June 5, 2012: Green Economy. The phrase conjures images of the 'chipko' movement, lush forests on one hand and devastated terrains and the arcane terminology of militant environmental activists on the other.
And that is the crux of the Green Economy. Green Economy has been defined by the UN Environment Programme as one "that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a Green Economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive."
The theme of this year's World Environment Day,
'Green Economy: Does it include you?'
is all inclusive as its purpose is to personalise environmental action.
In brasstacks, a Green Economy is one where investments, both public and private, are geared towards reducing carbon emissions and pollution and enhancing energy and resource efficiency. Green Economy attempts to prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
And by asking the question it does, Green Economy emphasises the need to catalyze and support environmental action by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.
You may ask, what does Green Economy mean for me. Point is if the Green Economy is about social equity and inclusiveness, then it is all about you.
The Green Economy may be better understood if placed in context of the World Environment Day.
World Environment Day (WED), is a celebration of global awareness on environmental issues celebrated on June 5th every year. Run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Environment Day is similar to Earth Day in its aspiration to positive action on environmental concerns.
World Environment Day was initiated in 1972 on the occasion of the first ever United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Established by the United Nations General Assembly, World Environment Day has now become a major medium of spreading worldwide awareness of the environment and encouraging political attention and action.
World Environment Day is all inclusive as its purpose is to personalise environmental action by giving it a central theme every year and allocating a different host city on an annual basis.
World Environment Day aims to rally people behind a call for action in multiple ways; 'organize a neighborhood clean-up, stop using plastic bags and get your community to do the same, plant a tree or better yet organize a collective tree planting effort, walk to work, start a recycling drive . . . the possibilities are endless', says the UNEP.
This year's theme for the World Environment Day is aptly : Green Economy: Does it include you?. The city hosting World Environment Day this year is Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Growing economic and environmental uncertainity are interlinked is what this year's World Environment Day focuses on, defining "the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a Green Economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive."
And to give you a primer of how Green Economy affects you, here is a list of the 10 sectors enumerated by the UNEP which form the backbone of an ideal Green Economy:
Buildings
Construction has consequences - let's construct a better world!
Construction and buildings take a large toll on global resources and climate.
A home or business energy audit can reduce your building's climate footprint and lead to significant savings in energy costs.
Shopping around for home improvements or landscaping? Reduce your impact by seeking out low-impact construction and landscaping firms.
You can support a resource-efficient Green Economy by taking charge of the buildings in your life. GreenUp!
Fisheries
Seafood is delicious and healthy - but depleting our fish stocks isn't!
Overfishing in many parts of the world threatens to deplete future fish stocks. We can avoid this by working now to promote sustainable fishing practices.
Research ecolabels in your area and buy seafood products that have been harvested sustainably.
By choosing sustainably harvested seafood, you send a message to producers that you support a Green Economy for fisheries. GreenUp
Forestry
Forests support livelihoods, societies and cultures, our climate, and a plethora of wildlife and ecosystems.
Deforestation accounts for close to 20% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainably managed forests can continue to support communities and ecosystems without damaging environment and climate.
Use electronic files to reduce your demand for paper products, and seek out timber and paper products that come from certified sustainable forests.
When you support certified sustainable forest products, you support a healthy environment and sustainable livelihoods. GreenUp!
Transport
Congestion, pollution, traffic accidents . . . there's a better way!
Riding alone in your car isn't just environmentally and economically inefficient, it's lonely!
Carpooling or taking public transport reduces environmental impacts and economic costs while strengthening community.
Walking or riding a bike for short trips is good for your health - and the environment's, too!
When you choose alternative transportation methods, you support a Green Economy in the transport sector. GreenUp!
Water
Use water wisely!
Billions of people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water or improved sanitation services - and population growth will worsen the problem.
Taking small steps towards wise water use can help conserve this precious resource.
Turn off the tap when you're not using it, wait until you have a full load to run your laundry or dishwasher, limit shower time, and don't water your lawn right after a rain.
Resource efficiency is key to a Green Economy and water is one of our most important resources. GreenUp!
Agriculture
Use your consumer power to support local, organic and sustainable agriculture!
The population is growing! It's time to support sustainable agriculture to ensure our ability to feed EVERYONE.
Grow your own veggies, eat in-season, and shop local farmers' markets.
When you buy local, organic, and sustainable food products, you send a message to producers that you support a Green Economy for agriculture. GreenUp!
Energy Supply
Our lifestyles demand energy, but is the demand too great on our resources?
The current mainstream energy sources - oil, coal, gas, etc. - are not only harmful to health and environment, they're not sustainable in a world of growing energy needs.
You can support the development of clean, renewable energy by choosing businesses and products that invest in them - or by investing in them yourself!
While we work towards a transition to renewable energy, consider ways to improve your personal energy efficiency. Turn off lights and unplug appliances when you aren't using them. Don't heat your house when no one's home.
You can help build a Green Economy by supporting clean, sustainable energy sources and becoming a model of energy efficiency. GreenUp
Tourism
Tread lightly on your travel destinations.
Tourism can be great for local economies, but not if it results in negative environmental and social impacts.
The same principles apply to supporting a Green Economy both at home and afar: buy local, travel with others, limit water and energy use, etc.
Know before you go: What hotels and travel agencies support ecotourism? How can I limit my impact on sensitive habitats?
When you support ecotourism, you help the communities in your travel destinations achieve economic growth without sacrificing environmental and social well-being. GreenUp!
Waste
If everything you buy becomes waste, where will we put it all?
Throwing something away means losing the chance to reuse materials and can contribute to methane (the most potent greenhouse gas) emissions from landfills.
Electronics in particular are only recycled at a rate of 15% globally.
Recycling appropriate materials and composting food waste reduces the impact of landfills as well as the demand on our natural resources to produce more materials.
Learn about recycling opportunities in your community and support a more resource-efficient Green Economy. GreenUp!
Manufacturing and Industry
It's no big secret that industry and manufacturing have been rough on the environment - but things can change, and you can help!
Industry and manufacturing drive employment and economic growth in many countries, but is it worth it to employ someone to pollute?
Be a wise consumer - support businesses that have sustainability plans, use ecolabels, and invest in renewable energy.
Greenwashing is everywhere! But many companies are sincerely committed to achieving sustainability. Do your homework and ask questions.
When you choose a sustainable business over a 'business-as-usual,' you send the message that it's time for industry and manufacturing to transition to a Green Economy. GreenUp!
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World Environment Day turns 40 Believe it or not, World Environment Day turns 40 in 2012. Since the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) was formed in 1972, World Environment Day has been celebrated annually. |
| About WED
World Environment Day is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. World Environment Day activities take place all year round but climax on 5 June every year, involving everyone from everywhere. World Environment Day celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become the one of the main vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action. Through World Environment Day, the UN Environment Programme is able to personalize environmental issues and enable everyone to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development. World Environment Day is also a day for people from all walks of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter outlook for themselves and future generations. Everyone counts in this initiative and World Environment Day relies on you to make this happen! We call for action – organize a neighborhood clean-up, stop using plastic bags and get your community to do the same, plant a tree or better yet organize a collective tree planting effort, walk to work, start a recycling drive . . . the possibilities are endless. Whatever you do, tell us about it! We will post your activities on this website and make it part of the Wide World of WED map. So what are you going to do for World Environment Day? |