How do Businesses Contribute to Environmental Degradation and What Can We Learn?
A common saying reminds us that human activities contribute to environmental degradation, and businesses are no exception. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, industrial and commercial energy use, particularly when sourced from electricity, transportation, product lifecycle, and fossil fuel combustion, significantly contribute to environmental problems. This article delves into the role businesses play in this context and offers insights into how they can move forward to promote sustainability.
Historical Context: Before Modern Sanitation and Health
Historically, the impact of human activities on the environment and public health can be stark. For instance, my grandfather, born in 1865, sometimes found himself driving his horses through up to 12 inches of horse manure on city streets. There were no sewers or processing plants, leading to a high prevalence of parasitic and vector-borne diseases such as malaria. The lack of sanitation and healthcare resulted in many deaths and conditions like outbreaks of diseases that today would be easily managed.
Early 20th Century Conditions: A Darker Reality
Major cities at the turn of the century were even more dire. Streets were often covered in as much as 6 inches of horse manure, while the skies were dark with high sulfur and incomplete combustion from furnaces, power plants, and industrial processes. Raw sewage flowed openly through culverts, and healthcare was nearly a joke, with many children and delivering mothers dying within months to five years. Life expectancy was mere decades, and there were no refrigeration or vaccinations. Reliable heating and cooling systems reduced the mortality rate, although significant challenges still existed.
Estimating the Impact and Survival Rates
Under 1900 conditions, it is estimated that as much as 70% of the American population would die within three years. This underscores the critical importance of sanitation, healthcare, and technology improvements in the 20th century. These advancements, driven by both the private sector and government, saved countless lives and prevented vast ecological and health crises.
The Double-Edged Sword of Business Impact
Businesses organize the vast majority of human activities. Free market capitalism drives toward maximizing the utilization of raw materials and resources while minimizing inefficiencies, which can lead to pollution or other forms of waste. This is fundamental to the economic system. However, when political dictates interfere, it can result in massive waste and pollution, particularly in socialist, communist, or feudal states or areas under central government control. An example is the reduction in CO2 emissions and pollution. The U.S. is at the forefront of these reductions, largely due to the development and realization of fracking, a technology that, despite resistance, has been highly profitable for oil companies and their investors.
The Positive Role of Businesses in Environmental Conservation
On a positive note, businesses have contributed significantly to environmental conservation. Organizations like X (replace with a relevant example) have managed to save more species than government agencies while operating with less bureaucracy. When businesses are not hindered by excessively stringent regulations, they can often achieve beneficial outcomes, even if these benefits initially seem to accrue to business owners alone. However, this often leads to conflict with environmental groups like Greenpeace, which criticize businesses for their involvement in environmental efforts.
Conclusion: Moving Forward with Sustainability
The challenge for businesses today lies in balancing economic growth with sustainability. By adopting green practices and integrating environmental considerations into their operations, businesses can not only reduce their ecological footprint but also contribute to global sustainability goals. This requires a shift from purely profit-driven approaches to a more holistic understanding of the interdependence between economic activities and environmental health.
Ultimately, businesses have the power to drive positive change. By embracing sustainability and minimizing their impact on the environment, they can create a more resilient and sustainable future for all. The key lies in finding the right balance and innovation to ensure that economic development and environmental preservation thrive together.