Posted by Nancy Sabatelli on Nov.12, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - cinoby

In recent years, our society has become more concerned with “going green” and saving the planet. For example, we offer incentives and rebates on energy-efficient appliances, eco-minded home improvements and fuel-friendly hybrid cars. But what are other countries doing to promote clean air, clean water and efficient energy use? Many nations all over the globe are taking steps to ensure healthy, clean and green futures.

Still-Developing Versus Already-Developed Countries

Is a country very likely to adopt new green initiatives? That depends on whether the country is still-developing or already-developed, according to MSN Health (1).

Still-developing countries. People in still-developing countries are more aware of their impact on the environment. They’re more likely to change their daily behaviors or adopt new initiatives to positively impact the planet. Specifically, these people are concerned with how the environment will impact their health, and the role of global warming. They also “feel the most guilt about their environmental impact and are willing to do the most to minimize that impact,” MSN Health reports (1). Moreover, residents of still-developing countries may not have the financial means to own big homes or cars: they own smaller homes and walk or take public transportation, which cuts down on energy usage (1).

Already-developed countries. People in already-developed countries are more firmly entrenched in their behaviors and ways of life. Consequently, they may be less willing to change or adopt new measures — particularly if such change means sacrificing, giving up or cutting back. Residents of already-developed countries are also more likely to own large homes — which use more energy — and cars. Plus, they’re less likely to take public transportation or buy locally-produced goods (1).

However, countries in both of these categories are creating new initiatives designed to protect the environment.

Austria

Here, both federal and local governments take a strong environmental stance, enforcing eco-friendly laws. Specifically, waste control and pollution from individuals and big companies are tightly monitored. The country’s most important priority, however, is preserving forests and water quality — it has some of the world’s cleanest rivers and lakes. Austria has also developed a National Protective Forest Plan (2). Plus, it’s the country with the second highest recycling rate: 49.7 percent of its waste is recycled, according to the Web site, Aneki.com (6).

Canada

Like Austria, Canada is strongly protective of its forests. In turn, these forests lead to better air and water quality, helping to counteract air pollution and acid rain in cities like Montreal (3).

China

Prompted in part by hosting the Beijing Olympics, China has aimed to reduce air pollution and coal energy by closing factories in the Beijing area. The country also strives to reduce harmful sulfur contents in its gasoline. These measures are crucial, because as China’s population and economy continue to grow, so will the number of cars on its roads and the amount of pollution in the air. In fact, “in Beijing today, the level of one type of particularly harmful air pollution is more than four times the level in New York City,” report Matthew E. Kahn and Fran Lostys in Reader’s Digest (3).

Costa Rica

This country has long been known for its eco-friendly efforts. For example, between 78 and 80 percent of the country uses hydroelectric power, and about 18 percent uses wind power (2, 4). A 5 percent gasoline tax is charged, and the money goes towards environmental programs (2). Over a quarter of the land “is protected as national parks,” notes James Scott on the Web site, Green Living Ideas (4). Costa Rica is also striving to become carbon neutral, (offsetting all of its greenhouse gas emissions), by the year 2021. The country not only protects its current resources, but also plants more trees per capita “than anywhere else in the world,” claims Scott (4). Individuals, businesses and the government all work together in prompting new initiatives. Of the 149 countries in a Yale University Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranking, Costa Rica ranked fifth, with a score of 90.5 out of a possible 100, Newsweek reports (5).

Finland

Major goals in this country involve improving air and water supplies, especially in industrial manufacturing areas (2). Efforts are also directed at protecting and preserving forests, replanting trees to make up for those lost to the timber industry. And, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Task Force for Sustainable Building and Construction was started here. This task force analyzes building materials, sources, methods and procedures. The goal is to use sustainable materials and methods (2). In the EPI ranking, Finland was ranked fourth, with a score of 91.4, according to Newsweek (5).

France

Ecology and conservation are part of France’s Constitution, which is reviewed annually. The country hopes to reduce 54 million tons of carbon dioxide by the year 2010 (2). Because the French government is so actively involved in environmental legislation, France is the leading producer of renewable energy in the European Union. “78 percent of its energy” derives from nuclear power, and this has cut harmful emissions and pollutions by 70 percent, notes the Web site, Eco Friendly Daily (2). It rounded out the top ten countries in the EPI ranking, scoring 87.8, Newsweek notes (5).

Latvia

This small country is highly involved in protecting natural resources, especially its water. Latvia has reduced wasted water 44 percent and lowered pollution 46 percent over the past two decades, according to Eco Friendly Daily (2). The country has funds dedicated to energy and water conservation. Also, some farms that use harmful insecticides, chemicals, fertilizers and other pollutants have been shut down so that forests can re-grow. Latvia ranked eighth in the EPI ranking, and scored 88.8, reports Newsweek (5).

Norway

You’ll find “the world’s largest solar production plant” here, Eco Friendly Daily writes (2). Norwegians are also cutting back on flying and driving in attempts to reduce emissions and pollution. In fact, the country’s goal is to be carbon neutral by the year 2030 — 20 years earlier than initially anticipated. Norway has allotted funds towards these and other green projects (2). In the EPI ranking, Norway came in third, scoring 93.1, according to Newsweek (5). In terms of recycling, Norway ranks fifth in the world, recycling 40 percent of its waste, notes Aneki.com (6).

Sweden

A major Swedish goal is to reduce fossil fuel use: the country has a mandate to end fossil fuel use by the year 2020 (2). It’s well on its way to reaching this goal, because a great amount of its energy already comes from renewable sources, like nuclear and hydroelectric power. Sweden is also investigating using waves to generate power, which may be four times as strong as solar power (2). The country ranked second in the EPI ranking, with a score of 93.1, Newsweek notes (5). And, Sweden placed sixth for recycling: the country recycles 34 percent of its waste, Aneki.com reports (6).

Switzerland

This country is a true leader in green initiatives. It has laws and legislation to monitor pollution. Because of fees and costs for water use and waste disposal, citizens are very mindful of their behaviors in these areas. In 2006, the Federal Office for the Environment, (FOEN), was formed to preserve natural resources and reduce environmental hazards (3). Switzerland ranked number one in the EPI ranking, scoring 95.5, according to Newsweek (5). It’s also at the top of the list for recycling, and it recycles over half of its waste — 52 percent, claims Aneki.com (6).

Sources
1. What’s Your Greendex Score? (May 2008). MSN Health. Retrieved October 23, 2009 from http://www.health24.com/article.asp?contentID=46309
2. Top 10 Eco Friendly Countries. (2009). Eco Friendly Daily. Retrieved October 23, 2009 from http://www.ecofriendlydaily.com/news/friendly-countries/
3. Kahn, Matthew E. & Lostys, Fran. Greenest Locations on the Globe: Five Key Environmental Lessons. (n.d.). Reader’s Digest. Retrieved October 23, 2009 from http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/greenest-locations-on-the-globe/article45585.html
4. James, Scott. Costa Rica Sets Goal to be Carbon Neutral by 2021. (October 18, 2009). Green Living Ideas. Retrieved October 24, 2009 from http://greenlivingideas.com/topics/money-and-finance/carbon-ghg-neutrality-and-reduction/costa-rica-sets-goal-carbon-neutral-2021
5. The World’s Greenest Countries. (January 23, 2008). Newsweek. Retrieved October 23, 2009 from http://www.newsweek.com/id/98010
6. Countries with the Highest Recycling Rates. (2009). Aneki.com. Retrieved October 25, 2009 from http://www.aneki.com/recycling_countries.html

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