With an increased focus on environmental issues and a desperate requirement for ways in which individuals and businesses can prevent further impact, there are bound to be new environmental trends emerging all the time. Whether this is through new research, new technological developments, or just better media coverage regarding the methods which actually matter, it’s all relative and needs to be paid attention to.
Below are 5 of the biggest environmental trends this year, which are only expected to continue to grow leading into 2020.
1. Efforts to Maximize Conservation
Better management of forest and agricultural landscapes in order to limit environmental destruction is a huge, necessary commitment. This effort calls for the support and communication of large businesses and companies to make an active effort to maintain and restore habitats. Successful collaboration and commitments to conservation efforts have led to major breakthroughs towards preserving our environment for generations to come.
Companies such as Asia Pulp and Paper have committed to this, and further information on their efforts can be found here.
2. Huge Reductions in Plastic Pollution
Plastic has long since been a material present in every home and business, for a variety of products and uses. Plastic has always been affordable and convenient. However, the full enormity of plastic’s impact on this planet has been brought to light in recent years, such as ocean pollution and risk it poses to marine life, as well as overflowing landfills and general plastic waste.
It’s expected that the rest of this year – and the coming years – will see more pressure on government officials to reduce the production of single-use plastic and make this material less accessible. In areas where plastic usage is unavoidable, better recycling methods should be implemented to prevent resultant pollution.
In addition to making active efforts to reduce plastic pollution, alternatives like paper should be sourced as a material substitute in order to fully limit plastic from the first step of the manufacturing cycle, as paper could be considered a better choice.
3. Opting for Sustainable Building Materials
Acquiring sustainable building materials should be a top priority for any business or individual requiring construction. These building materials have a low impact on the environment throughout the entire process cycle, including production, placing, and maintenance.
During the course of this year, the construction industry has had a focus on how to better dispose of waste material formed as a result of construction work. Investigations are being made into improved ways to dispose of the materials, while also making it more accessible and safer to do so.
Many companies this year have also made more efforts to source their materials locally in order to limit the environmental impact caused by materials being shipped and processed from long distances.
4. Energy Storing Methods
Renewable energy has made a significant positive impact on eco-friendly practices. However, this energy source, such as solar and wind power, is entirely dependent on the weather and is therefore not a stable and consistent provider of energy at all times of the year. This is why energy storing methods are being developed to store energy for the times when new energy is not being properly maintained, as well as meeting the high demand.
2019 has seen many buildings implement energy storage systems to store energy, and also to reduce their individual load contribution during peak times in order to better help the environment. Energy storage is fast becoming the go-to method to meet peak energy demands while remaining eco-friendly and sustainable.
5. Recycling and Repurposing Resources
It isn’t a new trend to understand the focus on recycling and how all people should be doing it. However, 2019 has seen a huge increase in the push to dispose of waste appropriately and recycle where possible, as well as a significant surge in the options for repurposing certain materials and the remarkable products which can be made out of only recycled materials.
This focus is only expected to continue in growth for the rest of the year and the coming years. This recycling and repurposing chain can only help to build a more sustainable future. These repurposing options even include simple-to-do solutions based at home, such as making your own compost from waste material and returning it to the earth.
