Examples of Sustainable Development

Are you looking for examples of sustainable development? There are many things that companies and individuals can do to incorporate green living practices into their everyday practices.

Harnessing wind energy to provide power for homes, offices, and other buildings or to pump water is one of the best examples of sustainable development. After all, wind is a free resource. If you live in an area with "good wind," it's possible to supplement or replace grid power at no cost, once you've invested in a windmill.

Energy from the sun is available in limitless supply in most areas. Installing a photovoltaic system allows energy from the sun to be harnessed to replace or supplement grid power without the need to use up resources that are not renewable.

Rotating crops is a chemical free way to maximize the growth potential of gardening land as well as to diminish the presence of disease in the soil. This example of sustainable development can benefit home gardeners as well as commercial farmers.

Building homes, offices, and other structures that are energy efficient and that incorporate renewable and recycled resources is a way to incorporate sustainable development into residential and commercial construction. Green construction/building includes the construction and operation of the building to lessen the impact on the environment.

Installing efficient showers, toilets, and other water using appliances in existing structures and new construction is a way of making the most of available resources by conserving water. Limiting your time in the shower is another way you can reduce your water consumption.

Incorporating green spaces into urban development is an example of sustainable development. This practice encourages wildlife to stay and provides opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation even in major metropolitan areas.

Timber companies that practice green logging replace any trees they harvest by planting new trees in their place. Look for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) symbol when purchasing paper or wood products to support companies that have met stringent guidelines for environmentally responsible forestry practices.

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable transportation is a important. Communities utilize various tried methods to encourage different modes of transportation, such as public transit systems, providing bicycle lanes in the road infrastructure, highway carpool lanes, increase in width of pedestrian walkways, and electric car charging stations.

Not only is hydropower sustainable, it is environment friendly. Hydropower is clean energy since it doesn't produce any air pollutions or release any toxins into the environment. Fish passages in dams allow fish to move freely about the dams and into river sections. Communities powered by hydropower enjoy cleaner air and water than cities not powered by hydropower.

Community food forests are found throughout the world. A forest garden is created using permaculture principles for sustainable edible plants. Forest farming contains low-maintenance, sustainable plant foods such as fruit trees, nut trees, herbs, berries, and vegetables. It's theorized that food forests could be a sustainable solution to world hunger.

The commercial fishing industry can engage in sustainable practices by farming fish and other marine organisms in both fresh and salt water. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifies wild fish and seafood from certified fisheries with their Blue Fish Label ensuring consumers the fish they buy were from sustaining fishing practices.

Review different examples of sustainable development to get a clear understanding of ways to reduce your impact on the environment. Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint and better protect the environment.