Environment and Sustainability

This essay explores the concept of sustainability and its impact on the environment in Virginia. It discusses programs and initiatives to reduce plastic pollution and mercury contamination, as well as the effects of climate change in the state.

Running head: Environment and Sustainability
Environment and Sustainability

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Environment and Sustainability
Introduction:
The most important part of our coexistence with nature is the result of sustainable
development which have been greatly reducing due to the anthropogenic activities and
pollution. The impacts on the environment have not on affected the environment but have
degraded the habitat that allows the coexistence of human and nature. This essay will look
into the aspect of sustainability with respect to the state of Virginia and will evaluate the
programs that are currently functional in the state and the major activities that are impacting
the environment in the state. A section will also discuss the impact of climate change in the
state of Virginia and will discuss the details of the impacts of climate change
(Virginiaplaces.org.. 2019).
Sustainability in Hampton Virginia
Virginia has been greatly affected with use of plastic which have been greatly
affecting the environment in Virginia. This has led to the development of the project that
emphasises the ban of plastic bags to contain the plastic pollution in the region. The
Environment Virginia has brought several programs that have initiated bans on the plastic
bags and plastic materials and single use cups and plastics that have been degrading the
environment to such an extent that wildlife has been degrading at a high rate. The program
has been emphasising the ban on plastics and have captioned the programme to be “wildlife
over waste”. The Environment Virginia is very much involved in delivering a sustainable
environment by banning bans on plastic and the environment and Environment Virginia is
taking adequate steps to reduce the use of single use plastic and Styrofoam cups that degrade
the environment greatly. The state of Virginia is emphasising the role played by green
buildings and green products and is prompting the usage of green building and green products
that can reduce environmental hazards and environmental sustainability can be implemented.

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Environment and Sustainability
The government is paying importance to green structures and LEED certifications to ensure
that construction of structures are done with the
Environmental Quality in Virginia
Mercury is one of the major issues of pollution problems in Virginia and the EPA and
the Department of Environment Quality is expected to develop one of the major problems if
not addressed properly. Mercury has been identified as one of the PBTs of EPA. PBTs are the
elements which are Persistent, Bio accumulative and toxic in nature and therefore they pose a
serious threat to the environment. The DEQ or the Department of Environmental Quality has
brought in efforts to restrict and contain the pollution of mercury. The DEQ has initiated
efforts to reduce and eliminate the use of products that contain mercury and to collect the
unused mercury or mercury wastes for proper management and recycling of the toxic
wastage. The office of the DEQ has initiated the Environmental Excellence program and have
implemented the use of Environmental management systems or EMS for achieving long term
environmental plans. The Virginia Environmental excellence program or the VEEP has been
developed to ensure the recognition and assistance to the companies to develop
environmentally sustainable and friendly means of application and usage to the people
(Environmentvirginia.org. 2019).
Climate Change and its impact in Virginia
According to the reports of the “Statesatrisk ” (Prevention, 2019), the state of Virginia,
and is exposed the impact of climate change like any other states and is likely to experience
an increase in the sea level and more number of Warmer and hotter das due to the rising
emission levels and pollution. The state is also supposed to be experiencing coastal sea level
change accompanied with extreme events. The report also states that the state is supposed to
be experiencing a more heat waves and wildfires owing to the climate change in the region.
The findings of the reports also state that if he greenhouse emissions continue to increase at

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Environment and Sustainability
the current rate the, the summer heat is projected to increase by at least 7- 10 degrees
Fahrenheit. Depending on the city and the locations, the report also states that some cities
may also see an increase up to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. The number of heat das is also likely to
increase enormously form 10 days at present to over 60 days in a year by 2050. More than
160,000 people are expected to be affected by the extreme heat.
Conclusion:
The importance to preserve and conserve nature is not unknown and the VEEP is taking a
commendable effort and initiative for the betterment of the environment. However it is
extremely essential to know the amount of pollution that emission, plastics and mercury is
adding to the environment and hence take adequate steps that could be implemented within
the framework of VEEP and all other regulatory bodies that adhere to the environmental laws
and regulations. The impact of climate change is also a pressing issue that needs to be
addressed in the right time to conserve, preserve and develop the environmental quality of the
region and reduce the risk of sea level rise in the years to come.

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Environment and Sustainability
References:
Statesatrisk.org. (2019). Virginia's Climate Threats. Retrieved from
https://statesatrisk.org/virginia/all
Prevention, P. (2019). Virginia DEQ - P2 Programs. Retrieved from
https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/PollutionPrevention.aspx
Environmentvirginia.org. (2019). Wildlife Over Waste. Retrieved from
https://environmentvirginia.org/feature/vae/wildlife-over-waste
Virginiaplaces.org. (2019). Climate Change in Virginia. Retrieved from
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/climate/globalwarm.html
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