Paper Example on Building a Sustainable Future

The National Renewable Energy Action Plan

The National Renewable Energy Action Plan for the United Kingdom recognizes the need to reduce the global energy demand and also to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources so as to be able to counter and prevent climate change. This is true because the energy demand in the world is a significant contributor to climate change. Reducing the energy demand does not necessarily mean toning down the lifestyle that is currently appreciated by the community. It means recognizing that wastefulness is built right into the lifestyle that people are currently living. Energy demands need to be reduced because increased energy demands increase the amount of GNG which are major contributors towards climate change. By using technology and efficiency to the advantage of humanity, it is possible to lower greenhouse emissions and the global energy demand. Most of the energy plants and power plants, regardless of the fuel type being used, waste nearly two-thirds of the energy that is produced. Efficiency involves saving energy hence having the homes and offices insulated appropriately as well as using energy-saving and efficient appliances, it is possible to reduce the impact of manmade activities on climate change.

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Replacement of fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources with alternative sources of energy is also a step in the right direction. Renewable sources of energy are inclusive of solar power, wind, waves, tides, hydropower and geothermal power. There is also the use of biological processes which can be used to make biogas and biodiesel. Natural gas, hydrogen gas, and nuclear power are other sources of energy that have a smaller negative footprint in the environment and atmosphere. The capitalization of renewable energy sources can reduce the pressure and demand for fossil fuels eventually saving the environment. Solar power is largely available and can be harvested by the use of solar panels. Nuclear power, and geothermal power can be used in the production of electricity. The use of these renewable sources can also create employment opportunities for many individuals. Renewable sources of energy are efficient for personal use especially because they are able to effectively meet the demand for energy in the home.

It shall be difficult to move away from the use of fossil fuels especially because of the fact that they are used dominantly in the present society. Every home or office uses fossil fuels to some extent. Fossil fuels hold an important place and value in the economy of countries and also geopolitically (Clark 2013). Fossil fuels are enormously useful and largely valuable. The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources can be very costly and shall demand the retrenchment of fossil fuels. The removal of fossil fuels shall mean a reduction in energy. The time and cost that it shall take to fully replace fossil fuels also place an impediment in the implementation of this measure because the value placed on fossil fuels shall make it impossible to sustain the political will, financing and the rollout of renewables.

Green Infrastructure

The Landscape Institute recognizes that green infrastructure (GI) is essential to sustainable development. It states: '~ GI approach enables landscapes to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits simultaneously, and then looks at how those benefits can be multiplied by being connected to a wider network of spaces." Green infrastructure is essential for the preservation of the environment and also for the prevention of climate change. It is important to note that the green infrastructure is built on the principle of sustainability. The central tenet of sustainability is the preservation of ecosystems in a manner that is necessary for humans to prosper and survive. Sustainable development which is a product of green infrastructure focuses on meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs. There are numerous benefits that can be got from green infrastructure if it is included in the development.

Preservation of the environment is one of the major benefits that can be got from green infrastructure. This system of infrastructure pays attention to conservation and takes into account the ecological stock that is available for human resources hence determining the most sustainable way to use the environment to meet the demands of humanity. Carbon sequestration, which is the capture and store of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for long-term use, can be made possible with the installation of green infrastructure (Bowen & Lynch 2017). Green infrastructure in constriction leads to potential profits related to green roof installation rather than potential losses associated with conventional roofs. There is the creation of employment and increase in income and revenue. The installation of green infrastructure requires manpower and skill. Individuals who are available to offer manpower are best suited for the jobs. Those who are with skill find the opportunity to utilize the skill in the practical world while at the same time getting an income. In the end, there are profits being accrued because more individuals are getting income and employment hence a positive contribution to the economy.

Green infrastructure helps to improve water quality and quantity. The preservation of forests and natural vegetation shall help in attracting rain and providing water catchment areas. Green infrastructure eliminates flood risk by reducing stormwater discharges. Air quality is improved because of the presence of trees and plants in plenty. Soil erosion is prevented when there are natural plants and vegetation covering the surface of the soil. The prevention of soil erosion means that the topsoil is preserved therefore fertility in the soil is retained. The ultimate benefit from green infrastructure is that it enhances the biodiversity and prevents climate change. Biodiversity which is referent to the variety of life can be witnessed at the community level, on the landscape and within the ecosystem in general. A healthy environment leads to a healthy people. It is also psychologically satisfying to reside in a green environment and not having to fear the threats of climate change. There are many other numerous benefits that can be gained from green infrastructure in terms of the economy, social and environmental factors.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is one of the natural gases that are integral to life. It is also considered a greenhouse gas. The increase in the burning of fossil fuels, building, and construction, as well as advanced transport, has led to global warming which is as a result of the higher than necessary amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Buildings account for nearly 39% of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. In construction, there is the use of reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete is made up of cement and steel which are primary materials in construction. It is used for the construction of high rise and low rise building structures. The use of reinforced steel is one of the biggest setbacks that arise in the efforts to minimize the carbon footprint in the environment and in the atmosphere. The use of reinforced concrete contributes to the emission of carbon dioxide because of the fuels that are used in concreting equipment such as concrete pumps and cranes. Fossil fuels are used in building construction for heating, cooling, lighting, power appliances and electric equipment. Buildings also use 70% of the electricity that is produced in the US. Commercial and residential buildings operate on electricity (Hermawan, Mazruki, Abduh & Driejana 2015). Building and construction use more electricity than the transport sector. When energy consumption in buildings is measured, electricity accounts for 78% of the total buildings energy consumption. The large consumption of electricity, natural gas, and petroleum contribute to large greenhouse gases emissions. The amount of electrical energy consumed by buildings has since increased and continues to increase relative to the population. Population increase has led to a sharp rise in housing units.

The effects of carbon dioxide are undeniable and are slowly leading towards climate change. Climate change is random and unexpected since different areas have different climatic conditions. However, it is predicted that climate change shall be harmful to man and his environment and can lead to huge loses. Therefore, attempts are being made to reduce the carbon footprint in the atmosphere. The U.S Department of Energy has made recommendations on what should be done to reduce GHG emissions from buildings and what should be considered when designing buildings to make them sustainable. There has been the introduction of the national efficiency standards for appliances in the home, lighting products, and equipment. The standards regulate more than 55 energy products. In collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, the DOE has advocated for green building. Since cement and steel have a high carbon footprint, it has been recommended that materials with a low carbon footprint be used in construction. These materials include; timber, straw, and compressed earth. Low-carbon cement has been made available and these enable the absorption of carbon dioxide during curing. There have been recommendations for using renewable energy, optimizing daylighting and incorporating the most efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems along with operations and maintenance of such systems. Green building is meant to use less energy and fossil fuels and instead save a lot of metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

Climate Change

Human beings are majorly responsible for climate change. Climate change has been caused by the increase in greenhouse gas emission in the atmosphere. These gases are causing rapid changes in climate and as such these changes are expected to have a detrimental effect in the long run. Man's activities that lead to the emission of greenhouse gases thereby leading to climate change include; deforestation, increasing livestock farming, burning coal, oil and natural gas, production and use of fertilizers with nitrogen and also use of fluorinated gases. Deforestation is the random cutting down of trees. Trees are important in the carbon cycle because they absorb carbon dioxide so as to undergo photosynthesis and release oxygen as a by-product. Since fewer trees are present in the atmosphere, the amount of carbon dioxide is increasing. The burning of non-renewable energy sources such as coal, gas, and oil leads to the emission of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. The use of these sources of energy is on large scale and as such the production of the greenhouses gases is increasing too culminating in climate change. Methane is a greenhouse gas. This gas is produced from the increased rearing of livestock whereby cows and sheep produce a large amount of methane when they digest fodder. The gas is also produced when organic waste is made to decay anaerobically in municipal solid waste landfills. The emission of greenhouse gases prevents the radiation of the sun's rays from being reflected back to the atmosphere hence the temperature of the earth is not regulated resulting in climate change. Production of fertilizers entails the use of non-renewable sources of energy. The use of fertilizers containing nitrogen leads to the production of nitrous oxide emissions. The use of these fertilizers, therefore, increases the number of GHG emissions. Fluorinated gases produce a larger warming effect as compared to carbon dioxide and as such leading to climate change.

One of the major manmade caus...