Chapter 1
The Principles of Green
Abstract Going Green has increasingly become a global trend recently because of
its potential benefits to the society, environment, economy, and future of life. Using
case studies, theories, and various intertwined principles, Chap. 1 demonstrates
the way Going Green entails embracing five fundamental principles which are
important for making sure that we embrace sustainable lifestyles. Apart from the
five principles, the chapter describes the various critical ways of going green at
the individual, organizational as well as national level. The case studies of the
Maasai in East Africa and Fulani in West Africa are used for bringing out the
concept of the Tragedy of the Commons. In addition to the case studies, the
first chapter also critically discusses the benefits related to going green, with
the major pros identified being cost, environment, reputation, improved health,
sustainable development, invention, and innovation. A notable contribution to the
green initiative in this chapter is Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement. Also,
future trends are identified to predict the future of going green.
Keywords Going green · Tragedy of commons · Termite architecture · Wangari
Maathai · Conservation of resources
1.1 What Does It Mean to Go Green?
With the world facing a crisis due to scarce resources, there have been numerous
attempts to ensure people use resources in a sustainable way. Conceptually,
resources in this context refer to materials, energy, or other assets that can be used
for benefiting society. This has led to the increased use of the term “Going Green,”
commonly defined as the adoption of environmentally friendly lifestyles through
activities such as recycling, purchasing, reuse, reducing or minimizing, driving,
and others. In project management, “Going Green” includes designing projects
that meet environmental standards. The two definitions above suggest that Going
Green involves engaging in activities that sustainably use resources. However, these
definitions are determined by the specific activity. A more comprehensive definition
of the term is “pursuing practices and knowledge that can result in ecologically
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
A. A. Akinsemolu, The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2493-6_1
3
The Principles of Green
Abstract Going Green has increasingly become a global trend recently because of
its potential benefits to the society, environment, economy, and future of life. Using
case studies, theories, and various intertwined principles, Chap. 1 demonstrates
the way Going Green entails embracing five fundamental principles which are
important for making sure that we embrace sustainable lifestyles. Apart from the
five principles, the chapter describes the various critical ways of going green at
the individual, organizational as well as national level. The case studies of the
Maasai in East Africa and Fulani in West Africa are used for bringing out the
concept of the Tragedy of the Commons. In addition to the case studies, the
first chapter also critically discusses the benefits related to going green, with
the major pros identified being cost, environment, reputation, improved health,
sustainable development, invention, and innovation. A notable contribution to the
green initiative in this chapter is Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement. Also,
future trends are identified to predict the future of going green.
Keywords Going green · Tragedy of commons · Termite architecture · Wangari
Maathai · Conservation of resources
1.1 What Does It Mean to Go Green?
With the world facing a crisis due to scarce resources, there have been numerous
attempts to ensure people use resources in a sustainable way. Conceptually,
resources in this context refer to materials, energy, or other assets that can be used
for benefiting society. This has led to the increased use of the term “Going Green,”
commonly defined as the adoption of environmentally friendly lifestyles through
activities such as recycling, purchasing, reuse, reducing or minimizing, driving,
and others. In project management, “Going Green” includes designing projects
that meet environmental standards. The two definitions above suggest that Going
Green involves engaging in activities that sustainably use resources. However, these
definitions are determined by the specific activity. A more comprehensive definition
of the term is “pursuing practices and knowledge that can result in ecologically
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
A. A. Akinsemolu, The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2493-6_1
3