IMPROVE THE WAY YOU COOK
Biodiversity (Meaning the preservation of the diversity of the ecosystem’s animal and plant life)
In simple terms, «biodiversity», means diversity of life. Learning to manage well our natural resources is a guarantee for the survival of mankind. There are a number of different types of biodiversity. Some ecosystems are more abundant in species than others. Some species are more adaptable to environmental changes than others. And there is a big difference between natural extinction to one that is caused by man, such as the one we are living through today.
Conservation of biodiversity ensures the development of sustainable communities and ecosystems. Even though it is sometimes difficult for humankind to understand the necessity of its conservation, it is certain that our survival critically depends on the immediate and broader environment of the biosphere.
Water footprint (saving the water needed by olive cultivation)
A Water Footprint reflects the quantity of water consumed, directly or indirectly, for the production of products and services. The Water Footprint measurement is a basic requirement for the Integrated Management of water, ultimately aiming to reduce consumption.
The irrational use of our water resources has resulted in the degradation of our aquatic ecosystems, the reduction of our water preserves and a water shortage for many uses (human consumption, farming, industrial use etc.) The increasing cost, as well as, the degradation of water quality is an important problem we are faced with as consumers, local authorities and as businesses. The analysis of the Water Footprint of a product/service/business is a necessary first step in identifying the most water-intense processes, both within an enterprise and throughout the supply chain. This would allow for the efficient use of water, which also aims and combines the improvement of the environment, cost reduction and the improvement of a company’s image, on an international, but especially a domestic level.
Energy Balance (saving natural resources)
Natural resources are the sources from which people get material or energy in order to meet their needs. That is, the total of the primary – meaning, without human intervention – basic commodities found in Nature, which can be used to meet basic human needs today and in the future. Included in the category of natural resources are renewable sources, such as the soil, forests, water, wind, the sun and non-renewable sources, such as fossil fuels (oil, natural gas), and radioactive minerals (uranium, plutonium) and minerals. Twentieth-century technological and industrial advancements make sustainable management of our natural resources ever the most necessary today.
Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere
Despite the ramifications of the global financial crisis, which led to the deceleration of global economies, carbon dioxide emissions due to human activity continue to increase. Amongst other things, carbon dioxide is the most aggravating pollutant associated with the greenhouse effect and global warming. The atmosphere is naturally enriched with CO2, a) during the degradation of dead plants and animals by microorganisms, b) when plants and animals exhale, c) from fossils (because of the effects of various atmospheric factors, such as acid rain) and, d) from natural volcanic emissions.
Every year, 215 billion tons of the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide are absorbed. Half of this quantity (110 billion tons) is used during photosynthesis. The majority of the rest of the CO2 ends up in our oceans.
Human activities produce CO2 at such a fast pace that natural processes (such as photosynthesis) do not have adequate time to absorb it. The total quantity of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere from human activity is about 6-7 billion tons annually, of which, 3 million tons remain in the atmosphere, which enhances the greenhouse effect with a significant impact on the environment and people.
