We’ve been hearing much talk about climate change, clamor for environment protection and save our planet. But seriously, have you stopped to wonder what is killing it?
One that we are so aware of but could have failed to associate with our environment is our drive for economic growth. We witness heads of state and government’s financial institution racing to keep the economy growing.
Our free enterprise economic system believes people should spend money in the market to make the economy better, to create more jobs and increase income. The moment the opposite happens, the economy would collapse. Hence, all efforts are geared towards creating a contrived economy driven by mass consumerism.
Unfortunately, this consumption-driven economy has an appalling impact on our environment. The more we consume, the more resources we obtain from the environment leading to more waste being produced.
We cannot deny the fact that we are already experiencing temperature swings, radical shifts in weather patterns, drought and flash floods, a lack of drinking water, a rise in sea levels and loss of aquatic life – just to name a few of the horrid effects to our ecosystem.
Ironically, the word, “economy” comes from the Greek word meaning house hold management. Literally, “economy” is the careful management of resources (materials, money, land, capital goods, technology) to avoid unnecessary expenditure or waste.
As economic growth progresses, it tend to burden on the environment. The most typical example is the emission of carbon dioxide. These days it is the most important task for companies not to effect to the environment.
What do you think are the positive and negative effects of environment to the economy?
環境が経済に与える良い影響と悪い影響は何だと思いますか?
環境が経済に与えるよい影響は、経済が暴走しないように考えさせることができることだと思います。
悪い影響は、開発と成長の効率が悪くなることだと思います。
バランスをとるということが大切だと思います。
I think good effect of the environment to economy is that it can make consider economy not to run out of control. Bad effect is that development and growth effectiveness goes worse. Taking balance is really important things, I think.
What environmentally sustainable measures have businesses adopted to increase efficiency and achieve economic growth?
効率を高め、経済成長を達成するために、企業はどのような環境的に持続可能な手段を採用していますか?
最近は、環境に配慮した方法を採用していると思います。
社会的にも環境に配慮しない企業は敬遠されます。
なので、環境に優しい方法での開発が必須になっていると思います。
These days, businesses adopted the way considering about environment. Socially, the companies which not consider about environment are shunned. So, I think the way of development which are friendly for environment is important.
Would you be willing to give up some of the conveniences in your life to help the environment?
環境を助けるために、生活の中で便利なものをいくつか手放す気はありますか?
日本では、ビニールバッグの消費を減らそうとしています。
個人的にできることは、無駄な消費をなくすことだと思います。
本当に必要な物だけを買うようにすることが大切だと思います。
In Japan, we are trying to reduce consumption of plastic bags. I think what we can do personally is to reduce wasteful consumption. To purchase something only we really need is very important things, I think.
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