Solution 1 - Individual Waste Management.
1. Composting
Composting is the organic process of recycling decomposed, natural materials into rich soil. Ever since I was little, my family taught me the value of composting dying plants, egg shells, and even banana peels -- the list goes on!! As long as the material is organic, throwing it into the compost pile is the best way to generate the best soil to help your garden grow. In addition, this process is extremely beneficial to our environment, mitigating methane gas release and other toxic elements into our dear planet Earth.
2. Recycling
When there isn't a material that is permitted in a compost pile, like glass, paper, or cardboard, these products must go in their respective recycling compartments and not simply in the trash. Recycling lessens the percentage of carbon emissions and other gases that are harmful to our environment, and ones that it cannot consume organically. Even with carbon, the Earth naturally clears that up on its own, and an over-release of this gas due to human activity or personal negligence is not tolerated by our planet.
3. Water/Electric Preservation
Okay, I know we've all heard this one before, but it is so important to leave the lights off in your house if you are not present *in addition** to being mindful of turning the faucet off, preserving one's own use of water, and refraining from the release of any toxic chemical or gas into one's own, or anyone else's, water supply. Conserving these resources starts with the individual, and will naturally grow into a communal effort once this personal endeavor is regarded seriously and positively. Light the spark!
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Solution 2 - Know the Laws.
I have a few solutions for the actions one may take in addition to individual resolutions, like: displaying support for national/international laws revolving around mitigating the damage of climate change and global warming, adhering to the most effective, ethical laws declared in these valuable pieces of governmental documentation, and making an effort to spread the word of climate mitigation among friends, family, and peers. Make it a priority to make it a priority among them as well!!
Here are a few of my favorite agencies and the laws or solutions they champion revolving around environmental interests in VA:
- The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) began regulatory action of the VA Water Protection Permit Regulations, approved by the State Water Control Board, whose website states:
"[This initiative] will protect public health, safety and welfare of citizens as they are designed to clarify, update and streamline the regulation to protect the Commonwealth's wetland and surface water resources, which are important for maintaining water quality, flood control and providing fish and wildlife habitat."
- Environment Virginia is another agency dedicated to the preservation and welfare of our atmosphere and Earth. The association promotes the fair, economic, and safe use of our natural resources, in addition to the duties the individual owes to the sustentation of our planet, he guardianship of our bee species, the initiatives against Keystone and fracking, as well as the push towards a greater reliance on solar power in the state of Virginia. Here are a few excerpts from EV's website that stood out to me revolving around the Clean Power Plan and the safe-keeping of our national and state water supply:
"..the Clean Power Plan would cut this pollution at least 30 percent by the end of the next decade. [9] By giving the states the option to replace dirty coal plants with wind, solar and energy efficiency, it also has the potential to speed the shift to clean power. And the plan is an essential building block to the success of the president’s climate deal with China — which is itself the cornerstone to a broader global agreement."
Solution 3 - Understand How Food Consumption Affects the Economy and Environment.
Food plays a major role in all of our lives. Too often, however, the consumption of any such nutritional material incurs a level of waste so astronomical, that its maintenance and management becomes too much of a burden to the individual, leaving the planet and our atmosphere to deal with the waste. And I'm not strictly speaking about recycling, composting, or waste management here, but the necessity for Americans and Virginians alike to remain aware of how the rising costs and detrimental effects of such pollution effects the economy. So, I'm using food as one particular example, because I believe it is the most essential, but specifically, I'm speaking about the urgency for our local and neighborly residents to remain educated about the economic impact of any type of pollution, namely edible sustenance.
The association Virginia Farm to Table offers a multitude of solutions, statistics, and education revolving around the direct correlation between food consumption/agriculture and the economic welfare of our state. The Virginia Farm to Table Plan which can be read here in pdf format states that the annual purchase of food in VA exceeds $19 billion. This is a staggering statistic and a simultaneously enormous incentive for potential agriculturalists and food merchandisers to pursue this type of business. The plan states:
"The overall objective of the Plan is to educate and communicate to the public, the food system stakeholders, and to key decision-makers a sustainable food system’s impact on economic development, health, natural resources and social well-being; and how Virginia’s food system can be strengthened to address key issues facing farmers, food entrepreneurs, and communities."
Here are a few of my favorite agencies and the laws or solutions they champion revolving around environmental interests in VA:
- The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) began regulatory action of the VA Water Protection Permit Regulations, approved by the State Water Control Board, whose website states:
"[This initiative] will protect public health, safety and welfare of citizens as they are designed to clarify, update and streamline the regulation to protect the Commonwealth's wetland and surface water resources, which are important for maintaining water quality, flood control and providing fish and wildlife habitat."
- Environment Virginia is another agency dedicated to the preservation and welfare of our atmosphere and Earth. The association promotes the fair, economic, and safe use of our natural resources, in addition to the duties the individual owes to the sustentation of our planet, he guardianship of our bee species, the initiatives against Keystone and fracking, as well as the push towards a greater reliance on solar power in the state of Virginia. Here are a few excerpts from EV's website that stood out to me revolving around the Clean Power Plan and the safe-keeping of our national and state water supply:
"..the Clean Power Plan would cut this pollution at least 30 percent by the end of the next decade. [9] By giving the states the option to replace dirty coal plants with wind, solar and energy efficiency, it also has the potential to speed the shift to clean power. And the plan is an essential building block to the success of the president’s climate deal with China — which is itself the cornerstone to a broader global agreement."
"..despite the ongoing threats to our water, the U.S. House voted to stop the EPA from closing the clean water loopholes -- with lawmakers repeating the polluters' talking points. [10] Now the polluters are pushing for a vote in the U.S. Senate to keep the EPA from ever being able to close these loopholes. It’s this simple: If enough senators choose clean water, we’ll win. If too many side with the polluters, we could lose."
- The Virginia Department of Forestry is another association dedicated to the national and state conservation of our planet, especially through its dual stance on a diminishment of wildfires and protection of our forests. The VDOF's site states a focus on "prevent[ing] injury or loss of human life, minimiz[ing] property damage, [and] protecting the forest resources" through its detailed forest protection program and educational initiatives. The website also endorses The Code of Virginia Title 10.1 - 1105 which
"mandates the State Forester... shall have charge of all forest wardens... shall take such action as is authorized by law to prevent and extinguish forest fires; enforce all laws pertaining to forest and woodland; prosecute any violation of such laws; collect information relative to forest destruction and conditions; direct the protection and improvement of all forest reservations; shall cooperate with counties, municipalities, corporations and individuals in preparing plans and providing technical assistance for the protection, management and replacement of trees, wood lots and timber contracts."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Solution 3 - Understand How Food Consumption Affects the Economy and Environment.
Food plays a major role in all of our lives. Too often, however, the consumption of any such nutritional material incurs a level of waste so astronomical, that its maintenance and management becomes too much of a burden to the individual, leaving the planet and our atmosphere to deal with the waste. And I'm not strictly speaking about recycling, composting, or waste management here, but the necessity for Americans and Virginians alike to remain aware of how the rising costs and detrimental effects of such pollution effects the economy. So, I'm using food as one particular example, because I believe it is the most essential, but specifically, I'm speaking about the urgency for our local and neighborly residents to remain educated about the economic impact of any type of pollution, namely edible sustenance.
The association Virginia Farm to Table offers a multitude of solutions, statistics, and education revolving around the direct correlation between food consumption/agriculture and the economic welfare of our state. The Virginia Farm to Table Plan which can be read here in pdf format states that the annual purchase of food in VA exceeds $19 billion. This is a staggering statistic and a simultaneously enormous incentive for potential agriculturalists and food merchandisers to pursue this type of business. The plan states:
"The overall objective of the Plan is to educate and communicate to the public, the food system stakeholders, and to key decision-makers a sustainable food system’s impact on economic development, health, natural resources and social well-being; and how Virginia’s food system can be strengthened to address key issues facing farmers, food entrepreneurs, and communities."
The initiative is very straightforward in its pursuits, while providing a wealth of statistical information. Here are my favorites (they're a mouthful, but important) :
"Although agricultural output was $2.9 billion in farm receipts in 2007; Virginia farmers spent over $2.7 billion on farm inputs (i.e., feed, labor, seed, equipment, fertilizer, fuel and oils). Animal feed purchased constituted 27% ($727 million) of total farm production costs, with hired labor ($294 million) and liquid fuels ($157 million) making up an additional 17% of costs. Liquid fuels and fertilizer costs increased 81% and 65%, respectively, in Virginia from 2002 to 2007. And this increase was prior to the major increase in the price of fuel in 2008."
"...the rapid growth and prevalence of chronic diet-related illnesses is costing Virginia...lives, as well as decreased quality of life and economic prosperity. In 2006, the total cost of diabetes for people in Virginia was estimated at $4.4 billion. This estimate includes medical costs in excess of $2.8 billion attributed to diabetes, and lost productivity valued at $1.6 billion (American Diabetes Association, 2008; 2011). Since these expenses are due to preventable diet-related illnesses, increasing access and consumption of fresh, healthy whole foods could help address the prevalence of these diseases and health care expenses."
"...for every $1 of state and federal funding invested towards the implementation of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) would generate an additional $1.56 in economic activity for Virginia (Rephann, 2010). The state and federal cost-share programs through greater participation and implementation of best management practices could generate more than 11,700 new jobs for the local and state economy. The waste disposal pathways of food present various opportunities for alternative utilization technologies, job creation, business incubation and expansion, health promotion, improved food access, environmental stewardship and economic success."
Clearly, there is a colossal agricultural and personal effect on the economy, the self, and the environment in the realm of food consumption and growth.
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