From a UK Guest Blogger: Crossing the Bridge to Sustainability–The Benefits Of Sustainable Resources For Our Planet
Ask anyone what the answer to our rapidly decreasing pool of resources is, and they’ll say one word.
Sustainability.
Full sustainability will allow our planet to be self sufficient, and no longer reliant on the pool of foods and fuels that’s running out fast.
But many people still aren’t convinced of all the benefits here. Some would argue that the reason we aren’t fully sustainable yet is that it’s not truly possible. We need fossil fuels and the like, to survive.
But many would argue the opposite. We’re already seeing many sustainable systems come through, like solar power and food growth. We’re almost there, and it would do our planet a lot of good.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability, or a sustainable resource, is a system that allows us to live in the present without ruining the future. Sustainable foods like farmed salmon allow us to feed our world without sacrificing the ability for future generations to do so.
In short, sustainability is key to a thriving future. In order to survive and continue as a species, we have to find ways to make things last. This includes everything from energy to fluids to yes, food. Anything we need to survive must be prolonged where possible.
With this in mind, here are all the benefits we gain from as many people as possible switching to sustainable!
Stagnant energy prices
Just look at it this way. If all the energy in the world was sustainable, why would you need to pay out high energy bills? Sustainable energy requires little human work, and that means less money is needed in that industry.
And these savings get passed onto you, the consumer. And ultimately, we’ll all be better off! Less energy bills to pay means more money for leisure time and luxuries. Quality of life is likely to increase.
Improved health
Around 800 million people in the world do not have enough food to live on. They’re alive, but they’re not truly… living. In the world’s developed countries, this is not a problem, but for millions of families food and health are big issues.
But imagine if the world’s food were sustainable? Imagine if we had an unlimited supply of certain products? There’s be enough for everyone! It’s not a million miles away from happening either. Even something as basic as crops is a sustainable food source.
Less emissions
Our existence is loading the atmosphere with CO2. This increases Earth’s temperature, melting ice caps along the way.
Sustainable sources, on the other hand, contain no such issues. With less CO2 emissions, the planet will become healthier and certain environments will thrive.
Even something as basic as using electricity can cause emissions. For you to read this very post, some emissions will have been emitted. Because we can’t live without them, carbon dioxide is only an issue we can fix by going sustainable.
So, to conclude, it is possible for you to change the world. Consider switching to solar power, or ditching the fossil fuels. Every little change is another small piece slotted in the sustainability jigsaw.
From the article:
“Around 800 million people in the world do not have enough food to live on. They’re alive, but they’re not truly… living. In the world’s developed countries, this is not a problem, but for millions of families food and health are big issues.”
Really? Is the author unaware that in some developed countries there are people who experience those same problems?
By all means switch to 100% solar power. That will, of course, require disconnecting from the grid because a high percentage of grid power comes from fossil fuels.
Oh Dear,
Here we have another well meaning, preachy little sermon, with about as much value as a beauty contestant expressed desire to work for “world peace”.
I guess that sounds harsh, and I’m sure the author is a good person, and maybe should consider contributing to the Readers Digest which specializes in twee, sanctimonious little remarks.
As Frank quite rightly points out, their are billions on the planet who don’t have a roof, let alone solar roof panels !
Industry, and industrial power generation is the fastest , and only way to decrease poverty. 7 Billion people can’t return to a sort of utopian, agrarian society. Such a society never existed, except in the imagination of pampered philosophers who existence depended on the toils of others, whom they despised.
What this author has written, seems harmless (if shallow ) but is part of the reason why a populist backlash is occurring.
Environmentalists have enough difficulty with extremist advocates alienating the general public, without the added irritant of self-satisfied, sanctimonious, little sermons by authors wishing to receive accolades for repeating trite cliches.
Sorry to seem harsh, I appreciate the author means well…
@ Marco Polo
Glad you ended with saying you appreciate the author and don’t mean to sound so Harsh .
The author is pointing out some Inconvenient sides about the gap in poverty and incomes and living standards and unfortunately perhaps he clings to the Wonder Wand that more Renewable Energy will resolve all the ILLS.
So I can see your point. While renewable energy scaled down to the level of the user in village settings can lift folks up it is not the total solution. Pay as you go soalr is helping many a african family lift up their lot in life but it takes more.
As for major heavy duty industrialization well perhaps it needs to be re thought out and maybe a more energy source that is in sclae with the real needs of te rural population will better serve them rather than lock them into a large fixed cost power system that requires constant growth in usage to make it pay so everyone becomes beholden ed to it.
something to think about.
Considered a different way – One does not take the same 100 lb Nail and Hammer to a 10 OZ problem !
Marco , thanks for sharing your relationship with the late Richard Budge and his brother. When I read about him passing on I wondered if you were one of his associates given your background.
Your short description Honored him and the family well. You spoke well of both of them Glad for you to have and a positive relationship with the industry giant.
Lost many good Souls I have known as well, I try to cherish the Memory once a close friend becomes a Memory…it helps
You are spot on re so called Clean coal – its not really clean and you accurately said cleaner coal . Well said.
Back to poverty and power , mass energy systems did raise many boats and make a economy run strong for sure.
However access to huge power supply and distribution while a very good thing is no guarantee to success or continued success for All Boats.
The latest statistic from US is that despite our advanced Energy Economy etc. etc. We now have a record 53 % of ALL Students in Public schools qualifying and in need a Free Lunch daily at School. A new record.
So much for American exceptionalism !!!COL crying out loud !
Perhaps Progress is No Longer a Comfortable Disease like that Frenchman said eons ago… a somber trend for USA>
the other side of the Tracks has spread across vast sectors of America ….no wonder there is a yearning for new approaches! large hordes of Black Swans are circling it seems.
My country burned up probably $ 5 million dollars on war and fighting in the time it took me to write this Posting !!!???!!
Thanks for sharing your relationship with Mr Budge. Be well
@ Silent Running,
Thank you for your comments.
You make some very good points in regard to poverty, and the loss of individual opportunity in modern society.
Post-industrial society doesn’t really exist. In reality it’s just a term used to describe some societies moving dirty or unpleasant industries elsewhere and importing the finished products.
Thus the affluent trendy Californian greenie, can drive home from their Hi-tech employment in a Tesla, to his solar powered home smug in the knowledge that their neighbourhood abounds in new and environmentally sensitive employment in the “service” sector.
The agony and despair of cities like Detroit, or the plight of suicidal workers in Apple Inc’s the Chinese manufacturing facilities, is not of concern. Just as the environmental devastation wrought by the mining, manufacturing practices that produce the components of everything from the tyres on Californian’s car’s to the hi-tech components used by Silicon Valley and Solar Panel manufacturers.
Human rights abuses and the fact that China (the PRC) is building one more giant coal fired power station each fortnight doesn’t matter to our token Californian. He’s far more outraged by imaginary conspiracies. (sort of like a vegetarian taking B12 supplements to avoid killing animals. (to be effective, the tablets must be made from the carcasses of animals)).
Poverty and disadvantage (especially systemic)are issues that must be address by all levels of society. We all have a responsibility to ensure everyone can enjoy a reasonable consumer lifestyle or the slowdown in economic activity will affect everyone.
You are quite right, since Reagan the US has blundered and misjudged it’s foreign policy. Regan used the economic and political power of the US, while retaining US military power as a threat and using it only sparingly, but usually with considerable effect.
Reagan policies of containment, and covert involvement were effective, and relatively cheap. Mistakes were made, but the fallout easily contained and minimized.
The Obama administration continually displays no understanding of local politics or issues, and sends out confusing indications of support for the wrong reasons.
Nevermind it’s mistakes during the so-called “Arab spring ” , Obama’s support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a politician determined to turn Turkey into a repressive, religious dictatorship.
When Pres. Obama praises Erdoğan and welcomes Erdoğan’s survival and strengthening hold on power as a victory for democracy, Obama displays an appalling lack of understanding of either Turkish politics, or “democracy” !
My brother and I were both involved with Tony and Richard Budge socially, sporting (Horses) and community activities.
Both brothers, (Tony in particular) were generous and reliable sponsors of community projects, especially those unfashionable or considered “lost causes”.
The bitterness of labour conflicts during the period the oal industry was nationalized, followed by turmoil and trauma of period of rationalization and privatization during the reconstruction period 1984-1994.
I still deal with the Merchant bankers and equity consortium’s that supported Richard and Tony Budges and I helped fund some of the Budges’ equipment leases.
I try to avoid investing in the UK Coal Industry since much of the Industry exists on sentiment and narrow, volatile margins. (there’s also the environmental issue).
Oh incidentally, did you know that Black Swans are native to Australia ?
IMHO, the current energy boom in the US has provided the US a once in a century opportunity to fund real social and infrastructure reform and renewal.
The US must learn from the example of 1970-90’s UK. A wise and strong US leader who could inspire all Americans to put their country first, and invest in the nations future, is desperately needed.
The US has not seen a leader like that since the promise of RFK. Someone who can inspire, unite and enlist people from all stations of life, to bring out the best in all people.
(The wretched Sirhan Sirhan should go down with Gavrilo Princip and Lee Harvey Oswald, as killers beyond redemption).
@ Marco Polo
Well said Marco , we lost much with the premature demise and deaths of both Kennedy Brothers .
talk about Un Fulfilled Potential what might have been.?
US is squandering too much treasure and blood and creating more blood letting with our over expansionist military excursions that are not even Winnable and have Massive Un Intended consequences counter productive to our drive towards Sustainability and Peace and a better domestic economy that works for All Workers not just the Techno Triumvirate s and Silicon APP Masters
We have the Energy to do what we need domestically it just needs to be applied better so we can create productive wealth once again not just a continuous 1 hit gizmo parade
Those Bundge brothers seem to have balanced things out better than some of today’s Techno Triumvirate Silicon Sultates! Oh well class consciousness overload perhaps forgive me.
Their gizmos sell great but 53 % of children need a free lunch ( I am glad we do give the lunches dont misunderstand me ) its just our Priorities are misplaced and Inverted it appears!
Onwards