6
1 The Principles of Green
scarce resources and could become extinct unless we intervene and change our
behavior. A World Wildlife Fund report (WWF 2016) highlights that people are
using more natural resources than the planet can produce. Going Green can slow
and eventually reverse this trend, but we have to use what we require rather than
what we want. This includes learning to consume what is needed and to consider
our consumption. In other words, we should remember that the Earth has to produce
ecosystem services for all of us. These are defined as the numerous benefits that
humans freely accrue from the natural environment and appropriately functioning
ecosystems, some of which are aquatic, forest, and grassland ecosystems (Loreau
et al. 2001). These benefits are collectively called ecosystem services and are
crucial for providing clean drinking water, waste decomposition, and natural crop
pollination. According to the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA)
report, there are four main types of ecosystem services: supporting, provisioning,
regulating, and cultural services.
Describe each type of these ecosystem services and provide at least three
examples for each category.
One of the major proponents of the Green initiative was Kenya’s Wangari
Maatha, who founded the Green Belt Movement (GBM). As a renowned Kenyan,
her environmental activism played a crucial role in the conservation of many trees in
the Karura forest. Her contribution to sustainable development was recognized when
she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Notably, she fought tirelessly, despite
Kenya having a hostile regime, to ensure people conserved the environment. The
Green Belt Movement was particularly instrumental in mobilizing Kenyans to plant
numerous trees. It is estimated that at least 30 million trees were planted because
of her efforts, thus serving as a model for other states including Malawi, Lesotho,
and Tanzania. It is also worth noting that the movement’s main objectives were
resource and environmental conservation, tree planting, and women’s rights. More
information about Wangari Maathai’s life can be found at the end of this chapter.
Do you believe that you are doing enough to conserve resources? Briefly
explain. How can Africa emulate the achievements of Wangari Maathai? In
what ways can we honor the legacy left by Wangari Maathai?
According to the third principle, Going Green means conserving energy. There
are numerous ways to save energy that ensure that we go Green. By conserving
energy, we contribute less to the creation of pollution.
The fourth principle argues that Going Green entails reducing waste and
consumption. In this principle, the 3Rs cannot be overemphasized. The 3Rs stand for
reduce, reuse, and recycle (Kranz and Picot 2011). The domino effect of reducing
our consumption results in a lesser need for resources and energy, thus leading
1 The Principles of Green
scarce resources and could become extinct unless we intervene and change our
behavior. A World Wildlife Fund report (WWF 2016) highlights that people are
using more natural resources than the planet can produce. Going Green can slow
and eventually reverse this trend, but we have to use what we require rather than
what we want. This includes learning to consume what is needed and to consider
our consumption. In other words, we should remember that the Earth has to produce
ecosystem services for all of us. These are defined as the numerous benefits that
humans freely accrue from the natural environment and appropriately functioning
ecosystems, some of which are aquatic, forest, and grassland ecosystems (Loreau
et al. 2001). These benefits are collectively called ecosystem services and are
crucial for providing clean drinking water, waste decomposition, and natural crop
pollination. According to the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA)
report, there are four main types of ecosystem services: supporting, provisioning,
regulating, and cultural services.
Describe each type of these ecosystem services and provide at least three
examples for each category.
One of the major proponents of the Green initiative was Kenya’s Wangari
Maatha, who founded the Green Belt Movement (GBM). As a renowned Kenyan,
her environmental activism played a crucial role in the conservation of many trees in
the Karura forest. Her contribution to sustainable development was recognized when
she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Notably, she fought tirelessly, despite
Kenya having a hostile regime, to ensure people conserved the environment. The
Green Belt Movement was particularly instrumental in mobilizing Kenyans to plant
numerous trees. It is estimated that at least 30 million trees were planted because
of her efforts, thus serving as a model for other states including Malawi, Lesotho,
and Tanzania. It is also worth noting that the movement’s main objectives were
resource and environmental conservation, tree planting, and women’s rights. More
information about Wangari Maathai’s life can be found at the end of this chapter.
Do you believe that you are doing enough to conserve resources? Briefly
explain. How can Africa emulate the achievements of Wangari Maathai? In
what ways can we honor the legacy left by Wangari Maathai?
According to the third principle, Going Green means conserving energy. There
are numerous ways to save energy that ensure that we go Green. By conserving
energy, we contribute less to the creation of pollution.
The fourth principle argues that Going Green entails reducing waste and
consumption. In this principle, the 3Rs cannot be overemphasized. The 3Rs stand for
reduce, reuse, and recycle (Kranz and Picot 2011). The domino effect of reducing
our consumption results in a lesser need for resources and energy, thus leading