Egc-ethics: Research Paper

Pro - Enviroment A ctions 1 Running H e ad: Pro - Environment A ctions

Recycling, G r een - Build & O t h er Pro - Environment A ctions Dylan John M azziotti Eagle G ate C ollege – M urray C a m pus

Shauna Standing Introduction To Ethics PHI 120

Pro - Enviroment A ctions 2

Table O f C o ntents

Introduction … .................................................................................................3

Recycling: History & Process … .................................................................3 G reen- Building: Process & M aterials … ......................................................3 Argu m ents For … .............................................................................................4 Argu m ents A gainst: Expense, C ost & Impact … ...................................................5 Reco m m endations … .......................................................................................5 C o n clusions … .................................................................................................6 References … ...................................................................................................7

Pro - Enviroment A ctions 3 Introduction

N e arly everyone, celebrities to large co m panies is getting involved in the green m ove ment. The term green is seen as a buzzword for being environ mentally responsible. The green m ove ment has m any forms, this research paper will specif cally focus o n recycling and green building. Recycling

Recycling is a simple and important way to participate in the green m ove m ent. Recycle is def ned in the dictionary as c onverting waste into a reusable m aterial. Recycling has been a co m m o n practice for m ost of hu man history, with recorded advocates as far back as Plato in 400 B C. D uring periods wh en resources w ere scarce, archaeological studies of ancient w aste du mps sho w less household waste (such as ash, broken tools and pottery) —i m plying m ore w aste w as being recycled in the absence of ne w material (1). G r een Building

G r e en Building is a general term used to describe high quality co nstruction that is environmentally conscious and extremely energy effcient. The green build process includes everything from site choice, designing strategically, conscientious c onstruction practices, quality c ontrol, and water c onservation use (2). The remainder of this paper will explore both sides of the issue and what can, can't, should, and shouldn't be done. My hope is that for either side a discussion will be raised to benef t each other and our planet.

Pro - Environmental A ctions 4 Ar gu ments For:

There are m any, m any, m any argu ments for recycling and green - building. For the briefness of this research paper, w e will only cover a handful of them. Substituting natural products for m anufactured ones, such as using co conut oil as o pposed to shaving cream. Installing a w ater flter in your h o me and ref lling a bottles as opp osed to purchasing bottled water can save you thousands dollars. Limiting excess behavior, such as cutting back on ha mburgers and steaks can save m ore than driving a hybrid car. The need for m ore po wer plants is another a m ajor misconception, by switching lighting in the U.S. to m ore energy - eff cient co mpact -f uorescent or LE D or Light - e mitting diode lighting w ould save billions of dollars and cut the need for twenty -four po wer plants. W hich is similar to informing an very obese person that they can thrive on half the calories they consu me. O n c e everyone is in shape and being eff cient, w e can m e et all our need and goal easier. G r e en Building is an industry that is changing, growing, and growing at an inspiring rate and pace, but this can be said for any business the is strongly addressing sustainability. G e neral acceptance by individuals, c o m panies and organizations of this concept has created a varying degree of knowledge of w hat is actually in the process. There has also been benef ts in operations c osts, hu man health and increased quality and durability.

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Pro - Environment A ctions 5 Ar gu ments A g ainst: Expense, C ost & Impa ct

There are arguments against recycling and green - building. Expense, cost, and impact are the strongest of these argu ments. Expenses such as producing organic food and developing new appliances are costly investments. Th e cost of hybrid cars, solar panels and lightbulbs are extremely high and a deterrent of joining the green m ove ment. N ot m aking an impact, thinking that small changes don't matter are big struggle for pe ople. (3) Reco m men dations

The reco m m endation that I m ake to so me one reading the paper is to educate yourself with all the inform you can and do your part. There a countless flms, television programs, television networks (Planet G r e en), bo oks and w ebsites (treehugger.co m) that give extensive ho w - to and tips that are cost effective and extreme benef cial in aiding saving our planet. O t h er actions are as e asy as throwing certain trash into a separate container or carpo oling as often as possible.

Pro - Enviromental A ctions 6 Co n clusions

D uring my research, I found very little information against recycling and green building. This gives m e the feeling that it is quickly beco ming the norm for everyone. I also see trends that old practices are falling a way and c osts for these ne w products and procedures are leveling off cost wise. W ithout everyone's help the planet will c ontinue to break do wn and w e will have no resources left to keep everything up and running.

Pro - Environmental A ctions 7 Referen ces (1)

M c C orqu odale, D u ncan, Siegle, Lucy, H a na or, C i galle Recycle The Essential G uide London, U K : Black D o g Publishing, 2006 (2)(4)

Re Direct G uide Portland, W a: Redirect G uide.co m, 2009 (3)

Prelitz, C h ris G r een M a de Easy N e w York, N Y: H ay H o use Inc, 2009