According to Miller and Spoolman the three principles of sustainability are solar energy, biodiversity, and chemical cycling (2010, p.5). Solar energy is the perfect energy because the sun always shines. Everyday we rely on solar energy so why not make solar energy work to our advantage. I can apply solar energy to my lifestyle by having items like solar panels installed on my home. With solar panels I will be able to generate my own clean energy therefore decreasing my reliance on the fossil fuels that currently supply my house. Giant advancements in solar technology have been made in the last few years and now several countries are jumping on the solar bandwagon. “China is on track to become the world’s largest solar market as they …show more content…
During the day I tend to keep all of my window blinds closed so I’m wasting energy my running my lights when I should just open my blinds and let the sun do the natural job of lighting my home for me. I can apply biodiversity to my lifestyle to make it more environmentally sustainable by becoming more aware of my environment and surroundings. According to Miller and Spoolman “Biodiversity is the variety of the earth’s species, the genes they contain, the ecosystems in which they live, and the ecosystem processes of energy flow and nutrient cycling that sustain all life” (2010, p. 60). I can make my lifestyle more environmentally sustainable by making better decisions in regards to purchasing products. If I concentrate on purchasing items that have been recycled I will help lessen the impact on the environment by reducing the amount of natural resources that would have been …show more content…
One example of chemical cycling is that “energy enters the biological system as light energy, or photons, is transformed into chemical energy in organic molecules by cellular processes including photosynthesis and respiration, and ultimately is converted to heat energy” (Global Change, 2008). This example relates to a hobby I have because I enjoy gardening, which is a form of chemical cycling. My garden receives energy from the sun, which my plants use to grow, and then I they transfer the energy on to my family and I when we eat the fruits and vegetables that they produced. This type of cycle continues countless times every day with plants receiving energy from the sun and ultimately passing that energy on to other species. I hate to say this but chemical cycling does not stop at death because tiny microbes feed on decomposing species. As decomposition continues gases are also expelled back into the environment and the process begins
for our environment? People are starting to second guess solar energy but it is still used and
Preview: Today I will discuss the potential that solar power has to become this country’s main supply of energy and the latest research that can make solar power more efficient and cost effective. I will also present the environmental benefits that come with using solar power over other and more harmful forms of energy.
Sustainability requires the interplay of other disciplines from the fields of science, economy, and social studies. The disciplines must function all together at a go, not in isolation. Once that is archived, sustainable development is also due to be archived. Philosophy is needed to be in practice in order to have an efficient way to approach sustainability. Mostly environmental sustainability is the one that is seen to be important, which includes the following aspects; water, energy, oil and other resources which are finite. The balance between the social, economic and environmental sectors yields sustainable development (Giddings et al., 2002). Sustainable development is classically defined as meeting the needs of the present generation without, in any way compromising the needs of future generations (IISD., 2003). Pragmatism requires us to predict, take actions and to be innovative in problem solving which is done through scientific research, this philosophy teaches us to be practical (Christopher., 2013).
...ough people caught on, it may not save the earth but it may sustain it, at least for a little while:
Sustainability is one of the most controversial topics throughout the history, and as our society develop, we realize that being able to be sustainable is essential to survival of our race. The book Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Sustainability is a collection of articles on different side of various issues related to sustainability. In the book, Issue 8 discusses the ability of technology to deliver sustainability, and issue 16 and 17 discusses the sustainability of food and energy. While issue 16 and 17 are well-presented, the arguments in issue 8 are not very strong.
As it is commonly stated, an environmentally active student from the University of Connecticut-Stamford comments, “The first step toward solving a problem is admitting there is one” (Lanslots). In the area of environmental awareness, the solution must be executed on both an individual and a corporate level. Aldo Leopold states, “A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke he is writing his signature on the face of the land” (73). Similarly we must realize that every action we take has an intended or unintended consequence upon our earth. Each step towards the conservation effort adds a signature to the plea to save our earth. As an up and coming chemistry scholar, it is important to raise awareness of the state of our environment and to recognize the strategies that can be taken as a member of a university, a citizen of the United States, and a future member of the corporate world to ensure a better environment and maintain resources for the future generations to live in this land.
Sustainability is an issue that everyone should be concerned about. If the planet Earth is going to exist, as we know it, everyone should wake up and do their part to help achieve a greater level of sustainability. In my English 101 class we learned about the issue of sustainability. Many different topics were discussed and researched throughout the course of the semester. Overall, I think that the sustainability project has been a learning and enlightening experience for everyone in this class. Many more things can be done next semester, since the groundwork has been laid to continue this project for time to come.
Discuss the concept of sustainability. What ethical principles are parts of a sustainable lifestyle? Why should we consider sustainability as a guiding principle of our environmental philosophy?
The sun has been a major aspect of life since the beginning of time. People used many other forms of energy before electricity was discovered. There has been a debate over energy resources for years. Many people are worried about what current energy resources may be doing to the environment. Oil spills and nuclear power plant mishaps have only been a few accidents that have had a big impact on the environment and the people who inhabit it. There are plenty of energy sources that do not harm the environment and are still able to get the job done. Solar energy is one energy alternative that will insure the betterment of the country and, at the same time, protect the natural environment.
The degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity is increasing at an alarming rate every year. Humans are certainly not the only reason for this, but they are the main contributors. The well-being of ecosystems affects our everyday lives - consumption and consumerism depend on natural resources. Everything humans use is derived from them, in seemingly indirect and direct ways. Yet despite the fact that humans are destroying the environment, many continue to and neglect to take important measures to protect it.
... and monthly water filling. Solar energy is the cleanest and purest form of energy, allowing for cleaner air overall in our environment. There is great hope for a lot more solar panels to be installed worldwide. Solar is a viable alternative energy with solar panels becoming more affordable and more efficiently designed.
There is no doubt that human activity is having a significant impact on our environment. These environmental impacts include depleting our natural resources, air and water pollution, climate change, destruction of habitats, and loss of biodiversity. Because of these growing concerns, we need to learn how to live sustainably. Living sustainably will allow us to conserve our limited resources more wisely so they will be available for future generations (Withgott & Brennan, 2011, Chapter 1).
As a native Oregonian choosing to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies seemed like a no brainer; growing up in Oregon my playground was essentially the forest. I was lucky enough to walk out the backdoor of my house and be engulfed by a lush dense forest, which I was able to explore and play in at my leisure. For the most part my childhood was spent outside, whether it was skiing, surfing, hiking, mountain biking, etc... All of these activities I enjoyed doing required a healthy natural environment and I understood that from a very early age. Generally, the population of the Portland Metro area is more environmentally conscious than most cities, and that had a huge effect on me as I grew up. Many of my teachers incorporated ideas of sustainability
I am certain that all have heard of the terms green house gases, fossil fuels, and global warming. Have you ever questioned what will happen if nothing is done about the environmental problems facing the world today? What if I answer you that, we can merely use the power from the sun to power up our entire planet without the use of harmful energy sources, which affect our atmosphere? The power from the sun is what we call solar power. Solar power is the energy that comes from the sun as light and heat energy, and then it is later converted into electrical energy through solar panels (Nelson, 2008). This kind of power is completely free, right? Why should we put a lot of expense on other sources of energy, when there is a complete free and healthy power? It is evident that solar energy is a healthy source of energy, which will help stop global warming all together, but it is economically efficient to switch everything to solar energy. Solar energy is capable of becoming the world's future power supply because, it is renewable, eco-friendly, and extremely efficient when strategically placed.
Regarding to solar power, Mistry claims that although the solar power does not generate pollution, it has a lot of costs. To built solar panels with a photovoltaic equipment has high costs. For instance, a photovoltaic system just for a home can cost around $35,000 (Kumar, 2012). However, if our goal for the future is to get a healthy environment, switch fossil fuels for solar power might be the best choice to achieve that goal. According to Kumar (2012), Solar power is a clean and renewable energy so, it decreases the dependency on fossil fuel and also reduces the air pollution. When the sun heats the panel, it generates clean energy which does not pollute the environment. All in all, the costs of solar power might not be applicable when it is certainly the best way for having a clean