Awareness of environmental sustainability is becoming a topic seen in the news a lot lately. Growing up in Buffalo, we have seen the damage neglect to our environment can bring. Love Canal and the Buffalo River are prime examples of how humans can damage our surroundings with our businesses and day-to-day life. Love Canal had to be shut down and made unlivable, Buffalo River was considered biologically dead in the 1960s. This is no way we want our home to be spoken about, this article will show how we can put in place preventative measures.

What is Environmental Sustainability?

Environmental sustainability refers to the responsible use and management of natural resources. The importance is to secure the needs of the present and not compromising the future generations to meet their own needs. It involves practices that protect and preserve the environment, as well as the prevention of environmental damage and destruction. 

Environmental sustainability focuses on reducing the negative impacts that humans can have on the environment while making sure that the long-term health and well-being of the planet is kept in mind. This includes reducing waste and pollution, use of renewable energy, keeping and watching biodiversity, and using natural resources in a responsible and sustainable way. 

Environmental sustainability tries to create a balance between human needs and the environment’s needs, for the sole purpose of creating longevity for future generations.

How can we make cities environmentally sustainable?

1. Solar Energy

Solar energy is energy that is taken from the sun’s radiation. It is a renewable and sustainable form of energy that can be used to power homes, businesses, and other applications.

The most common way to create solar energy is by using solar panels. Solar Panels are environmentally sustainable technology that converts sunlight into electricity and hold it. Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that are made up of semiconductor materials. When sunlight shines on these cells they generate an electric current like a gas powered generator which can be used to power electrical devices or stored in batteries for later use. This practice could save a resource and still keep up with electrical demand. 

Solar energy is a clean and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels, as it does not produce emissions and cuts back on cost over time. It is also easy to install and be manufactured, this creates a great option for homeowners and businesses that seek to reduce their global impact and live in a place of high sunshine. 

2. Public Transportation/ Walkability

Environmental Sustainable public transportation and walkability are two important concepts in cities that promote environmentally safe options for transportation that cut back on fossil fuels.

Sustainable public transportation refers to the use of mass transit systems such as buses, trains, and grouped transportation to move people efficiently around cities. Mass public transportation can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to single person cars, though it may not be favored by many.

Public transportation can also improve social equity by providing access to affordable transportation for people who may not have access to personal vehicles with rising costs over time, and maintenance expenses. This can also connect people in more ways than before making people talk to one another who may not normally would have and could create friendships, business opportunities and help create understanding between social groups.

Walkability, on the other hand, refers to the safety of walking in cities and its efficiency. Walkable cities have well-designed sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian infrastructure that make it easy and safe for people to walk to work, school, shops, and other destinations. This can reduce pollution and fossil fuel use as well as promote healthy lifestyles for many people who traditionally drive to work. 

As stated Walkability can also improve health by encouraging physical activity and reducing the risk of diseases such as obesity and heart disease which is the number one cause of death in the United States. Walkable neighborhoods can promote social interaction by providing opportunities for people to connect with each other while walking more often.

Overall, environmentally sustainable public transportation and walkability are important concepts in cities that promote environmental sustainability, social equity, and public health in cities. Prioritizing these ideas in the development of new and old cities can create more livable and sustainable communities for everyone while also helping create more relationships between each other.

3. Urban Farming

Urban farming, also known as urban agriculture, is the practice of growing food and crops in urban areas such as cities. It can be in many different ways like rooftop gardens, community gardens in vacant lots, backyard gardens in homes and businesses, and indoor hydroponic systems which is the technique of farming without soil.

Urban farming is becoming increasingly popular as a way to address food insecurity, sustainable agriculture, and improve access to fresh and healthy produce in cities. Since 2000 Buffalo, NY started with zero and grew to twenty two farms.  It also has environmental benefits, such as reducing the carbon footprint associated with food transportation and food loss due to transportation. 

Urban farming can also provide social and economic benefits by creating opportunities for community building, and education. Community gardens can serve as a place for neighbors to connect, meet and share knowledge, while urban farms can provide job opportunities and support local economies. As well as provide fresh food to low income areas that typically receive transported food last in a city, in which the product is normally in bad shape by the time they receive it. 

Summary of Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is great for many reasons. First, it helps to preserve the natural environment and its resources, which are essential for the well-being of all living organisms on the planet and the longevity of human life. By promoting responsible and sustainable use of natural resources such as water, air, and soil, environmental sustainability ensures that these resources remain available and healthy for future generations while being mindful of past generations of the effects human damage to the planet can create.

Second,  environmental sustainability helps to reduce pollution and waste, which can have major effects on both our environment and our health. Pollution from industrial activities, transportation, and other sources can contaminate the air and water, leading to respiratory problems, cancer, and other health issues. Using cleaner and more sustainable practices environmental sustainability helps us stop our old ways of use and waste while also reducing the chance of illness through our own pollution. 

Third, environmental sustainability promotes the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power, which are easily manufactured and installable as well as clean renewable energy.  These sources of energy can reduce our overuse of fossil fuels which contribute to climate change, environmental problems and health problems. 

Environmental sustainability also has important social and economic benefits. Promoting social equity and justice environmental sustainability helps make sure that everyone has access to clean air and water as well as other resources that in the past some people may not have had access to, like fresh fruit and urban farming. This can help reduce social and economic division and create a more just society between income differences.

Lastly, environmental sustainability can also create new economic opportunities like jobs and business use such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green technology.  The use of these jobs will be created to control and continue these practices, education jobs to teach generations to come on how to uphold these practices, and construction and manufacturing of buildings needed to be built for these uses and manufacturing for items needed like solar panels and walkable cities. 

Overall, environmental sustainability is essential for creating a healthier, more sustainable, and more just society. By promoting responsible and sustainable practices, we can ensure that our natural resources stay at a safe level for future generations as well as also promoting public health, social equity, and economic stability.