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A circular economy against climate change
Business community often sees environmental policies as a threat to competitiveness. But there are reasons to view resource efficiency (in other words, profitability and sustainability) as an opportunity.
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Business community often sees environmental policies as a threat to competitiveness. But there are reasons to view resource efficiency (in other words, profitability and sustainability) as an opportunity. (Shutterstock/File)
W
orld leaders and climate negotiators have continued efforts to address climate change despite the United States relinquishing leadership. So, it was perhaps ironic to observers when US President Trump visited Vietnam last month, just after typhoon Damrey had claimed scores of lives amid widespread flooding, as researchers believe that extreme environmental events, like hurricanes and typhoons, are likely exacerbated by climate change.
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season is now among the top 10 all-time most active seasons on record after Harvey, Irma and Maria, and these seemingly backto-back catastrophic events should make us look deeper at ourselves.
Most climate scientists agree that the main cause of the current global warming trend is the burning of fossil fuels, which emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and traps heat.
Other human activities, from everyday activities to agriculture and deforestation, also contribute to the increase in greenhouse gases.
The trapped heat increases the Earth’s temperature and changes the climate.
With cheap fossil fuels as the main engine of economic growth, many political and corporate leaders are reluctant to reduce or replace it. And the business community often sees environmental policies as a threat to competitiveness. But there are reasons to view resource efficiency (in other words, profitability and sustainability) as an opportunity.
Resource efficiency is the hallmark of the “circular economy,” a concept that has been around for decades and is gaining traction in reaction to the traditional “linear” business model of “take, make and dispose.” It encourages firms to change the way they operate and pursue sustainable economic growth by managing resources more effectively through reusing, recycling and minimizing landfills.
