Humankind shares a two-way relationship with nature. Along with breathable air, daily fodder, and other natural resources, the natural environment offers us a beautiful habitat that fosters our daily growth and development. On the other hand, our only responsibility is to make sure that the planet is nurtured and looked after in a timely manner.
However, in the last few decades, as humankind is racing towards technological development, it has overshadowed the urgency of looming threats like global warming and climate change. Drastic shifts in natural patterns like severe heatwaves, frequent outbreaks of natural calamities, rising sea levels, etc., are some of the many consequences of climate change that must be kept in check for a safe and brighter future.
In this article, we will discuss some of the many examples of environmental sustainability and how they have contributed to the overall health of our planet. But before we delve into instances of environmental sustainability, let us throw some light on the idea of environmental conservation.
Even though most people are acquainted with the term sustainability, they do not invest time in comprehending how it can be incorporated into actionable steps. In simple terms, sustainable practices support human, economic, and ecological, vitality, and health.
The fundamental idea behind sustainability is that since natural resources are finite, they must be used wisely and conservatively with a view to long-term consequences and priorities of different ways in which resources are utilized. Now, let’s move to some of the best examples of environmental sustainability:
- Utilizing renewable construction material
Building a home, office, industry, or any other structure requires several types of raw materials that emit gases like methane and carbon dioxide while contributing to environmental pollution.
Over the years, experts have developed renewable and recyclable construction materials like precast concrete slabs, reclaimed wood, recycled steel, rammed earth, and more that do not lead to environmental deterioration.
- Switching to sustainable agriculture
Repeated cultivation of crops on the same patch of land leads to low-quality produce and soil depletion. This process also includes regular use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other harsh substances to increase productivity levels. This not only leads to contamination of crops but also affects the health of the consumers.
The idea of green agriculture is the best example of environmental sustainability. It integrates animal and plant production practices that accelerate the output and productivity rates while having minimal impact on the environment. It combines ecological and biological processes into agricultural practices to reduce the dependency on inorganic inputs and non-renewable resources.
- Automation and smart technology
When we speak of environmental sustainability, it is often viewed in opposition to technological advancements. As the world is becoming more aware of the consequences of climate change and how it can threaten the future, researchers are coming up with innovative digital and automation solutions that save energy [1] , reduce wastage, and increase efficiency.
For instance, home automation can also be considered an example of environmental sustainability. It is a carefully integrated technology that performs a process with the help of automatic feedback control and programmed commands to ensure seamless execution of all the instructions. Energy monitoring switches, flood sensors, smart home thermostats, smoke detectors, etc., are some devices under a conventional home automation system.
- Renewable sources of energy
This is probably the oldest and the most widely used example of environmental sustainability. Deployment of renewable energy sources like hydropower, solar energy, geothermal energy, and wind energy is the best way to pave the way toward a net-zero future. Non-renewable energy sources like natural gas, fossil fuels, oil, coal, and more emit massive amounts of carbon and greenhouse gases that lead to air pollution and ozone layer depletion. In contrast, non-renewable sources of energy can meet high energy demands while being a sustainable, cost-effective, and reliable solution.
- Decarbonization
Organizations, factories, and industries comprise a large section of our society. In order to function optimally, they have a wide variety of electric instruments and equipment that consume a significant amount of power, emitting harmful chemicals and gases.
Therefore, as a part of corporate sustainability [2] , enterprises are embracing decarbonization techniques by getting in touch with different carbon-neutral consulting firms and decarbonization companies.
In simple terms, decarbonization refers to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by employing low carbon power sources to achieve a lower output of greenhouse gases.
Schneider Electric: offering effective and affordable solutions for environmental sustainability
Our expert professionals have devised a range of electric, digital, and automation solutions at affordable prices. We have built a team of experienced, innovative, and futuristic minds who are driven to maintain an edge in the market by fulfilling the needs of both present and future generations.
We offer best-in-class products and services for multiple sectors and industries like commercial real estate, machinery, life sciences, power management, healthcare, hotels, and more. By combining professional expertise with our environmental sustainability goals, the idea is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources.