The Importance of Water Conservation

Sustainability and Environmental Preservation

Water conservation is paramount to sustainability and environmental preservation. Freshwater represents only 2.5% of the world’s total water supply, and less than 1% is readily accessible for human use. By conserving this vital resource, we ensure its availability for future generations and help maintain the health of ecosystems that depend on water.

The Impact of Water Waste on the Environment and Society

Water waste exacerbates several environmental issues. Overdrawing from rivers, lakes, and aquifers can lead to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and deterioration of water quality. Additionally, wasting water means more energy is used in its extraction, treatment, and transportation, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Human society is also affected as water scarcity can lead to conflicts, affect food production, and jeopardise public health.

Practical Tips for Homeowners and the Community to Reduce Water Consumption

Conserving water doesn’t necessarily mean drastic changes to your lifestyle. Often, small adjustments and mindful habits can lead to significant savings. Here are some practical tips for homeowners and communities to reduce water consumption:

Top Ten Ways You Can Save Water

1. Fix Leaks: Dripping taps and leaking toilets can waste thousands of litres annually. Repairing these leaks is a simple yet effective way to conserve water.
2. Install Low-Flow Fixtures: Low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets use significantly less water without sacrificing performance.
3. Use Water-Efficient Appliances: Opt for washing machines and dishwashers that are designed to use less water.
4. Shorten Showers: Reducing your shower time by even a few minutes can save a substantial amount of water.
5. Turn Off Taps While Brushing Teeth: A simple habit that can save litres every time you brush.
6. Rainwater Harvesting: Collect rainwater from your roof to use for gardening, washing cars, or even flushing toilets.
7. Water Plants Wisely: Water your garden early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation. Use mulch to retain soil moisture.
8. Sweep, Don’t Hose: Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks instead of a hose.
9. Full Loads Only: Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads to maximise water efficiency.
10. Educate and Advocate: Spread awareness about water conservation and encourage others to adopt water-saving practices.

Innovative Technologies and Practices for Efficient Water Use at Home

Greywater Systems

Greywater systems recycle water from showers, baths, and sinks for use in toilets and gardens, reducing the demand for fresh water.

Smart Irrigation Systems

Smart irrigation controllers adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions, soil moisture levels, and plant needs, ensuring efficient water use in gardens and landscapes.

Dual-Flush Toilets

Dual-flush toilets offer two flush options—one for liquid waste and another for solid waste—using less water where possible.

Water-Saving Appliances

Modern appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers often come with water-saving settings that use the minimum amount of water necessary for the task.

Smart Water Indicators

Smart Water Tank Level Indicators provide real-time data on the water levels in rainwater tanks, allowing for efficient monitoring and management. These devices help to prevent overflows and ensure optimal water usage for household or garden needs.

Case Studies of Successful Water Conservation Initiatives

The City of Cape Town’s Water Crisis

Cape Town, South Africa, faced a severe water crisis in 2018, where the city almost ran out of water. Through rigorous water conservation measures, public awareness campaigns, and innovative strategies like desalination and groundwater extraction, the city managed to avert “Day Zero,” demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated conservation efforts.

Australia’s Rainwater Harvesting Program

Australia has long promoted rainwater harvesting as a way to supplement water supplies. Many households now have rainwater tanks that capture and store rainwater for domestic use, significantly reducing reliance on municipal water systems.

Let’s Do More Together

Water conservation is not just a global issue; it’s a personal responsibility. By adopting water-saving habits and encouraging others to do the same, we can collectively make a significant impact. We invite you to share this post with your network, spread awareness, and take active steps towards a more sustainable future.

Conclusion

The importance of water conservation cannot be overstated. It is essential for sustaining our environment, supporting human societies, and ensuring future generations have access to clean water. By understanding the impacts of water waste and implementing practical measures to reduce consumption, we can contribute to a healthier planet. Remember, every drop counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Will Happen if We Do Not Conserve Water?

If we do not conserve water, we risk depleting freshwater resources, leading to severe water shortages, affecting agriculture, ecosystems, human health and escalating conflicts over water access.

Who is Affected by Water Conservation?

Everyone is affected by water conservation, from individuals and households to industries and entire ecosystems. Water scarcity can disrupt daily life, economic activities, and the natural balance of the environment.

How Much Water is Wasted Every Day?

Globally, billions of litres of water are wasted each day due to inefficiencies, leaks, and misuse. In households, simple changes can significantly reduce this wastage.

By embedding these water conservation practices into our daily lives, we can all play a part in protecting this vital resource. Let’s start today – for ourselves, our communities, and the generations to come.

Photo Credit

Image by rony michaud from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Paul Thornton

I am an experienced Digital Marketer with 15 years experience in SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), Google Ads, Social Media and more. I setup Digital Hothouse in 2010 and in that time have helped some of New Zealand’s biggest brands including Stuff, Mighty Ape, GO Rentals, Oyster Bay, Postie and 2degrees.

Understanding Wastewater Management

Effective wastewater management is crucial for ensuring the health and safety of apartment residents. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that waste produced by these complexes is properly treated and disposed of. This involves overseeing the entire process, from wastewater collection to its ultimate disposal or release. Proper management prevents contamination of local water bodies and protects the community from potential health risks. It’s important for landlords to stay informed about local regulations and industry standards to ensure compliance and operational efficiency.

Regular Maintenance and Inspection

Regular maintenance and inspection of wastewater systems are essential for preventing malfunctions and costly repairs. Landlords should ensure that septic tanks, pipes, and treatment plants are routinely checked by qualified professionals and specialists. Identifying and repairing issues early can prevent larger problems, such as leaks or system failures. This not only protects the environment but also maintains the integrity of the property’s infrastructure. Residents depend on landlords to provide a safe and habitable living environment, which makes regular upkeep a non-negotiable responsibility.

Educating Residents

Educating residents about proper waste disposal and system usage is another critical responsibility for landlords. Informing tenants about what can and cannot be flushed or poured down drains helps maintain the efficiency of the wastewater treatment system. Providing guidelines and reminders on a regular basis can reduce the likelihood of inappropriate items entering the system. This education can be done through newsletters, welcome packets, or community meetings. An informed tenant base leads to fewer system issues and contributes to a more pleasant living environment for all.

The Role of Treatment Plants

Wastewater treatment plants play a vital role in processing and purifying the water that exits apartment complexes. Landlords must understand the importance of these facilities in ensuring that discharged water meets environmental safety standards. Treatment plants use various physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove contaminants from wastewater. Ensuring these plants are well-maintained and functioning efficiently helps minimize the risk of environmental pollution and protects public health. Working with treatment companies, like Pinnacle Chemicals, to be aware of the latest advancements and technologies in wastewater treatment can help landlords to provide the best possible living conditions for their residents.

Compliance and Documentation

Staying compliant with local and federal regulations is paramount for landlords overseeing wastewater treatment. Regularly updating documentation, such as maintenance logs and inspection reports, ensures that all actions taken are recorded and traceable. This is vital not only for regulatory compliance but also for safeguarding the property and its residents. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties and damage to the landlord’s reputation. Keeping accurate and up-to-date records can streamline the process of addressing any issues that arise, making it easier to demonstrate due diligence and effective management practices.

In conclusion, proper wastewater management is a critical aspect of maintaining a safe, healthy, and habitable living environment within apartment complexes. By adhering to regular maintenance schedules, educating residents, understanding the role of treatment plants, and ensuring compliance with regulations, landlords can efficiently manage wastewater systems. This not only protects the environment and public health but also enhances the overall quality of living for residents. Effective wastewater management is a shared responsibility that requires commitment and vigilance from landlords, residents, and wastewater treatment professionals alike.

Photo Credit

Photo is from Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Rachelle Wilber

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s in journalism and media studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, on the beach, or at the gym. For any professional help needed with septic systems, Rachelle recommends First Class Plumbing of Florida, Inc.

The key phrase here is “when done well.” Having a positive impact requires intentional actions by designers, managers, and the people using trails. With a little knowledge sharing, everyone involved can understand and boost how trails can contribute to a healthier ecosystem.

Boosting Biodiversity

One of the main challenges we face in the current climate is the loss of biodiversity. As our society has continued to grow and our spaces develop, this negatively impacts the natural areas that are both replaced by and adjacent to cities.

Our noise has scared off wildlife and construction and resource gathering has destroyed habitats. This isn’t just a problem from a simple ethical perspective or for how it affects other species. It’s also a practical problem for humans. We rely upon strong biodiversity to ensure our crops are pollinated, which affects our food and even medical supplies. Not to mention that biodiversity helps with air purification and flood moderation, among many other aspects of life.

There’s certainly an argument that trails in natural areas could disrupt biodiversity. After all, designers are making trails through ecosystems and inviting humans to hike, bike, or even camp there. How a trail is designed makes a difference to whether it positively or negatively affects biodiversity. This can include designers ensuring that they build trails on or close to existing walking areas, rather than developing untouched natural spaces. They can also make plans for the trail routes to lead away from habitats to minimize impact on these areas.

Another way that trails are supporting biodiversity efforts is by giving a forum to citizen science. Hikers on trails can help keep track of changes to the natural environment. Wherever possible, designers should include informational signposting that provides visitors with details of how they can contribute to biodiversity research. For instance, hikers could email a designated address to inform of different bird or insect species that have made their homes in the area. They could also send photographs of potentially invasive species of plants. This gives trail managers and conservationists the tools to collaborate on adjusting the space to support positive biodiversity.

Balancing Recreation and Responsibility

Trails are pathways to adventure amidst people’s daily lives. This makes them incredible and convenient resources of recreation and connection to nature. That said, as with any natural resource, increased visitation can compromise the integrity of the ecosystem.

Part of the solution here is for trail designers and operators to give insights into trail etiquette. Visitors may not be acting irresponsibly due to a lack of care, but rather a lack of information. Designers can fill potential knowledge gaps by:

• Visitors’ center guidance: Larger trails often have visitors’ centers, which can provide immediate access to information. Staff members can provide more nuanced insights by discussing what visitors’ intentions are for their trip and provide advice on any adjustments they can make to help conservation efforts while having fun.
• Signposting: Static signposting throughout the trail can be useful. At the entrance to the trail, often the most effective approach is to list general rules related to behavior on the trails, such as cleaning up litter or avoiding disturbing wildlife. There can also be specific signposts related to the challenges certain animals or plants face. For instance, in areas that see regular deer traffic, signposts could advise hikers to not feed the animals and to stand at a safe distance when photographing them.
• Website information: Particularly for people who haven’t visited the trail before or are coming from further afield, the website is likely to be their first point of call for information. Federally managed trails will usually have pages on the National Park Service or the Bureau of Land Management websites. Privately or locally owned trails can have sites. Trail managers should provide advice here on how to achieve the balance between recreation and responsibility. Text can be great, but videos can be even more engaging.

The approach trail designers take to offering information can certainly depend on the location of the trail and the types of activities visitors are likely to perform. For instance, when the trail is on the coast, a guide to responsible beach camping can help outline ways to have fun while protecting wildlife. Trail information can include tips about climate and weather, teach people how to be mindful of the local ecosystems, and also provide gear recommendations since specific equipment is needed to camp safely in coastal environments. By being informative and not just dictating rules, trail managers encourage responsible behavior on their own trails and other green spaces.

Supporting Mutual Health

Eco-friendliness is increasingly recognized as having a positive impact on wellness. Spending time in green areas—such as trails—the outdoors can help relieve stress and anxiety and also can improve oxygen intake. Trails that prioritize conservation efforts can play a role in maintaining health, especially if people are using them to exercise, such as commuting by bike, trail running, or hiking. With additional planning, there are ways to support the mutual health of both people using trails and the wildlife that call the trails home.

Regular inspections

When left alone, natural areas will often develop an ecosystem that is right and healthy for the wildlife and plant species living within them. However, when trail owners intervene by encouraging human activity, there needs to be a little more attention to the ongoing well-being of the space. This can include checking the integrity of the trail paths for elements that might be dangerous to human visitors. Soil erosion or unstable trees may be hazardous to hikers, which affects how well the trails can promote healthy walking routines.

It’s equally important to reduce the natural and human-made threats to local plants and wildlife. This includes trail managers regularly inspecting for signs of disease, unauthorized hunting, and trail misuse. Partnering with local wildlife and safety agencies is a key part of building a trail in any case, but these stakeholders can also provide guidance and expertise on what to look for here.

Inspections should always be followed by swift action, wherever problems are highlighted. For instance, if the inspections reveal that animals are migrating their nests closer than usual to trail paths, designers may need to arrange seasonal trail detours. This can both keep wildlife safe from unintentional intrusions that might impact their health as well as prevent injuries to humans from animals protecting their young.

Foraging opportunities

One of the key health benefits of nature trails is the potential access to natural food sources for both animals and humans. Trail designers need to make certain that non-native plant life isn’t introduced to the trail area. At the same time, excessive foraging by trail users can have a negative impact. It can put pressure on the ecosystem, taking food sources away from animals that may rely on them. In some instances, reckless foraging can cause plants and soil around the foraged items to become damaged. Less-educated foragers could also run the risk of gathering protected species.

Many trail management organizations have set up hard limits on foraging for certain species of plant and fungus. For instance, on some of the properties run by the National Park Service, small amounts of specific edible mushrooms can be collected each day for personal use. This can be a useful approach, particularly if trail managers have enough staff to enforce these limits. Educating people on why to keep their foraging to a reasonable level is also important.

One approach to this is to set up foraging tours with trail managers and other experts. A good example of this is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which holds programs of events throughout the year in wildlife refuges across the country. This is a way to both show visitors what wellness-boosting foods are available to them in the area while also outlining what constitutes fair and mutually healthy behavior.

Wrapping Up

Trails are already a source of natural beauty, but some extra design and management efforts can really make them effective for wildlife conservation. This includes ensuring the spaces support biodiversity and that visitors are educated on rules that balance recreation with responsibility.

Photo Credit

Image Source Pexels

Guest Author Bio
Charlie Fletcher

Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely “city of trees”- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. When not writing she spends her time doodling and embroidering. And yes, she does love all kinds of potatoes!

It’s driving governments and other organizations to create initiatives that increase sustainability on a larger scale. We need the efforts of these influential groups to really see a change. However, we also need individuals to commit to being more environmentally friendly.

Thankfully, living a more eco-friendly life doesn’t have to be a complex transition or an expensive one. Here are five small, budget-friendly steps you can take to achieve a greener lifestyle.

Reduce Your Waste

Waste is one of the biggest problems our world has. Landfills are overflowing with waste, and only a small percentage is recycled appropriately.

Waste attracts rodents and insects that harbor parasites, worms, and other harmful bacteria that can make humans sick. When it rots it can generate methane gas that contributes to the greenhouse gas effect. It also ends up in natural habitats and waterways, disrupting marine and animal life and health.

Reducing your waste as much as possible can contribute to a cleaner, healthier Earth. Start with simple actions, like shopping secondhand. You can then work towards bigger steps like adopting a plant-based diet.

Eliminating single-use plastics is also crucial.

Eliminate Single-Use Plastics

The average lifespan of plastic products is 10 years, but it can take up to 500 years for plastics to decompose. It takes high temperatures and a specialized chemical recycling process for plastic to break down entirely, hence why only a small percentage of it is recycled.

This leaves microplastics floating around in the air for us to ingest. We also see a lot of plastic waste in our bodies of water harming our marine life. Think of the duck stuck in the plastic rings from a six-pack of soda. Or, the fish trapped in a plastic fishing net.

Eliminating single-use plastics in your home is a small but mighty contribution to solving our plastic crisis. Bring reusable grocery bags to the store. Use mesh fabric produce bags instead of the plastic ones at the store. Purchase a reusable straw and water bottle or tumbler. Avoid plastic utensils as well.

Consider Carpooling

Gas-powered vehicles don’t contribute to the health of our planet. They rely on fossil fuels, which isn’t a renewable resource. They emit toxic fumes into the air, contributing to pollution and the bigger issue of global warming.

A long-term goal might be to switch to an electric vehicle to reduce your carbon footprint. But for now, consider carpooling. It means one less car on the road, reducing traffic congestion and the emission of toxic fumes. You’ll also meet new people and save money on gas.

You can ask to carpool to work with a co-worker who lives near you. Jump in the car with friends when going out. You could also join a carpooling group on social media and find rides that way.

Implement Low-Cost Smart Home Products

Energy consumption is a significant topic in the conversation about preserving our planet’s health. Most people rely on non-renewable sources of energy like oil, natural gas, and coal. Lots of pollution is emitted from non-renewable sources of energy. Your carbon footprint grows as well.

You may not be able to afford solar panels on your roof or wind turbines in your backyard. However, you can make a conscious effort to reduce your energy use.

One way to save energy is to install smart home products. You can lower your energy bill while being more mindful of how you use energy in your home.

For example, a smart thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature in your home when you’re sleeping or away. It can also give you detailed reports about your energy usage. You can use this information to identify where you’re wasting energy and make adjustments.

You can control how bright your lights are and when they turn on and off with a smart lighting system. And smart switches can automatically turn off devices like TVs and laptops when you aren’t using them.

Rest assured that there’s a long list of smart home products out there that can accommodate any budget.

Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

A lot of people think you need harsh chemicals in cleaning products to kill bacteria and clean. But you don’t. Household cleaners with dangerous chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) do more harm than good to us and our environment.

They can irritate our eyes, nose, and throat. The fragrances can worsen allergies and asthma. These household cleaners can be poisonous if swallowed and lead to more serious conditions like cancer.

As far as the environment, harmful household cleaners can pollute the air when sprayed. The liquid often ends up in our streams and rivers, polluting our water sources. In addition, the containers are usually made from non-recyclable materials, causing them to end up in landfills.

Opt for eco-friendly cleaners at the store. If you’re up for it, consider making homemade cleaners with natural products. For example, mix up white vinegar, water, a lemon rind, and rosemary sprigs to make a scented all-purpose cleaner. Or, make a natural heavy-duty scrub with 1/2 a lemon and 1/2 a cup of borax powder.

Conclusion

Transitioning to a more eco-friendly life is a big decision. But that doesn’t mean it takes a web of complex actions and a huge budget to make it happen. Small actions can get you to your vision of a sustainable life. Commit to them, and the results you get may inspire you to do more.

Photo Credit

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels

Guest Author Bio
Luke Smith

Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but business, technology, and digital marketing topics are his favorite. When he isn’t writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or getting into the latest tech.

The wind picked up, and with a now-gaping hole in its bottom and a slice through the seam, the sack seemed almost aware of its limited usefulness. This could be the final lap —it would think, if it had thoughts. THIS will be my swan song. Inhibition gave way, and the plastic tote rejoiced in a blissed-out interpretive dance, aided by a fluid breeze.

Perched high on a wire, a mockingbird provided asynchronous orchestration for the performance, as darkening clouds rumbled in discontent. A 3/10 from the heavenly Rotten Tomatoes.

The sky was displeased and March, sensing agitation, produced a gale-force wind that suddenly sucked the smiling sack skyward, disrupting the plastic ballet and quelling the disjointed symphony. Transport to a final resting place for the tote was now under way.

Up, up went the bag, flowing left and right in the draft, until the big wind abruptly quit, leaving Smiley in free fall. Along its downward floating journey, the greedy tips of a birch branch reached out and snatched the bag, halting further descent.

Now in the clutches of twisted finger-twigs, the sky dancer was trapped for good. The winds raced again and gusts returned with gusto. With a big grin and a little tenacity, the dance (if you could call it that) resumed, but this time it was more of a frantic, herky-jerky spectacle; not unlike an inflatable, rhythmless tube-man, twitching and flinging about in a used car lot.

The rising scent of earthy petrichor filled the air. A thunderclap cracked and bleached the sky, followed by a short but fierce spring rain. The storm was a welcome relief, bringing rest to the sack, exhausted from doing what was essentially “The Elaine Dance,” as seen on Seinfeld.

As the storm’s fury eased, the clouds slowly lifted. Sun blades streaked through and calm was restored. A hula hoop bounced down the street and was met with giggles. At the bottom of the birch tree, a red robin tugged on a segmented worm, half plumped out of the earth by the cleansing rain.

March can be moody. As for the sack, having danced through it all, it was shredded and frayed, but the smile remained for a very long time.

Photo Credit

Photo is courtesy of the author

Guest Author Bio
Melody McDonald

Mel McDonald wrote promotional material for Macy’s Special Events in the past. For over a decade now, she’s been editing reports for speech recognition. In between writing and crafting miniatures, you’ll find her on abandoned trails, picking tiny wildflowers and collecting curly sticks.

Website: McCabins Minis

If you are interested in reducing your carbon footprint then you first need to learn how to calculate your footprint so you can see where you stand. Then, you can make the appropriate changes and do your part to make the world a better place.

Understanding Your Carbon Footprint

The first step to understanding your carbon footprint is to recognize how the choices you make around the house could be doing unnecessary damage to the environment. By turning on the lights, heating the home, and powering your appliances, you are using energy created by utility companies.

The problem there is that when energy is created, carbon dioxide is leaked into the air and creates a harmful layer that prevents harmful radiation from leaving the atmosphere. The utility companies also emit other dangerous elements into the air, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, which have been linked to dangerous illnesses in human beings, including cancer and birth defects.

If you want to learn about your current impact, then you can use an online carbon footprint calculator to learn where you stand. Websites like this can tell you how much energy you are producing by allowing you to enter data, including how much energy you use at home, how far you travel by plane, how often you use public transportation, and more. You can also enter how many people live in your household so you can get a realistic answer about your carbon footprint.

You may learn about your energy consumption and want to make a change. However, you must understand the pros and cons of different types of energy usage. For instance, you may be interested in installing solar panels so you can break away from utility companies. However, you must realize that the energy produced by those panels is not always consistent and that even when you are at full strength, you will still need to be connected to the electrical grid. Still, even when factoring in the downsides, a transition to a clean energy source like solar can do a great service for Mother Earth.

Reducing Energy Consumption at Home

While you may be interested in installing solar panels or making another drastic change, it is reasonable to understand that you may not have the funds for a major project. The good news is that by making moderate changes at home, you can make a big impact on the planet.

For instance, you can set a good example and lower your utility bills by sealing the perimeter of your windows and doors. By doing so, you eliminate the possibility of leaking energy when you heat and cool your home. The longer your HVAC systems run, the more energy you waste, and that leads to the production of unnecessary fossil fuels. Your HVAC systems are a major component of your home, so you should have them checked out and maintained every year, so you can ensure that your home is running efficiently.

You can also make little adjustments that can make a big difference. For instance, by keeping your blinds open all day, you can eliminate the need to turn on the lights. Also, by switching from incandescent to LED bulbs, you can also use a lot less energy at night.

When it comes to reducing waste, we tend to focus on electricity and forget that we could also help the planet by reducing our water waste. Currently, countries across the globe are wasting mass amounts of water. You can’t change the entire world, but you can do your part by keeping the water off while you brush your teeth and by installing low-flow showerheads.

Decreasing Emissions on the Road

Many people also increase their carbon footprint when they travel to work or go to the store, especially when using fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. If you can afford to do so, then the best way to make a change is to switch to an electric car. These days, there are more options than ever before, including choosing electric, hydrogen, a hybrid, and more.

As time goes on, this technology is growing by leaps and bounds. New electric and hybrid cars allow you to drive further, and charging time decreases with every new model. Electric cars are also becoming more affordable over time.

If you cannot afford an electric car but you need a new vehicle, then you can still limit your carbon footprint by purchasing a fossil-fueled car with great gas mileage. Some of the most energy-efficient cars on the road today include the Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Versa S, among others.

If you are not in the market for a new car but you still want to reduce your carbon footprint, then you can do so by modifying your driving style. Start by eliminating idle time. Avoid the temptation to warm up your car for five minutes before you leave or keep the car running when you go into a gas station. Instead, turn on your car when you need it and start driving. Also, plan your routes accordingly so that you aren’t in stop-and-go traffic, which wastes more energy. When possible, avoid driving altogether and walk or ride a bike.

As you can see, it is possible to modify your routine so you can lower your carbon footprint and make a difference in the world. Consider the tips discussed here, and others will follow your example.

Photo Credit

Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Luke Smith

Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but business, technology, and digital marketing topics are his favorite. When he isn’t writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or getting into the latest tech.

CPTED Canada, a new national organization plans to lead the charge. In fact, the organization has very strong roots and was born from CPTED Ontario. The rebranding took more than a year and with the full support of its members a new founding board of directors was established, and a new website. It’s a big leap and one that’s sure to have an impact across our country.

Many cities across Canada have adopted the methodology and are actively using this best practice to address a multitude of challenging issues in their municipalities. Various aspects of crime and social disorder can be addressed by using the practice. Although there is never a silver bullet or one solution fits all approach, CPTED packs a wallop when properly used by trained professionals.

If anything good came out of the world-wide pandemic we’ve all faced it might have been to see what was happening in cities around the world, including right in our own backyards. It has had a dramatic impact on our economies and the heart of every city – its downtown. We all saw the result of lock-downs that led to bare streets void of people, and businesses that once thrived closed or worse yet closed permanently.

It would seem as we approach 2023 the pandemic is not through with us yet. However, lessons have been learned and if we ever doubted how important our built environments are to our safety and well-being, we’re no longer blinded by it. The pathway forward can help us reduce crime, and address other challenges such as homelessness, mental health and even addictions. Remember, it’s all about improving our built environment! When we factor in all the various principles of CPTED we can have an impact, particularly as they relate to the 2nd Generation concepts of Culture, Cohesion, Connection and Capacity – also known as the 4C’s.

Join the movement! It will all begin with a Virtual Speaker Series hosted by CPTED Canada throughout this month. It all starts on Nov 7th at 11am PST. For more details visit their Meet the Speakers page or check out their Event Poster.

Photo Credit

Photo is from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Steve Woolrich

Virtual Speaker Series Poster_Nov2022 Steve is considered a leading expert in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and is also trained in SafeGrowth®. He has been applying CPTED methodology in his work since 1999 and has a keen interest in social issues and community development throughout Canada and abroad. His focus during the last few years has been on creating healthy and safe built environments. Steve supports Restorative Approaches, Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) and is a trained Peace Circle Facilitator.

Read Steve’s full bio here.

Overall we received about 75 barriers.  The essay below is a consolidated response to these barriers, which we grouped into five general categories:

1. Getting buy-in from community residents and municipal councils/regional executives.

2. Getting buy-in from land developers.

3. Financial constraints.

4. Developing a realistic implementation plan.

5. Lack of knowledge, understanding, and continued learning on CPTED, including youth engagement.

This essay touches on all of these categories, however it’s main focus is the first two topics relating to general buy-in of CPTED concepts:  convincing our communities, councils, governments, and land developers that CPTED is a value-added practice to incorporate into the earliest stages of development processes.  Without buy-in, it is impossible to overcome barriers related to funding priorities, implementation planning or knowledge development. Over the coming months we plan to look deeper into these additional challenges.

Some may wonder why buy-in is such a challenge with rising property crime in rural Alberta (which many attribute to economic downturn) — a huge cause for residents to demand action from town councils and police services.  Amidst all of this heat, one could think timing could not be better for councils to adopt requirements for the application of CPTED methodologies into bylaws as a simple and positive source of action. If not CPTED, what else are councils pursuing, other than attempts to bolster resources for policing?

Simple does not always mean easy.  CPTED’s biggest limitation is the absence of a true champion.  This is a failure of the CPTED community, which has presented CPTED as such simple common sense that anyone can do it.  As a result, CPTED is often handed off to town planners and police as a secondary function. This is a mistake. Done effectively, CPTED requires resource capacity well beyond what municipal staffers’ can realistically handle alongside their primary roles.  Practiced to its full potential, CPTED involves focused collaboration amongst a vast multitude of stakeholders, as well as strategic, community-based research and engagement. CPTED is complex work requiring more direct leadership and attention than what professionals can typically accomplish off the side of their desk if primary responsibilities lie elsewhere.

This includes the police, whom most municipalities look to as the experts responsible for bringing CPTED to communities.  Police are crucial stakeholders in CPTED due to their knowledge and experience in dealing with behaviours involved in crime, yet they generally lack the capacity, expertise and resources to lead the overall charge of developing CPTED as a best practice.  Under police guardianship, CPTED seems to begin and end with target hardening strategies, techy physical security gadgets and environmental design recommendations that merely aim to suppress undesirable behaviours. Without resource capacity to look beyond specific problem areas they are called to, police tend to look at those areas in isolation of the rest of the surrounding neighbourhood.  This would especially be true for rural areas that are usually policed by the RCMP and would not have trained officers to do this kind of work. Such piecemeal CPTED application has the potential to simply encourage criminal behaviour to alter in form or relocate elsewhere, leaving communities and councils disillusioned to the effectiveness of CPTED as a practice.

In this sense, CPTED’s greatest enemy could be the first word of its name:  crime.  CPTED involves proactive focus on the safety and well-being of people as opposed to specifically on crime.  The word “crime” is very useful, because it is what is happening and it is what people are afraid of; yet many residents and professionals are beginning to recognize that reactive responses to crime are serving to exacerbate our feelings of fear. Throwing millions of dollars at policing, for example, is not solving our problems any more than it’s solving terrorism or the War on Drugs.

At its heart, CPTED is a proactive, dynamic practice that is incomplete without strategies to engage communities in ways that merge discussions of safety, development and quality of life.  It’s a multi-way relationship amongst communities, their authorities and leaders, commercial enterprise, and the whole spectrum of how land development happens. While municipalities typically do try very hard to base decision-making on good understandings of the needs, desires and opinions of their communities, there is no specific science or art that outlines how these understandings should specifically occur.  Authorities make the best rational decisions they can with the best information available. Unfortunately, most processes municipalities use to engage (or “consult”) communities aren’t designed to learn beyond the assumptions what matters most to community members. More unfortunately, communities lack their own on-the-ground leadership to understand what fuels any sense of collective belonging.

Communities deserve more than an invitation to a public conversation made incoherent by their own lack of capacity to act together.  And when community members increasingly feel they need to be out for themselves, community buy-in to community becomes difficult — possibly the ultimate barrier to CPTED.  

One could ask, isn’t making the tough decisions on behalf of our diverse, messy, beautiful communities, who really can’t agree on anything, the reason why we have elected officials?  Yes and no. Elected leaders are certainly our caretakers of community accountability, yet there is something to be said about how we generate our knowledge about communities and how we bring them to the table.  Changes to our physical environments impact people at personal levels that can seem to go unappreciated by town authorities. The risk here is that best-of-intention decisions inadvertently exacerbate vulnerabilities somewhere, damaging community trust and possibly even leading to irrational actions such as crime.  

A key theme here should be evident:  communities, municipal authorities and development leaders all lack capacity to put the work into maintaining active relationships with one another to make collective sense of the beautiful chaos of our neighbourhoods.  CPTED bridges this gap in capacity by applying coherence to these multi-stakeholder conversations by drawing out activities related to safe environments, quality of life, and community values. What personal and cultural meanings do people draw from neighbourhood spaces and how?  What challenges stand in the way of fuller expressions of community life? The point isn’t to empower one culture over another or generate consensus on a single neighbourhood vision (which would be impossible) but to illuminate the chaos and support positive social activity.

The real opportunity for empowering CPTED is with land developers.  The active research and engagement methods of full spectrum CPTED allows developers to refine their definitions of project risk, create more compelling community spaces, and ultimately improve their returns on investment.  Most importantly, CPTED gives developers the opportunity to break the “us versus them” cycles of conflict that commonly arise with potentially controversial projects. Ironically, if there is conflict to be had over a development project, it often heightens when developers try to educate communities on why their project is a good idea.  Such one-way education almost always puts communities on the defensive. Meanwhile, the mutual learning processes of CPTED engagement strategies aim to build trust and shared calls to action. Developers have the power and means to enable the types of leadership spaces that tend to evade communities, while at the same time demonstrating what a good neighbour can look like.  

Municipalities often express fear of scaring away developers by imposing more rigorous CPTED requirements within bylaws.  The mistake here has been framing CPTED as a series of development restrictions (akin to zoning regulations) instead of as value-added possibilities.  This is where there is real potential to merge CPTED with Community Economic Development (CED), helping local economies diversify and avoid instabilities brought about by volatile politics.  CPTED involves studying neighbourhood environments as they are, which can reveal market gaps for business development and commercial opportunities to activate community spaces.  Implementing CPTED recommendations to the built environment is also an economic generator. Even developing CPTED as a business practice to empower industry champions offers an avenue to contribute to local CED, leading to more widespread use and coherent understanding of CPTED principles.

The trick is to be proactive with CPTED as opposed to applying it as piecemeal (and often expensive) afterthoughts designed to merely suppress or displace particular negative behaviours. CPTED will never be given the attention it requires at the earliest stages of development processes until it can start to benefit from the rigour and growth of a more established discipline and industry.  As the engines of physical change in our communities, developers are key leaders in the multi-stakeholder relationships that would allow this to occur.

This is why empowering CPTED champions is so important.  Just as builders build, planners plan and architects draw, CPTED requires dedicated, skilled cultivation as a holistic practice.  Practical experience in CPTED, which only comes from participating in actual CPTED projects, is an absolute necessity for it to be effective.  A four day course may introduce the concepts and the work involved, but expertise is still required to do the actual work. For example, a CPTED assessment project would typically include the following activities:

• On-site observation of problem or target areas at all hours of the day.

• Define and survey the surrounding neighbourhood. Liaise with police as key partners in sharing crime analyst data.

• Develop an exploratory research strategy appropriate for the project and/or target area to identify social connectivity patterns and activity trends.

• Interview a broad spectrum of community members and other stakeholders (identify friends and enemies!).

• Compile and analyze qualitative interview data, re-engage community and other stakeholders with findings, and reassess findings as necessary.

• Conduct spatial risk assessment research and other literature reviews into precedents from similar community structures.

• Develop a comprehensive recommendation plan that applies First and Second Generation CPTED principles (implementation strategies are based on practitioner experience and research and should include programmatic activity support as well as physical design elements where possible).

• Develop a long-term evaluation plan to assess outcomes.

So — real work, and depending on the project, it can all can take a few weeks or a few months.  It is also fun and extraordinarily rewarding. If it seems unrealistic to convince developers, municipalities or provincial governments to plan for and fund such work, ultimately the problem remains with buy-in because comparable effort and rigour go into every professional industry.  Furthermore, opportunity exists throughout these activities for academic and corporate partnerships as natural CPTED stakeholders. It’s why CPTED needs a champion: to drive these relationships as well as its implementation and growth as a practice. If we continue to neglect CPTED, we admit we prefer the visceral fight-and-flight of it all to creating safer communities, realizing social and economic benefits, and actually preventing crime.

In conclusion, it is worthwhile to comment on the idea that communities are resistant to change.  This brings us back to the conflict that can arise in response to seemingly unwanted land development projects: and if we can’t build, we can’t do CPTED.  Notwithstanding that CPTED aims to reduce this risk of conflict, it’s important to recognize that change can stir up fear in everyone. This includes decision-makers in those moments they are faced with complexities of procedural change, which is something that CPTED demands.  The activities of our daily lives, whether in our work or in our home neighbourhoods, form a delicate network of intersecting cultures that interact with individual experiences at very personal levels. Somewhere someone said that people don’t really object to change so much as being changed; and the prospect of even a small change can strike an avalanche of fears.  In that sense, maybe all of our fears need a bit more of an attentive conversation than we are all used to.  CPTED changes the conversation beyond mere advocacy for either change or no change to one of mutual, active learning — and as a result, action.

In the coming months, it is our intention (Rethink Urban) to produce a series of articles that continue to explore CPTED barriers, including deeper looks into natural CPTED stakeholders and funding partners, implementation projects and continued learning strategies.  

Image Credit

Photo courtesy of CPTED Canada

First published at Rethink Urban

Guest Author Bio
Brekke Beyer

Collaborative Consultant in Discovery & Transformation
Systems Change / Software Engineering
The Blue Mountains, Ontario

Brekke has been navigating systems change for 23 years. She brings a powerful humanities lens to software engineering, an industry often caught up in technology as its own end while neglecting its tremendous influence on societal imaginations and behaviours. In her work, Brekke aims to expand this narrow call to action by anticipating community response to arising conditions of uncertainty, ambiguity and change, and ultimately overcome the profound disconnection many of us feel between economies and our general livelihoods.

Read Brekke’s full bio here

4,000 hectares of McLeod Lake Indian Band pristine forest were destroyed by a spruce beetle infestation. Their treaty land is sacred to them and taking steps to rehabilitate the forest is a top priority. LPT is assisting the Band to identify potential tree planting sponsors to participate in the planting of 1,600 seedlings per hectare. Tree planting at scale is an expensive proposition and collaboration with governments, silviculture companies and individuals is necessary to implement a successful program. What LPT is able to do is provide potential sponsors with accurate and timely information on where their dollars are spent. Companies such as Home Depot Canada or Pacific Western Brewing Co. are subject to regulatory disclosure requirements. They need to know exactly where, when and how many trees were planted and be provided with independent verification that the trees were healthy, properly spaced and properly planted. LPT ensures all that information is provided as part of a complete package of project deliverables.

The LPT website at www.letsplanttrees.ca is a great place to get an idea of the size of the project and the impact it will have on the local environment, economy and in supporting the McLeod Lake people for generations to come. The spruce and pine trees we are planting will live for nearly 200 years. In addition to carbon sequestration they will restore wildlife habitat, provide leisure and tourist opportunities and supply the Band with traditional food and medicine.

While we are planting millions of trees the fact of the matter is that every tree counts. Individuals want to be able to participate in nature-based solutions to fight climate change and this project allows for someone to take immediate action. Whether it’s a classroom involved in an environmental project or an ex-tree planter wanting to help, this initiative allows for everyone to join in. The web page acts as a project description and funding portal. The project has been supported by the World Economic Forum, Canada’s 2 billion tree program, Tree Canada and Trees for Life as well as kids, teachers and grandparents. Climate change is a relentless force of nature with wildfires becoming ever more severe and pest infestations more frequent. LPT is just getting started and is continually looking for individual support, corporate partnerships and accessible tree planting locations.

LPT is in discussions with other First Nations to bring the LPT tree planting model to them. Mr. Tonken explains, “If we can get people to privately support tree planting then government and corporate dollars can go even further to get more trees in the ground. Our role is to see Canadian trees planted which not only supports our First Nations but supports Canadian tree nursery jobs, tree planters, camp cooks, hotels and environmental and silviculture consulting companies. It’s a win, win, win, for everyone involved.” LPT is hoping the upcoming Earth Day will see individuals plant trees on the McLeod Lake Indian Band treaty lands by sponsoring trees through the project website.

Photo Credit

Photo courtesy of the author

Guest Author Bio
David Tonken

David Tonken is a serial tree planter and eco-entrepreneur. He is leveraging his network of professionals in the Canadian public markets to plant as many trees as possible as soon as possible.

Website: Let’s Plant Trees

It’s still worth doing our bit to protect the planet and reduce our individual carbon footprint, though, because every little action helps, even if doing so isn’t always easy. In fact, 16% of UK consumers think it’s too expensive and 15% don’t know enough about what they can do. But despite this, reducing your carbon footprint is certainly more than possible.

That said, adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle takes time, so to get you started, here are a few suggestions to help you easily make some changes and reduce the amount of waste you contribute to the planet.

1 – Dispose of your non-recyclables

Recycling is key to preventing excessive amounts from entering landfill, where materials like plastic don’t biodegrade for hundreds of years. While most of us know what can and can’t be recycled, there are some items that we might be unsure of how to dispose of. Although bubble wrap, windows, mirrors, packing peanuts and polystyrene shouldn’t go in your standard recycling bin, this doesn’t mean you should simply throw them away either. So, what can you do instead?

Be sure to ask your local council about its recycling facilities, as they may have a partner that manages these materials. For example, London-based waste management company Bywaters incinerates non-recyclable items and feeds the energy generated from this process to The National Grid to power the UK. It notes that: “this provides a more sustainable means of disposal, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and generating cleaner energy.”

2 – Carry reusable items

When we’re constantly on the go, it’s easy to forget about the waste that builds up. Just a couple of trips to your local coffee shop and lunch bought from a supermarket can create a lot of unnecessary plastic waste. While many cafes have redesigned their drinks cups to contain recyclable components, most are not fully recyclable. This means the consumer has to separate the cup themselves, and throwing it away is often much easier. In the UK alone, we throw away 2.5 billion cups every year, which clearly isn’t sustainable as this creates a lot of plastic waste. When you add things like straws, lids, and stirrers into the mix, plastic pollution becomes a much larger problem. It seems you can’t get a takeaway coffee without creating some kind of waste.

One way to reduce your impact is with reusable coffee cups and water bottles. There’s so many of these on the market nowadays, in different shapes, sizes and colours — there’s no excuse not to have one. This, for one, is a swap that is easy and affordable, and can even save you money as companies often offer discounts to customers who bring reusable containers. Meanwhile, you can refill your water bottle at most restaurants and bars, as well as places like train stations and airports that have water stations.

3 – Reduce consumption of animal and dairy products

One of the best things we can do for the planet is go vegan, or at the very least reduce our consumption of animal and dairy products. Eating meat creates greenhouse gases such as methane, CO2 and nitrous oxide, which contribute to global warming. In fact, The Guardian reported that meat accounts for over 60% of all emissions created from food production.

The rearing of livestock causes deforestation, uses excessive amounts of water (over 1,000 gallons makes one steak) and degrades soil, which leads to carbon being released into the atmosphere instead of absorbed by plants and trees. Meanwhile, the biggest dairy companies in the world have the same combined greenhouse gas emissions as the UK.

Veganism reduces energy consumption, prevents species extinction and protects the planet’s rain forests and land. The New Scientist found that one person can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases their diet makes by up to 60%, just by going vegan. However, if overhauling your diet overnight isn’t doable, any little change makes a difference. Swap your dairy milk for a plant-based alternative, get involved with meat-free Monday and look for vegan alternatives to animal products.

4 – Shop secondhand

Fast fashion — a highly profitable and exploitative business model based on replicating high fashion designs, and mass producing them for a low cost — is a major player in the climate change problem. Every year, the production of fast fashion consumes more energy than flying and shipping combined, accounting for 10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions within the industry. These clothes are made through exploitative labour practices, use cheap materials that don’t last long, and add plastic particles to our water when washed.

Consequently, ditching fast fashion is the way forward, and you can do this easily by shopping second-hand. Start by browsing your local charity shops for some cool finds, or use one of the many secondhand clothing apps available, such as Depop or Vinted. This way you’re not feeding directly into the industry, using new resources or generating tonnes of waste. You’re also giving new life to something that’s still wearable. Dropping fast fashion can have both a hugely positive impact on the environment and save you money considering secondhand clothing is often cheaper than new items in most cases.

Photo Credit

Photo is from pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Brianna Henderson

Creative writer with a copywriting background and passion for sustainability. She likes to spend her free time reading, running and completing jigsaw puzzles.