Land Ethic: A Different Perspective for Green Community Rating Systems
Journal Title: Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Sustainability in India is rated through various Green Rating Systems for real estate developments, although on voluntary basis. This paper presents a scientific analysis of an Indian Rating System namely: IGBC Green Townships and two global rating systems namely: BREEAM Communities and Pearl Rating System on basis of a philosophy known as Land Ethic (LE). Coined by an American forester Aldo Leopold, LE is based on parameters like soils, waters, plants/animals or collectively: the land. This philosophy forms a roadmap to view the rating systems in terms of its intangible/non-monetary benefits related to soils, waters, plants/animals and land. The analysis involved selection of keywords which best represented LE philosophy, namely: Community, Soils, Waters, Plants/Animals, Land Health, Land Pyramid, Land Organism, Ecological Conscience, Land Use, Conservation/Preservation and Education/Awareness. Each issue/checklist listed in the selected rating systems was qualitatively evaluated in respect to the selected LE keywords. For quantitative analysis, a scoring system was formulated to give scores to each issue/checklist vis-a-vis LE keywords. Scores A represented scores for issues/efforts and Scores B represented scores for respective credit points earned by each LE keyword. Scores A and B were then used for the purpose of this study on basis of LE keywords and issues/checklist of the rating systems. A resultant matrix was formulated for the purpose of compatibility inspection of the rating systems in context to LE philosophy. Few guidelines on basis of LE philosophy were also recommended.
Authors and Affiliations
Jatina R. Thakkar
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