“Not
what we have But what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.”
Epicurus quotes
(Greek philosopher, BC 341-270)
Management
Best Practices is a cost-effective way to meet our current
and future demand for energy in the form of electricity,
petroleum, natural gas and minerals while reducing emissions
of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, lowering energy
costs, and improving the reliability and security of the
energy system.
Management Best Practices suggest that avoiding processed
food will reduce waste, save time and money, and protect
our environment at the same time. Also, choosing locally
produced food reduces the need to move and transport large
amounts of unneeded food around the world and therefore
reduces pollution.
The distribution of food across the world in cars and
truck adds to pollution, congestion and climate change.
For instance, the environmental cost of moving food in
the UK was as much as £9bn a year, around half of
it due to congestion. The Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs report said that 25% of all miles
covered by heavy goods traffic was to move food. The quantity
of food moved by road has doubled since 1974, the report
said.
How
well do you manage your environment?
Read
the following Management Best Practices and answer the
questions below:
Purchase products and services that enhance the quality
of your life.
Protecting the environment means more than preventing
pollution and cleaning up our messes. Avoid using chemical
sprays in the garden - some of these can be poisonous
to wildlife.
Organic matter e.g. potato peelings, left over food, tea
leaves etc. can be transferred straight to a compost heap
in the garden and used as a good natural fertilizer for
the plants.
Best Practices require improvements in product design,
technology and operations.
Conserve electricity or heat. Electricity and heating
are produced by burning coal, oil and gas and this action
gives off carbon dioxide.
Donate your old clothes to charity shops. Some are sold,
others are returned to textile mills for recycling.
Avoid buying plastic. It's difficult to recycle. One way
to cut down on plastic is to refuse to use carrier bags
offered by supermarkets. Ideally use strong, long lasting
shopping bags.
Use less energy by switching off lights when rooms are
not in use. Avoid wasting hot water, overheating rooms
and boiling more water than necessary when making a cup
of tea!
Car fumes produce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide -
therefore cut down on car journeys if possible. Use a
bike or walk - it's good exercise for you too!
