Going Green

15 ways environmentalism must improve

1. We should transition to renewable energy as quickly as possible.
2. Carbon emissions should be better regulated.
3. Environmental fines should be higher, especially for wealthy individuals and corporations.
4. Recycling laws should improve.
5. Single-use plastics should be phased out.
6. There should be more public trash, recycling, and compost bins.
7. Composting should be compulsory.
8. Selective logging should replace clear-cutting.
9. Trees should be planted from the air (seed bombing).
10. Wherever possible, replanting should consist of alternating swaths of coniferous and fruit trees.
11. City infrastructure should be redefined.
12. Water conservation policies must improve.
13. Natural habitats must be protected.
14. Pollinators must be protected.
15. Eco-education programs should improve.

Environmental protections are a must. The health of our planet is no longer just an environmental issue; it's also a human one. Climate change, pollution, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss are all accelerating, and their effects are increasingly visible in our daily lives. We cannot afford to wait for someone else to act, nor can we continue treating environmental concerns as optional side issues. It is our responsibility to protect our environment for future generations. We as a global society should cooperate to make a positive impact on the environment.

Real change requires bold, practical reforms that address environmental degradation. To halt and hopefully repair the damage, these reforms must be proactive, science-based, and scalable. Below are 15 urgent and achievable environmental reforms. Each offers a way to build a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone. Some are already working on a small scale. Others call for new thinking or overdue enforcement. But all of them have one thing in common: we need to act on them now.

Reform 1: Renewable energy

Renewables like wind, solar, and hydro reduce pollution, combat climate change, and create millions of green jobs. Transitioning quickly is critical to limiting climate change and building an energy-secure future. The technologies exist; political will, financial investment, and an ambitious timeline are called for.

Reform 2: Emission restrictions

Stricter limits on emissions would serve not only to cut industrial pollution, but also to drive industrial innovation. They are essential to curbing climate change and protecting public health from smog and other harmful byproducts. Countries such as Sweden and Germany have proven that strict emission standards can coexist with strong economies.

Reform 3: Steeper fines

In order to promote environmentally friendly practices, it is essential to increase environmental fines. This includes fines for pollution, of course, but also for littering and failure to recycle. In order to deter environmental damage, fines should reflect actual financial consequences. That is to say, while fines should be increased in general, they should be even higher for businesses and wealthy individuals. Weak penalties encourage repeat offenses. Fair, scaled fines would reduce violations and hold polluters accountable.

Littering fines should be even higher when it comes to dumping large objects such as refrigerators. This is a major problem on back roads and in other rural and low-traffic areas such as forested parks.

Reform 4: Improved recycling laws

Too much recyclable material ends up in landfills due to weak laws and lax enforcement. Materials such as cloth, glass, plastic, and aluminum are often discarded, largely because they are difficult or costly to recycle. Clearer regulations would help reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower pollution.

Also, the existing recycling laws should be better enforced. The United Kingdom and Ireland have already started using microchips in some trash cans, to help ensure that recycling laws are being followed. This is an example that other countries should follow. Thanks to recycling fines, the investment would pay for itself. Deposit-return schemes are also beneficial, as has been demonstrated in many countries including Canada.

When it comes to effective recycling laws, no country beats Japan. It has 34 categories of recyclables on the national level, with some municipalities having up to 45. Plus there are complex rules around each. For example, broken glass and porcelain must be wrapped in paper to avoid harming the workers who handle it.

Reform 5: No single-use plastics

Plastic waste is choking ecosystems, harming wildlife, and filling landfills. Replacing single-use plastics with reusable, compostable, or recyclable alternatives is a practical step toward a cleaner, healthier planet. Many restaurants are already doing their part and switching to compostable or reusable utensils.

Likewise, packaging manufacturers should be required to use easily recyclable materials, e.g. paper bags.

Reform 6: More receptacles

Littering is a common problem in the modern world. More insidiously, many people dispose of recyclables or food scraps because public recycling and compost bins are scarcer than garbage cans. People are more likely to dispose of waste responsibly when the full set of bins are available nearby. More public disposal options reduce litter, improve recycling rates, and lead to cleaner streets and parks.

San Francisco’s “zero waste” initiative includes clearly marked receptacles throughout the city. This has resulted in significantly higher recycling rates and lower landfill use, making it a successful example that other cities should strive to follow.

Reform 7: Composting enforcement

Organic waste makes up a large share of landfill trash, where it definitely does not belong. Composting turns this waste into nutrient-rich soil and supports local agriculture. It even reduces methane emissions, as organic material produces methane when it decays in the absence of oxygen. Making composting mandatory is a win-win. Municipal compost collection programs can make the process easy and accessible, as seen in cities like Toronto and Portland.

Reform 8: Selective logging

Clear-cutting not only displaces wildlife, but also causes soil erosion and desertification, destroying entire ecosystems. Selective logging preserves biodiversity, maintains forest health, and allows sustainable timber harvesting, making it a smarter, longer-term approach to forestry. It also reduces the frequency and severity of wildfires, as overcrowded forests are the most flammable.

The problem is that logging outfits are not interested due to the costs. The ideal solution would be laws against clear-cutting.

Reform 9: Seed bombing

Seed bombing is a much more efficient alternative to traditional manual planting. It consists of encasing each seed in a cone of fertilizer and dropping them from a plane. A seed bombing plane can plant up to 900,000 trees in a single day, the equivalent of 300 manual planters working very quickly.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology invented seed bombing in 1989. To this day, the technique is rarely used despite its efficiency. It costs less per tree than manual planting. It enables large-scale reforestation to occur quickly, including in remote areas and mountainous terrain. It would certainly facilitate the world's many existing incomplete replanting projects, most notably the Sahara Green Wall.

Reform 10: Planting both coniferous and fruit trees

Conifers are highly efficient in mitigating pollution; in the short term, they absorb more CO2 than deciduous trees. Alternating fast-growing conifers with longer-lived deciduous trees combines short-term carbon absorption with long-term storage and biodiversity. Fruit trees, in particular, add food and income sources for local communities, making reforestation more sustainable and equitable.

Thoughtful planting strategies like this enhance carbon sequestration while fostering ecological and economic resilience.

Reform 11: Urban planning

This includes the creation of urban green spaces and preservation of existing ones. Green spaces cool cities, clean the air, and give people places to relax and connect with nature. Preserving and expanding them is essential for public health and climate resilience.

Perhaps more remarkably, cities also need better public transit, better walkability, more cycling paths, and smarter density. Many cities, especially in North America, have been designed with motor vehicles in mind. Due to climate change and rising fuel costs, sprawling (car-dependent) cities are outdated. Modern cities should adapt for climate resilience.

Finally, green building should be the standard. Eco-friendly buildings use less energy and water, reduce carbon footprints, and lower utility bills. Making green design a legal standard, rather than simply an option, will drive large-scale environmental and economic benefits.

Reform 12: Water conservation

Water is a precious resource that is essential for life. It is finite in supply, yet each human requires multiple litres of it on a daily basis. Smarter usage policies would protect our supplies and ensure access for future generations. They would also reduce the energy used in pumping and treating water, offering financial and environmental returns. Ideally, the restrictions would target corporations first and then individuals.

Solar stills should be more common. These simple devices offer an affordable, low-tech, and sustainable way to turn salty or dirty water into drinkable water. In areas facing drought, contamination, or rising sea levels, they could be a life-saving and eco-friendly solution. By being mindful of our water usage, we can contribute to the sustainability of our environment and ensure that future generations will have enough water for their needs.

Reform 13: Natural habitats

Losing habitats means losing species. Preserving forests, wetlands, and other wild spaces protects biodiversity, stabilizes the climate, and ensures clean air and water for all life. Stronger legal protections, buffer zones, and land stewardship incentives can help preserve these ecosystems before they are lost. Saving ecosystems from collapse helps ensure our own survival.

Reform 14: Protecting pollinators

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are essential, both for ecosystems and for food production. Limiting harmful pesticides and planting pollinator-friendly gardens supports both agriculture and biodiversity. Of particular note, many public places in Metro Vancouver have planted bee gardens, which include a wide variety of flowers so that something will be in bloom most of the year.

Reform 15: Eco-education

People protect what they understand. Environmental education empowers children and adults to make informed, sustainable choices, laying the groundwork for long-term cultural change. Environmental literacy should be embedded in school curriculums, community workshops, and public media campaigns to reach all age groups.