GLOBALIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE STATE INTERVENTIONS A SOLUTION?
6. SMALL PROPOSALS FOR REDUCING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGES
As a partial measure for saving energy and retaining water in the soil, consider the possibility of legislatively anchoring the obligation to place car parks when constructing public buildings exclusively on rooftops or underground, so that the ground can soak up rainwater to the maximum and not create thermal islands in cities. Regularly carry out an energy audit of all public buildings (schools and other educational institutions, offices, public administration institutions, hospitals, etc.) and, for example, stimulate using tax relief to achieve the specified energy efficiency requirements. The most important offices and institutions should without exception be located in energy-efficient buildings. The roofs of public and state school buildings, offices, institutions and hospitals should have vegetation (green) or be fitted with photovoltaic solar panels, unless this is prevented by technical or other reasons (e.g. a hospital heliport or roof parking). Due to the warming, experiences and proven elements of architecture from the southern countries – for example, open columned vaulted corridors on the ground floor of the buildings (so-called arcades) – should begin being maximized in the construction of urban buildings. People should be more motivated to care for public green spaces, for example, by using the option to plant or adopt trees on lands in towns and municipalities. The use of concrete, paved or asphalted surfaces should be strongly restricted. To maximize greenery, remove unused pavements and old roads and reclaim the land. For maximum rainwater retention – trap it in containers, construct trenches (saturation pits), loosen soil around trees and in public areas and alter curbs so that water from the sidewalks flows into the green areas and does not drain away immediately through public sewers. Plant new and reasonably large trees to replace old trees in a timely fashion. Plant trees that have a large crown at full growth. With regard to natural conditions, use appropriate sources of alternative energy. Permit the use of modern technologies to sanction producers who cause damage to the environment. From a barcode by means of a mobile application, it is possible to determine how and where a company manufactures a product and whether it behaves in a socially responsible way. Thus, it is possible to create social and economic pressure from consumers who refuse to buy goods (services) from producers who act in breach of the principles of environmental protection.
7. CONCLUSION
Act No. 17/1992 on the Environment, as amended, published in the Collection of Laws of the Slovak Republic, defines the environment as follows: “The environment is everything that creates natural conditions for the existence of organisms, including humans, and is a
prerequisite for their further development. Its components are mainly air, water, rocks, soil, and organisms”. The environment has several important functions in an economy, the main one being life security, because it “provides the biological, chemical and physical systems that make life possible” (Romančíková, 2004, p. 20). Within the European Union, several action plans dealing with the environment have been elaborated since 1973, and EU environmental policy is an integral part of both EU policy and those of individual Member States. However, alongside the current focus of attention on the level of greenhouse gases and renewable sources of energy, improvement of the environment as a whole seems to be a secondary objective. From a transnational point of view, environmental protection policy is complicated by the disunity of environmental issues in states and regions and the varied impacts of individual sectors of the economy on the environment. Global consensus must ensure that countries that do not comply with the agreement do not benefit from an economic advantage. We can no longer wait on a significant reduction of fossil carbon emissions and other environmental measures. Human needs are unlimited and pressure on the environment is growing. It is necessary to begin immediately on the individual, local and regional levels with maximum support from the state and do so both legally and economically. The state and public institutions should set an example. To improve the current situation, it is necessary to select systematic and coordinated use of all possible resources available. A coordinated approach is a given. A poor example of an uncoordinated approach in terms of the environment, for example, is the counterproductive disturbance of railways in the context of the consequent inevitable growth of automobile transport. It is necessary to motivate business owners to take active and proactive approaches in the field of energy saving and environmental protection, for example, by tax relief or benefits with the use of modern and more economical technologies. To support the introduction of new technologies with lower energy requirements while preserving or even increasing productivity. To seek more efficient forms of transport (with lower fuel consumption and energy use). State interventions for environmental protection are therefore a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the survival of our species. It is also necessary to educate, encourage, motivate, reward and punish. To stimulate consumers to use modern, less energy-intensive appliances. To seek solutions for households living at or below the poverty line, so that they are not forced to meet their basic needs at the expense of the environment (e.g. by cutting and burning forests). To raise and motivate children regarding environmental protection in schools, but also with the example of behaviour by adults. To appreciate, support and reward good ideas. To systematically seek out and use small measures – including legislation – that have proven their worth in other countries. But the most important thing is to ensure and strictly monitor compliance with the legislation, without exception. Returning the responsibility for damage and applying potential sanctions – redressing damage and the obligation to restore a situation (if possible) to its original state, imposing fines, public works obligations or even imprisonment. The quality of the environment and the development of weather without extreme fluctuations is a prerequisite for sustainable growth and social well-being. Otherwise, we will have to continue to increase the amount of resources spent on removing the subsequent effects of global warming.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The article was written as part of the project VEGA 1/0367/17
“Economic legislative and institutional prerequisites and perspectives of social economy development in the V4 countries in relation to the support of social inclusion”
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