Current Challenges
Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable development thus operates on the realization
that today’s population is merely borrowing resources from future generations.
The environmental challenges our planet is facing calls for immediate resolution.
Resolving these issues requires the deployment of appropriate expertise and technology,
and commitment from all members of society. But before we begin arriving at solutions we must
first understand the problems that lie before us.
Climate Change
One of the major contributing factors to climate change is high levels of energy consumption. The resultant emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is leading to a rise in global temperatures (leading to the melting of glaciers and higher sea levels) and the potential increase of extreme climactic conditions such as droughts, tropical storms etc.
Population Growth & Urbanisation
At present 80 million people are being added to our planet every year in less developed countries, and about 1.6 million in more developed countries. Thus, populations are growing more rapidly at places where such growth cannot be afforded. What’s just as alarming is that half of the world’s population currently resides in urban areas. Population growth coupled with urbanisation results in significant impacts on the environment and other problems, which include: increased ambient temperature, decreased air quality, altered weather patterns, loss of natural beauty, reduction in farmlands and subsequent food shortage, and deforestation.
Depletion of Natural Resources
Rapid population growth and economic development are bound to result in a scarcity of natural resources. It is believed that at current rates oil reserves will cover only 40 more years of consumption. A dearth of natural resources has led to inflation of raw material prices in both emerging and developed nations. Water scarcity is yet another issue that plagues our planet with the demand for water exceeding its supply and pollution rendering many water resources unusable.
Endangered Biodiversity
Studies show that since 2000, 6 million hectares of primary forest have been lost each year leaving the world’s plant and animal species faced with extinction. Factors contributing to these phenomena include habitat transformation, over-exploitation of natural resources and pollution, and climate change only adds to the problem, adversely affecting the situation. The decline of biodiversity creates health and food safety problems, degrades soil quality and increases vulnerability to natural disasters.
Priorities
Find out the steps we're taking to reduce our impact on the environment
Carbon Footprint Reduction
Our commitment to the environment has inspired us to implement processes that help reduce our carbon footprint!
