ASSIGNMENT ONE

Environmental Management Systems

[Name of the Student]

1. Referring to the First Law of Thermodynamics, describe the constraints that the environment places on business.

Answer: The first law of thermodynamics state that, energy can never be created nor destroyed, although it can change from one form to another. This law presents the basic idea that the system of the universe can be viewed as a close one. This means that the system is bound to utilize the energy and resources that it has. No outside force can manipulate those resources. The idea is that, we all are bound with limited resources. The organizations are no exception to this rule. The organizations, primarily intake one form of energy from the environment, convert it to usable or desirable form, and then it is again released in the environment. The conflict between the system and organization is established when the energy is converted to our desirable form in contrast to the sustainability of the overall system e.g. wood into a fire. This conflict between the environment and organization can be reduced by proper planning and implementation of Environmental Management Systems.

2. Outline the limits that are imposed on industrial growth by draw-down and take-over.

Answer: The businesses are a part of economy and the economy itself is a part of the larger system. This system serves as both the supplier and absorber of the inputs and outputs respectively. This means that businesses have to compete with each other to get the limited resources at the least minimum cost. The outcome is the growth of industry and business at the cost of environment. This means that physical nature of environment system places constraints on growth of industry that are biophysical in nature. Draw-down is the process by which businesses fulfil their needs of industrial growth via continuous depletion of the earth's raw materials and stocks of energy (Implementation of EMS, 2012). However, the resources are limited so this puts a restrain on the industrial growth.

Take-over is the term which is used to express the invasion of humans and utilization of resources at the expense of non-human species. Several stakeholders including consumers and government place restriction on businesses to get involved in such activities.

3. Identify four significant strategies by which society can attempt to achieve sustainable development.

Answer: One thing is a fact that better environment is suitable for every on irrespective of gender, ethnicity, and class. Therefore, the society should make collective efforts keep the environment sustained. Four basic strategies can be adapted by the society to sustainability of the environment. First is the waste disposal. Instead of through in waste just anywhere, it should be properly dumped; collectively the society can contribute to sustainability. The trash is produced every day and is widely dispersed. Therefore, its proper disposal can add to the positive affects to the environment. Second is the sustainable landfill, the landfill site should be checked on three criteria. It should not pollute the ground water. The residues left should not be ...