Ozone layer is found on earths upper atmosphere. It is made of ozone (O3) which protects living things on earth from damaging effect of suns UV light. It is crucial to protect Ozone layer for living things to survive on earths surface. The various ways to protect Ozone layer include;
Preventing human activities which destroy Ozone layer; this entails regulating manufacturing companies which emit chlorofluorocarbon to the atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbon is a leading cause of ozone layer depletion. It is important to conserve the environment through restricting deforestation and encouraging people to plant trees in order to increase plants growth and oxygen concentration in the atmosphere.
Introducing policies geared to protect ozone layer depletion; governments should adopt rules and regulations to prohibit activities which emit Ozone layer depleting substances. These policies should block manufacturers from producing products which contain substances which deplete Ozone layer like chlorofluorocarbon and methyl bromide.
Development of alternative technologies to supplement those ones contributing to Ozone layer depletion; this includes finding alternative commodity to supplement use timber which lead deforestation, fire extinguisher which contain halogenated carbon, and assembling machines which do not emit chlorofluorocarbon.
Carrying out research to find out and recover any Ozone depleting substances in our houses and equipments. These substances exist in our homes without our knowledge. It is important to invent a new technology of detecting these substances in order to fully eliminate them earlier before they cause more damage to Ozone layer.
Everybody should take initiative to protect the Ozone layer. This includes people avoiding use of items which contain substances which deplete Ozone layer. For instance buying and use aerosols and sprays made of chlorofluorocarbon, fire extinguishers with halogenated carbon, insulating material made of chlorofluorocarbon, and maintaining and regularly servicing air conditioners, freezer coils and car air conditioners to prevent them from emitting chlorofluorocarbon.
Individuals should report incidences posing threat to ozone layer like use of bromethane in fields and on crops. It is vital for people to reduce activities leading to air pollution like servicing their cars and others machines regularly and use alternative means for transport like use of common buses, bicycles and walking.
Additionally, it is important to minimize high altitude aircrafts rockets and air crafts because they contribute to Ozone layer depletion. Also, companies should decrease or control realizing of high temperature steam to atmosphere since it is one of the contributing factors to ozone layer depletion.
Strict implementation of existing policies Ozone layer protection is necessary. Governments and everyone should have responsibility of ensuring that all local and international policies regarding Ozone layer protection are adhered to. High fines should be imposed on those found breaking these policies.
Public education on importance of Ozone layer and how to protect it are required in order to create conscious and make people understand the dangers of Ozone layer depletion.
Financial support from the government and well wishers to promote and facilitate activities promoting Ozone layer protection is required. This includes funding of programs like tree planting, sanitation program and public education program geared to protect ozone layer.
People should advocate for improved regulations and control policies from the government and other concerned authorities to protect of Ozone layer. This is to emphasize on its importance and push for better reforms on Ozone layer protection. Bureau of standards should scrutinize all new products to confirm if they contain Ozone layer depleting substances before they are approved to circulate in the market.
Considerable progress in comprehending the relations between greenhouse gases and the severity of weather events has been seen in the past few decades. Research demonstrates that anthropogenic warming accelerates the rate of heatwaves, and dynamical models of forecasting depict this pattern will persist longer (Tewari et al. 1). With the exponential increase in urban population, many challenges such as pollution, especially air, water, and noise, urban heat island, and global warming will likely ensure due to insufficient vegetation places. It can certainly be affirmed for such areas that the scarcity of greenery leads to a notable surge in the environmental temperatures, thereby affecting the thermal comfort situations of indoor surroundings. Therefore, the application of greenery systems in building roofs remains one of the leading strategies for curbing the effects of growing urban heat islands, as witnessed in New York City.
Goals and Objectives
The adoption of green roofs is increasingly gaining acceptance in urban housing designs. The new intervention has not only become instrumental in addressing some of the key environmental challenges but also brought along economic gains. Vegetation systems are regarded as one of the leading solutions to realizing sustainable and livable cities having minimal disruptions from urban heat island-associated concerns. Foliages presence principally consisting of green roofs is increasingly being embraced as part of buildings architectural designs.
From this perspective, incorporating recommended plants into buildings in cities can enhance the quality of municipal surroundings (Tewari et al. 3). Such green systems will better air and water quality, provide dense vegetation cover in town settings, stormwater management, carbon emissions management, and reduce heat island impacts.
Apart from the profound positive impacts on the environment, vegetation systems offer additional advantages to the community, such as economic and social elements while improving the aesthetics of the town and valuations of real estate. Consequently, by utilizing various green systems, it is possible to alter the micro-climatic status of current structures in eco-friendly and cost-effective ways (Tewari et al. 5). Town settings, which already grapple with urban heat islands, will continue to suffer unless suitable strategies are adopted. Consequently, the goals of this research are to evaluate the effects of vegetation through green roofs on urban heat islands in New York and Phoenix. Specific objectives of the study include:
To evaluate the connection between heat waves and urban heat islands, as well as their mitigation through green rooftops in Phoenix (PHX) and New York City (NYC).
To offer a pragmatic assessment of green roofs in managing urban heat island-associated concerns.
Scope
Due to the indecision of future town designs forecasting for New York and Phoenix, the study presumes that the metropolitan features of both cities will not change significantly. The adoption of green rooftops aims to address the effects of urban heat islands. Moreover, rising levels of greenhouse gas and their negative consequences on the environment are emphasized by many nations, prompting the development of innovative designs and solutions for buildings to reduce such effects (Besir and Erdem 916). To verify the extent of the impacts of roof foliage systems in minimizing associated urban heat islands, researchers narrowed down on the heatwave that occurred in North America in 2006. Since the heatwave was severe, it led to the loss of more than 100 lives.
Cities experienced more resolute conditions due to the engagement of heat waves with the urban heat island. The study also measures the urban greenery stations in these two cities to demonstrate the outcome of diverse urban land use. The study also incorporated numerical experiments and model setups to investigate the association of urban green roofs and urban heat islands in the regions of interest, NYC and PHX (Tewari et al. 10). Therefore, the study assesses urban heat islands intensity in a future climate and the influence of green rooftops in mitigating the negative consequences.
State-of-the-Art Review
Given rooftops are separated from one another, such scenarios oasis effect is accounted for in the building design for enhanced efficacy. Studies by McCarthy and Oleson examined anthropogenic heat radiations and urban geometry on the intensity of urban heat islands. Both Santamouris, Wang, and Yang established the effectiveness and popularity of green roofs in mitigating the adverse effects of urban heat islands (Besir and Erdem 916).
Moreover, Besir and Erdem (917) show the significance of green roofs to both the environment and the building itself. The benefits range from lowering greenhouse gas discharges, enhancing city water quality, and reducing the risk of flooding by holding excessive water to reducing air pollution and associated urban heat island impacts. It also helps in absorbing noise pollution, averting acid rain by escalating PH value, and improving the health of city dwellers.
Methodology
Simulations carried out in the study employed an advanced research version. The adopted model of weather examination and projecting combined with the canopy concept expand the illustration of various urban developments (Tewari et al. 2). Through these popular concepts, the study explored the influence of green roofs in alleviating urban heat islands. The simulation method was performed in a three-kilometer plane spatial resolution for an enhanced realistic depiction of surface heterogeneity.
The study applied a double-nested strategy to concentrate on NYC and PHX regions. In the manifold nested approach, the outer domain included a plane grid positioning of about fifteen kilometers. The insets comprised a double nested classical domain placed over NYC and PHX, both having straight resolutions of roughly three kilometers. The models were conducted for 22 incessant days coupled with performing four numerical simulations (Tewari et al. 2). Because of the doubt about future city design projections for NYC and PHX, the researchers presumed the urban features of both municipal areas might not alter for upcoming climate scenarios except by adopting green roofs.
Data Collection
The research gathered data through the simulated numerical model to gauge the effects of green rooftops in reducing urban heat islands within Phoenix and New York cities.
Data Presentation
Data for this research was presented through:
Charts
Tables
Graphs
Data Analysis
Data analysis reveals an effective interaction between climate change and urban heat island intensity, which is expressly dependent on the environment and local climate. For instance, the findings show that green roof vegetation is a vital element in comprehending the relations. A warm climate can make urban heat islands increase in New York more than in Phoenix since the former has a substantial dry urban environment (Tewari et al. 3). The green roofs strategy proved an effective measure in offsetting the urban heat island in the city.
Inference/Conclusion
The interaction of heat waves and urban heat islands and their mitigation through green rooftops in both Phoenix and New York cities was investigated using numerical simulations and observations. A key outcome is that a warm climate increases the interactions between heat waves and urban heat islands. Using the green roof technique can significantly be employed to eradicate urban heat islands (Tewari et al. 14). Moreover, green roof systems serve as energy-saving outfits in edifices while also offering multifunctional advantages such as thermal insulation and comfort, evapotranspiration, and wind blockage potential. The cities should encourage building owners to adopt green roofs for the enhanced realization of the benefits.
Next Step
Evidence presented in the study shows the effectiveness of green roof technology in offsetting urban heat islands coupled with other benefits. Therefore, it is highly recommended for most cities to consider adopting this strategy (Tewari et al. 15). Moreover, a limitation in the investigation is that NYC and Phoenix have different city vegetation and morphologies. Nonetheless, the study employed similar urban vegetation and morphological parameters in investigating these two cities.
The limitation was encompassed since the modeling of NYC, and Phoenix nested domains happened under one parent purview. Although the effect of employing similar town parameters and greenery systems is unfamiliar, the researchers trust that the comparative consequence of the communication of urban heat islands and heatwave in these municipalities would remain identical. It is believed that even in future climatic scenarios, the inferences would remain unchanged.
Therefore, with this positive correlation between green roofs and management of urban heat islands, local authorities should, moving forward, attempt to institutionalize and even expand rooftop vegetation systems in NYC and PHX by approximately 10% (Besir and Erdem 936). The move will help in minimizing the effects of local temperatures, which have been projected to rise in the future from many anthropogenic activities in cities.
Wireless power involves the transmission of power without using wires or cords. Use of Wireless power transfer technology can lessen or eradicate the need for batteries and wires. Although wireless power has several benefits to the community and the environment, it, also, has negative implications.
This paper will focus on some forms of wireless power transmission, as well as, negative and positive implications of wireless transmission for the environment.
Nikola Tesla introduced the idea of wireless power transmission, in early 20th century. Tesla came up with the notion of electrostatic induction, which entails making exceedingly high potential and alternating variations amid two bits of metal using a tool similar to a Tesla coil.
A field that is electric would be rotating back and forth liberating energy to be arrested by a receiver, among these metal bits. Tesla believed this could be valuable as it would be possible to move the lights anywhere without a cord.
Besides, Tesla hypothesized that by structuring two vast Tesla coils, it would be possible to create this outcome in the entire world. Since then, many notions about the same have emerged, with resonant inductive coupling being the most potential technology.
Resonant inductive coupling uses the basics of wave harmonics to form a strong connection of magnetic waves, which resonate at a similar frequency of harmonic magnetic waves, from 2 coils. Several studies reveal that this technology is extremely competent.
Wireless power transmission can be used in many areas, where the wired power may be unsuitable. However, wireless power technology has many demerits, despite its many applications. Similar to wired power, wireless power has a restricted range.
However, the range of wired power is clearly visible, since it becomes restricted by a chord, whereas the range of wireless power is not visible as it becomes revealed by a signal. The range of wireless power that gets created by resonant induction coupling can be established from the radius of the coil. High efficiency occurs near the coils radius.
Besides, considering its 80% effectiveness, wireless power is less efficient than the usual wired systems. This is because a wireless system some power gets utilized in forming the magnetic field that relays the power from one coil to the other while in a wired system much of the power that becomes directed into a circuit gets to its destination (Glindogdu & Afacan, 2011, July 26).
Nevertheless, this loss of energy becomes compensated for because it is easy to notice when a tool no longer requires power. Hence, power can be switched off to save energy, while in a conventional system power will persist to be consumed after a tool gets charged wholly (Branscombe, 2009).
A vast predicament with wireless power is that it might necessitate much exertion to establish. Wireless power infrastructure needs the source coils, for transmission, to be positioned near where the power needs to be relayed.
Since most presently, manufactured tools become designed to utilize wired power, a noteworthy cost would occur in swapping from wired to wireless power. Nevertheless, the coils would be rather inexpensive to create since they just require a few loops of wire and a capacitor.
Designing the coils would form the trickiest task, since they have to be adjusted to the right frequency relying on the distance of the wire, the amount of loops in the wire and the capacitor (Kurs, 2007, July 06). However, electrical engineers would not find such a task hard.
Negative Implications of Wireless Power Transmission
Similar to other new technologies, there exist costs allied with the gains that can result from utilizing wireless power. The chief concern for several persons, who get implicated in the formation of large scale execution, is that wireless power is somewhat new in regard to broad application and design.
The key adversaries of wireless power are those implicated with mining of fossil fuel, battery power manufacture, and existing companies of electricity. These groups have an interest in maintaining customary wire power and restrict the construction of wireless power.
The development of wireless power technology presents uncertainty, in regard to human health. The health effects of getting exposed to energy waves are currently in the period of research and require to be developed further ahead of mass fabrication of this source of energy. This is a key shortcoming that should get consideration when devising wireless power technology.
Are the lives that get lost at present, more costly than the lives that are likely to be lost in prospect? Such hard questions are some of the solemn quandaries that technological scientists and regime officials will encounter, in prospect.
From an environment perspective, we may argue that switching the world for wireless power, wholly, is likely to generate enormous quantities of waste in the shape of useless and obsolete electrical devices, as well as, utilize a vast amount of resources. This is because, at present, the infrastructure that is in use became planned for electrical outlets and wires.
Such waste will certainly terminate in landfills. The waste further stays for about thousand of years before it degrades and leeches poisonous compounds into the soil. Some compounds that get used in electronics and poses environmental issues with electronic waste include chromium, Phosphor, barium lead and mercury.
Such compounds can be regarded as constant organic accumulators, since they remain in the environment and accrue inorganic tissues that lead to serious issues like reproductive disorders, nerve damage and cancer.
Proponents against wireless power claim that enhancements should be conducted, on wireless power technology, to decrease waste that occurs during installation and maximize health benefits (Zhang et al., 2011, May 15).
Positive Implications of Wireless Power Transmission
Utilizing wireless power for daily uses has vast latent environmental benefits. Energy costs will also reduce, saving homeowners untold amounts of income. Wireless power will substitute the utilization of batteries, which make landfills toxic, through their disposal. Discarding, into landfills, leads to environment poisoning and dilapidation.
Massive volumes of formation are not the lone limitations of batteries. Batteries become flawed, incompetent and can be hazardous, when oxidized. Batteries erode gradually and leech poisonous acid and lead into soil, once batteries go through landfills. Hence, they have the latent to put toxic to water sources, in adjoining communities.
Availing g wireless power, in the residents of most persons, will restrain the manufacture, utilization, and accretion of batteries and radically lessen the leeching of acid and lead into the soil, in prospect. Besides, energy outlays will lessen, saving homeowners myriad quantities of income, through utilizing wireless power as a substitute to batteries and wires.
Wireless power benefits related to effectiveness. Wireless power is apt to be more proficient than normal charging, with quick mechanisms that identify machines and screen levels of power, substituting compound adapters, and switching off the power when a machine becomes charged fully (Branscombe, 2009).
Energy should be utilized with as much control as feasible, since it is a costly resource. Possessing an energy source that just utilizes the required power can make the most use of created energy. This decreases the reliance on fossil fuels, which is a prevalent concern, in this generation, ultimately.
Eradicating tremendous energy utilization and lessening the use of energy, enables wireless power to turn into an environmentally logic technology that has the latent to be executed on some broad extent. For instance, a possible use of near region wireless power, on some broad extent, is the application for charging hybrid and electric vehicles.
Rather than having a wired connection, for buses and cars, wireless expertise can be incorporated into bus terminus and parking places, letting charging to take place without connections and instantaneously. This may allow a flawless incorporation of electric and hybrid vehicles into viable use on a broad scale.
For city bus structures, chiefly, wireless charging positions could be availed at each bus stop, eliminating the call for gasoline and diesel utilization, totally.
This would have several benefits including decreasing servicing logistics, saving time and lessening the carbon footprints of every bus, because power could be produced electrically, unlike with the use of fossil fuels. Thus, wireless powers environmental implications are broad and extensive, although the moral benefits, also, expand to health benefits.
The health deliberations of wireless power transmission contain the latent to change how medical implants, home care and hospitals function, totally. Hence, invention of wireless power transmission is a significant asset, since the technology and design may be executed, in hospitals globally, to abolish the utilization of defective batteries and messy wires.
At present, home care and Medical implants depend on batteries and grid power, entirely, thus, limiting patients to wires and incessant substitution gadgets.
Availing wireless power at homes librates patients from their therapeutic circumstance, entirely, through letting power to be provided, remotely, from just walking close to the power supplier (Hickey, 2011, July 11). As stated earlier, not having to restore devices because of battery run-down demonstrates the diminution of risks like diseases, infections and invasive surgeries.
Moreover, Wireless power has the latent to sustain hundreds of persons, each year, through lessening the amount of deaths allied with wiring and issues, at the home environs including electrical shocks and burns (Barrett, 2004).
Wireless power has potential to reduce the amount of deaths, at home settings, since it eradicates wires and electrical outlets. Thus, wireless power has the latent to benefit millions of persons regarding health benefits.
From a moral stance, we should seek to know whether it would be ethically justified to adopt a technology that can save hundreds of lives, despite the demerits associated with wireless power technology.
In conclusion, it is apparent that although wireless power transmission has negative implications on human health and environment, power transmission through resonant inductive coupling can be beneficial to the public if it became used in electrics at home.
Wireless power technology can substitute disposable wires and batteries, thus, lessening hazardous chemicals and the possibility for poisoning societies, from an environmental perspective. Besides, resonant inductive coupling posses health advantages and with no use of cords life would grow to be easy, as a person would not need to keep on carrying the cords.
Besides, wireless power may help lessen the damage that the current, power infrastructure introduces to the environment. In addition, risks associated with customary wires become immaterial.
An additional benefit is the implausible convenience created by having all an individuals electronics charged and powered with no wires. This implies that an individuals movement will not be restricted, when charging devices.
However, some people doubt the applicability of wireless power. Several industries produce the electronic parts that should be substituted with inductive resonance expertise. Besides, a number of researchers think that it is unsafe for human beings to contact magnetic fields, which become used in the resonant inductive coupling.
A different large shortcoming is the intricacy and vast cost of introducing and executing the wireless power structure, since most presently, generated consumer electronics lack the essential parts.
The moral implications of wireless power include negative consequences on humanity. Moral tensions arise when considering environmental patronage and human health into the execution of tentative and new wireless power technology.
Opponents and advocates exist on both dimensions of this subject, and all introduce a mass of concerns and dilemmas to consider. Wireless power has the latent to affect each person who utilizes any electric power. Hence, transmission of wireless power is an invasive and contemporary subject of interest for the entire public.
The demerits of wireless power become overshadowed by the merits. Hence, from a moral stance, it is crucial to expand the technology of wireless power to the position of large-scale production, for the advancement of the community.
References
Barrett, M. (2004). Analysis of electrical accidents in UK domestic properties. Web.
Branscombe, M. (2009). Wireless powers 2009 debut. Web.
Glindogdu, A. E. & Afacan, E. (2011). Some experiments related to wireless power transmission. IEEE Xplore, 1, 507-509.
Zhang, F., Hackworth, S. A., Fu, W., Li, C., Mao, Z., & Sun, M. (2011). Relay effect of wireless power transfer using strongly coupled magnetic resonances. IEEE Xplore, 47(5), 1478-1481.
Sustainability applies to different facets of any society. Therefore, terms such as sustainable development, sustainable community, sustainable industry, and sustainable agriculture among others have become so common. Sustainability consists of the present moment of a certain concept as well as its future. Although sustainability applies to different aspects of a society, sustainability manifests in the well-being of members of a society. In other words, how do different activities in different aspects of a society impact on present and future well-being of community members? Such impacts can either be positive or negative. This essay looks at sustainability in different aspects of society.
Definition of Sustainability
Sustainability manifests in the quality of life of community members, which arises from different aspects including economic, social and environmental. Indicators of economic sustainability include availability or lack of job opportunities, increased or decreased poverty in households, and ability or inability to own homes. Socially, sustainability includes aspect of crime levels, volunteerism as well as choice of working places i.e. whether citizens prefer public work or community based work. Environmental sustainability focuses on air quality, pollution or lack of pollution in water bodies as well as quality of water (Sustainability Measures, 2013).
Generally, sustainability refers to the ability to live within particular parameters, understanding relatedness among economic, social and environmental aspects as well as equitable sharing of resources and opportunities in the society. In particular, sustainability applies to different aspects as earlier seen and therefore acquires specific definitions as discussed below.
Sustainable development refers to enhancing the quality of human and animal life through available resources in a given locality. In addition, a sustainable environment demands utilizing what the earth can provide without getting diminished with an aim of enabling future generations to access such resources (Sustainability Measures, 2013). Further, sustainable development is the process of creating equitable, participatory and yielding structures to enhance financial empowerment of community members. As such, sustainable development involves pursuing economic improvement, social equity and environmental quality.
Sustainable development posits positive transformation which does not affect environmental or social systems negatively. In this regard, sustainable development calls for proper coordination between policy making and implementation, which involves community participation as well as informed understanding of the significant relationship between community members and environment and how each of them needs another one (Sustainability Measures, 2013).
A sustainable community refers to a community whose long-term probability for continued existence is positive and manifests through focus on environmental conservation, creating peaceful coexistence between different nations and sharing out of resources in a fair way (Sustainability Measures, 2013). As such, a sustainable community must enhance life, take charge as stewards and create relations outside such a community with an aim of promoting sustainability on the global front. Lastly, a community remains sustainable if it can produce faster than it can consume and does not produce wastes which natural systems cannot process (Sustainability Measures, 2013).
A sustainable enterprise emphasizes on local products and shuns imported products that a local community produces (Sustainability Measures, 2013). In addition, a sustainable enterprise uses local capital to grow and expand activities while engaging in production systems that are human friendly and dignified and endeavor to educate clients. Such an enterprise focuses on measures to reduce consumption of energy and takes care in regard to waste disposal. In addition, such an enterprise adheres to guidelines set by authorities on environmental sustainability (Sustainability Measures, 2013).
The severity of problems that cannot be solved by the old methods requires a deep restructuring in consciousness and worldview. This applies to all areas of our lives, and above all to the economy-ecology system. The search for new ways to solve environmental problems has led to the development of ecological or green management systems. Green management is an initiative and effective activity of economic entities aimed at achieving their own environmental goals, projects and programs developed based on the principles of eco-efficiency and environmental justice. Green management can be interpreted as an environmentally friendly production organization, which achieves the optimal ratio between ecological and economic indicators.
The main goals and relevant criteria for achieving them in environmental management are related to the processes of continuous improvement. Consistent improvement from year to year should be performed in all environmentally significant aspects of economic entities. Such an improvement is generally impossible to imitate or falsify, which creates the necessary basis for assessing the environmental performance of economic agents. Thus, effective green management should provide the company with a credit of trust in relations with all stakeholders in its activities, on which interest to the chosen topic is founded.
Aims and Objectives
The following aims are expected to be achieved:
Define the essence of environmental management;
Identify ways in which green management impacts a company;
Determine the importance of environmental auditing for an organization.
The objectives are as follows:
Conduct in-depth research on the topic of green management;
Arrange interviews with employees of the company that adheres to the principles of environmental management;
Critically evaluate the obtained data, appealing to the best practices of qualitative research.
Literature Review
Essence of Green Management
Foreign experience of scientific and practical research shows that the solution to the problem of improving the quality of the environment is primarily associated with the development of the system structure and the expansion of the functions of environmental management in material production. The design of the environmental management system in accordance with the international standards ISO 14000 and ISO 14001 in current conditions should become an integral part of the management of this production, aimed at improving the environmental and economic performance of enterprises (Miroshnychenko, Barontini, & Testa, 2017).
Ways of Green Managements Impact
All over the world, environmental management is perceived in close connection with ensuring product quality, industrial safety, favorable working conditions. Among the important features by which one can recognize the manifestation of environmental management are the following: reasonable and conscious acceptance by the management of the enterprise of ecological policy; effective planning and organization of ecological activities in accordance with the goals and objectives (Raharjo, 2019).
Environmental audit
In developed countries, such an area of activity as environmental auditing has recently gained recognition, which is one of the most effective tools for economic and environmental control in the process of the market economy (Hakim & Yunus, 2017). The functions of the environmental audit should include the development of strategic plans to improve the environmental performance of material production. Comparing the results of the audit with the requirements of regulatory documents will allow developing an action plan for the adjustment of technological processes and readjustment of equipment.
Methodology
The research will be founded on a qualitative methodology in-person interviews will be conducted (Aguinis & Solarino, 2019). These interviews will be the primary research instrument that will provide the necessary data. Employees from a specific organization that adheres to the principles of green management will be contacted to identify the following. It will be pre-assumed that environmental management contributes to a better corporate performance which indicates the use of deductive approach and the questions will be designed to identify the particular ways of this positive and significant impact. The mentioned questions will be of an open-ended character, which, again, implies the utilization of the qualitative method (Aguinis & Solarino, 2019). The answers will be analyzed, and then the most common and considerable aspects of the green managements influence on the companys performance will be formulated and discussed whether they align with the established vision of peer-reviewed literature or not.
Given the difficulties caused by Covid-19 (Teti, Schatz, & Liebenberg, 2020), the participants from the chosen firm will be contacted by phone, as well as Zoom meetings will be arranged. It is planned to reach from 15 to 20 employees. All the potential participants will be informed about the aims of the research, as well as will about the fact that their anonymity will be respected. Such an approach will allow averting any ethical issues that might take place.
References
Aguinis, H., & Solarino, A. (2019). Transparency and replicability in qualitative research: The case of interviews with elite informants. Strategic Management Journal, 40(8), 12911315.
Hakim, I., & Yunus, A. (2017). Environmental audit as instrument for environmental protection and management. The Business and Management Review, 9(2), 228232.
Miroshnychenko, I., Barontini, R., & Testa, F. (2017). Green practices and financial performance: A global outlook. Journal of Cleaner Production, 147, 340351.
Raharjo, K. (2019). The role of green management in creating sustainability performance on the small and medium enterprises. Management of Environmental Quality, 30(3), 557577.
Teti, M., Schatz, E., & Liebenberg, L. (2020). Methods in the time of COVID-19: The vital role of qualitative inquiries. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. doi:10.1177/1609406920920962.
The growth in population has given significance to groundwater resources.
The groundwater resources however face many negative anthropogenic effects such as hydrocarbon contamination (oil spills).
Oil pills negatively affect the environment, including groundwater resources.
The clean up process is usually difficult and expensive.
The 3D monitoring and modeling techniques can be used to determine groundwater contamination (Altobi & Bailey n.d).
Significance and Benefits of the Research
The research would demonstrate how groundwater interacts with the hydrocarbon to cause pollution.
The benefits of using GIS 3D techniques to determine groundwater contamination.
Model distribution of contaminating elements for a given period.
Ability to produce a 3D distribution profile of pollutants.
Show groundwater distribution (Altobi & Bailey n.d).
Description of the Research Method
A contaminated site would be selected.
Data for the study will be collected from relevant authorities.
Past and current studies on oil spills for the selected location shall be reviewed.
Data analysis will be conducted using appropriate tools to show 3D projections of various variables such as ground type, oil level and thickness attributes, water levels and distribution of pollutants.
The Expected Outcomes
The outcomes shall demonstrate groundwater distribution using GIS 3D techniques.
Model the distribution, concentration and levels of groundwater pollutants.
Demonstrate changes in groundwater levels over time.
Show the movement of groundwater pollutants over time.
Show topography of the study site.
Conclusion
The 3D techniques continue to present new possibilities for researchers.
The GIS 3D techniques help in monitoring and modelling of pollutants distribution over time.
Groundwater engineers can use outcomes to guide their water treatment methods and processes.
It creates visual impacts to understand abstract concepts easily.
The 3D view of the site helps to understand ground topography.
The 3D GIS is effective for communicating complex geographical phenomena (Swanson 1996).
Reference List
Altobi, Y & Bailey, D n.d., The use of GIS 3D tools to tackle ground water contamination at Bemidji, MN. Web.
Swanson, J 1996, The Three Dimensional Visualization & Analysis of Geographic Data. Web.
Most NGOs fund projects that help in environmental sustainability.
Such projects help in environmental conservation.
Most of these projects involve the community as a whole which is also the beneficiary.
In the recent past, effects of global warming have been felt throughout the globe. These effects have been the driving force for environmental conservation. The key players and funding organizations are the non-governmental organizations with a few of the large corporations also taking part. When these projects are initiated, they involve the community members who are also the direct beneficiaries of the same projects. This presentation is therefore an exploration of one of the commonly funded projects used to enhance environmental sustainability.
Background of the Project
Studies show that desertification is evident in most regions of the globe.
Desertification leads to less rainfall being received, thus low production of agricultural produce which in turn raises the prices of the commodities in the market.
Research done on most parts of the globe has shown that desertification is slowly rising up to become a global issue. This has majorly been contributed by deforestation whereby trees are cut down and the place left bare thus becoming a desert in the long-run (Current et al, 1995, p.1). As a result, minimal volumes of rainfall is experienced in these areas thus low yields from firms. When the supply of agricultural commodities is low, the prices of the commodities in the market in turn appreciate making it difficult for all people to have access to them.
Diagram on desertification. The diagram shows what happens when trees are cut down without having others planted leading to desertification.This shows successful projects of agro forestry.This is a fully developed forest within a farm.
Objectives of the Project
To create awareness to the community on the effects of deforestation.
Educate the community on the benefits of agro forestry.
Initiate education and training centers.
The programme is designed to achieve several objectives, but the main objective will be to create awareness to the community on the disadvantages that come about as a result of deforestation. The community will also be educated on the benefits that come with practicing agro forestry in their farms. Lastly, as part of the projects legacy, training centers will be established where the community has access to all information they might need regarding agro- forestry.
Project Implementation
The implementation is bound to take place sequentially as follows:
Formal and Informal training;
Demonstrations and Trials;
Community Participation;
Incorporation of Technical expertise;
Development of training centers.
Most of the NGO projects are usually long-term taking up to two years depending on the funding and cooperation from the community. In order to effectively implement the project, the project managers should begin with training and enlightening the community on agro forestry. This should be followed by demonstrations and trials whereby tree nurseries are developed from which the community will be getting their tree seedlings. After demonstrations, the community should be involved and now let to practice the project in their actual farms. Technical expertise will be of help when it comes to the actual scene, whereby, the community will be advised on technical matters such as the expected distance from one tree to the next among other matters. Before completion of the project, the managers should ensure that they set up a training center from which the community could seek future assistance.
Formal and Informal Training
This is intended to begin at the grass root level.
Project mangers are expected to literally educate the community on agro forestry.
It could be home based, whereby the technicians visit the community people in their farms.
In order to effectively implement the project, the project managers should ensure that training objectives are well attained. This could be by organizing open forums where they educate and train the community on how to go about agro forestry.
Demonstrations and Trials
This has more impact than the literal teaching.
It is carried out in open fields where the field managers perform trials of the project.
As a result, the community will be in a position to have a clear picture on what is being talked about in agro forestry.
Demonstrations and trials are the practical bit of the project through which the community gets a clear picture of what the organization is talking about in terms of agro forestry. These are done through the enactment of tree nurseries and then having the tree seedlings planted in farms where there are other food crops. In the long-run, the whole field will be a forest-cum- farm thus being very productive.
Project in action. The diagram shows an agro forestry project being implemented.
Community Participation
Incorporating the community in the implementation of the project has many benefits.
This could be by having the community members participate in the trial fields.
The project managers will have the following roles;
Assessment of the local capabilities;
Project recommendations for field office intervention;
Recommendation of changes in the NGO in order to increase the advocate for environmental sustainability.
A good way of having the community participate in the project is by letting the members of the community take part in the trial fields in which the project technicians demonstrate. From such, the community will have gained hands-on experience thus being able to effectively implement the agro forestry project in their own fields.
Before implementation of the project, project managers are expected to determine and assess the applicability of the project in the area in question. This is important when it comes to determining the cost and time budget. The managers are also responsible for making any recommendations with regard to the project in the field as well as back in the organizations offices.
Intended Output
Just like most projects, a lot of output is expected.
The output could be apportioned in phases or sectors.
This is such that, there is the first phase carried out by a certain group and then subsequent phases until the project is driven to completion (DFID, 1990, p.1).
Most of the NGO and the non-NGO funded projects require a high volume of input and in turn the corresponding output will be high. In this case, for the agro forestry project to be efficiently implemented, it could be divided into phases with each phase being carried out by the experts in that area. This way, the community will be better served, thus, the objectives of the projects will in the long-run be attained.
Projects constraints
Almost all projects encounter some constraints in the process of implementation or even in the planning stages.
In this case, the expected hurdles include;
Inadequate local assessments;
Project approach limits;
Institutional restraints (White, 1993, p.3).
No matter how well planned a project may be, there comes a point in time where limitations are experienced which need to be overcome in order to effectively achieve the goals set. As for the case of the agro-forestry project, some of the constraints expected include; insufficient assessment of the area to be implemented, limitations of the projects approach as well as some institutional constraints (White, 1993, p.3).
How the project overcomes barriers in market systems
It assists in building on the traditional knowledge on the forest as a resource as well as other management principles(Chuo, 2001, p.8).
It overcomes global warming since the environment is conserved.
Desertification is overcame hence an increase in supply of food products thus fair market prices.
The agro forestry project has diversified benefits beginning from an individual to the society and the whole world at large. The first thing is that the project will erase the traditional knowledge that people had. This is by changing to the modern ways of farming from the primitive ones of only subsistence farming. The most important thing is that global warming would be put at bay since factors such as erosion, pollution and desertification will be a thing of the past. This way, productivity will be high hence making the market prices to be fair for every person in the community.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is clear that agro forestry is a project worth implementing if at all environmental sustainability is to be achieved.
Despite the constraints likely to be encountered, the project managers should ensure that the objectives are fully attained.
Agro forestry is one of the commonly implemented projects because of the many advantages it comes with. In addition to enhancing environmental sustainability, agro forestry plays a great role in overcoming the market barriers by most importantly regulating the market prices of agro products. It can thus be concluded that it is a project worth undertaking regardless of the constraints that may come about.
Reference List
Chuo. W. (2010). Community Agro forestry as an Alternative Land use System- A Case Study of Sarawak. Web.
Current, D. et al. (1995). Costs, benefits, and farmer adoption of agro forestry: project experience in Central America and the Caribbean. World Bank Publications. Print.
DFID. (1990). Agro Forestry Project. Web.
White. A. (1993). Integrating sustainability into agro forestry projects: a workshop Framework for NGO program managers. Web.
Majora Carter is strongly committed to deal with environmental and social justice issues which affect residents of South Bronx, New York, where she grew up. She starts by revealing how South Bronx residents have been affected by the surrounding toxic environment due to poor zoning laws by New York City authorities.
Carter is selfless because she helped develop a park in South Bronx, an area which had been neglected by city authorities for more than 50 years.
She managed to enlist the support of New York Mayor and other community stakeholders to develop Hunts Point Riverside Park, in South Bronx, in an area that was previously used as an illegal dumping site. Carter advises urban authorities to have sustainable development plans which consider all residents to ensure they live in a good environment.
She argues that unsustainable development impacts negatively on people of color because they are victims of ineffective zoning laws. She reveals that many people in the South Bronx had their homes destroyed in the 1950s, to pave way for the construction of the highway linking Westchester and Manhattan.
Poor zoning laws caused her family together with 600,000 other South Bronx residents to be displaced. majority of people affected by the displacement were African Americans. A combination of racial stereotypes and discriminative policies led authorities to zone off South Bronx as a low class district.
Many firms which pollute the environment have been allowed to operate there and this has exposed many residents to an unhealthy environment. Carters personal account shows how people of color in the US are subjected to institutionalized racial discrimination, which confines them in heavily polluted residential areas (Carter). This led her to start Sustainable South Bronx, a firm which advocates for sustainable development in South Bronx.
Her efforts have also encouraged sustainable development projects in San Franciscos Baywatch area, by connecting firms with people who live there. She advocates against the pollution of big cities by big corporate firms, which fail to include locals in their plans. She describes the lack of commitment by big firms and government authorities to environmental conservation as economic degradation.
Carter argues that economic degradation begets environmental degradation, which leads to social disintegration in communities directly affected by these unethical practices. She argues that poor zoning laws by New York City authorities allow business firms which pollute the environment, to operate in South Bronx. Therefore, these practices have made poor people in major American cities to live in toxic environments, which expose them to many health problems (Carter).
Carter reveals that open urban spaces need to be made more habitable to people living nearby. She asserts that private firms need to establish partnerships with community residents to protect the environment from degradation, before any commercial project is done. She argues that sustainable development brings triple benefits to the government, communities and private firms involved in specific projects.
This is necessary because projected population increases in New York and other major American cities will affect environmental conservation in the country in future. She argues that major developments in urban areas should not exploit vulnerable communities living in neglected zones (Carter).
She uses the example of Bogota in Colombia, to show how sustainable development has transformed the lives of many residents there. The citys mayor has improved the lives of many residents and the same model can be used to improve many American cities.
Works Cited
Carter, Majora. Greening the Ghetto, Ted Talk. You Tube, 2007. Speech.
Acid rain can also be termed acid precipitation which is described as rainfall whose level of pH is lower than 5.6 making it acidic. This form of rainfall results from the combination of Sulphite and Nitrogen oxides with the atmosphere resulting in the formation of Nitric and Sulphuric acids. (Weathers, K. C. and G. E. Likens p 10). The increasing level of pollution through acid rain all over the globe is a major concern that requires a quick and sustainable solution.
The formation of acid rain has two major sources that include nitrogen oxides as well as sulfur dioxide. Nitrogen oxides include any form of Nitrogen chemical compounds that contain atoms of oxygen gas like for example Nitrogen dioxide. Emissions of Nitrogen dioxide include; industrial processes that use extremely high degrees of temperature, industrial chemicals, for example, those from industries that manufacture fertilizers, and from processes that occur naturally for example the action of bacteria in the soil, volcanic activities, forest fires and lightening.
5% of the emissions of Nitrogen oxides are from natural processes, 43% from the transport sector while the other 32% is from industrial combustion. (Bailey, T. G. et al, p 13). Nitrogen dioxide does not only become poisonous when it combines with Sulphur dioxide but also by itself. The gas adversely affects the human respiratory organs and also damages the Ozone layer. (Likens, G. E., et al, p 47).
Sulfur dioxide abbreviated as SO2 is a colorless gas produced in the combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, industrial manufacture of metals such as Steel, Zinc, Copper, and Iron, the processing of crude oil, and the occurrence of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions. Research has shown that about 10% of the emissions of Sulphur dioxide are from volcanic eruptions. Sulfur dioxide in this case is the by-product of these processes. (Berresheim, H.; Wine, P.H. and Davies D.D, p 23).
pH is a symbolic indication of the extent of acidity or basicity or acidity of a solution about the level of hydrogen ions within that solution. The level of acidity or basicity is measured using a pH scale which indicates 7 if the solution measured is neutral for example water, less than 7 if the solution is acidic, and above 7 if the solution is basic. Living organisms can survive at 6.5-8 pH levels.
The activities of man are the major causes of acid rain. Industrial factories, for example, are to blame for the release of pollutants into the environment such as by the release of gases from the burning of fuels such as coal and other hydrocarbons fuel. The transport sector is another human activity that can result in acid rain mainly as a result of the Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide gases released as exhaust fumes from cars, buses and trucks. (Weathers, K. C. and G. E. Likens p 347).
The increasing level of acid rain has continued to harm the world causing serious implications to man, animals and even plants. Acid rain has had adverse effects on forests hence destroying the water catchment areas and sources. The slow growth and unhealthy state of forest trees have been attributed to acid rain that makes leaves turn brown and eventually wither and fall off. The poor state of these trees is due to the acidic water or rain that gets seeped into the soil causing the soil to weather and lose nutrients hence depriving the trees and other plants of the essential nutrients. The increased level of soil pH also accelerates the formation of highly toxic metallic elements such as Aluminium that hinder the uptake of nutrients by plants. (Likens, G. E., C. T. Driscoll and D. C. Buso, p 83)
An increased frequency in acid rain leads to a loss of the waxy coat that covers the surface exposing these leaves and the entire plant to diseases, insects, and harsh weather and even weakening the plant to the extent of death.
The damage of food plants by acid water can however be reduced by the use of fertilizers and lime that helps in replacing the nutrients. Limestone can for example be used to enhance the capability of the soil to withstand high levels of pH mainly in cultivated regions.
Acid rain also heavily affects both aquatic and land organisms. An increased level of acidity hinders the ability of aquatic organisms such as fish to take up various nutrients, oxygen and even salts. Fish living in freshwater lakes for example have to always maintain an equal mineral and salts balance in the tissues for them to keep alive. Increased acidic level in the water disrupts this balance leading to an extremely high number of fish deaths.
An increased number of acidic molecules leads to the formation of a mucus membrane in the gills which in turn hinders the absorption of adequate amounts of oxygen. (John McCormick p 231). A study by the United States EPA indicated that about seventy-six percent of the lakes which are acidic occurring only in the United States and fifty percent of the acidic streams are as a result of acid rain. (US EPA, p 40).
The pH change in the water bodies also affects the maintenance of an adequate level of Calcium in fish thus impairing reproduction in fish due to the weakening of the eggs. This leads to a high level of population decline of fish as there are very many deaths with very few young ones being hatched.
The effects of acid rain on man are serious and mainly impact negatively the air we breathe, the soil and the water. Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide emissions are major causes of respiratory complications that include asthma, lung damage, dry coughs, headaches, and eye, nose and throat irritations. Acid rain is known to hasten the rate of breathing difficulties and asthma attacks in asthma patients.
The release of metals that are highly toxic by acid rain has harmful effects on man though these effects can only occur if these metals combine with other available elements. The released metals can easily dissolve in crops, animals, and drinking water substances that act as mans source of food.
The ingestion of these food substances can lead to the damage of nerves in young children, severely damage the brain and even cause death. An example of a disease caused by the ingestion of these substances is Alzheimers disease which is said to be a result of aluminum ingestion. The aerosols of Nitrates and Sulphates and other atmospheric particles are not only known to cause fatal diseases such as cancers but also cause reduced visibility which can be very dangerous especially for drivers on the road whose poor visibility can result in many road accidents. (W. N. Rom, p 102).
An indirect effect of acid rain on man is through the destruction of the various structures, materials, and equipment that have been created by man. The acidic rain can lead to the corrosion of stone and even ceramic structures, corrosion of metals and paints, textiles, limestone, sandstone and even marble. This occurs when a chemical reaction occurs between the sulphuric acid present in the water and the compounds of calcium in the stone leading to the formation of gypsum which easily flakes off.
The situation is mainly common in gravestones whose inscriptions have completely faded away. Acid rain also leads to iron oxidation, this explains the corrosion of many iron-constructed structures.
The increasing level of acid rain and its harmful effects on the environment and even on man necessitates serious action by all sectors. The government, public, and other private sectors should work together to eradicate acid rain. A few strategies have been put in place to deal with this problem. One such strategy is by a significant number of governments who have authorized those producers of energy to use scrubbers to trap pollutants before the waste gases are released into the open atmosphere such that no poisonous gas is released into the air. Another strategy has been the adoption of clean fuels.
Though these among other strategies have been put in place, a lot more has to be accomplished. Adequate education on the causes, impacts, and workable solutions to acid rain needs to be done. This will not only instill knowledge but also inform each sector on the various roles they can each play to completely fight the occurrence of acid rain. The solution lies with us and until we all take action, the problem of acid rain will continue to persist.
Works Cited
Bailey, T. G. Siccama, W. A. Reiners and C. Alewell., (2002). The biogeochemistry of sulfur at Hubbard Brook. New York: Prentice Hall.
Berresheim, H.; Wine, P.H. and Davies D.D., (1995). Sulfur in the Atmosphere: In Composition, Chemistry and Climate of the Atmosphere. H.B. Singh: Van Nostran Rheingold.
John McCormick, (1989) Acid Earth: The Global Threat of Acid Pollution. London: Earthscan pub.
Likens, G. E., C. T. Driscoll and D. C. Buso., (1996). Long-term effects of acid rain: response and recovery of a forest ecosystem. USA: Oxford University Press.
US EPA: Effects of Acid Rain Forests.
W. N. Rom, (2006). Environmental and Occupational Medicine.4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publ.
Weathers, K. C. and G. E. Likens, (2003). Acid Rain. Philadelphia: Lippincott- Raven Publ.
The WEF states that sustainability means not compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Can you think of any specific examples when a specific country made a decision that did not support this? What were the gains and sacrifices involved with not promoting sustainable practices?
Sustainability can be discussed as a high level of balance in solving the current environmental, social, and economic problems with references to the role of governance. Today the governments of the definite countries in North Africa are inclined not to follow the principles of sustainability with their intentions to achieve rapid economic growth by any means. In Egypt, the rapid urbanization, the development of industries, and not regular meeting the environmental requirements are affected by the necessity to gain direct economic benefits and shift the country to the new level.
Nevertheless, the overuse of the natural resources which is typical for the country and caused by the lack of the necessary supplies and the incorrect usage of these resources result in negative effects for the environment and, in combination with the aroused social problems, provokes the emergence of the problematic issues associated with the populations welfare, employment, and health.
What do you think it would take for you to actively seek out sustainable products and services exclusively? Similarly, what types of programs, incentives, or policies would influence consumers, in general, to make the switch to only using sustainable goods and services?
To be sure that the item is worth buying, it is necessary to pay attention to the realization of the combination of such aspects as the quality of the item, its reasonable cost, and sustainability. In this case, sustainability can mean the production of the item according to the environmental protection requirements and its possible further successful recycling or utilization. Thus, the choice of sustainable products or eco-products can be considered as a contribution to the global policy of preserving natural resources and environmental protection.
Moreover, sustainable products can be discussed as more beneficial not only for social needs but also as more useful for peoples health. However, it is important not to force the public to seek out sustainable products, but to provide the necessary information about their usefulness as a means of the program and policys realization. It is necessary to focus on all the benefits and advantages of sustainable products such as the saving of energy and other possible resources.
The WEF cites survey data reflecting 86% of participants felt transparency in production for goods they were purchasing was important or very important to their decision. Given such a high response, do you feel the current economy is reflective of this survey response in consumer choices of goods and services? Please explain why or why not.
It is possible to state that those consumers who are interested in purchasing sustainable products or eco-products can also be interested in the peculiarities of the production of these goods which should address definite requirements of sustainability. Nevertheless, today the percentage of those people who choose mostly sustainable products with focusing on the details of their production is rather low in comparison with the amount of those people who prefer to satisfy their needs without references to the problem of different aspects of sustainability.
There is no developed and widely spread tendency to pay attention to the transparency in the production of the goods that is why the number which is presented in the survey can reflect the consumers intentions provided in their answers, but not the real situation in the market.
