thy creatures; thou hast put everything under his feet: all sheep and oxen, all the wild beast, the birds in the air and the fish in the sea, and all that moves along the paths of ocean." -- an assertion which leads one Earth Bible Project author to conclude that "the Earth's interests are certainly not central." And then there's Hebrews 6:7-8, which reads, "When the earth drinks in the rain that falls upon it from time to time, and yields a useful crop to those for whom it is cultivated, it is receiving its share of blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and God's curse hangs over it; the end of that is burning." Now there's some hefty heavenly precedent for slashing and burning. Most mainstream religious environmental movements, though, are driven by basic relational and ethical questions like the one Rev. Dr. David Pickering of the UK, "What on Earth has the environment got to do with church?" (Bible Society, 2003) "...Many in the church categorize environmental issues as the preserve of civil society - ," writes Rev. Pickering. "They do their bit at such places as the recycling bank, or put the environment on the busy church agenda along with a range of issues competing for their attention. However, it is increasingly recognized that good stewardship of the environment or creation care is a core part of discipleship; it is undertaken as part of a Christian response to the God of creation, rather than as an optional extra within church life. Churches also report that environmental initiatives are an effective mechanism for Christian mission because they can help the church engage with society on what is arguably one of the most pressing issues of the twenty-first century." There, in a nutshell, you have it: Faith based sustainability helps churches engage with society on one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century, the common ground of our increasingly ravaged planet and our hopes for staying alive on it. Pickering has a different perspective on questions of Biblical precedence for caring for the Earth. "Whilst the word "environment" is not found in the Bible," he writes, " - the importance of environmental care is implicit in many texts. Genesis 1-2 records two different creation stories, each of which set out aspects of a proper relationship between God, humanity and the rest of the created order. "Rather than being an ordered or scientific account of the origins of the cosmos the story of creation in six days conveys the message that everything is dependent for its existence and meaning upon the sovereign God. The culmination of creation, with the Sabbath as a day of rest and celebration, reminds us that worship is the first response to God the creator. "Christian environmental care should naturally flow from this," writes Pickering. " The creation story includes a refrain "and God saw that it was good", which indicates that creation does not exist just for what humanity can get out of it, but has value in God's eyes. The refrain reminds humanity that the whole created order is to be respected with integrity rather than relentlessly exploited." Adding man to the mix, says Pickering, and in "God's image" no less, "reflects the privilege and responsibility we are given. ...the privilege to enjoy the gift of creation and a responsibility for those made in the image of God to live according to his teaching." An entirely new discipline has arisen here: An Eco-theology. Some have been at the leading edge of this trend for years - Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd, come to mind immediately, with their traveling 'Great Story" , which they've brought to Spirit of Life a couple of times now, and which meshes evolution with spirituality. But only recently has ecotheology really come into the common religious vernacular. In, "Eco-Congregation: A successful blend of theology and ecology?" a dissertation published just this past May by Catherine Harmer, Harmer writes, " The academic discipline of 'ecotheology' is still relatively new and some scholars find it difficult to reconcile the relationship between theology and ecology. "Christianity has been, and is still often, accused of being a major contributory factor of the global ecological crisis. Although it generally advocates caring for creation, Christianity has frequently been rebuked for not always practicing what it preaches. In addition to Christianity's supposed lack of positive action, some Christian doctrines are also perceived to be detrimental influences on humanity's treatment of the planet." Harmer, however, like Pickering before her, believes that Christianity is not intrinsically averse to ecological issues and that positive actions are being taken within the Church to improve ecological circumstances. "... It is understandable that the misinterpretation and abuse of theological concepts such as 'dominion', 'free-will' and 'eternal life', for example, have led to the accusation that Christianity is a major contributory factor of the world's ecological crisis, " notes Harmer. The real question, Harmer quotes UK environmentalist Jonathon Porritt as saying, is "not so much whether or not Christ would vote Green, but whether or not the Church would have him declared a heretic for so doing!" Harmer underscores that Green Christianity is not new, only newly popular, and she points to 'An Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation' issued in 1994 'to assert and emphasize that this Earth belongs to God and that we are responsible to him for it". "Since this declaration,"Harmer says, "considerable efforts have been made to move away from ecologically detrimental Christian theological concepts and towards an inclusive theology that embraces the whole of creation; the intention of this revised theology is to encourage all Christians to become communally more practically involved in efforts to resolve ecological concerns." Perhaps not surprisingly, the growing religious drive toward sustainability is divided along similar lines as general scientific thought on climate change issues, and often hinges on Third World poverty concerns. A 2007 Wall Street Journal article titled, "Environmentalism splits Evangelical Community," observes: "The National Association of Evangelicals' vice president for governmental affairs, Richard Cizik, has ... been a prominent supporter for "creation care." Nervous about associating themselves with scientists or big-government environmentalists, they broadly argue that Christians have a duty to nurture God's creation, and to fight global warming due to the harm it would cause the poor. The green evangelicals have come under attack from their peers for bad theology, bad science and distracting people from more pressing campaigns. " The rift manifests itself in two camps: The Interfaith Stewardship Alliance (ISE) and the Evangelical Climate Initiative (ECI) The Interfaith Stewardship Alliance who's slogan features the unlikely combination of words "Dominion, Stewardship, Conservation," is an evangelical organization that questions the scientific consensus on global warming. The ISA wants, "a proper and balanced Biblical view of stewardship to the critical issues of environment and development." It takes as its unifying statement, the Cornwall Declaration, a document published by the Acton Institute in 2000 . The Acton Institute is a think tank and advocacy institute "Integrating Judeo-Christian Truths with Free Market Principles." The Cornwall Declaration sets the stage thusly: "The past millennium brought unprecedented improvements in human health, nutrition, and life expectancy, especially among those most blessed by political and economic liberty and advances in science and technology. At the dawn of a new millennium, the opportunity exists to build on these advances and to extend them to more of the earth's people. "At the same time, many are concerned that liberty, science, and technology are more a threat to the environment than a blessing to humanity and nature. Out of shared reverence for God and His creation and love for our neighbors, we Jews, Catholics, and Protestants, speaking for ourselves and not officially on behalf of our respective communities, joined by others of good will, and committed to justice and compassion, unite in this declaration of our common concerns, beliefs, and aspirations." The Cornwall Declaration identifies three areas of "common misunderstanding": 1. Many people mistakenly view humans as principally consumers and polluters rather than producers and stewards. And "ignore our potential, as bearers of God's image, to add to the earth's abundance." causing, "...The tendency among some to oppose economic progress in the name of environmental stewardship is often sadly self-defeating." 2. Many people believe that "nature knows best," or that the earth-untouched by human hands-is the ideal. Such romanticism leads some to deify nature or oppose human dominion over creation. Our position, informed by revelation and confirmed by reason and experience, views human stewardship that unlocks the potential in creation for all the earth's inhabitants as good. .... Human life, says this doctrine, "must be cherished and allowed to flourish. The alternative-denying the possibility of beneficial human management of the earth-removes all rationale for environmental stewardship. 3. While some environmental concerns are well founded and serious, others are without foundation or greatly exaggerated. Among the concluding goals of the document: We aspire to a world in which human beings care wisely and humbly for all creatures, first and foremost for their fellow human beings, recognizing their proper place in the created order. We aspire to a world in which liberty as a condition of moral action is preferred over government-initiated management of the environment as a means to common goals. We aspire to a world in which the relationships between stewardship and private property are fully appreciated, allowing people's natural incentive to care for their own property to reduce the need for collective ownership and control of resources and enterprises, and in which collective action, when deemed necessary, takes place at the most local level possible. We aspire to a world in which widespread economic freedom-which is integral to private, market economies-makes sound ecological stewardship available to ever greater numbers. We aspire to a world in which advancements in agriculture, industry, and commerce not only minimize pollution and transform most waste products into efficiently used resources but also improve the material conditions of life for people everywhere. Signers of the doctrine include the American Baptist Association, the Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church , the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Mennonites, the Presbyterian Church , Seventh Day Adventists, and the United Methodist Church. The Evangelical Climate Initiative takes a different tack, stating, "The same love for God and neighbor that compels us to preach salvation through Jesus Christ, protect the unborn, preserve the family and the sanctity of marriage, and take the whole Gospel to a hurting world, also compels us to recognize that human-induced climate change is a serious Christian issue requiring action now." .................................................... Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/926017

Going Green: New LEED-HC Construction Standards Boost Hospitals' Sustainability Efforts

With an ever increasing public demand for sustainable materials and practices, healthcare facilities are turning to "green" design and construction to help improve patient outcomes, boost staff retention and lower operating costs. Launched this spring, the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Healthcare Construction (LEED-HC) rating system addresses the unique circumstances of creating sustainable environments of care. Green Goes Mainstream A pioneering concept just a decade ago, environmentally sound healthcare construction is becoming the norm. The 2011 Hospital Building Report by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and Health Facilities Management magazine reflects that trend. More than two thirds of respondents said they specify green materials in most or all construction projects, and about 60 percent reported that they evaluate the cost and benefits of green construction methods for building projects. Why the momentum? For the healthcare industry - major consumers of electricity and producers of waste - environmentally responsible buildings can enhance both their mission and the bottom line. Research shows that patients heal faster, have shorter hospital stays and fewer return visits when treated in facilities with healthy indoor environmental quality and a direct connection to nature. Also, preventing airborne release of contaminants helps extend healthcare's mission to protect public health. From a business standpoint, building in significant energy and water efficiencies will return savings throughout a facility's typically long life cycle, while giving its owner a marketing edge. Addressing Healthcare's Realities The not-for-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) introduced its LEED program in 2000 as a framework for implementing green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. Healthcare facilities in South Florida and nationwide began achieving certification under various LEED categories. Until now, no LEED category has specifically addressed healthcare facilities' complex clinical and regulatory requirements. The USGBC introduced LEED-HC as a pilot program in 2007, working with the Green Guide for Healthcare project to produce a construction standard that references healthcare's unique concerns. For instance, LEED-HC references ASHE's standard Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) within its criteria for Indoor Environmental Quality. More than 100 hospitals and other healthcare facilities nationwide participated in the LEED-HC pilot. This April, the USGBC officially launched its LEED-HC category to guide design and construction of new facilities as well as major renovations. The rating system is available for inpatient, outpatient and licensed long-term care facilities, medical offices, assisted living facilities and medical education and research centers. Is LEED-HC the Right Choice? Through the new rating system, the USGBC is embracing "green" design and construction within the healthcare field. Owners will likely find the system's criteria are well in line with their expectations for any quality construction project. To determine whether seeking LEED-HC certification makes sense, it's crucial to assemble an experienced, cross-disciplinary design team in the programming and pre-design phase - the earlier the better. In fact, LEED-HC makes Integrated Project Planning and Design a pre-requisite. Finding the right team is key. Its members must offer innovative solutions and project the costs of different building systems and specifications. Green building's rise has spurred a growing array of durable new and recycled construction products at increasingly competitive prices. Accurate estimating will forecast not just construction costs, but "total costs," showing the impact of energy and water saved throughout a building's life cycle. Since collaboration to meet project requirements within budget is so important, a design-build or construction management agreement offers the most value to the owner - especially when trying to gauge the feasibility of building LEED. The project team should include the owner, architect or building designer, engineers and construction manager or general contractor. The team often also includes the controls designer, sustainable design consultant, facilities manager and commissioning agent. If all team members have LEED Accredited Professionals on staff, the owner is assured of better-integrated planning with greater potential savings. Based on the team's projections and recommendations, the owner can decide whether to pursue LEED-HC or another LEED certification for a particular renovation or new construction project. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6333548

A Sustainability Policy For Green Real Estate Management

With continuing changes to regulations governing energy use and sustainability in buildings, both owners and occupiers should expect increasing focus on green real estate management, but how do you know if your property is being managed with green, sustainable considerations in mind? There are two factors to consider, firstly does the property management company have an up to date and relevant Sustainability Policy and have they developed an individual Sustainability Policy for your building? A Sustainability Policy is a written statement that outlines the company's objectives and commitments towards targets and performance improvements in the area of sustainability. It is important because unless a company knows what it wants to achieve and has an idea of how that will happen, it is unlikely to be able to make improvements. There are a number of elements to a Sustainability Policy, including: General sustainability aims and objectives An agreement that the policy is actively supported by management and will by implemented by staff A way of communicating sustainability targets and objectives to employees, customers and suppliers. Ultimately the Sustainability Policy should become a central part of the business strategy. A Sustainability Policy specific to each building is also important because every property will be different and will have different challenges and opportunities. It is unrealistic to expect a one size fits all policy to be appropriate although this does not mean it is necessary to reinvent a policy for each property. Instead your property manager should look at what elements are common across all properties and what specific items can be adopted and configured to suit specific properties. One target for a property may be to work towards a carbon neutral building but for some properties this may not be achievable, or not at a sensible cost, which will be particularly likely for older buildings. Where this is not possible an alternative is to assess the current carbon footprint attributable to a property and set targets to reduce this. Other things to consider include are the environmental impact of the day to day running of a property and in particular energy efficiency (how can changes be made to improve energy efficiency) and the types of energy that is used. There are a number of reasons why developing Sustainability Policies makes sense both for good business and good property management reasons but as legal requirements increase these will become even more important. One final benefit should be as a marketing tool for empty properties. Use your Sustainability Policies to set your property apart from other less environmentally focused properties, particularly when marketing to green aware tenants and it starts to make real business sense. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4337114

Green Education and Sustainability in Schools Promotes Green Lifestyles, Eco-Conscious Citizens

"Sustainable development will not just be in the classroom: it will be in its bricks and mortar and the way that the school uses and generates its own power. Our students won't just be told about sustainable development, they will see and work within it: a living, learning place in which to explore what a sustainable lifestyle means." Years ago, the term "green school" would simply have referred to the color of the paint on the walls. But with today's increased energy costs, increased accountability and reduced operating and capital budgets, education decision-makers are "going green" to become more efficient and provide a healthier environment for improved student learning. Schools are increasingly turning to "green" or sustainable design and its elements in the construction of new schools and the renovation of existing schools. Green design addresses improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency (reduced usage, costs and impact on the environment), and the use of natural material and resources, which results in an improved learning and teaching environment. There are many aspects to going green including recycling, composting, making use of alternative energy sources and investing in energy-efficient appliances. Many schools are already on the way to becoming sustainable schools. In Wisconsin, Wausau West High School experienced problems with indoor air quality and high heating bills. The school implemented a new HVAC strategy allowing for 100 percent outside air ventilation and reduced energy consumption. This strategy resulted in saving more than $100,000 annually in energy and an indoor air quality improvement of more than 300 percent. In Oregon, Dalles Middle School and Ash Creek Elementary opened in 2002, incorporating elements of sustainable design including the newest energy efficiency lighting system, T-5 fluorescents, solar tubes, other forms of daylighting, geo-exchange and heat recovery systems with energy reductions as much as 60 percent. In Colorado, Zach Elementary School in Fort Collins opened in 2002 with many sustainable design elements with energy use forecasted to be less than 50 percent of other schools in the district. Also in 2002, the first Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rated school in the nation opened outside of Statesville, N.C., Third Creek Elementary. Following are ways to create sustainable schools and a look at some schools that are doing just that. Daylighting Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, or other transparent media, and reflective surfaces so that natural daylight provides effective internal illumination. Within the overall architectural design of a building, particular attention is given to daylighting when the aim is to maximize visual comfort, productivity or to reduce energy use. Energy savings from daylighting are achieved in two ways - either from the reduced use of electric lighting, or from passive solar heating or cooling (source: Wikipedia). The effect of daylighting was studied in the late 1990s to reveal its impact on student learning. A study of more than 21,000 students in California, Washington and Colorado revealed test score increases of 26 percent in reading and 20 percent in math. Tips to Go Green A research paper from the National Association of Independent Schools details how schools can reduce their carbon footprint. Here are the top 10 tips: 1. Adopt an environmental mission statement for your school. 2. Buy food from local farmers and vendors. 3. Install solar panels on your campus. 4. Make people aware of your school's energy use by posting monthly usage data for public viewing (or make a real-time display). 5. Create an environmental stewardship committee on the board of trustees. 6. Start a school garden and serve food from it at school meals or functions. 7. Turn off all unnecessary electrical appliances over vacations and weekends. 8. Join an energy competition among independent schools. 9. Invite the local community to hear outside speakers present on environmental and sustainability topics. 10. Invest in a recycling program involving the entire school community. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1046993

Corporate Sustainability and LEED Certification

The design of a company's corporate headquarters and offices can also have a huge influence in its overall sustainability ratings. In fact, sustainable architecture (the practice of using green construction materials and green-friendly building practices) is currently experiencing a surge of business interest, in large part because of demand from environmentally conscious consumers. The most common assessment tool used to judge a building's green design qualities is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)certification system, a means of assessing various green factors used in building design created and monitored by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The basic structure of LEED certification is a scale of 0-100 points, which can be earned through a number of design features, including: Using recycled material in the building's construction Supplying energy and power through renewable methods Having exceptional standards in heating and cooling efficiency Reducing environmental impact during construction LEED tiers There are four tiers of LEED certification, indicating increasing sustainable building practices: Certified: 40 through 49 points Silver: 50 through 59 points Gold: 60 through 79 points Platinum: 80 points and higher Higher levels of LEED certification can be quite difficult to achieve. For example, as of 2011, there are less than 100 LEED Platinum certified buildings in the United States! However, for any business, achieving a high level LEED score can be an attractive goal and brings with it certain benefits. For example, a high LEED certification level can be a great selling point used by a corporation to woo environmentally conscious consumers and investors. In addition, incentives in the form of federal and local subsidies or tax benefits are often available for high level LEED certified buildings. For LEED designers For architects, contractors, and project managers who wish to achieve accreditation for expertise in LEED design, two primary tests are used to determine candidacy. These tests are created and offered by the GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute), an organization under the support of the US Green Building Council. The two accreditation tiers are: LEED Green Associate credentials: The most basic LEED credential, this exam introduces concepts designed for a non-professional (for example, construction and contract workers) involved in sustainable building. LEED AP (Accredited Professional) credentials: The LEED AP exam is more challenging than the Green Associate credential and contains deeper concepts of sustainable design. This exam is designed for those professionals with significant role in the design process (architects and project managers). It begins with the Green Associate exam but also includes a number of different specialty exams (including homes, building design, and neighborhood development), which can be selected by the test taker based on areas of interest or professional field. The future An upcoming third tier of accreditation, called the AP fellow, has been hinted at by the GBCI, though details have not been released as to this exam's expectations. Incidentally, for those who wish to take an upcoming LEED AP or Green Associate exam, a number of guides exist to help prepare for the exams and are available to buy throughout the Internet. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6302457

The Difference Between Green and Sustainable Energy

Many people are not aware that there is a difference between green and sustainable energy. Environmental terms, "green energy," and "sustainable energy" are sometimes considered to be synonymous; however, the goals of these terms are quite different. Sustainable things tend to be green. On the other hand, things we consider green are not necessarily sustainable. What Does "Green" Mean? Environmentally friendly practices are considered green. When something is green it has a slight negative impact on the environment and in some cases, no impact at all. For example, hybrid cars would be considered green if they are compared to ordinary cars. When something is referred to as environmentally friendly that does not mean it is sustainable. Hybrid cars still use gasoline, which may have less of an impact on the environment than regular cars; but hybrid cars are not a sustainable solution. What Does "Sustainable" Mean? Solutions that work and keep working without causing environmental damage are considered sustainable. Bikes are considered a sustainable means of transportation, especially when compared to vehicles requiring gasoline or diesel. Using a bicycle may seem ludicrous in today's day and age. Nonetheless, riding a bicycle does not use up natural resources and can be used repeatedly without doing harm to the environment. Combining "Green" and "Sustainable" Though there is a difference between green and sustainable energy, they can have a positive influence on our lives. Green technology can be sustainable as long as the materials used can be recycled, re-used, and don't run out. For instance, solar panels are considered both green and sustainable because they are reusable and they don't have a negative impact on the environment. They also absorb energy from the sun, which makes them a green product, as well. Difficult Goals to Reach Overall, it's difficult for humanity to find solutions to reach a greener, more sustainable lifestyle. People feel a sense of anxiety in switching over from their present way of living to another. For instance, usually, people are familiar and comfortable with the type of vehicle they're driving. Changing to smaller, more environmentally friendly forms of transportation, or using public transportation is a challenge and awkward for many. Additionally, changing a home to solar energy is not easy and could add a financial burden to many families. The cost for solar panels and the labor to install them is quite expensive. Nevertheless, don't let the difference between green and sustainable energy get in the way of you adjusting your lifestyle to make a positive change. Humanity is reaching a point where it may be forced to find alternative energy, manufacturing, and transportation system solutions before running out of non-renewable resources. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7961984