AN expert is urging companies to adopt "green workspaces" to promote earth-friendly practices and encourage sustainability.
During The Manila Times' virtual forum "Environmental Practices for Sustainable Businesses," Young Environmental Forum Executive Director Ludwig Federigan said green workspaces can be implemented through simple ways.
"We can convert vacant spaces at our offices and homes, even in public spaces, to plant herbs, vegetables, fruits for food sufficiency and sustainability. I think we've seen this during the pandemic when all of us are under lockdown for practically a year and more, and a lot have been going into urban gardening, converting most of the spaces into food gardens," Federigan said.
He noted that even condominium units converted small spaces into a food garden.
"We know that having plants and trees improve air quality, reduce stress and enhance the environmental landscape of our workspaces. Just ensure that we plant species that are native to the area and can withstand the present problems such as pollution, floods, etc.," he added.
Federigan said companies and homes should also encourage reducing energy consumption and enhancing solar and other renewable sources.
"Today, more and more establishments are choosing renewable energy. Onsite renewable power like the use of solar panels is a way to cut emissions related to electricity consumption. Installing energy efficient lights by replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps, turning off the lights in the evening, slightly lowering the air-conditioning unit or taking devices off the plugs when it's not needed are some good actions we can implement," Federigan noted.
He said solar companies are providing installation on installment basis, and companies should implement solid waste management and practices like recycling, re-using, refusing single-use plastics and reducing food wastes.
"Aside from the dangerous pollutants to the bodies of water, the single-use plastics are fossil fuel products that contribute to global warming and climate change. People might be asking why people talking about climate change would always use the word fossil fuel simply because these are sources that are buried under the ground. We try to unearth and use it as a form of energy and in the real sense of the world when you talk about fossil fuel, you are talking about oil, coal and gas," Federigan said.
Federigan said that another way to reduce climate footprint is to reduce the amount of waste that goes to the landfills.
"Segregate wastes by the type, meaning we segregate the recyclable to nonrecyclable. Recyclable materials, such as newspapers, glass bottles, aluminum cans and discarded metal parts, can be sent to junk shops and recycling facilities. The food waste that we generate also leaves a higher carbon footprint," he noted.