From Guest Blogger Anica Oaks: Green Culture–How Changing Our Mindsets Can Lead to Green Innovations

Green culture describes sustainability and environmental awareness as a way of life. The idea behind green culture is that sustainable living encompasses far more than putting papers in the recycling bin. It is also very open-ended, which means there is plenty of room for creativity. Would-be innovators should bear the following points in mind.  (Hey!  That’s pretty good! -ed) 

Perceptiveness Is Key

Nobody can fix a problem until they’re aware that it exists in the first place. While many people and organizations may acknowledge the necessity of adopting a green culture, they may not see the ways in which they can apply it to their own lives. For instance, somebody who owns a business can buy the most eco-friendly technology available, down to CFL or LED bulbs for the lighting. They can set up recycle boxes to make it easier for employees to recycle things—and those boxes can be used for different items. Some Best Buy stores, for example, have recycle boxes for remotes, cords, and ink cartridges, as well as the usual plastic or paper.

Appeal to People’s Selfishness

Don’t rely on appeals to people’s better nature to encourage them to embrace green culture. Instead, show them how green culture can benefit them. Some green technology, like LED light bulbs, is expensive—but it will save money over the long run. While conventional light bulbs last a few months, LED bulbs can last years. By the same token, some organic food tastes a lot better than its conventionally-produced counterparts. Compare an organic tomato to one bought at the typical grocery store.

Knowledge Is Vital

You can’t really innovate unless you know the field in which you’re working. Civil engineers and other people who work with infrastructure have to know how the current system works, what its strengths and weaknesses are, and what the green alternatives are like. They also have to know about the current research in given areas, made easier with an online degree in civil engineering. Consider that many of the best-known abstract or avant-garde artists like Picasso began their careers with a fairly conventional style. It wasn’t until they’d mastered their art that they began to experiment and adopt the innovative styles that made them famous.

Don’t Dismiss the Little Things

While things like huge wind farms or solar roadways grab the headlines, smaller innovations have their place and may be more practical. Big changes, like replacing asphalt roads with very sturdy solar panels, can take years to implement. On the other hand, a series of small changes can prove to have as much impact over time as one big change.

The merging green culture will prove vital over the coming years. Climate change and other environmental crises are real, and our species will need to adapt to those realities.