Iceland has a big environmental problem: lots of cheap, clean energy.
It’s probably a paradox to say that, but apparently it’s an issue for policy-makers faced with people protesting against one of the country’s most important industries. Aluminium smelting plays a big part in the Icelandic economy, surprisingly since they have no bauxite. However, smelting is a very energy-hungry process, and Iceland, with its geothermal and hidro- power plants, seems to be an industrial heaven – even if that means shipping the ore from the extraction location.
Now, here’s the “beauty” of the dilemma. Environmentalists in Iceland are against using their country’s “pure” sources of energy for the process, but then again, ship it to China, and the next soda can you drink will have a good few kilos of coal on its guilty conscience – and you won’t even bother, because hey, what are externalities for if not to provide us with that precious comfort called blissful ignorance?
That’s the sort of environmental problem that I both love and hate, because there seems to be no way out of it. Aluminium consumption won’t drop very soon, at least not without help, so what’s the option? Use clean, cheap energy to encourage continued glutonous consumption of aluminium, while wrecking the beautiful Icelandic scenery? Or save what’s untainted and let those furnances keep on spewing smoke?
None of the scenarios are very likable, are they?
The way I see it, we should be thinking differently and the first thing that pops into my mind is the Cradle to Cradle philosophy. Aluminium is probably the best material to make us consider this question since it is probably the material most worth recycling – way cheaper than smelting it. So, why not think of new ways to design an aluminium product so that it almost recycles itself?
Chocolate wrapping for instance. I must say I had to look up why chocolate is wrapped in aluminium foil so much, but apparently it’s not just a marketing gimmick (uh, look, shiny!) – there are a few solid reasons for that. But it is such a waste – ever seen anyone recycle chocolate wrapping? Nope.
However … if it would be as easy as dropping it into the mailbox? Imagine all chocolate wrapping like a pre-stamped postcard, chuck into the mailbox and the postman knows he must put all chocolate wrapping in a separate bag, which goes to recycling.
What about cans? What if instead of reading some stupid code on the bottom of the can you register for the Win-A-Car-Competition by turning in 10 beer cans at a recycling center? What about doing the same with PET bottles? Wouldn’t that be a good CSR project, oh, you mighty polluting corporations?
…
Some of this stuff doesn’t entirely makes sense, I know. The part about chocolate wrapping is delirious – not because it is the postman who should collect, but because people won’t throw it where they should in the right place. Not everywhere at least, and this is where we get to the really sensitive point.
You see, sustainability is not about government – local or from far, far away – telling you what to do with your garbage or coming to your home to shut your TV when you’re not watching it. Sustainability is about giving a damn. It’s about educating your children and, most of all, educating yourself.
If you’re poor, you have the right to know and it may well be in your interest to know. I strongly believe that people who have the strength to preserve a clean environment in spite of it all have the strength to bail their community out of the sinkhole.
If you’re rich, you have the right to remain silent. There’s no excuse for not knowing, and no excuse for not acting accordingly.
So … how sustainable is your lifestyle? It’s a question we should be asking ourselves continously – in terms of health, relationships, financial matters and, of course, environment.
They’re all linked, you see …
