Sustainability holds meaning globally and in order to successfully progress, must hold that meaning. The three e’s of sustainability are all interconnected, without one the other cannot be completely fulfilled. Environment is considered to be the protection of resources and the care to ensure those natural resources are able to reproduce. Economy is the profit that one is able to acquire or save by being sustainable through choices such as only buying in season fruit rather than imported fruits. Equity is the step we take in order to ensure that the other two concepts can be reached. By allowing equal opportunities for all through education and work, we are able to create generations who are equipped and potentially passionate about creating a sustainable environment for themselves and those to come. We can apply the 3 e’s to things such as trees and everyday life in order for the concepts to seem more relatable.
Some might think that the act of preserving and planting trees, such as the Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a useless cost to our economy and that resources should be allocated otherwise. Yet, one critical aspect to note is that the preserving and planting of these trees have a lot of economic benefits which we could harness. The Honey Locust tree is one of the most popular trees to be chopped in the timber industry, due to being shock resistant and having very dense wood. This tree provides output in the economy and jobs for the men and women who work in the timber industry. The tree’s natural beauty and survivability in most American climates has made it a huge candidate in urban landscaping. Cities all across the United States plant the Honey Locust for beautifying sidewalks and in roundabouts. Not only does this provide employment for the tree growers and management of these plants; but increases the land value of urban areas in which these plants are grown around. With increased land values of homes; homeowners can sell their houses for even more money than they bought it. Even though there is the initial cost of planting and preserving these trees; it is far outweighed by all the enormous economic benefits in which we can gain from preserving and growing more of these beautiful Honey Locust.
As we progress towards the future we become more aware of the harm that we cause to our planet. In 1993, because of this problem we made incentives in becoming more “green” in our ways of building through LEED and showed that a little green can go a long way. Sustainability is key to the human race if we wish to survive for many generations down the road, and yet we do not require everything that we create to be “green”. Sustainability is equitable to the human race, not only for our lives but also for our wallets. The plants that we choose to grow in our gardens can help aid us in our path to sustainability. People all over the word are starting to grow their own produce from their backyards. Sustainable plants do not always have to produce food for humans to eat though; when you look out your window and decide that it is time to spruce up your yard with foliage, you have options. There are many sustainable plants that require little to no water and look great year round. One of these options is the Viburnum Suspensum, or more commonly known as the Sandankwa. This plant is often sold at local plant nurseries in 15 gallon buckets and is used in residential and commercial buildings to add shrubbery to yards. These plants grow well in temperate zones and require very little water. The Sandankwa is a perfect plant if you are trying to add foliage to your yard over long distances. If spaced 3 ft apart, these will grow together and have a pleasing appearance all year round. Since this plant requires little water and can cover long distances it is a great sustainable plant that would be equitable for your yard and your wallet.
For many centuries the berries that the Chinese Palm produces have been traditionally used to help treat diseases and sicknesses. This beneficially impacts the environment in various ways since it is a natural born substance being used instead of chemically induced prescription drugs being created (by man). Prescription drugs are supplements that contain any chemicals or unnatural elements, which alters brain chemistry, hormones, or one’s mentality. These chemically induced drugs that are produced worldwide pollute the environment drastically everyday when all natural supplements that are used in treatments are simply produced by sunlight, soil and water, which give back to the environment everyday. All trees including the Chinese Palm offer an infinite amount of environmentally friendly resources and uses to humans.
Some might think that the act of preserving and planting trees, such as the Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a useless cost to our economy and that resources should be allocated otherwise. Yet, one critical aspect to note is that the preserving and planting of these trees have a lot of economic benefits which we could harness. The Honey Locust tree is one of the most popular trees to be chopped in the timber industry, due to being shock resistant and having very dense wood. This tree provides output in the economy and jobs for the men and women who work in the timber industry. The tree’s natural beauty and survivability in most American climates has made it a huge candidate in urban landscaping. Cities all across the United States plant the Honey Locust for beautifying sidewalks and in roundabouts. Not only does this provide employment for the tree growers and management of these plants; but increases the land value of urban areas in which these plants are grown around. With increased land values of homes; homeowners can sell their houses for even more money than they bought it. Even though there is the initial cost of planting and preserving these trees; it is far outweighed by all the enormous economic benefits in which we can gain from preserving and growing more of these beautiful Honey Locust.
As we progress towards the future we become more aware of the harm that we cause to our planet. In 1993, because of this problem we made incentives in becoming more “green” in our ways of building through LEED and showed that a little green can go a long way. Sustainability is key to the human race if we wish to survive for many generations down the road, and yet we do not require everything that we create to be “green”. Sustainability is equitable to the human race, not only for our lives but also for our wallets. The plants that we choose to grow in our gardens can help aid us in our path to sustainability. People all over the word are starting to grow their own produce from their backyards. Sustainable plants do not always have to produce food for humans to eat though; when you look out your window and decide that it is time to spruce up your yard with foliage, you have options. There are many sustainable plants that require little to no water and look great year round. One of these options is the Viburnum Suspensum, or more commonly known as the Sandankwa. This plant is often sold at local plant nurseries in 15 gallon buckets and is used in residential and commercial buildings to add shrubbery to yards. These plants grow well in temperate zones and require very little water. The Sandankwa is a perfect plant if you are trying to add foliage to your yard over long distances. If spaced 3 ft apart, these will grow together and have a pleasing appearance all year round. Since this plant requires little water and can cover long distances it is a great sustainable plant that would be equitable for your yard and your wallet.
For many centuries the berries that the Chinese Palm produces have been traditionally used to help treat diseases and sicknesses. This beneficially impacts the environment in various ways since it is a natural born substance being used instead of chemically induced prescription drugs being created (by man). Prescription drugs are supplements that contain any chemicals or unnatural elements, which alters brain chemistry, hormones, or one’s mentality. These chemically induced drugs that are produced worldwide pollute the environment drastically everyday when all natural supplements that are used in treatments are simply produced by sunlight, soil and water, which give back to the environment everyday. All trees including the Chinese Palm offer an infinite amount of environmentally friendly resources and uses to humans.