Archive for category: General

This coming month, President Barack Obama is expected to make a decision on whether or not to approve the Keystone XL pipeline; a pipeline project that would span from the Alberta tar sands all the way to Texas. Though it may not appear to be the case, this approval or disproval is a big deal for environmentalists worldwide.

We’re siting by and waiting on the most powerful nation in the world’s decision, not only on the Keystone Xl Pipeline, but on whether or not they will continue to perpetuate the usage of fossil fuels, and empower the industry surrounding them which has systematically exploited the resource to the point of creating a global climate change, or whether they’ll turn a new leaf and look to more sustainable energy and industry as their new direction going forward.

In light of the impending decision regarding the pipeline, environmentalists have released two recent reports outlining the potential detriment the project will bring, and it looks at lot worse than expected, and are strongly urging the President to take these into account during his decision-making process.

“Filling the Keystone XL pipeline with oils and crude will create significant greenhouse gases regardless of whether other transport options move forward,” said Nathan Lemphers, a researcher at Pembina. “Because Canada does not have a credible plan for responsibly developing the oil sands, including reducing emissions so Canada can meet its climate commitments, the pipeline should not go ahead.”

Clearly there’s a huge back-and-forth regarding this issue. We’re just hoping that President Obama can grasp the scope of his decision. Should he refute the pipeline, he would be setting a standard and example for countries worldwide, save not one, but two countries from negative environmental impacts,  and furthermore prevent the burning of these massive potential amounts of fossil fuels which affect the globe.

Should he accept the proposal…well, let’s just wait and see.

image courtesy of dipfan

Headed into 2013, there’s a seemingly increased incentive on behalf of some large companies to improve their sustainable policies and pushing harder on recycling materials.

For instance, Starbucks has announced that this coming Thursday, $1 re-usable plastic cups will be available to consumers at their cafe’s. Being largely responsible for unfathomable amounts of paper cup waste, this is most certainly a step in the right direction to encourage sustainable behaviour amongst the organization, and more importantly their consumer base. Looks like Starbucks is taking a page out of our book and making an effort to #gopaperless headed into 2013 in order to earn their keep in the battle against the current climate disaster, which seems to get shakier every day.

NASA has also displayed a heightened interest for similar policies, as they have started a space recycling program wherein old parts are being recycled in space to develop new materials. Another step in the right direction headed into a fresh year.

Construction has taken a step in the right direction already this year with a slight shove from some bright minds. For instance, the following office building was built using predominantly shipping containers…brilliant. Instead of creating a need for new materials, encouraged re-usability of existing resources is where developments need to be aimed in order to prevent a mass exhaustion of resources, while conveniently displacing most likely unused materials and giving them new purpose; a recipe for a brighter future.

© Playz Architects/ Bartosz Kolonko via TreeHugger

Any other inspiring environmental efforts being put forth? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you, so don’t be shy.

For more environmental and real estate news, follow us on Twitter @enviromint.

image courtesy of epSos.de

Those still unconvinced of the potential detriment we are about to bring upon ourselves by forcing hands to participate in an economic structure that will eventually dissipate is damning not only society’s financial structure, but the future of employment, and most importantly, the health of those involved, and those who aren’t.

Economics aside, the risk that the fossil fuel industry poses for employment is quite great, with seemingly little regard for the future of the industry and its employees. Currently, a monolithic number of citizens are employed across the globe (for very appealing wages) because of the oil industry, creating an influx of employees and industry -a ‘bubble’, if you will. When we look at the future complications of said system, it screams disaster. Not only will the entire industry collapse once the Earth meets its end for oil output, but in one foul swoop, we will single-handedly cripple a global workforce leaving them with no future employment or direction. Furthering the exploration of clean-tech could provide an employable future workforce (one that has no literal end in sight), while bettering the conditions of the planet, progressing industry, expanding economic paradigms…Sound like a no-brainer?!

Renewable and sustainable methods are the way of the future, not only for environmental reasons, but social ones. Through the progression of sustainable methods and technologies, we can provide a potentially infinite supply of employment, while contributing to the well-needed recovery of Earth; not to mention we can cease to emit chemicals in the air that are harming individuals worldwide, whether it be through water pollution, contamination of clean air, or various other atrocities derived through the process of fossil fuel extraction.

image courtesy of Valerie Everett