Renowned Israeli historian, Yuval Noah Harari said: “Many call his process ‘the destruction of nature’. But it’s not destruction, it’s changed. Nature cannot be destroyed”. In this incognizant world, to people, it seems that ‘life’ is just like a cauldron of self-benefits. A cauldron, wherein garbage disposal by setting it ablaze is considered a cakewalk and hence practised, and where houses and factories are built by mercilessly shattering what once was home to millions of creatures.
These toxic elements are stirred together with several other ingredients as they sizzle incessantly, while we humans fail to realise that this cauldron is gradually outpouring, and once it’s spilt, all of us will disappear. There is little doubt that mankind and indeed the entire planet is facing an environmental crisis. Whether it is global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, tropical deforestation or topsoil erosion; their hazardous effects, impact everyone. It is undeniable that climate change has catastrophic consequences. We’ve all seen heart-breaking viral news: a starving polar bear, whales washed up on beaches with pieces of their cars in their stomachs, California history’s deadliest wildfires.
The developed world has been careless and reckless in its treatment of the earth and has benefitted significantly from this negligence. It is clear; that our current methods of production are having a seriously adverse effect on the environment. Our world is fragile and human activity is pushing it to a point of no return where it is difficult to reverse climate change, where it is impossible to recover endangered animals and where people are left without a future home.
If these processes remain un-checked, the eco-system, which we all believe, in the due course of time would be gravely damaged. It is therefore important for businesses, individuals, organisations, and local communities to band together and push change at the grassroots level. Sustainability is the word one needs to understand. Development, as said by many theorists should not cost us our resources and environment. We have been taught in school about the importance of preserving and nurturing nature, but as we grow, we forget to put our education to real use.
In recent times we’ve witnessed that there is a growing demand by consumers to be more environment-friendly. Fighting climate change is a pivotal issue that requires interference not only from the government but also from various business mandates. Social entrepreneurship creates a green industry that, through the creation of innovative solutions, helps solve environmental issues. Many businesses go green either to mitigate environmental damage or to win customer support.
We’ve been tutored that business enterprises are leading creators of wealth, employment, trade and technology. They manage enormous financial, physical and human capital as well. However, it is often difficult to determine business activities that contribute to or harm the sustainability of the earth due to their complexity. The investments and innovations of business have driven economic process and satisfying consumer demand but, due to the resources consumed and therefore the side effects of waste and pollution, they have become unfortunately the most contributors to environmental destruction. This has created numerous business activities which promote environmental friendliness. Many businesses are doing their part by focusing on green products and innovations, as well as using organic materials, with environmental issues like climate change, resource scarcity, and pollution taking centre stage.
They are referred to as ‘green entrepreneurs’ and aim to change the mindset of consumers by raising awareness and educating people about environmentally friendly activities. Green businesses strive to possess a positive impact on the environment and the community. A sustainable business whips up profit while ameliorating societal and environmental conditions.
For businesses, going green can help promote growth because it is pretty evident that sustainability and profitability are intrinsically linked. Growing awareness of the environmental effects of modern lifestyles puts pressure on all to follow ways of living and working that are more environmentally friendly. According to an international survey, more than 80% of people respect companies and brands that adopt eco-friendly practices. It also found out that “virtually” all consumers are worried about at least one of the other environmental issues, however, their eco-friendly concerns are not always manifested in their shopping behaviours.
Becoming eco-friendly has a few different advantages for organizations. These incorporate- tax credits, improved productivity, better work environments, and cost economizing – for example printing less, turning lights off in unused rooms and topping off ink cartridges. Reusing things likewise lessens squandering from plastic bundling. Greening the company is a smart way to decrease operating costs. It is beneficial for businesses to manage operating costs because it benefits bottom line profits, offers a degree of protection against seasonal volatility and some flexibility to fall prices to stay competitive. Companies that invest in equipment for high performance and eco-friendly processes have a range of advantages that go beyond lower energy bills. Energy-efficient facilities have greater reliability and efficiency, while at the same time maintaining lower maintenance costs and less waste.
Talking about start-ups, in India, entrepreneurship has expanded dramatically and start-ups are beginning to have a dramatic effect not only on the economy but also on the environment. The economy is closely linked to environmental conditions, and without keeping in mind the environment in which we live, we cannot talk about the business ecosystem. The start-up ecosystem has entered the core stage of India’s economic operation today. When the government entered the mission with programmes such as Start-up India, Stand up India, Digital India and Vocal for Local, the revolution was taken to the next level. In partnership with start-ups, every initiative by the Government of India to address existing challenges in sectors such as environment, healthcare, rural digitisation, education, etc.
was path-breaking. Various companies have felt the effort to go green, as corporations are starting to understand how their practices affect the climate. From using recycled or renewable resources to energy use and waste, India’s businesses and start-ups seem to be making a universal effort to safeguard our world and do what we can to live a healthy lifestyle. The growing consumer demand to combat climate change is embodied by numerous innovative start-ups that are passionate about influencing change. Fortunately, leading companies have a tremendous influence and impact on reducing key drivers that contribute to climate change, whether through their procurement of raw materials, supply chain inputs, choice of suppliers, or influence on customers and consumer preferences.
With India’s start-up boom rising exponentially, there are numerous ways that these new ventures have a positive impact on the world. Such start-ups will further benefit the world with the assistance of technology, while also reducing costs at the same time. By going digital, office paper and supplies may be avoided. With the aid of automation that switches off appliances when not in use or needed, electrical waste can be avoided. To help reduce carbon footprints and unnecessary waste, these small steps go a long way. Some extraordinary examples of such start-ups could be Waste Ventures India which prevents up to 90% of dumpsite waste and creates organic compost that is rich in nutrients.
The Banyan Nation- collects and recycles plastic waste from industries for further use in the same. SayTrees is a professionally run organisation of individuals who are not only committed to conserving the environment by themselves but also to sensitising others to the value of protecting the environment and motivating them to engage in tree-planting campaigns. the sunroof is a home-tech start-up offering homeowners smart and renewable energy options. The start-up helps by making use of unused rooftops to produce electricity by solar energy. Ahmedabad-based EcoRight sells eco-friendly bags with a focus on a style. In the office room, the start-up which sells eco-friendly jute bags is also environmentally conscious. In-office space, workers should not use any plastics and use biodegradable bags instead.
A few ways in which aspiring entrepreneurs can go green, maximize natural resources, and ensure sustainability is- striving to reduce single-use plastic, recycling waste products, up-cycled furniture, developing green apps and consulting services, etc. In some way, everybody impacts the sustainability of the marketplace and the world. For consumers, investors, and the environment, sustainable development within an organisation will generate value. A sustainable company must fulfil the needs of consumers while treating the environment well at the same time.
Innovative proposals are being put forward by pioneers to secure our mother Earth. From the recycling of floral waste to manufacturing herbal clothing and the provision of solar energy in the household, with the aid of their skill set, various entrepreneurs have found the choice to protect nature and turn this potential into capital.
