Doing a Sustainable and Environmentally-Friendly Business in South Sudan
Ayuen Dot
By Philip Ayuen Dot, Juba, South Sudan
Friday, January 14, 2022 (PW) — For a long time there, development and environment seemed like two different words that were at loggerheads with each other. The environmental side wanted a reduction in gases like carbon dioxide while the development side said that their efforts, though polluting to the environment, had removed millions of people from poverty. It was this argument that the Rio Conference in 1992, Brazil, wanted to settle by coming up with the term sustainable development.
Development that meets the need of the current generation without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. This has since then become a goal for governments all over the world, institutions, corporations and even communities. Finding ways in which business can be done without harming the environment or with the least harm possible. And this can be done in various ways.
One of the most useful changes that can be done to ensure that development does not continue harming the environment as it is currently doing, is via the use of alternative fuels or clean fuels. A lot of the developed countries used and still use fossil fuels such as coal and oil to drive their economy. And though oil is considerably cheaper compared to clean energy, its emission into the atmosphere is what is majorly responsible for climate change. This then calls for the adoption of energy from solar, biogas and even if possible hydroelectric power even though it’s not as green as solar. In the homes, firewood and charcoal can be replaced by gas and biogas, so as to save the dwindling forests around.
Another way of doing business sustainably is via waste reduction. The amount of waste being produced by households, offices, institutions, industries and municipalities is overwhelming the environment as rivers, lakes and other water bodies become full of plastics and other waste that does not degrade. To curb this problem, waste can be reduced by changing behaviours. For example, people can use reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastics that are usually thrown away immediately after use.
Another way of reducing waste is via recycling waste. This is when plastic waste collected is made into something else useful. For example, plastic bottles can be crushed and used to make other things such as chairs. This prevents the waste from ending up in landfills or garbage disposal sites. Reusing waste is another way of ensuring that the waste problem is managed. This is when containers for example are used for another purpose other than the one they were made for. For example, using cement bags or plastic containers to plant seedlings in.
Using sustainable technology is another way for sustainable development to be achieved. In today’s world, technology is king. Billions of people have phones, laptops, TVs, cars and machines of various uses et cetera. All these technological gadgets will end up as e-waste, which is becoming a serious issue with no way forward. To curb this problem, we could use technology that makes gadgets that can be used for a long time without needing to be replaced. For example, phones that can easily update to the next best feature without having to buy several phones in the span of a decade.
Pollution prevention is another way that could see this generation bequeath future generations livable earth. This entails modifying industrial processes so as to reduce their emissions. In air pollution, for example, it could be made compulsory in South Sudan for industries to use scrubbers and filters in their emission pipes so as to reduce the emission of gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Treating water from the municipal sewerage system and from industries is also another way of ensuring that harmful water full of toxic chemicals and excessive nutrients does not get into our water bodies.
Economic development might sound weird as a sustainable development measure, but it is one of the key pillars. The richer a nation’s citizens are, the more they can afford to not pollute the environment. They can switch to cleaner energies of cooking with. They can buy things in bulk thus reducing household waste. And should cars that use clean energy come along, they will be able to afford them. A successful economy also means more funds allocated to environmental issues such as conservation and protection.
It is said that water shall be the cause of world war three. This is because the world over, freshwater is a scarce resource. And with water being a shared resource, for example, the way River Nile originates and passes through several countries, then now is the time to talk water conservation. This entails reducing wastage of water by for example using drip irrigation instead of flood irrigation where possible. Water conservation can also mean harvesting rainwater which would be useful for household use.
Corporate accountability is another way of ensuring that the development driving our economy is sustainable. This includes ensuring that all industries have an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and Environmental Audits whose recommendations are also followed. And for the companies that pollute the environment wantonly, the polluter pays principle should be used to make them pay for cleanup and compensate victims of their pollution, as well as ensuring that it does not happen again.
Eco-tourism is another of conserving the environment while earning from it. Instead of burning charcoal to earn a living or poaching wild animals for bushmeat, these forests with wild animals can be converted into national parks and reserves. This will attract tourists and the funds earned from them should be returned to the community to ensure that their natural heritage continues to provide for them in less harmful ways.
All these efforts to do business while being environmentally conscious require commitment from all quarters and professional assistance from environmentalists. South Sudan Environmental Advocates (SSEA) in partner with SEALINK LIMITED has seasoned experts such as CLENA Sustainable Future (SWEDISH BASED COMPANY) in Clean Energy, ESIA and Environmental Audits, waste reduction, pollution prevention, energy and water conservation among others. They will be glad to partner with interested parties to make South Sudan a sustainably developing country.
The author is the Founder and Executive director of South Sudan environmental Advocates (SSEA) and can be reached via his email: Philipdot57@gmail.com or Tel: +211922104999 Web: www.sseasouthsudan.org
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