Green economy concept increasingly popular

As the world struggles with climate change, the concept of green economy has become increasingly popular. The current economic system is not sustainable yet, because it is still relying on the depletion of natural resources, the chaotic generation of waste, and the excessive burning of fossil fuels, which is leading to the emission of greenhouse gases. This has led to environmental degradation, global warming, climate change and social inequalities. So, what is green economy and how is it interconnected with our environment concerns, sustainability, social equity, our needs — wants balance, creating jobs, sustainable green agriculture, conscious behaviourism and clean renewable energy?

A green economy is a system that aims to reduce environmental risks and promotes sustainable development while at the same time provides economic growth and social equity. The transition towards a green economy involves delinking economic growth from excessive consumption, irresponsible waste generation and environmental degradation. This can be achieved through the adoption of sustainable production and consumption patterns, the creation of green jobs and the implementation of policies that promote a low-carbon economy. The creation of green jobs in the above mentioned sectors, including the sector of eco-tourism and conscious consumerism, can help to promote sustainable development and social equity, as green jobs are jobs are directly or indirectly related to reducing environmental risks, promoting sustainable development, inciting economic and social stability. 

A green economy is important because it provides a way to address the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation which refers to the deterioration of the natural environment; including land, water, biodiversity and air, due to human activities, such as pollution, deforestation, over exploitation of natural resources, and global warming. This process can result in negative impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity and human health, and can have far-reaching consequences for the sustainability of our planet. However, a green economy offers a way to address these challenges by promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating green jobs, promoting economic growth and social equity. 

Sustainable production and consumption patterns- the backbone of green economy- include using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen and hydro power to produce clean energy instead of polluting fossil fuels, as well as introducing storage techniques to use energy whenever needed, day and night, which can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create new jobs, activate the economy and promote sustainable development. The adoption of energy-efficient technologies and practices, as well as popularising energy saving practices and changes in behaviour can also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development. 

Sustainable production and consumption patterns also mean using energy-efficient buildings, constructing and retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient designs and introducing new technologies to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Also through adopting farming practices that promote soil health, reduce the use of pesticides and fertilisers, and protect biodiversity, as well as through implementing strategies to reduce waste generation, such as composting, recycling (promoting the reuse of materials to minimise waste and reduce the use of virgin resources), and upcycling, such as turning old clothes into fashionable accessories, transforming shipping pallets into furniture, and so forth.

Sustainable production and consumption patterns also mean sustainable transportation that is encouraging and facilitating the use of low-carbon transportation modes such as biking, walking, carpooling and public transit, as well as promoting the use of electric vehicles. Also through encouraging individuals, through media and education, to make informed, responsible and ethical purchasing decisions by choosing environmentally-friendly products and reducing their overall consumption to meet their needs rather than meeting their never ending wants.

A green economy offers opportunities for economic growth through the creation of new green jobs, research and development, the introduction of new industries, and offers opportunities for social equity through the creation of green jobs that were unimaginable before, and the promotion of sustainable development. These consequences can help to reduce social inequalities and improve the standard of living for all. The transition towards a green economy can also lead to increased local innovation and technological development, which can gradually reduce dependency on developed countries and can eventually help to drive economic growth.

Sustainable agriculture practices are also part of green economy, such as organic farming, crop rotation and conservation tillage that can help to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and promote sustainable development. For example, using warms in the soil reduces the cost of fertilisers. This can also be achieved through the implementation of policies that promote sustainable agriculture practices and through improvising incentives and facilitating green funds. Conservation tillage is a farming technique that involves leaving crop residue, such as stems and leaves, on the soil surface after harvest. The goal of conservation tillage is to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and conserve moisture. 

In conclusion, the implementation of policies that promote a low-carbon economy and a sustainable production and consumption patterns will undoubtedly lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the preservation of natural resources, and the protection of biodiversity, as well as creating new jobs and facilitating social equity. This can be achieved through the improvisation and implementation of policies that promote green planning and development, eventually establishing a green economy.