quinta-feira, 27 de novembro de 2014

Sustainability and technology: enemies or allies?




The growing technological development has resulted in a major environmental problem: the junk e-mail. Report data of ABDI (Brazilian Association of Industrial Development), from 2013, show that Brazil produces, on average, 1 million tons of technological waste per year. As more electronic devices available, the greater the consumption of electrical energy. Only in 2013 the Brazil had a 3.5% growth in use of electricity, according to a survey of the energy research company (EPE), linked to the Ministry of mines and energy. 463.7 million gigawatt-hour were (GWh), pulled by the residential consumption (increase of 6.1). The numbers reinforce the character of villain that technology has when it comes to the environment. After all, the development of the area did grow the amount of pollutants emitted by society, resulting in more aggression against nature. It is important to be aware that all the technological solutions are also pollution agents. However, with the good use, the same devices that harm the planet may also contribute to sustainable practices. The concept allows a better awareness of people about the subject. With an ever-increasing connectivity, more tools are created to show sustainable solutions that can be adopted by all. Stimulated in the corporate environment, the practice of TI green is still shy on accommodation.
Are simple but effective ideas. The exchange of incandescent bulbs by power-saving LED. Create installations that disrupt the flow of energy for cell phone chargers when the device is with full battery and even the purchase of products with the seal of energy efficiency also helps. Inform yourself about the correct disposal of technological equipment can be very useful, since many contain toxic materials, like batteries for cell phones and laptops. Some cities already have deployed waste centers aiming to carry out a proper recycling. These spaces must be extended as the market of technological devices. If the technology will be the villain or ally for a better world, only users will respond.



Source of Information: http://canaltech.com.br/noticia/sustentabilidade/Sustentabilidade-e-Tecnologia-inimigos-ou-aliados/

Sustainability: a good idea, but not an easy task.




The ambition of transforming a traditional business in a sustainable organization is increasingly common. According to the getAbstract, main service of abstracts about technical books recommended for executives, the term sustainability has become one of the most focused topics in business literature. Among the approximately 5 thousand titles present in the acquis, 460 volumes are related to the topic. The word sustainability is at the same level of demand which common themes as: "negotiation", "capital markets", "marketing" and "consulting" (Smeraldi 2009). However, although there is a greater demand for the theme, few organizations are able to effectively overcome the barrier between the claim and the execution. As the conventional wisdom: talk is cheap, doing is not so simple. As an example of this situation, we can mention "the Exame sustainability Guide" (Special Edition of Exame Magazine), which every year holds a competition to select the most sustainable company in the country. Registration for the selection process is done so spontaneous, however only part of the selection process those who respond 122 questions about activities related to sustainability. The questions are, in a way, simple and are based on the existence of committees, publication of reports, targets for CO2 reduction, compensation related to environmental and social goals. Companies do not need to perform the activities, just answer the questions. In the 2009 Guide, 210 companies signed up and only 141 (or 67.1) answered all questions. On the assumption, the 210 companies listed, possibly believed that could be considered "sustainable company of the year", since the inscription is made so spontaneous. Also that this competition would follow a more journalistic criteria and wouldn't be as rigorous as other indicators of sustainability. It can be concluded that more than a third of the companies that considered themselves sustainable, they couldn't even participate by not answer simple questions about some activities. However, there is a small group of organizations that have committed a real effort to suit this policy and most importantly; they have had a great economic success. Incorporating sustainability into everyday policy, environmental and social issues are beginning to be part of economic growth, and I don't mean a problem for him. An example of success in Brazil's Natura cosmetics. Its policy of sustainability involves your entire production chain, from the collection of the product in nature for the manufacture of cosmetic to the destination of the package. Only in the year 2008, the company generated a profit of 2 billion dollars, and was considered the largest and best company in Brazil in 2009 for the same magazine that conducts the Exame sustainability Guide.


Source of Information: http://revistasustentabilidade.com.br/sustentabilidade-uma-ideia-boa-mas-nao-uma-tarefa-facil-por-rafael-morais-chiaravalloti/

Natural resources: Combat waste




Many civilizations have perished by the inability to deal with the environment and natural resources, but in a global scale today, one can say that the subject entered the agenda basically forty years ago. In the 70's were the first warning, like the "Limits to Growth" the Club of Rome and the day of the Stockholm Conference.
But only from the end 80 decade the question took another dimension: hole in ozone layer, climate change, lose of the biodiversity and florest, acidification of ocean and dilapidation of fish boat, ultimately, what we can look in jornals every day.Certainly today anybody of the world resents of environmental problem. In Pequin the pollution of air requires changes. In California dramatic drought requires measures such as water rationing. In Nova Yorke, efortes are made for adapitaion the climate change and recover the city of hurricane sandy impacts.And in Brazi?The northeastem population suffers the effects of pronlonger dought, living distribution os water by trucks kites. In São paulo, besides the unbearable heat, began in some parts of the metropolitan area, rationing os water.So far nothing new. But reflection I do relates to determine if, in fact, we reached a point where we understand our "vulnerability" on the environment. I mean, if you really internalize the idea that we are not masters able to dominate nature. And if we are able to properly manage that our relationship without compromising the present and the future.In Brazil, we face less than a decade the serious problem of blackout, requiring the company significant reduction in energy consumption, with extremely positive results. But the fact is that for lack of determination of the government, these efforts were lost in time and, therefore, each of us returned to waste. And this is good to say, is not justified by the simple fact that when we pay the electric bill, this payment does not necessarily include the opportunity costs of public investment in infrastructure, and environmental impacts in general.In the case of the low level of hydroelectric water reservoirs, the country is using the thermals, which in addition to expensive, represent an increase of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). We could be radicalizing energy efficiency in the country, with clear targets and use of a large repertoire of measures that were to make it something present in our lives. Public and private buildings with low energy use, motor vehicles with low consumption appliances with the best technologies, public lighting in cities with the best lamps ...And in the case of water, take this crisis to demand an effective combat waste. Efficient equipment, architecture and engineering that lead to water reuse, finally, we have to create a mindset that translates the understanding that reduce our vulnerabilities, as evidenced in the water and energy crisis in Brazil, depends on a radical change in the way we consume our natural resources.




Source of Information: http://revistasustentabilidade.com.br/recursos-naturais-combater-o-desperdicio/


Below waste!




Unlike our parents and grandparents, our choices today cause more environmental impacts than 30, 40 or 50 years ago. There is a natural tendency for the use of electricity obtained from renewable sources such as wind, sun and water. Or the biomass obtained by burning sugarcane bagasse, for example. This paradigm shift, intensified after the electricity rationing in Brazil in 2001, is consolidated in Brazilian society and has contributed to creating a new culture in terms of consumer awareness in the country.
This is what is worrying hundreds of companies worldwide. How to continue producing, generating jobs and income, without exceeding aggression barrier to the planet? What is the equation of sustainability ensures that development, well-being, quality of life and preservation of the environment and living conditions in nature?Even without being able to completely divert attention to the problem, Brazil realized that should prioritize the effort to clear pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases, preserving ecosystems, using the concepts of energy efficiency, either by substitution of sources polluting and non-renewable for other clean and renewable alternatives.The situation took worrying dimensions as the waste of energy in Brazil reaches US $ 10 billion a year, approximately 10% of all energy generated in the country, according to calculations of the federal government. A more specific comparison shows that the waste is the size of the generation of five-sized nuclear power plant Angra 3, with 1,400 MW of installed capacity.A waste of emblematic case is that of inefficient refrigerators. These facilities account on average for 22% of a utility bill, but the most efficient acquisition models facilities bump in price. Refrigerators with the seal Procel A (most economical) are invariably the most expensive. The replacement of the old refrigerator for an efficient model may represent a consumption saving of almost 3%, which is equivalent to the average monthly expenditure on the iron or the stereo system.Some electricity distributors in Brazil, including those of CPFL Energia, are sensitive to this reality. Thousands of refrigerators are being replaced in many cities in São Paulo coast and interior, benefiting the people of lower income. The idea is to remove the old refrigerator, which consumes more energy, exchanging it for an efficient model at no cost to low-income client.Another initiative with this objective involves the donation of thousands of efficient light bulbs, delivered to the poor in kits with three units, and the replacement of showers for more economic models, which use solutions that alleviate the use of electricity. These three actions cause the electric bill of a residence can be reduced by up to 80%. We are talking here of course of low-income units.For all that, the first results are beginning to be perceived in electricity consumption bills. To complement this logistics, a small army of technicians and specialists covers the poorest regions taking tips and rational use of guidelines for electricity. This practice, a true work of ants, has contributed to instilling new attitudes on a client not always used to avoid waste, most often through ignorance.The Brazil, among other challenges facing the people of the culture of waste, and is willing to overcome this obstacle. Companies electric utilities and the general population have a firm commitment to facilitate this task, having as parameter a better world for all.


Source of information: http://revistasustentabilidade.com.br/abaixo-o-desperdicio/

What is sustainability?




Try searching the concept of sustainability anywhere and find settings that will talk about: "systems thinking", "balance of ecosystems", "Brundtland Report", huh? Calm. Let us understand this more practical way?
The central idea of sustainability is that it is possible to continue living and developing in order to provide continuity and balance in relation to available resources. All it takes - just withdrew - an hour will end. So we should give the planet as much as we remove it.The mentioned "Brundtland Report", published in 1987, says that sustainability is "meeting the needs of the present generation without affecting the ability of future generations to meet theirs." This is the idea!Bringing the discussion to our backyard, if I can chop down a tree because I want to build my house there, I can also plant other two so that my grandchildren have, years later, fruit and shade on a sunny day.Another idea of sustainable living is to establish an economically viable relationship with the world. Work and seek partnerships with those who are close to us is better, because in addition to fostering the development of that region, favors the balance of the entire environment around them.Understand that you can each of us bring into your life, of your routine, your home, your own sustainable actions that can have a much greater importance than we imagine!Clear the ocean of oil stains that cargo ships dump seems like an impossible task, is not it? But separate the trash, lights out at bedtime and do not waste the water we use is, yes, at your fingertips. And believe me: it is exactly the strength of this awareness and this union that could one day leave clean and clear all the world's oceans.



Source of information: http://www.swu.com.br/movimento-swu/o-que-e-sustentabilidade/