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eco (7)
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Image - Sustainable Healthcare
Why Green/Sustainable Hospitals ?
> The American Hospitals Association has estimated that approximately Six thousand Six hundred tonnes of waste is generated by hospitals per day.
> Hospitals generate hazardous and non-hazardous waste, air emissions, and waste-water
that contribute to air, water, and soil pollution.
> Hospitals are Energy Intensive buildings and single largest users of Chemicals.
Thus, by implementing an Green/Sustainable management systems, healthcare facilities can prevent pollution, and analyze and potentially address the Ecological impacts of their services.
What are the Factors that contribute to the Environmental Impact of a Hospital ?
When comparing Ecological footprints of different hospitals the following factors come into picture -
> Size of the Hospital,Number of Beds,Age of the Establishment;
> Types of Medical treatment provided;
> Types of Research and Teaching conducted;
> Third party vendors,Outsourcing of Services
> Level of Infrastructure development for the local community
In general, large hospitals consume more resources and produce more emissions than small
ones. However, as hospitals add beds their per-bed water and energy demands also
increases.
What are the Key areas for Potential Improvements ?
> Hazardous Substances
Some Hazardous substances of potential risk are - heavy metal based compound containing Silver,lead,copper and cadmium ; reactive and explosive substances such as Azides and Peroxide compounds such as Perchloric acids; Anesthesia Gases and Formaldehyde.
For Receiving, Handling, Storing and Disposal written procedures must be present.Staff should be trained on how to safely use potentially hazardous substances. Moreover, highly Hazardous Substances such as Benzene,Mercury etc,can often be replaced with less Hazardous substances such as Toulene or Xylene.
> Waste Management
The prime criteria for Waste management should be Avoidance ->Re-Use ->Recycling -> Proper Disposal, in the same order. For example, establishing a Surplus Usage program between Hospitals or Different Business facilities can help in Usage of Surplus Chemicals between the organizations. Moreover Wastes such as Paper,Card boards,Scrap Metals,Electronic Scraps,textiles,Office left overs can be Recycled and Re-used. Recyclable materials should be collected in areas where they accumulate and then delivered to central storage areas to be prepared for transportation.
> Energy Management
As Hospitals use most of the Energy Guzzling equipment's such as Air Conditioners,lot of energy is wasted. The air-conditioning services and indoor lighting account for about 60 per cent and 20 per cent respectively of total electricity consumption. The Energy Management team should - Audit Energy Usage;Identify Areas and Equipment's consuming Maximum Energy;Development Energy Management plan and Implement it.
Combined heat and power systems can reduce energy use by simultaneously generating electricity (and/or mechanical energy) and thermal energy. They recover waste heat and reduce energy use. Energy Efficient lighting methodology can be used such as replacing g incandescent (bulbs) with fluorescent lamps;Solar panels can greatly reduce the amount of fossil fuel used.
> Emission Management
Emissions caused by Sterilizers such as Ethylene Oxide gas should be minimized.Sterilization using ethylene oxide gas, and formaldehyde gas is environmentally hazardous, and a health risk for employees.
Emissions caused by Anesthetic Gases such as Nitrous Oxide, Haloethane reacts in the stratosphere with atomic oxygen to form NOx which, in turn, breaks down Ozone. Emissions levels by usage of such compounds should be regularly checked so as to prevent Non -Controlled Emissions such as through leakages etc.
Emissions caused by Incinerators include Dioxins, toxic ash residue that affect the local environment. Such facilities should be built with inbuilt treatment plants so as to control the emission discharge.
What are the Key Features of Environmental Management System for Health Care Facilities ?
A healthcare facility should commit to improving its environmental performance by encouraging all employees to actively strive to reduce pollution, improve performance and cut costs.
Using an EMS a Health care Facility can -
> Identify and Reduce Emission problems,
> Reduce energy, water and waste disposal costs,
> Control the Handling of Hazardous Substances,
> Comply with the Applicable regulations and law,
> Reduce operating costs
> Conduct Environmental Friendly Purchase and Procurement
Conclusion
Thus, to become a Green Health Care facility involves many aspects such as Green Building design, Energy Efficiency Plan,Hazardous Substance and Waste Management. LEEDS provide internationally recognized certification system for Green Facilities. Hospitals should strive for such established platforms through different levels of certifications - Platinum,Silver and Gold. It is administered that instead of Opting for Cost Intensive Green Features, Hospitals opt start off with Smaller initiatives that show immediate results and then build on their success.
At the turn of the 20th Century,the majority of Indians lived in Rural areas and small towns.However, at the beginning of 21st century,every 4th Indian is a city dweller. As a city dweller as myself,many of us are in desperate need of open spaces and refresh ourselves in the outdoors.
City parks improve our physical and psychological health, and make our cities and neighbourhoods more attractive places to live and work. However, too few Indians are able to enjoy these benefits. More than 70% percent of Indian City Dwellers live in areas that are severely lacking in park space. Only 10-20% percent of City residents live within walking distance of a nearby park. Also it has been seen that Low-income neighbourhoods populated by minorities and recent immigrants are especially short of Open spaces. Hence, there is a strong need to address such imbalances.
Some of the steps that will Promote Urban Parks are as follows -
1. Urban Parks as Community Places
India is a country of festivals. Festivals such as Diwali or Holi must be celebrated in parks. This provides a wonderful opportunity to enliven and enlarge the public realm of the city. Green spaces, Meditation centres and Hiking trails should be built in new age Urban parks for enhancing the Community Engagement. Walking Roller Coaster ride is an exquisite example of how Open Urban spaces can be made more Socially Engaging.
2. Parks as Playgrounds for Poor Neighbourhoods
In poor neighbourhoods, most of the Schools have poorly designed School-yard. Simply slabs of asphalt surrounded by barbed wire fences, with a locked gate. For a few hours each school day, children use them to burn off steam,and the valuable land gets no maintain-ance after schools hours. Thus, through Public Private partnership such Schools can rent upPlay-Yards in Urban spaces specifically designed for them.Such Social proposition will be beneficial for both the Neighbourhood and the Urban park.
Hiking,Biking,Nature Trail ..U just name it !!
3.Tax-Free Biking to Work Through a Park
Urban Parks should be designed in such a way that Biking trails create a short and exciting route to your work. Also, Tax Free cycling schemescan be promoted by NGO's through Government schemes for Green Transportation. Designing such Urban Landscapes will necessarily pave way for promoting Urban parks and Green Transportation. More so, if the existing Parks can be designed with Spaces where people can Dock there Electronic devices and Work then the purpose will be doubly benefited.
4. Parks as Recreation centres for Youth
Parks can serve the purpose of Youth Development community-based activities that help them build essential skills,knowledge, and aptitudes.The assets both children and youth need for their development fall into the major domains - physical, intellectual, psychological
and social. Community based programs that are Fun can help both Kids and Youth to acquire skills in any of the 4 domains. Organizing a Debate competition on Ecological benefits of park, Promoting Hiking and Biking for the youth and planting a community garden are all physically challenging yet intellectually stimulating activities of youth development. Also, Eco Friendly Gyms for the Youth should be developed and promoted.
5. Rain Water Harvesting, Recycling and Reuse Centre
As the catchment area is large,Parks present huge opportunity for Rain water harvesting.The water collected can be used for ground water table enhancement, and for Public Water supply for nearby neighbourhood. More so, through Public-Private partnership NGO's can demonstrate Recycle, Reuse activities and organize such events. Thus, Urban Parks can Promote Sustainability within the vicinity.
Mahatma Gandhi ji has said - “The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our fore fathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.”
It is the responsibility of the City Administrators and Concerned citizens that this Era of Relentless building of Pavements and Concrete must be regulated and Green Areas must be promoted. This will enhance the quality of life for every city dweller. Thus, using such innovative methods Urban parks can be integrated into the Busy lives of us City Dwellers.
I will end the post with this amazing experience of Best Parks around the world from Sustainable Living tips - http://www.sustainablelivingtips.net/2009/09/worlds-best-urban-parks.html.
Enjoy the virtual tour ..
On a 12 hr average working hours a day most of us spend approximately 3hours or more in traffic in most of the tier 1 cities in India. Our local governments are trying to address this issue broadly,however the results are remarkably in Vain. Sunita Narain, director general of CSE India has rightly pointed out several factors in her latest blog 'Temporary Solution,Permanent Jam'. Factors that temporary solve the issue,leaving room for permanent failure define the characteristic of most of the measures that Government is engaging now.
A Comparative Case Study(2012)
According to a News Published in DNA paper couple of months back,the city of Pune has now more than 23 lakh vehicles as compared to Mumbai which has 21 lakh vehicles.Interestingly Mumbai has a population of around 1.25 Crores while Pune has just over 55lakh. More so, while Mumbai has around 5000 Buses along with the network of Local trains,Pune has just around 1500 Buses for the whole population.According to Pune regional transport office, nearly 775 New vehicles are added each day,adding to the traffic woes in Pune. General Public state Poor Public transport as the Main reason because of which people are forced to use Private vehicles.
A CLASSIC Deadlock Isn't it !!
Possible Solutions
Well !! Most of the points made below are long term Solutions and Corrective actions that Local action bodies,Public-Private partners and Government should implement.
1. CAP the Number of Vehicles Added every year
A Harsh method but a MUST method. The ever increasing number of Vehicles added per year should be capped at a manageable level. More so,Easy LOANS available for vehicles must be regularised,meaning higher Interest rates must be charged to Individuals who purchase subsequent vehicles after one. Local Governing bodies can provide incentives to Public and Private Banks to account for such action. Message is clear here,unnecessary increase in Vehicular population MUST be Deterred.
2.Incentives for Using Public Transport
Increasing the existing capacity of Public transport is not much helpful. However, the existing facilities must be improved such as increasing the number of Green Buses,Better connectivity within city through Trams and Rails and so on. Tax reduction schemes by Employers and Local Governing bodies must be promoted for individuals using Public Transport on regular basis. No CAR or Personal Vehicle days must be organized in Cities in order to Promote Public Transport too.
3. Build Self Sufficient Housing Societies
Aim is to curb Short Distance Travels within the city. New Housing societies Must have ATM or E Banking outlets, Recognized and Registered Kindergarten for young toddlers,Shopping and Marketing facilities and so on. Also, work from Home culture and increased usage of IT facilities for Daily requirements must be promoted. More so, various Public and Privatecompanies can Tie Up with Infrastructure Building companies for creating such Self sufficient Housing Societies or Estates within the vicinity.
4. Promote Congestion Pricing
The whole point is do deter People from using the City Centre during the peak hours. Inspired by the success of London Congestion Charge this method helps in evenly distributing traffic and regulating the flow of vehicles in the city centre. Real Time Congestion Monitoring Devices and Systems have to be used. A recent report on Stockholm traffic monitoring states approximately 18% reduction of traffic during the rush hours at the city centre.
5. Build Self Sufficient 'Sub Cities' within Cities
Pune Chinchwad Municipality in tie up with JnNURM has in part implemented this methodology. The Pune Chinchwad area is now a Sub City, a self sufficient one, within the City of Pune. People staying in this area do not have to travel to the city centre of Pune Municipality on a daily basis. Such an initiative has become successful because of explicit Political Will and Innovative Public Private partnership. My post on 21st Century Urban City Planning explicitly states the types and design of New age Super cities. Urban planners now have to consider the city demographics to make such Self Sufficient Sub Cities.
As responsible citizens we have to rise also above the typical Indian Society pressure of 'Creating' a Status Symbol and Owing more and more things.Deliberate Consumerism is not going to Boom the general Economy but is going to Bane the Ecology too. Also, we have to Advocate our next generation about the importance of Environment and Sustainability,thereby promoting the usage of Environmentally friendly transportation.
We have to remember that Simple Living = Sustainable Living = Healthy Earth.
Green Business models support the development of Products and Services with Environmental benefits.Green business growth models can either rely on Technological overhaul of the existing systems or can develop Innovative Business models utilizing the existing systems itself. For example, a Refrigerator Manufacturing company can sell a Number of Cubic feet of space with a lowered temperature for a (certain period of time as long as the customer needs it),while the company owns the Unit.The incentive is to save the life cycle costs including Energy savings, Maintenance and Disposal.Such Innovative new solutions can radically change the Green growth story.
Key Challenges to the Green Models are -
1.Knowledge gap about the real benefits and the costs among Suppliers,Financial institutions and Customers.
2.Need for a change in the mindset of both the companies and the public institutions to be more open to create new solutions through public private partnerships.
3.Policy efforts have to be coordinated and regulated.
However, there are certain Green Business Models which are being adapted in a steady fashion.According to a paper - 'Green Business Models in the Nordic Region' some of the Business models are as follows
1.Product and Service Based Model
This is a revolutionary concept of 'Owner less Consumption'. The Refrigerator example stated above clearly exemplifies this concept.Green Product and Services model increases the Manufacturers market potential,increases the differentiated product services provided by them and increases customer loyalty too. However both manufacturers and customers are often concerned about the risk absorption methodology here as well as the challenges in determining the right costing of such services.
2.Energy Saving Companies (ESCO's)
In this model an Energy saving company is Financed by a third party institution such as a Bank.The company accomplishes energy saving projects of its client in exchange of a Fee.An example of an ESCO project could be where an ESCO installs a new heating system, insulation and a temperature control system in an old school. The ESCO makes the investment and the energy savings are split between the school and
ESCO. Drivers for such projects are country specific and depend on the country's market maturity,size etc.However cost minimization and rising energy prices remain the key concern for such projects.
3.Sharing Business Model
The key driver for such a model is improved Resource efficiency and intensive resource utilization.Some of the examples of Sharing models are Car Sharing,Holiday Cottage and Time sharing, Washing centers and so on.Also the cost savings related to sharing products allows the product provider to profit on the business model.However, key barriers to such a model is High frequency requirement of customers,tendency to own a product rather than to share it and availability of the shared good.
According to Jill Fehrenbacher, CEO,Founder Inhabitat, some of the Green Businesses that are booming even in these tough economic times are
Bicycle Sharing Shops - A smart business model based on Product and Services.
ZIPCAR - Community based resource sharing where cars services are shared among its users.According to some estimates the car sharing services is expected to $3.3 Billion approximately by 2016.
Green Construction- Such projects are in high demand due to increase in consumer consciousness towards the Environment.
Eco Fashion - Recycle and Reuse is the new mantra for New age fashion industry.
Green growth is inclusive of economic growth and protection of natural resources and the environment. Existing technology and consumer behavior is expected to produce positive outcomes upto a certain point, and therefore innovation is the key to create new ideas.But Green business models are still relatively new to industry and policy makers. A bigger knowledge and better understanding of emerging practices is needed to create appropriate policies and to encourage the industry.
