Essay Sample on Community-Based Learning: A Path to Sustainable Development & Responsive Citizens

Introduction

Community-based learning is a key facet for encouraging sustainable development and responsive citizens (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, 2017). It enables individuals to take direct, pragmatic actions to address the environmental challenges facing a rapidly changing, and growing global world. By organizing environmental initiatives, such as advocating for afforestation practices, and eco-friendly farming will help citizens to gain knowledge and skills to improve their lives in sustainable ways (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, 2017). Community empowerment encourages people to make rational decisions that can lead to transformative actions. The paper will highlight my personal contributions toward enhancing environmental sustainability in the local and global community.

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I have been able to partner with Duke Energy Corporation (DEC) to initiate detailed efforts to protect the environment of the local communities, mainly by addressing air pollution, water contamination, asbestos contamination, and maintenance of biodiversity (Kensai Electric Power, n.d). The prevention measures of air pollution will include discouraging the burning of fossil fuels and eradicating soot particles. Introducing in-plant wastewater measures, heated sewage measures, and preventing oil seepages will help to control water pollution (Kensai Electric Power, n.d).The wastewater from our power plants will be treated carefully using diverse types of equipment (Kensai Electric Power, n.d).

We have implemented tree planting actions as a measure geared towards preserving nature, and further boost environmental consciousness both within the outside the community (Panasonic, n.d). Working in tandem with a global woodworking firm (Panasonic group) to organize planting of 2,600 mangrove trees in central Thailand (Panasonic, n.d). It will help to alleviate instances of floods which are normally occasioned by bare grounds in most of the parts in Thailand. By partnering with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), I have been able to empower my community through promoting their rights, improving their environmental management structures which will help to attract local investment and innovations for sustainability (Panasonic, n.d).I have been able to solicit for Small Grants Programme (SGP) to fund different community-based sustainability initiatives across the United States.

On a local scale, the UNDP has helped me propel the UN-REDD program to support the engagement of forest-dependent societies and indigenous individuals in REDD+ policy and actions (United Nations Development Programme, 2019). In particular, the launch of community-based REDD+ finance drive will help to empower indigenous individuals and rural communities in local land-use strategies and alternative incomes (United Nations Development Programme, 2019). The OECD has done substantial work on the idea of inclusive going-green aspects within the community. Green growth is an initiative that I have propelled in my community to foster economic growth while ensuring that natural resources progress to provide the resources and environmental services on which the sustainability is embedded (United Nations Development Programme, 2019).

The OECD has assisted me to deliver three key spectrums towards the achievement of sustainable development goals. The first aspect is fostering green investment via reinforced and beleaguered development grants, and other practical assistance. The second scope is fostering innovation, technology through collaborative efforts to combat activities that do not promote green activities. The final spectrum is facilitating trade in environmentally-sustainable goods, and services to augment eco-friendly markets and more economic prospects to youths in the community.

To address the growing challenges to environmental sustainability and sustainable growth there is a need to assimilate knowledge and decision-making aspects across boundaries and policies. To promote sustainable environment in the local communities, there is need to embrace disaster risk reduction and recovery, which is meant to assist in combating instances of wildfires in California forests, and other natural disasters like Hurricanes (United Nations Development Programme, 2019).The best way to solve such challenges is by ensuring we advocate for eco-friendly practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the paper has provided a personal account of how environmental sustainability can be promoted in the local and global communities. I have been able to partner with Duke Energy Corporation (DEC) to come up with a comprehensive plan of addressing major environmental concerns such as air pollution, water contamination through community advocacy programs. The programs will also include afforestation practices such as tree planting actions, meant towards maintaining biodiversity. On a global front, the afforestation plan will ensure 2,600 mangrove trees in central Thailand.

References

Kensai Electric Power. Promotion of Community Environmental Protection Measures. Retrieved from: https://www.kepco.co.jp/english/corporate/list/environmental/pdf/promotional_community.pdf

Panasonic. Environment: Contribution to Local Communities and Education for the Next Generation. Retrieved from: https://www.panasonic.com/global/corporate/sustainability/eco/community.html

UNESCO Institute for Lifolong Learning. (2017). Community-Based Learning for Sustainable Development. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000247569

United Nations Development Programme. (2019). Community and Local Sustainable Development Solutions. Retrieved from: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development/planet/environment-and-natural-capital/communities-and-local-sustainable-development-solutions.html

United Nations Development Programme. (2019). Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery. Retrieved from: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development/planet/disaster-risk-reduction-and-recovery.html