A Snapshot into Green Practices Around the World

Photo by EBU

The planet is a concern to everyone across the world and trying to slow down climate change should be the number one priority for all governments, businesses and individuals regardless of where they are from.

Although some people take saving the planet more seriously than others, people around the world are trying to do their bit to embrace green practices and help the environment. The diversity of cultures and climates provides unique opportunities saving the environment.

Come with us on a trip around the world to see what some countries are working on to become more environmentally friendly.

Africa – Solar Power

It seems to be one of the most obvious ideas out there – but one which has, up until now, had relatively little action. That is, countries that see a lot of sunlight being able to harvest the energy generated from the sun to use as a power source.

23 African countries including Senegal and Rwanda are now lit by the energy created by solar power. Many of these areas have never had power before and they are completely skipping the use of fossil fuels.

Freiburg (Germany) – Passive Housing

Freiburg in Germany is a world leader in passive housing. Their passive housing schemes focus on reducing the amount of oil that is used to heat homes. According to The Guardian, a typical house in Germany (and the UK to boot) would use around 6,000 litres of oil per year for heating, whereas one of their passive homes would use just 150 litres.

This has been achieved through massive amounts of insulation – including loft and wall insulation, double glazing, air heat transfer and using any other heat which is present.

Krommenie (Netherlands)– Solar Powered Bike Paths

The Dutch town, Krommenie was the first to try out a new bike path that incorporates solar panels into its structure. The solar panels are covered in tempered glass for better grip, and the ‘SolaRoad’ put the energy that it generates into the national grid.

The solar panels are set at a slight tilt and are non-adhesive to reduce the amount of dirt, giving them the most exposure to the sun as possible.

The authorities behind the SolaRoad project are hoping that the short experiment will pave the way for more solar panel pathways, and will eventually spread to the roads, enabling them to be able to power electric cars, traffic signs and households.

Holland is also investing in cutting down of CO2 emissions with initiatives such as encouraging car-sharing and boosting electric car hire.

France – More septic tanks

Beauchamp states that over five million houses in France dispose of their waste using a stand-alone waste disposal unit, rather than using the public sewage treatment system. According to septic tank experts, Tanks For Everything, “A septic tank allows the waste to break down naturally, separating the solids so that the resulting liquid can then be treated”. Septic tanks use natural bacteria to help break down most of the waste so that it can then be returned to the earth, therefore reducing the amount of waste that is generated. This means that fewer harmful chemicals are used, which is better for our waterways including into our oceans.

Bolivia – Changes in Law

One way that the country of Bolivia is trying to do it's bit is by setting out a new law - the Ley de Derechos de la Madre Tierra (or the Law of the Rights of Mother Earth). The law is based heavily on the indigenous ideas that nature is sacred and overseen by ‘Mother Nature’.

In the law, nature is given rights – such as the right to reproduce, the right to live, balance, to water, to clean air and to regeneration and biodiversity. The new rules mean that they are required by law to incorporate a number of different planet-enhancing policies including:

• Reducing greenhouse gases

• Develop more and more renewable energy

• Be able to measure the ecological impact of economic activity

• Develop food sovereignty

• Accept the ecological limits set by nature

Some other countries who are making great strides towards a better ecological outlook include: Iceland – where their capital, Reykjavik creates 95% of its heating from geothermal activity; Denmark, who is continuing to emphasize the idea of biking – so much so that now 50% of the population cycle or walk to work – including 60% of politicians.

Tianjin, in China, has cleared up and restored its central reservoir, planted trees and fitted wind turbines, solar panels and use the ground temperature for heating.

While this is promising, there is plenty of room to grow and share best practices to incorporate these new ideas and technologies on a grand scale.

Are you a business looking to incorporate any of the ideas mentioned above into your practices? Contact us here to get the conversation started about where to begin.