Green Economy: Present Need
Economy
and Human
An economy is a system of organizations and
institutions that either facilities or play role in the production and
distribution of goods and services among the members of a society.
As we all know, to look whether a country is developed or
not one of the first things is look at the Economy of the country. If the
economic situation of the country is good and it is in development, then the
country will also grow further in the future. Economic development is not only
necessary for country’s GDP, but also if the economic situation will be good,
then the living standard of the citizen will be also good.
Economic development can be achieved by providing better
Education to all the citizens, jobs which will reduce the unemployment rate of
the population, better health infrastructure, setting up of industries. Etc.
But now, in the race of Economic Development humans has exploited much of the
environment of the country. Due to population growth, many forest lands has
been cleared up for the agriculture, for setting up the industry, for making
buildings etc.
Due to this many species of plant & animals lot their
habitat and even become extinct. If this will not stop today, then it will
become one of biggest problem tomorrow. Economic development doesn’t mean that
we should exploit the natural resources.
The data below shows
the global distribution of forests showing the ten countries with the largest
forest areas, 2020 (million hectares and % of world's Forests)
cc by savers7.blogspot.com
SOURCE: FAO, 2020
It is clear from the above data, that these ten countries
are very important as well as other countries. Means that, 56% of world’s
forest area is in only 10 countries. But, for last few years many of the above
countries have faced forest fires which have destroyed much of their forest
area. As last once was from Australia which have effected much of the
biodiversity in Australia.
Much of forest was also cleared for industrialization, agriculture
etc. which also lead to reduction in forest area in many countries. Even many illegal deforestation has occurred
in many countries. Government of
different countries had launched many programs to save their wildlife and
forest area. Many biospheres have been introduced in many countries.
Green
Economy
Green Economy is an economy that results in
improved human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing
environment risks and ecological scarcities. Green economy can be seen as mean
to achieve better quality of life on this planet by balancing environment al,
economic, and social elements. Over the past decade, many scientific studies
have highlighted the problem of environmental degradation and climate change.
As a result, the concept of green economy has become a global agenda. Some
important global events over the last few decades focusing on green economy
include:
1972 Stockholm Conference
1987 Brundtland Report
1992 Earth summit and Agenda 21 2012
Rio+20 Conference
Aims of
Green Economy
The united
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has proposed three-pronged approach for
the attainment of the green economy: Low carbon
growth, Resource efficiency
and Social inclusion.
·
Low Carbon growth: Human activities such as burning fuels and releasing remain
pollutants in air has increased the concentration of CO2 (carbon-dioxide)
and other greenhouse gases (GHG) such as nitrogen oxide, chlorofluorocarbon
(CFC), methane in the atmosphere of the Earth. This has resultant in the
prevention of night from being cooled, thus it is disturbing the cycle which is
leading to Global warming and climate change.
The term ‘Low Carbon’ means reduction of all greenhouse gas emissions.
Low Carbon Growth is now generally expressed as using the term Low Emission
Development Strategies (LEDS). LEDS are generally used to describe the national
economic development plans or strategies that include low-emission and
climate-resilient economic growth, which means, economic development that does
not harm the environment.
Consequences of carbon growth
Ø The greenhouse effect has warmed up
oceans and caused melting of glaciers, which in turn are resulting in rising
sea levels and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. Rising sea
levels flood coastal areas and influence shipping industry.
Ø Global warming is causing more
wildfires, droughts, and tropical storms.
Ø Climate change is causing tremendous
loss of property and human life. The destruction of infrastructure from
hurricanes, tsunamis, and other disasters take years to recover. Moreover, these
disasters cause chronic waterborne diseases and lasting psychological traumas.
Ø Carbon dioxide also contributes to
air pollution creating acid and rains. Acid rains damage tress and other plant
life further pollute water and soil.
Ø Polluted water and soil contaminate
vegetation that we eventually consume.
Ø Carbon dioxide emissions displace
oxygen in the atmosphere, thus impacting human health. There has been rapid
rise in health issues like breathing problems, skin diseases, headaches, etc.
due to the increase in atmosphere carbon dioxide levels.
Thus, low-carbon
economy is essential for environmental sustainability and future prosperity. To
achieve low carbon growth, green economy develops economic activity which has
minimal output of greenhouse gas emissions into the biosphere. In other words,
the green economy controls carbon emission in the environment by using fuels
more efficiently, restoring carbon in soil and biomass, and using low carbon
technologies to generate energy-efficient products and services.
·
Resource Efficiency: We are depleting our natural
resources by overusing and exploiting them. Green economy conserves
these resources as it involves increasing prosperity by using resources
economically and without affecting the environment. In another words,
the green economy emphasis becoming more resource efficient.
Resource
efficiency involves
efforts at three levels – government, corporate, and individual. Apart from
environment friendly technological innovations, it requires changes in almost
all aspects of our life- clean transportation, efficient and cleaner energy
production, water management, land management, greener buildings and disposal
and so on.
Resource
efficiency also involves the use of green energy (renewable energy) such as
solar energy, wind energy etc. But according to some reports more than 60% of
the vehicle’s on Earth runs on diesel and the remaining one’s on petrol and
very few on electric and hydrogen. Resource efficiency also include the proper
use of needed resources without wasting them.
·
Social Inclusion: Social inclusion essentially means
sharing responsibility as well as the benefits of economic growth across
all sections of society. The shift towards green practices require investments
by both, private and public sectors leading to growth in income and enjoyment
through green jobs.
According to
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a Green
Job is defined as a work in
agricultural, manufacturing, research and development, administrative, and
service activities that contribute towards preserving or restoring the quality
of the environment.
Green jobs
involve greater efficiency in the use of energy, water and material. These jobs
help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, de-carbonize the economy, and
minimize all forms of waste and pollution.
Green jobs
span a wide range of skills, educational backgrounds, and occupational
profiles. They occur in almost all fields. For example, people employed in
setting up a solar panel or operating a wind turbine are involved in a green
job because they are working towards generating wind energy, which is an
alternative to burning fossils fuels. Even the industries that supply raw
material for building towers contribute to green economy.
Global
Impact of Moving Towards Green Economy: -
Given below
are some of the main global impacts of moving towards green economy:
·
Contribution
in preventing melting of glaciers and resulting rise of sea level.
·
Contribution
in preventing climate changes such as variations in rainfall, temperature and
crop production, and climate disasters like droughts and floods.
·
Contribution
to fight against global warming desertification (fertile land becoming
infertile), and loss of biodiversity (the variety of plant and animal life in a
particular habitat).
·
Improvement
in air, water, and soil quality.
·
Reduction
in disease and deaths of living beings.
·
Reduction
in money spent on conservation of environment, relief, and rehabilitation of
people.
·
Increase
in new areas of manufacturing such as biofuels and renewable energy efficient.
·
Investment
in alternative energy sources and becoming more energy efficient.
·
Increase
in new areas of employment.
Green Economy in India: -
India has
led by example in moving towards green economy. It has taken gradual steps
towards a green economy in the last decade and has tried to balance it with
continuous development.
India aims
to address the following three issues through green economy initiatives:
·
Issues
of energy scarcity
·
Issues
of environmental pollution
·
Issues
unemployment or underemployment.
Green
Skill Development Programme (GDSP) in India
The skill
India Mission of the Government of India, Ministry of Environments, Forest and
climate change, has started the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP). It
aims to target a large number of people who will be trained as per as the needs
of the green sector.
Aims of the
Green Development Programme (GSDP):
1. To train green skilled workers with
technical knowledge and commitment to conserve and preserve the environment.
2. To generate new jobs for green
skilled workers who will help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, reduce
energy consumption, and minimize waste and pollution.
3. To preserve or restore environmental
quality so that it lasts for future generation.
Some of the
fields covered under Green Skill Development Program are:
v Sewage Treatment Plant
v Waste Management
v Water Budgeting
v Forest Management
v Pollution Monitoring (Air/Water/soil)
v Sewage Treatment plans (STP),
Effluent Treatment Plans (ETP), and Common Effluent Treatment plants (CETP)
v Bamboo Management
Job Opportunities
Green Skills
The Indian
economy is expected to generate many jobs in the green sector. Youths
completing the GSD Course can be employed in the following fields:
·
Wildlife
(zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere reserves, botanical gardens,
nurseries, wetland sites, State Biodiversity Boards, Biodiversity Management
Committees, and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau)
·
Industries
(involved in production or manufacturing of green products)
·
Tourism
(As eco-tourist guides)
·
Agriculture
(as Organic farmers or green practitioners)
·
Education
and research sectors
·
Waste
management (in Municipal Corporations, Councils, urban local bodies to advise
on how to improve sewage, sanitation, land use services, and tackle pollution)
·
Water
Management
·
Construction
related areas
Climate
change and pollution are posing an alarming and fast approaching threats to us
and for our future generations. The world needs to take drastic and immediate
actions to protect our planet for our continual existence. Governments, private
sector, NGOs, and groups of awakened citizens worldwide are working diligently
towards an efficient and inclusive green economy. However, there is a dire need
to bring awareness to the citizens of the world to an eco-friendly lifestyle.
1 comment