Eco-Green Projects across the Globe

Better understanding of and an increased sensitivity to the globally important issue of environmental degradation have heightened human consciousness toward practical solutions for our environmental and ecological problems. Many eco-green projects are either running or being planed in all regions of the world, all aiming at improving the quality of our environment so as to allow longer, safer, and better life on this planet. Following are some of the major kinds of eco-green projects that represent the environment-friendly spirit of our species.

Energy Conservation

Energy conservation projects attempt at developing energy-efficient systems for power generation and replacing non-renewable energy sources (e.g. fossil fuels) with renewable ones (solar energy, wind, heat etc). Solar power generation in the US and wind-power technology in the US and the Netherlands are famous examples of eco-green projects that use renewable energy sources, which are more environment-friendly than fossil fuels. Recently, in October 2008, a gas-to-energy project has been announced by Green Gas America in Baltimore (Maryland). This project will use gas from the Pioneer Crossing landfill to be converted to useful energy forms, especially electric power (an estimated 50 millions KWH per annum), while also reducing the emission of gas into the environment.

Green Building

The importance of green building is increasingly being apprized in eco-green planning. Green building employs environmental-friendly methods of construction for energy-efficient structures and buildings, using cost-effective and non-contaminating materials. Lately, the Asian Development Bank has approved a financial aid of about 117 million dollars for green building projects in China. Another notable example of green building projects is the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Gardens, an eco town being constructed in Dubai, UAE. The project has been set since May 2008 and is getting financial input from ‘Dubai Properties’ as well as foreign investment.

Organic Agriculture

Organic farming is the most natural, easy, and effective means of environmental amelioration. Practiced in many parts of the world, organic farming is centered on using non-toxic means of crop production and innocuous methods of getting greater agricultural yield. Eco-green projects around the world emphasize the importance of organic farming. A notable example is the sustainable agricultural project in Armenia. Funded by the Netherlands-based organization Green Lane, this project is organizing special educational courses for farmers in the remote parts of Armenia in order to train them in the essentials of organic production, marketing, and low-cost nature-friendly agricultural techniques. Green Lane has also organized educational organic agricultural courses in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Moldova.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism projects form an important form of eco-green efforts across the world. While focused mainly on wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and cultural perseveration, ecotourism also promotes energy-efficient and nature-friendly modes of tourism. Ecotourism projects are in action in many parts of the world. Those running in Africa are more prominent, e.g. the conservation projects of Kenya’s Arabuko-Sokoke Forest that is centered on saving the natural habitat for several endemic species of birds and mammals.

Pollution Control Projects

Long known to the general public are the efforts to control pollution that is created by different anthropogenic sources. While awareness campaigns are the focus of such eco-green projects, waste management on a large scale is becoming the leading concern of environment-conscious groups. Waste management is particularly a huge environmental problem in countries like India and Pakistan where large populations reside and there is a lack of environmental education resulting in general neglect toward proper disposal of waste. The situation is now changing positively as the Water and Sanitation Program of South Asia has induced a shift in the attitude of government bodies toward the once neglected sector of waste management. Projects are being planned at national, state, and local levels in India for putting environment-friendly and eco-green practices in action for waste management.

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