With global issues such as climate change, vast unemployment, underpaid labor, throwaway culture, and numerous inequalities continually the rise, we all as citizens of this world must recognize the gravity of the situation our world is in and decide what we can do - and are going to do - to improve the global standard of living and quality of life.
If 2020 has taught us anything, the take-away would be that the world needs to focus on optimal change.
With global issues such as climate change, vast unemployment, underpaid labor, throwaway culture, and numerous inequalities continually the rise, we all as citizens of this world must recognize the gravity of the situation our world is in and decide what we can do - and are going to do - to improve the global standard of living and quality of life.
The United Nations has compiled a set of interrelated goals to aid in contributing towards universal enrichment and global development and sustainability. These goals, known as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, are systematized to bestow direction and focus towards solving the world's greatest challenges by 2030.
LED Roadway Lighting and Smart City division Liveable Cities support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, committing to making the world more sustainable through our products and actions. We have chosen to focus particularly on goals 9, 11, 13, and 15.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
LED Roadway Lighting and Liveable Cities work to innovate new technology that can be used to build infrastructure and create jobs for people in developing and developed countries.
One way we do this is by creating and providing energy-efficient infrastructure such as LED streetlights for street and highway projects. Not only
are we able to share new technology that can benefit others globally, but this also allows us to supply long-term jobs and teach new skills to people nationally and internationally in manufacturing, research and development, and sales.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
LED Roadway Lighting and Liveable Cities' goal is to improve the environmental, social, and economic impact of cities and to make them more resilient. As a pioneer in smart city lighting technology, we see it as our privilege to help lead the direction in which we use technology and innovation to create sustainable cities around the world.
We achieve this positive impact on communities through our technology in several ways: by reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions released in our atmosphere, contributing to less waste and pollution; by reducing product costs, allowing cities to spend more of their budget on other necessary or beneficial expenses; and by providing effective lighting in neighborhoods for increased safety and a sense of security throughout the night.
Goal 13: Climate Action
LED Roadway Lighting and Liveable Cities' products and services reduce the carbon footprint of cities by making them smarter and more efficient. Upgrading from dated conventional streetlights to LEDs significantly reduce the carbon footprint in cities, with generally 50-60% less energy consumption.
Besides the obvious financial benefits of upgrading to energy-efficient street lighting, this allows cities to implement procedures that are beneficial, striving to limit pollution instead of simply contributing to its continual growth. In addition, smart city technology can help optimize on energy efficiency by allowing streetlights to turn on only when needed, and only as brightly as needed, further reducing the carbon footprint left behind.
Goal 15: Life on Land
Smart technology enable the use of smart city data for understanding how we do things and analyzing which of these activities have negative impacts on the planet and society. As we better understand those impacts, we can respond more effectively. This process enables us to provide more responsible lighting by using software and sensors to determine when, where, and how much lighting is needed at every street light.
With smarter lighting, we use light only when and where needed, allowing us to reduce the negative impact of artificial lighting on people, plants, and animals, such as natural sleep and wake cycles. One specific way we have implemented our research is by developing LED lights with a limited wavelength that meets the requirements designed to avoid interfering with the sea turtles nesting.
As we begin a new year and the world continues to seek sustainable methods for city growth and development, we at LED Roadway Lighting and Liveable Cities will continue to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals in how we engage in our business and serve cities and communities around the world.
How is your city planning to uphold sustainability goals and responsible development this coming year? What actions have your city already undergone to improve the impact it is making on the environment? Let us know in the comments below.