Are You Part of the Green Economy?

By Brooke Edwards

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: June 5, 2012

World Environment Day 2012 logo

Today is the 40th annual World Environment Day, and this year's theme is "Green Economy: Does it include you?"

Fromt their the United Nation's Environment Programme's website:

The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbonresource efficient and socially inclusive.

I consider myself absolutely part of the Green Economy–perhaps doubly so–here at Heifer International. Not only is the office I report to every day a LEED Platinum-rated building with 100 solar panels, a large part of what we do is to help build the green economy in the developing countries where we work.

From biogas and other energy-saving stoves to aquaculture, we help our project communities take our interventions beyond subsistence to develop commercially viable, market-oriented industries with an eye toward reducing environmental harm.

What about you? Are you part of the Green Economy? Tell us how in the comments section.