Key Topics on Sustainability

By Lauren Hursthouse

The definition of sustainability from the Oxford Dictionary is: “avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance”. Sustainability is not just a social responsibility, but a corporate responsibility also. With more and more evidence emerging about climate change and what we are doing to our planet and ecosystems, this article looks at three key topics on sustainability and how we, as consumers, can make a difference.

1 - Shop Local:

Shopping locally might not be the first thought that you have when it comes to buying your weekly shop but it definitely has its benefits when thinking of more ways to be sustainable and environmentally friendly. Not only does it reduce waste from packaging but also from the fossil fuels used in transportation and so is healthier too! Depending on where you live, the following ways to shop locally may be available to you: • Local farmer’s market

• Local greengrocers (for vegetables and fruit) • Local eco shop with refillable/reusable container options for foods such as nuts, grains, pasta, shampoo, bodywash, laundry detergent.

Top reasons to shop local and become a “Locavore”:

1. Locally sourced food will be fresher due to less transport time 2. There is usually much less packaging involved 3. Buying local helps the local economy 5. You know where your food has come from 6. Buying local is better for the planet 8. You get to meet your farmers when shopping at local markets

9. It can help you save money Additional resources:

https://brightonjournal.co.uk/top-5-benefits-of-shoppingsmall-and-local/

www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/reasons-to-buy-local https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eight-reasons-toshop-local-this-week-to-help-the-high-street-bounceback

https://www.ecowithem.com/

2 - Palm Oil:

What’s in your peanut butter?

Have you looked at the ingredients of one of our favourite breakfast/snack/sandwich fillers? Well, it may shock you to realise that a lot of peanut butter jars can contain unsustainable palm oil. Actually, palm oil is in nearly everything – it is in close to 50% of the packaged products we find in supermarkets: everything from pizza, doughnuts and chocolate, to deodorant, shampoo,

toothpaste and lipstick. It is also used in animal feed and as a biofuel in many parts of the world.

What is palm oil?

It is an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees. There are two types of oil that can be produced: crude palm oil comes from squeezing the fleshy fruit and palm kernel oil which comes from crushing the kernel or the stone of the fruit. Palm oil is mainly produced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia (Borneo) and Malaysia.

What’s the problem with palm oil?

Palm oil is a major driver of deforestation of some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, destroying the habitat of already endangered species like the Orangutan, Pygmy Elephant and Sumatran Rhino. This forest degradation, along with conversion of carbon rich peat soils, are spewing out millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. There also remains some exploitation of workers and child labour. These are important issues that the entire palm oil sector needs to take accountability for because there are alternative eco-friendly solutions.

What solutions are out there?

The good news is that palm oil can be produced more sustainably. The Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed in 2004 in response to increasing concerns about the impact that palm oil was having on the environment and society. The RSPO sets a production standard and best practices for producing and sourcing palm oil. This has buy-in from most of the global industry and there is encouragement for companies to be totally transparent in their use and sourcing of palm oil and contributing to sustainable palm oil. There is still a long way to go before it becomes 100% sustainable.

What can you do as a consumer?

You can check which brands/manufacturers use a sustainable palm oil or alternative oil in their products before making a purchase. The WWF have produced a palm oil scorecard and their website allows you to check which manufacturers are committed to a responsible palm oil future, free from deforestation and destruction of nature.

Additional resources:

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/palm-oilenvironment-orangutans-indonesia-rainforests-icelandchristmas-advert-a8631896.html

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/12/ palm-oil-products-borneo-africa-environment-impact/ https://greenpalm.org/about-palm-oil/social-andenvironmental-impact-of-palm-oil https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/palm-oil

3 – Air pollution What are the main contributors to air pollution?

Air pollution can be classified into two categories: invisible and visible air pollution. Visible air pollution, as the name suggests, can be visible. The smog that is present in urban areas and cities is an example of visible air pollution. Invisible air pollutants are less noticeable, and thought to be more deadly. Examples are sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Sources of air pollution can be split into Natural sources and Man-made sources.

Natural sources of pollution include dust carried by the wind from locations with very little or no green cover and gases released from bodily processes of living beings (humans, cattle). Man-made sources can be split into indoor pollution sources and outdoor pollution sources. The major outdoor pollution sources include power generation, vehicles, agriculture/waste incineration, industry and building heating systems. In low- and middle-income

countries, mostly burning fuels such as dung, coal and wood in inefficient stoves or open hearths produces a variety of health-damaging pollutants. These include carbon monoxide, methane, particulate matter (PM), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and volatile organic compounds (VOC).

What are the main issues with air quality?

When air quality is poor, pollutants in the air may be hazardous to people, particularly those with lung or heart conditions. Poor air quality affects our health, has a cost to our society, our economy and the environment. It causes acid rain, eutrophication, child health problems, global warming, adverse effects on wildlife and depletion of the ozone layer. Although air quality has improved in recent decades, there are some parts of the world where there are unacceptable levels of air pollution.

How is Air Quality measured?

Air quality is measured by government agencies by using the Air Quality Index and it tells you about levels of air pollution and provides recommended actions and health advice. The scale is based on particulate matter in the air and ranges from GOOD to HAZARDOUS. Why don’t you check the air quality in your area? Instead you should consider what chemicals you’re using in the home and switch to non-toxic alternatives. Here are some other ways you can reduce air pollution in your home:

• Service gas appliances regularly • Open windows regularly • Banish damp and mould • Buy an air purifier

Bigger picture - wider solutions to air pollution:

• Use public modes of transportation • Better household practices • Conserve energy by putting on extra layers of clothing at home instead of putting the gas central heating on • Practice the concept of reduce, reuse and recycle • Use clean energy resources where possible • Use energy-efficient devices

Additional resources:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-airstrategy-2019 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/11/ houseplants-dont-purify-indoor-air/ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-andhome/household-advice/a30072188/air-pollution/ https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/natural-ecofriendly-cleaning-products-for-the-conscious-home https://strives-uploads-prod.s3.us-gov-west-1. amazonaws.com/19930073077/19930073077. pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIASEVSKC45ZTTM42XZ&Expires=1600254390&Signature=7ZzhkGNXe8i1sFnHYxn6VwmtLtQ%3D

Air Quality Index - Particulate Matter

301-500

201-300

151-200

101-150

51-100

0-50 Hazardous

Very Unhealthy

Unhealthy

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Moderate

Good

What solutions are out there?

You can purify your air at home by buying/growing specific plants that can purify air. Sounds great right? Unfortunately, it hasn’t been scientifically proven that indoor plants can purify air enough to be beneficial. One study concluded that for a one-bedroom apartment to have “clean” air you would need over 5000 plants. On the other hand, NASA released a study in 1989 indicating that specific plants can potentially improve indoor pollution. It is a nice idea and plants do add something to the home: but it is not a quick fix to the problem. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effectssolutions-of-air-pollution.php Please note that any views expressed are my own and not PIPA’s.

Lauren Hursthouse

Clinical Trial Scientist ICON plc