Outliers - the story of success. Amaia

The article I have chosen to write about is from the New York Times written by Andrew Revkin. This article sums up the problems the United States is going to face unless a solution is proposed to help global warming. This article states that a federal draft report is being written, and once finalized, it will become an official document of the United States government. The article sums up the problems that we are facing/going to face involving agriculture and human health. Global warming is impacting everyone in this world, whether they realize it or not. The strong points on agriculture are as follows: “The rising incidence of weather extremes will have increasingly negative impacts on crop and livestock productivity.” This sums up that the weather patterns due to global warming are hurting our land and food security. Changes in the climate will “affect food processing, storage, transportation, and retailing” as said by the author. As for human health, “Climate change threatens human health and well-being in many ways, including weather events, wildfires, diseases transmitted by insects, food and water, and threats to mental health.” It was mentioned that the U.S. is already undergoing some of these problems in today’s society. 

This is relevant to what we have discussed in class based on the 11th Hour Video. The video made strong points about the effects global warming is/has made on the world already. If a solution isn’t prepared then the world, as we know it, will sooner or later come to an end.

Inno58h

Towards resource wisdom

Investing in regional resource efficiency increases ecological sustainability, but the benefits also manifest themselves in improved financial and social well-being. Energy efficiency increases, there are lower emissions, the local economy is enhanced and self-sufficiency increases.

 

The decline in natural resources, the growing population and climate change are all factors which are increasingly forcing societies around the world to become ever more efficient and to continue to reduce their emissions. Recycling-based economies, energy efficiency and cooperation between companies to save raw materials become everyday activities. Wiser use of resources is becoming an asset in international competition.

So far, Finland has performed poorly in resource efficiency reviews carried out by the European Environment Agency: compared to other countries, Finland wastes a lot of material. We would need the resources of almost three and a half planet Earths to sustain the Finnish lifestyle. Motiva estimates that just by using raw material more sensibly, companies in Finland could save up to €7 billion.

Resource wisdom must be promoted in Finland, and the flow of resources must be reviewed regionally. In 2013, Sitra will launch this work, and will kick off the "Resource-wise region" project module in Jyväskylä. The goal of the module is to develop a calculation and operating model for regional resource efficiency, which can be applied and replicated in other Finnish cities. The local perspective enables real action.  

The purpose of the project is to promote wiser use of resources and reduce environmental harm, in cooperation with local residents, companies and organisations. In practice, this translates to residents living an ecologically sustainable life, and being able to develop resource-wise operating methods in their residential municipality. Companies will find sustainable success and will become more competitive through synergy between companies. Energy efficiency increases, there are lower emissions, the local economy is enhanced and self-sufficiency increases.

The resource wisdom project will perform several practical tests and pilots. Example themes include renewable local energy, energy saving, staying at the same location through virtual solutions, development of public and pedestrian/cycle traffic, local food, reducing the amount of food waste, local fertilisers, eco-efficiency improvement in public procurement, improving space efficiency, local tourism, and reducing and re-using waste between companies.

Investing in regional resource efficiency increases ecological sustainability, but the benefits also manifest themselves in improved financial and social well-being.


Javier tabernilla

Zero-waste lifestyle

I came across this interesting article about a girl who hasn't made any waste for 2 years. This sounds incredible!

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/11/23/she-hasnt-made-any-trash-in-2-years-this-is-what-her-life-is-like/

Elina

Defining Resource Wisdom

RESOURCE WISDOM

"The decrease in natural resources, population growth and climate change is forcing global societies to become more efficient and cut emissions. Wiser use of resources is now an asset in international competition.

Investing in regional resource efficiency increases ecological sustainability, but the benefits also manifest themselves in improved financial and social well-being. Energy efficiency increases, there are lower emissions, the local economy is enhanced and self-sufficiency increases."

(Sitra)

Resource wisdom is closely related to circular economy in the sense that it emphaisezes efficient management of scarce resources for the wellbeing of both the environent and economy. These two aspects are visible in Sitra's definition of resource wisdom.

In resource wisdom, the calculation of ecological footprints is essential. For instance, residentail areas can be designed based on the principles of resource wisdom. An example of this is the international One Planet Living initiative which is being applied for the first time in Finland to the planning of the residential areas of Kivistö and Kangas. It aims to make sustainable and resource-wise living comfortable, inexpensive and easy by designing energy-efficient buildings and optimizing local traffic.

http://www.sitra.fi/en/ecology/resource-wisdom

Elina