Difference between revisions of "Empowerment"
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==2010-2015== | ==2010-2015== | ||
Fiscal irresponsibility came to an end, as social responsibility became the benchmark for success. The system of profit chasing and cutthroat boardroom become a ubiquitous sight for another decade. | |||
-risk markets like derivative trading. Companies were forced to create value through innovation, efficient processes, and by focusing on core competencies, not through gambling with complex financial products. The new system was more stable than the previous one and investors began to gain renewed confidence in the markets ability to allocate resources. | |||
The 2010 BP oil spill was a minor setback for the British oil behemoth. The oil industry thought they had dodged a major bullet due to the quickness of the clean | |||
However, the industry did expect to see the number of major spills increase drastically over the next three years. By 2013 the 15 million barrels of oil had been spilled and that number rose to 25 million by 2015. Environmentalists across the globe joined forces in attacking oil giants and the population began to listen with their wallets and the green movement took off. | However, the industry did expect to see the number of major spills increase drastically over the next three years. By 2013 the 15 million barrels of oil had been spilled and that number rose to 25 million by 2015. Environmentalists across the globe joined forces in attacking oil giants and the population began to listen with their wallets and the green movement took off. | ||
A new consumer emerged in 2013, an eco-friendly consumer. People became energy conscious as demand for energy efficient lights, cars, heating systems and other household items increased significantly. The increasing attention given to oil spills on the news created | A new consumer emerged in 2013, an eco-friendly consumer. People became energy conscious as demand for energy efficient lights, cars, heating systems and other household items increased significantly. The increasing attention given to oil spills on the news created an interest in butanol, biomass, and biodiesel as alternative energy sources. | ||
Consumers began to buy green technologies fuelling technological advances in the industry and bringing economies of scale to the sector reducing the cost for individuals to go green. Markets were geared toward sustainable growth and industry was focused on producing and recycling quality products. | Consumers began to buy green technologies fuelling technological advances in the industry and bringing economies of scale to the sector reducing the cost for individuals to go green. Markets were geared toward sustainable growth and industry was focused on producing and recycling quality products. | ||
City centers returned as the heart beat of both economic and social activities. Significant public investments were made in urban development to anticipate needs of a growing urban population. Mass transit started to become really attractive as | City centers returned as the heart beat of both economic and social activities. Significant public investments were made in urban development to anticipate needs of a growing urban population. Mass transit started to become really attractive as infrastructures had been developed and modernized to address population mobility needs in terms of network coverage and efficiency (reducing commuting time). Besides, more and more people preferred public transportation for economical reasons, as they would save on the costs related to the purchase, use and maintenance of a car. Walking to work also became a symbol of living the green lifestyle, and high-density residential buildings reduced a locations carbon footprint. The increased flow of population migration to cities attracted more companies to the city centre. Office space that was once vacated during the crisis of 2008 was once again full of workers. | ||
2014 was a windfall year for government tax receipts and in response governments spent large sums of money on green space and green technologies. Solar power became common on rooftops, walking paths lined the city, and organic food markets began to dot the downtown shopping scene. | 2014 was a windfall year for government tax receipts and in response governments spent large sums of money on green space and green technologies. Solar power became common on rooftops, walking paths lined the city, and organic food markets began to dot the downtown-shopping scene. | ||
Though it was true that by 2014 the green movement had become a force to be reckoned with, any real improvement in climate conditions was still years away. Yet, the turbulent weather patterns and fierce natural disaster only strengthened the cause for change. Climate refugees were a concern for many poor nations. Pakistan, Haiti, and China were the poster children for humanitarian aid in 2010, by 2014 the number of countries affected more than tripled as drought affected many African countries, earthquakes hit the US, and the EU was experience heat waves. The number of refugees reached 25 million by 2015, | Though it was true that by 2014 the green movement had become a force to be reckoned with, any real improvement in climate conditions was still years away. Yet, the turbulent weather patterns and fierce natural disaster only strengthened the cause for change. Climate refugees were a concern for many poor nations. Pakistan, Haiti, and China were the poster children for humanitarian aid in 2010, by 2014 the number of countries affected more than tripled as drought affected many African countries, earthquakes hit the US, and the EU was experience heat waves. The number of refugees reached 25 million by 2015, citizens and countries around the world heard the call for humanitarian donations and the displaced individuals were taken care of. | ||
[[File:consumer.jpg]] | [[File:consumer.jpg]] | ||
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The | The graying of western countries became very apparent in 2018. This was good news for the rising generation seeking jobs, but bad news for governments. Entitlement programs for seniors were nearly bankrupt, | ||
The increased demand for green products that begin with the BP oil spill in 2010 was still going strong in 2018. In fact, the increased demand combined with significant investment in the industry lead to steep price reductions in green products. Consumers extended their reach from green consumer products to seeking residence in green cities. The construction industry anticipated this trend and in 2019 many cities across the globe touted their eco-friendly real estate. Governments seeking to draw people back to the city invested heavily in walking paths, public transit, and programs to promote living a green lifestyle. Cities exploded with growth as urban dwellings became a symbol of the green movement. | The increased demand for green products that begin with the BP oil spill in 2010 was still going strong in 2018. In fact, the increased demand combined with significant investment in the industry lead to steep price reductions in green products. Consumers extended their reach from green consumer products to seeking residence in green cities. The construction industry anticipated this trend and in 2019 many cities across the globe touted their eco-friendly real estate. Governments seeking to draw people back to the city invested heavily in walking paths, public transit, and programs to promote living a green lifestyle. Cities exploded with growth, as urban dwellings became a symbol of the green movement. | ||
Natural | Natural disasters still occurred during this wonder five years, but their frequency slowed and severity weakened. The total number of climate refugees declined from 25 million in 2015 to 16 million in 2020. Aid was readily available and refugee camps were hygienic and well managed. | ||
[[File:c2c.jpg]] | [[File:c2c.jpg]] | ||
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==2020-2025== | ==2020-2025== | ||
By 2020, the cradle to cradle philosophy became a requirement for all manufacturing businesses. | By 2020, the cradle-to-cradle philosophy became a requirement for all manufacturing businesses. Governments or corporate boards did not issue the requirements, the mandate came from consumers. Consumers bought products that would easily return to their core elements. The drive to cradle-to-cradle manufacturing was a welcomed by Mother Nature. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere declined steadily from 2020-2025, as did the amount of pollution released in the water supplies. The total amount of clean, fresh water increased reducing the number of deaths due to dehydration. | ||
City centers were lively, healthy, green places to live and work. The social scene was vibrant and vacancies were difficult to find. The world which looked so dark and dreary in 2010, had become bright green by 2025. | City centers were lively, healthy, green places to live and work. The social scene was vibrant and vacancies were difficult to find. The world, which looked so dark and dreary in 2010, had become bright green by 2025. | ||
[[File:city1.jpg]] | [[File:city1.jpg]] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
Green Consumer logo. Retrieved on August 25, 2010 from http://www.sba504blog.com/why-your-business-should-go-a-little-green/ | |||
Cradle to Cradle logo. Retrieved on August 25, 2010 from http://www.shawcontractgroup.com/Html/EnvironmentalThirdParty | |||
Green City Picture. Retrieved on August 24, 2010 from http://www.ameinfo.com/143158.html | |||
[[http://www.scenariothinking.org/wiki/index.php/Future_of_the_City_Centre_2025]] | [[http://www.scenariothinking.org/wiki/index.php/Future_of_the_City_Centre_2025]] | ||