Employment is a gamble and its security is not certain. We have seen Covid-19, Artificial Intelligence and Technology pushing companies to downsize or terminate certain occupations. Either due to lockdown restrictions or a human performed task being replaced by a machine. Dynamics have shaped us as human beings. They both diminish and replenish certain situations and their risks and opportunities.
The International Labour Organisation; World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2018 reported that 24 million jobs could open up as we adopt sustainable practices and cleaner technologies. Green jobs are activities which create added-value products and services from waste products. This is done by realizing opportunities in our environmental challenges and exploiting them as solutions thus, promoting circular economy and green growth.
Through innovation and entrepreneurship, green initiatives solve environmental challenges and create employment in the value and supply chain process. In the world we live in today, we face many challenges such as load shedding, waste landfills and water shortages which undermine our productivity and also pose hazards to our well-being and our environment. These challenges have opportunities locked within them through solutions. Hence, our mindset and abilities are up for the task to identify and unlock the value within them.
Various citations towards environmental challenges exist in the Zimbabwean context. In 2008 to 2009 Zimbabwe experienced a Cholera outbreak which claimed many lives. Poor water quality and sanitation cultivated the water-borne disease as urban councils struggled to treat and provide adequate and portable water to meet its citizens’ needs. Ineffective solid waste and sewage handling were linked to the causes of the outbreak. The year 2018 and 2019 saw the country experience a national load shedding that affected the economy and the standard of living. The climate change induced water crisis resulted in low water levels at Kariba Dam, the country’s main hydro-power source which undermined the country’s electricity targets. During the Covid-19 pandemic on the 18th of August 2020, Pomona dumpsite, Harare’s Municipal’s solid waste disposal site broke into fire. Tonnes of solid waste burned and released dense smog which was found above both local and international air pollution prescribed levels by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe and World Health Organization, respectively.
Market driven demand is growing towards green products and services as they are durable, affordable and eco-friendly. Consumption patterns are expanding in regards to clean and affordable energy, food, water and effective waste collection and disposal. Including sustainable clothing, vehicles and construction materials.
Organic waste is a solid waste nuisance, but it can be digested using a biogas digester to produce biogas (methane) and a by-product manure (organic fertilizer) for energy needs such as cooking and heating and agricultural purposes. That way, we reduce the amount of waste disposed-off at landfills and its related impacts.
Plastic waste is now an alarming global environmental problem. Plastic can be melted and mixed with concrete to make eco-bricks which can be used in construction applications. The bricks are also more durable and affordable than ordinary bricks, therefore, effective use of plastic in brick making controls plastic pollution.
Non-renewable energy made from coal significantly contributes to climate change and global warming among other pollution problems. Sunlight can be absorbed by solar panels to create renewable energy which is clean and affordable hence, reducing the release of green-house-gases and climate change.
Surface water pollution is cultivating human ill-health such as cholera outbreaks. Water treatment and use of ground water resources through boreholes can be utilized to access clean and affordable water which improves sanitation and may prevent water-borne diseases.
Innovative solutions to our environmental challenges promote sustainability by containing the related implications as well as improving the socio-economic development. Let us be think tanks.
