Introduction



“niiti”, a Sanskrit word means, in different contexts, policy, ethics, tenets. To us, who belong here, it is our raison d’etre, our touchstone. So we constantly turn to our ethics and tenets when we re-examine the basis of what we do and how we do it over and over again. This is our space to engage with our core, with you, our readers and companions on the path towards an equitable society in the deepest meaning of the word. Over the past years, there are several social issues and organisations that we have engaged with and been enriched with both experience and knowledge along the way. We believe that in creating a conversation platform for those engaged in the field, including some of our clients, partners, all of you out there who have reached this site wanting to be the change and others who have expertise to comment and critique, we can actually crowd-source actions and solutions for some of our most pressing social issues.

Some of these stories feature organisations and people who have been the change; others highlight innovative approaches to long-entrenched social issues; yet others point to ways in which change can be facilitated, simply. If you are inspired by them as well and motivated to replicate their work, or want to share inputs on other bright examples like these, do write to us at info@niiticonsulting.com.

This is your platform. Feel free to contribute, critique, and most importantly, converse.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Green Traveling: How to Change the World

In every city there are multiple ways to recycle and live a sustainable existence. Businesses and individuals have been bombarded with toxic chemicals and non-biodegradable materials for so many years that many people don't realize how they're contributing to the pollution of our planet. With the help of a few organizations, it's becoming clearer what we can all do to help the growth of our planet. One industry in particular seems to be at the forefront of embracing the sustainable movement. Businesses within the travel industry have been innovating the green industry.

Most businesses in the travel industry understand that comfort and class means bringing part of the indoor outside. Natural light, solar heated swimming pools; high efficiency windows and outdoor entertainment areas are a few ways that businesses have been able to cut down their dependency on utility companies. At home, individuals are looking for ways to better utilize energy. There are all types of solar heating shingles that transform rooftops into solar energy generators. Many homeowners are remodeling to include sunrooms, skylights, big windows and energy-smart appliances.

Water is a precious resource on Earth. However there's so much waste that occurs because water waste is typical of the way that we build our homes and businesses. There are better ways to cut down on water waste. For one, you can install low flow toilets and showerheads. You can also use tank less water heaters. There are even better systems for reducing water waste for landscaping.

For example, the Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas has a drip irrigation system with moisture sensors that reduce the amount of water necessary to keep planets watered and happy. They also replaced parts of their outdoor areas with artificial turf grass. This has saved eight million gallons of water per year. The Palazzo was even named the “Most Eco Friendly Hotel in America”.
 

The worldwide market for green materials continues to grow. It was at $116 billion just for this year and is expected to grow to $254 billion by 2020. However, there is a lot of work to be done in order to reach our worldwide goals. Sustainable facilities like the hotels and casinos found in Las Vegas continue to drive innovationThere are many areas that must go without water and other areas, which are overcome by landfill waste. By recycling, reducing waste and looking for sustainable options, we can reduce our carbon footprints every day and maintain this beautiful planet that we live on. It's imperative that we make the right decision for future generations and the survival of Earth.