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EGC-Ethics: Research Paper
EGC-Ethics: Research Paper
Shauna Standing
Table O f C o ntents
Introduction … .................................................................................................3
Recycling: History & Process … .................................................................3
G reen- Building: Process & M aterials … ......................................................3
Argu m ents For … .............................................................................................4
C o n clusions … .................................................................................................6
References … ...................................................................................................7
Pro - Enviroment A ctions 3
Introduction
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
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
environmentally conscious and extremely energy effcient. The green build process
includes everything from site choice, designing strategically, conscientious c onstruction
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
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)
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
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)
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