This paper argues that environmental sustainability cannot be achieved through isolated, compartmentalized efforts but requires genuine cooperation among businesses, governments, and international organizations. Drawing on examples such as the EPA Region 2 Green Team's work with the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, the author illustrates how large-scale development projects can incorporate sustainable construction, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. The paper further examines the United Nations' recognition that trade and technology transfer are essential tools for transitioning developing nations to green economies. Finally, the paper discusses corruption as a barrier to sustainability in Africa, citing research by Ernest Kadembo and referencing the frameworks of Transparency International as potential remedies.
In this author's opinion, environmental sustainability needs to be a group effort. The problem with past efforts to address environmental sustainability is that those efforts have been too compartmentalized. Recent experience shows that cooperation among business, government, and international organizations has produced real progress in mitigating the environmental sustainability problems that contribute so much to global environmental change.
The counterargument to environmental sustainability is that it is not government's responsibility, or that whatever is done on private property is the owner's business. The simple counter to this is that the water is rising. Global climate change is here and undeniable, and unless we come together and cooperate, the consequences will be severe.
Environmental sustainability is a pressing news issue, as this author discovered when reading a news release from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Team regarding the new Meadowlands Stadium and its green construction design. The EPA is promoting green construction and operations projects and educating stakeholders about major development projects — such as shopping malls and sports stadiums — due to the sheer scale of their environmental impact. Indeed, every component of the projects' design, construction, operation, and maintenance, as well as waste generation, dwarfs the environmental concerns of smaller construction projects such as homes and businesses ("The 'Green Team,'" 2010).
The EPA Region 2 Green Team is helping developers incorporate more sustainable construction, operation, and maintenance practices. The Green Team tailors its guidance specifically for each project, covering technologies and practices that can help project sponsors improve energy and water efficiency, reduce waste, increase recycling, incorporate the use of clean fuels and vehicles, and use environmentally friendly building materials, landscaping products, and landscaping practices — all while saving money in the process. In addition to the Meadowlands, other major northern New Jersey and New York City development projects that signed agreements with the EPA included DestinyUSA, the New York Mets, Montclair State University, St. John's University, Cushman and Wakefield, Monmouth University, Raritan Valley Community College, Stony Brook University Hospital, Rutgers University, Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc., and the North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System (ibid.).
The crown jewel of EPA Region 2's efforts is the memorandum of agreement with the developers of the New Meadowlands Stadium, which houses the New York Giants and New York Jets. EPA Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou stated that "This ambitious, comprehensive plan set forth by the two team ownership groups is a blueprint for new sports venues everywhere." The agreement was complex, with goals including cutting the stadium's annual water use by 25%, making the Meadowlands 30% more energy efficient than Giants Stadium, increasing total recycling by 25%, and recycling 75% of construction waste ("New Meadowlands to," 2009).
The Meadowlands project offers a compelling example of green construction in practice. Forty thousand tons of recycled steel were used to build the stadium, including 20,000 tons of steel salvaged from Giants Stadium upon its demolition. The stadium seating is made in part from recycled plastic and scrap iron. The stadium itself was built on a former brownfield site. Air pollution from construction vehicles was reduced by using cleaner diesel fuel, engine filters, and shortened engine idle times. Environmentally friendly concrete was used throughout construction. Water consumption was reduced, and energy efficiency was increased in the building. Mass transit options were provided for fans. Traditional concession service ware was replaced with plates, cups, and carriers made from compostable alternative materials (ibid.).
"Local lessons must scale to global sustainability planning"
"UN links trade, technology transfer, and climate finance for developing nations"
"African corruption undermines sustainability; Kadembo proposes reform tools"
In Kadembo's research, he found that in African countries where these suggestions have been implemented with genuine intention and authority, they are effective. These tools have a track record of staving off corruption where implementation has been thorough and sincere. International focus is also needed to resist efforts by powerful interests that benefit from corruption to thwart such reforms (ibid., pp. 66–67).
Given the corruption that exists even in the United States, there is little room for self-congratulation. However, cooperation and accountability have produced results in environmental sustainability not only in the US, but even in parts of Africa where corruption has been most entrenched. To recap, this author maintains that environmental sustainability must be a group effort. The problem with past efforts has been that they were far too compartmentalized. Recent experience demonstrates that cooperation among business, government, and international organizations has produced genuine progress in mitigating the environmental sustainability problems that contribute so greatly to global environmental change.
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