Question 1: Definition of Environmental Sustainability
The aspect of sustainability entails the ability to carry on a defined practice or behavior for an indefinite period. Sustainability is an emerging concept that is often associated with the environment. According to the United Nations, the sustainability of the environment entails the development that satisfies the requirements of the current population without interfering with the interests of the future generations. Most environmental organizations such as the National Environmental Health Commission (NEHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concur with the definition provided by the United Nations. However, EPA’s definition includes the need to identify the benefits and costs associated with the implementation of environmentally sustainable initiatives by agencies, individuals, and corporations (Environmental Sustainability Module, n.d). The definitions require people and organizations to find practical methods of addressing developmental and ecological problems in the globe. According to EPA, sustainability should act as the guiding influence in everyone’s work and duties to avoid the depletion of natural resources and eliminate pollution.
Reference
Environmental Sustainability Module (n.d.)
Question 2: Positive and Negative Impacts
Individuals can support environmental sustainability and future generations by utilizing energy efficient appliances such as fuel efficient vehicles, home weatherization items, equipment with the energy star logo, etc. The people need to learn how to be environmentally friendly to move about with the awareness of the usefulness of natural assets in supporting and creating life (Nadakavukaren, n.d). They should conserve and recycle fuels and water and make decisions that lessen their effects on the surroundings. Other ways that individuals can support the environment include planting trees, reducing the use of poisonous chemicals, avoid littering, and joining environmental initiatives. People can also play a part in destroying the environment if they do not observe sustainable development. By doing so, the individuals introduce ecological problems such as pollution, degradation or depletion of soil, air, and water. Some of the primary issues that result from human activities include forest depletion, soil erosion, coastal degradation, desertification, water pollution and salinity. People also fail to understand the natural resources within the environment are scarce. Hence, they pursue economic interests that put pressure on the ecological systems damaging them beyond repair (Conserve Energy Future, 2016).
Reference
Conserve Energy Future (2016). What is Being Environmentally Friendly? Retrieved July 10, 2016 from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/15-easy-ways-to-become- environmentally-friendly.php.
Question 3: European Nations
The European countries that are part of the European Union have developed the Sustainable Development Strategy (EU SDS). The EU was the first firm to take the lead in the war against climatic changes and the establishment of a carbon-free economy. Their mission entails working towards better governance and a green economy. The EU SDS comprises of a 2020 vision of a sustainable future founded on inclusive, sustainable, and smart growth. The EU SDS was established in 2010 to work towards concrete actions and objectives such as clean energy, public health, sustainable development problems, sustainable transport, management and conservation of natural resources, global poverty, and sustainable production and consumption (Annunziata, Frey & Rizzi, 2013). The EU has witnessed significant reductions in greenhouse emissions and the degradation of natural resources. The developments have been exceptional such that the EU is set to surpass the 2020 target they had set. The favorable trend of environmental sustainability in European countries is directed towards the transformation of the energy domain by increasing efficiency and switching from coal and oil to renewable sources and natural gas (Ghisetti & Rennings, 2014).
References
Annunziata, E., Frey, M., & Rizzi, F. (2013). Towards nearly zero-energy buildings: The state- of-art of national regulations in Europe. Energy, 57, 125-133.
Ghisetti, C., & Rennings, K. (2014). Environmental innovations and profitability: How does it pay to be green? An empirical analysis on the German Innovation survey. Journal of Cleaner production, 75, 106-117.
Question 4: Use of Nuclear Material and Radiation
The usefulness of radiation and nuclear material weighs heavily on the extent that the benefits can outshine the risks. Scientists discovered radiation in the 1890s. They formulated ways that they could utilize the natural source of energy to benefits human beings in generating electricity, in industries, academics, and medicine. Radiation and nuclear resources are also applicable in geology, space exploration, agriculture, law enforcement, and archaeology. Radiation and nuclear materials assisting in preserving and improving human health in hospitals during procedures such as monitoring, treatment, and diagnosis of various medical conditions and metabolic processes. A prominent medical procedure that utilizes radiation is the X-rays. The x-rays help in identifying internal problems and broken bones. Other forms of radiation are used in pain reduction, killing cancerous cells and tissues, and reducing tumors. Nuclear energy in the form of gamma rays provides cheap and safe ways to sterilize medical items and products. However, medical professionals must maintain caution when handling or dealing with radiation and nuclear energy (Radiation Module, n.d).
Reference
Radiation Module (n.d.)
Question 5: Benefits and Consequences of Nuclear Power
Nuclear energy is viewed as an ecologically friendly form of energy that removes fewer greenhouse pollutants compared to the traditional energy sources such as coal and oil. However, the disposal of the emissions and waste of radiation can harm the environment and people. The form of power thus acts as a widely accepted but problematic and manageable type of energy. The benefits of the nuclear power include low costs, minimal pollution, high density of energy, sustainability, greener alternative, base load power, and the energy can be recycled (Greenpeace UK, 2006). The potential consequences are the disposal of radioactive wastes can be extremely hazardous, dangerous accidents, the target for extremism and terrorism, long construction periods, mining contamination, and finite uranium. According to World Nuclear Association (2016), nuclear energy can act as a national target owing to its immense power. It is utilized to make weapons. If the artillery were to fall in the wrong places and hands, that would be the end of the planet. Hence, terrorists are constantly trying to target the nuclear power factories to get their hands on the resource.
References
Greenpeace UK. (2006). Nuclear power - the problems. Retrieved July 10, 2016 from http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/nuclear/problems.
World Nuclear Association (2016). US Nuclear Power Policy. Retrieved July 10, 2016 from http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/usa- nuclear-power-policy.aspx.
Question 6: Relationship between Food and Environmental Sustainability
Food is fundamental to life since it affects the health, economy, and cultural identity. Food sustainability is controlled by complex factors such as cultural, environmental, and economic elements. The three drivers interact to promote the availability of food, wastage, supply chains, biodiversity loss, diet changes, food prices, etc. There is thus a relationship between environmental and food sustainability. The only ways to move towards a sustainable and efficient food system is by preserving the ecological processes. The aspect involves availing superior technical information concerning the effects that the environment has on food, enhancing the coherence to food policies, reducing food losses and waste, stimulating food production, and supporting sustainable consumption. Environmental sustainability secures food security, availability and production (Environmental Sustainability Module, n.d.). Therefore, radical improvements in food security will require the transformation of the society’s perceptions of renewable energy, the surrounding, entitlements, population growth, rights distribution, and agricultural research. The occurrence of climate change is the worst possible threat to the security and availability of food and its projections are disheartening.
Reference
Garnett, T. (2013). Food sustainability: problems, perspectives and solutions. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 72(01), 29-39.
Question 7: Greatest Improvements in Environmental Sustainability
Citizen participation can produce better improvements compared to policies and technologies. The engaged citizenry will dictate the appropriate regulations, technologies, and practices that can support environmental sustainability. The involvement of civilians will thus produce better choices that will be beneficial to the community. They will also acquire more knowledge concerning the need to change their current activities to preserve the ecological system for their future generations. Unlike policies that will only inflict harsher sentences and laws to prevent the degradation and misuse of natural resources, the involvement of civilians will maintain democracy and create regulations that the majority have consented (Glazebrook, 2015). Laws can only be followed if the society is willing to respect them. Otherwise, the policies will not be influential and beneficial. Also, technology cannot provide greater improvements as citizen participation owing to the regions and countries that do not have sufficient infrastructure and capital to install the appropriate digital interventions.
References
Glazebrook, M. (2015). The social construction of corporate citizenship. Globalization and Corporate Citizenship: The Alternative Gaze: A Collection of Seminal Essays, 91.
