Environmental Studies - Case Study Example

Environmental Studies s Environmental Studies Environmental awareness has taken root lately all over the world. The emphasis is much placed in Europe where there are vigorous activities of sensitization of the people towards the need for a better environment (Franzen & Meyer, 2010). Environment can only suit human beings best and other organism only if it is well looked at. There are several events that have prompted the need to promote environmental awareness in Europe and other parts of the world (Franzen & Meyer, 2010). Extreme climatic conditions have kept the Europeans worried and bothered about their dwelling place and their future in such places of habitation. Adaptation to the rapid climatic change has advanced to now a political agenda in almost all European countries. Studies reveal that extreme and harsh weather condition is the core factor. For example, the Environmental Institute of Finland issued a report that echoes the same message. There are times when parts of Europe and the world are extremely cold and other situations of drought also exist. The cause of the abrupt change in weather is attributed mostly to humans. Natural catastrophes have also led to the intensified environmental awareness in Europe (Franzen & Meyer, 2010). Often, natural disasters occur abruptly leading to the loss of millions of lives and billions worth of properties destroyed. For example, earth quakes, hurricanes and the tsunamis affect some parts of Europe. This has compelled the environmental agencies in the European nations to increase the awareness on matters environment so as to reduce the effect of such disasters in the mortality rate and the amount of property that is destroyed. It is believed that when the awareness is popularized, human beings will find the need to appreciate their environment (Franzen & Meyer, 2010). They will show caution in their use of natural resources to avoid rendering the environment dangerous for habitation. Natural Capitalism Natural capitalism explains the global economy as the dependency on the resources that exist naturally and also the reliance on the services of the ecosystem that is provided by nature (Hawken, Lovins & Lovins, 2013). It criticizes the traditional capitalism advocating that it fails to conform fully to its accounting principles. Natural Capitalism is able to liquidate its own capital and refers to it as income. The system accepts the interdependency that occurs between productions the utility of capital made by human and the sustenance and the supply of natural capital (Hawken, Lovins & Lovins, 2013). This system is vital since it reduces the costs of production. The utility of the earth provided resources and not human made anchors the aspect of natural resources. Thus, the solutions of the daily problems exist on the resources within the ecosystem and are freely provided by the nature. Sustainable Tourism Tourism is not wholly completely sustainable since all industries have challenges. However, it can be made even more sustainable (Véron & Majumdar, 2011). As more nations continue to boost their tourism sectors, there are significant impacts on the existing natural resources, the patterns of consumption and the socio-cultural system. This increases the need to sustain tourism through several ways. First, there is need to re-focus the scope of tourism and readapt it to new objectives. The primary goal of tourism has been the generation of income. Additional of more objectives will reshape tourism and give it a new look. Tourism is bound to attract more investment when this actually occurs. Second, tourism industries should have an elaborate monitoring system to assess the way they operate. This will keep the stakeholders vigilant and informed to make the industry vibrant (Véron & Majumdar, 2011). Thirdly, there is also an interest to evaluate the performance of the industry through close supervision, auditing and regular feedbacks. The feedbacks will be used to appraise the organization. In order to sustain the industry, the interests of all stakeholders should also be considered. This enhances equity. Fourthly, the tourism agency should also be engaged in thorough advertisement so that it becomes famous and popular (Véron & Majumdar, 2011). There is need to foster good relationship with the indigenous people. This can be done by provision of employment to the locals in the industry. They can also be involved in the decision making process on matters that relate to tourism in the area that they dwell in. Green Market Rules If a case of shining a spotlight on certain sustainability topics arises, NGOs and some consumer groups will actually target renowned and reputable brands all over the world (Ottman, 2011). The list of the most targeted consumers includes Home Depot, Nike (that stands for Child labor Practices), the McDonalds, Coke (that deals with sugar and packaging) and textile industries. This therefore means that businesses must be well managed with utmost respect to the environment. The Green Market Rules have affected the marketing of various companies in many ways (Ottman, 2011). Companies are urged to get better knowledge of their customers and this has prompted them to conduct detailed studies on the consumers often to be sure of their wants. Businesses have also engaged in the empowering of consumers and this make the clients’ access green products. Enterprises have also focused on consideration of their prices. The Green Market Rules have rebranded the marketing departments of many businesses. With the rising competition, the department of marketing is compelled to adhere to the above rules. Memo on Supply Chain Management (SCM) Supply Chain Management is important for the business. It is one thing that an enterprise cannot do without if success is the motive of the unit. SCM is significant for the infrastructure and the foundation of the society. When under a well functioning system, the SCM will be able to create more job opportunities and reduce the energy needed to carry out a task. However, there are challenges faced when implementing the SCM. Establishment of a working SCM requires relatively amount capital. The process also takes time and the results are not seen instantly. Besides, implementation demands trained personnel. Corporate NGO Partnership UNICEF is an NGO supported by the United Nation. It basically stands to protect children rights all over the world (Véron & Majumdar, 2011). It works directly with several companies in order to intensify their business indulgence while streamlining them to the requirements of the international law (Véron & Majumdar, 2011). They also ensure that their partners respect the rights of the children while in the existing realms of market place. As from 2004, the organization has received support from Montblanc, which works in collaboration to help the children of the world access better educational opportunities. In June 2013, Merk and Co entered in a partnership with UNICEF with an aim of reducing the mortality rate of those suffering from the HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in the republic of South Africa (Elkington & Fennell, 2000). Merk is expected to donate about $500 million in all parts of the world so that the health of children and expectant mothers. Crucell N. V have also been in partnership with UNICEF and got a $100million award of provision of pediatric vaccines to the developing nations. NGO Typologies At the onset of agreeing on an alliance, it is important for the NGO to form a partnership so as to create sustainability (Elkington & Fennell, 2000). This can only be done by construction of NGO typologies. Typologies are also important in companies. This part of the paper will relate the typologies of the NGOs and companies to the modern day business by citing examples. The Golden Geese is more synonymous to the Virgin Atlantic Airlines. It aims at providing solutions and communicating it to the clients. Bachelor Solutions that boasts of existing solutions can be compared with Samsung Electronics since the later has equal features. General Motors has the features of Vampire Bats. It has the ability of covering for a niche within the system. SONY electronics depicts the features of Tireless Spiders. Such a company does not shy away from its problem (Elkington & Fennell, 2000). Instead, it is transparent about them and welcomes views. Natural Conservation Organizations fall in the category of the NGO Sea Lion. These organizations have a sociable repute. UNICEF is an example of organization that falls in the NGO Dolphin. They offer a friendly environment to clients. References Elkington, J., & Fennell, S. (2000). Partners for sustainability. In Terms for endearment: Business, NGOs and sustainable development 149(162), 149-162. Greenleaf Publishing in association with GSE Research. Franzen, A., & Meyer, R. (2010). Environmental attitudes in cross-national perspective: A multilevel analysis of the ISSP 1993 and 2000. European Sociological Review, 26(2), 219-234. Hawken, P., Lovins, A. B., & Lovins, L. H. (2013). Natural capitalism: The next industrial revolution. Routledge. Ottman, J. A. (2011). The new rules of green marketing. San Francisco: Barrett-Koehler Publishers. Véron, R., & Majumdar, A. (2011). Micro-insurance through corporate–NGO partnerships in West Bengal: opportunities and constraints. Development in Practice, 21(1), 122-129. Read More