Environmental stewardship

Environmental sustainability has come to the forefront of our thoughts due to the increase in the global understanding of the link between environmental health, economics and human well-being (quality of life). Environmental stewardship is a way we can all take on personal responsibility for the respect, care and protection of our environment.

“Environmental stewardship: The responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices to enhance ecosystem resilience and human well-being

Chapin et al, 2011, National oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
enviornmental stewardship

What is environmental stewardship?

Environmental stewardship is the responsible protection and use of the natural environment. Sustainable use practices, and conservation efforts like tree planting and rubbish and weed removal helps to enhance the resilience of the ecosystem, as well as the well-being of those using it. Moreover, environmental stewardship conversations play a key role in educating people about the preservation of the environment. 

Types of environmental stewardship

Common types of environmental stewardship are.

  • Protection and restoration.
  • Everyday choices (i.e. choosing to recycle and not to litter)
  • Civic action such as tree planting, rubbish removal and weed eradication.
  • Community awareness.
  • Environmental stewardship science. 

Principles of environmental stewardship

For environmental preservation, there are special principles of environmental stewardship we need to know about.

  • Maintaining a natural and healthy ecosystem
  • Compliance with local environmental requirements
  • Operations of environmentally responsible facilities. 
  • Prevention of pollution and damage
  • Minimize use of any toxic material, hazardous waste or non bio-degradables. 
  • Conservation of water, energy, and other natural resources. 
  • Environmental awareness and education. 
  • Promotion of sustainable technology.  
  • Inclusive use of the environment for leisure activities

Why we need environmental stewardship

enviornmental stewardship

Our ecosystem provides various natural resources for humans as well as other living organisms. These are important for our survival, health and our quality of life. Various examples surrounding us like carbon dioxide removal by forests, but trees also help to remove other pollutants from the air and regulate climate and things like temperature. There are countless examples that clearly show the importance of environmental preservation.

However, a lack of environmental awareness can lead to poor treatment of the natural world. Here are a few reasons why we need environmental stewardship. 

  • Keep our air fresh and water clean. 
  • Maintain a regular climate. 
  • Helps to preserve biodiversity, nature, and ecosystem. 
  • A healthy environment leads itself to a healthy quality of life
  • Allow growth of natural habitats that will help with discovery of more medications.  

Benefits of environmental stewardship

Increasing environmental awareness will help protect our environment from damage and preserve it for future generations. In this regard, we become the stewards of our land for future use.

  • Due to climate change, deforestation and human development, multiple species are in danger of extinction. With environmental preservation, we can take a stand to protect our environment and ecosystem, and help protect at risk species.
  • It will help improve the quality of food by reducing land and water pollution; particularly in respect to water quality.
  • Reduce rehabilitation costs when damage has gone too far – it is easier to continually work on protecting the environment rather than wait for significant events.
  • Protecting forests. Forests provide raw materials like food, essential oils, timber, rubber, and more. Besides that, more than half of the species live in forests. Thus, we must protect forests. 
  • Protecting the environment through land care and tree planting helps reduce soil erosion and destructive events such as flooding and land slides. 

Ways we can be environmental stewards

There are various ways we can use to practice and promote environmental stewardship. Here we have some common examples to help with the process. 

Reduce our carbon footprint

It will be daunting to know how our common activities are contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are a few activities which can help you to cut back your influence. Firstly, pay attention to items you consume like food. 

It is a surprising fact that food produces twice more pollution than land use, transportation, waste, and pesticides. Thus, pay attention to where you get your food. 

Lower our meat consumption

It will be a wise choice to cut back on your meat consumption and adopt a more plant-based diet – both for the planet and to save you money. Over half of all agricultural carbon emissions are due to livestock. You can easily make big difference by reducing meat consumption to once per day or once per week. You can actually get all the proteins and vitamins you need from a balanced plant based diet of fruits, nuts, legumes and vegetables.

Get fruits and vegetables from local farms

Purchasing food from local farms is a great way to reduce food miles – the carbon footprint of your food. On average, nearly 10% of all agricultural carbon emissions are due to food transportation. Besides reducing emissions, you will help support local farmers and community projects – if there is no local farm nearby you can even consider starting a community food project yourself.

Change Transportation habits

Despite the introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles, fossil fuel transportation is responsible for 27% of gas emission. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, but they still have a way to go and there are healthier ways to get from one place to another rather than sitting in a car! The popularity of cycling is rapidly increasing as the best mode of transportation, which gives you a workout and keeps you in shape while you get from A to B. Other environmentally responsible modes of transport which you can use include ride-sharing and public transportation. 

Avoid microplastics and single-use plastics

Plastic is a by product of the petroleum industry – when you fractionally distill or ‘crack’ crude oil from its long hydrocarbon chains into the more useful smaller molecules to make fuels, you end up with plastic. Rather than dump it, the petrochemical industry tries to make uses for it – single use packaging, toys, tools, covers etc you name it. Plastics don’t decay and we are stuck with them almost indefinitely.

8.3 billion tons of plastic has been created by humans in the past 67 years. Moreover, 6.3 billion tons of this plastic is a part of our oceans and landfills. To reduce plastic waste, we should make a pact to stop buying single use plastics.

To do your part, consider avoiding buying plastic items like bags, bottles, straws, and other items made of plastic. Moreover, stop buying products of microplastic like glitters or exfoliators with micro beads. 

Develop an environmental management plan

Develop an environmental management plan whether you have an enterprise or small business. It will not only help save the environment but also develop a positive brand image. 

How you can build a Corporate environmental responsibility plan

Having an effective and efficient Corporate environmental responsibility plan can help us protect the environment. As a business owner, it is a great step towards sustainability and being publicly accountable as an environmental steward. Here are a few points that should be considered when looking at sustainable designs for your plan

Adopt sustainable Waste management goals

To develop sustainable goals for a company and be respected as environmental stewards, one of the most important aspects is assuring that no dangerous waste is produced. Limit the production of waste by adopting efficiency measures, and manage waste appropriately so it doesn’t end up damaging the environment. The goals set by the company should be sustainable, and able to be carried into the future.

Support Renewable energy

Where possible, try to adopt renewable energy sources like Solar Solutions for electricity generation.

Have a plastic pact

All companies shall have a plastic pact. Thus, the production and utilization of plastic products should be minimized or ceased where possible. Look into recyclable or biodegradable alternatives to plastic.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

In the environmental management plan, pay special attention to the reuse and recycling of products. Companies need to encourage their customers to support this scheme, which could include provisions of incentives for recycling, as well as convenient ways to do so (i.e. access to recycling bins)

Conclusion

To be the best environmental stewards possible, we all need to work together on our behaviors, technologies, decisions and activities at both an individual and a corporate level. Environmental stewardship and its adoption at both a personal and corporate level is the only way to protect the future of our planet from modern sustainability issues.

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Ken

Ken is a retired engineer, beekeeper and avid gardener. He writes about permaculture, sustainability and self-sufficiency on his blog SkyPerma, which journals his progress becoming more sustainable in the SkyGarden, a 100 square meter rooftop garden right in the heart of the Adelaide city which hosts over 500 plants and 5 established beehives. Ken has the goal of establishing his own permaculture acreage in the Adelaide Hills, and other than gardening his hobbies include cycling, cooking and writing.

Ken has 62 posts and counting. See all posts by Ken

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