The Fairness Institute of Australia Pty Ltd (FIOA) requires its members to aspire to and enable “green” practices—such as reducing pollution, increasing recycling, and living sustainably. The advantages of following such a strategy are several and obvious, having several important benefits for individuals, businesses, societies, and the planet.
The key benefits are as follows:
1. Protects Human Health
Pollution in air, water, and soil can cause serious health problems such as:
- Respiratory diseases like Asthma
- Cardiovascular illness
- Water-borne diseases
Reducing pollution means cleaner air and water, which directly improves public health.
2. Preserves Natural Resources
Earth’s resources (minerals, forests, freshwater, fossil fuels) are finite. Sustainable practices:
- Reduce waste
- Reuse materials
- Recycle valuable resources
This helps ensure resources remain available for future generations.
3. Reduces Climate Change Impacts
Green living lowers greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to Climate Change.
Actions such as renewable energy use, energy efficiency, and waste reduction help slow global warming and extreme weather risks.
4. Protects Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Pollution and overconsumption of pollution causing matter damage ecosystems that support wildlife and human life. Sustainable practices protect natural processes such as:
- Photosynthesis
- Pollination
These processes are critical for food production and ecological balance.
5. Economic Benefits
Green approaches can:
- Lower energy costs
- Create new industries (renewables, recycling, environmental tech)
- Reduce long-term environmental damage costs
Many countries now see sustainability as a major economic opportunity, not just an environmental responsibility.
6. Ethical Responsibility to Future Generations
A core idea behind sustainability is captured in the concept of Sustainable Development:
- meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
In simple terms:
“Going green” aims to keep the planet livable, resources available, life sustainable and people as well as animal/plant ecosystems healthy both now and in the future.
