Week 2 Q: What can we do to save the planet? (as a student)
Duncan Lim
A: There are alot of things that we can do eventhough the effort is small such as recycling, prevent open burning, share a car with friends when wanted to travel and etc. This few ways for us to help reduce the pollution. Furthermore, we can encourage our friends to do same with us as every small actions that is taken can affect the world.
If we humans keep creating trash today, eventually will overload our surface and underground area, is there other effecient way to reduce the trash besides recycle?
ANSWER: Obi Michael 1000715653 there is so much worry about the disappearing icecaps because these regions: 1. prevent excess open water 2. radiates the earths temperature reflecting the suns light. This character is referred to as "albedo".
Answer: Obi Mike 1000715653 The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.It is believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050.
1. Could logistics represent a tool to modify, in a more sustainable way, the interactions between food production and food consumption? 2. Could a shorter food supply chain contribute to the creation of new, healthy and sustainable consumption patterns? 3. Could an improved knowledge about the relation between food and environment modify food consumption habits, towards the consumption of less processed food and changing the present food production trends (i.e. increasing production of functional food)? 4. Which role could (or must) have Public Authorities, who buy each day hundreds thousands of meals for school catering, in influencing the above mentioned choices?
Answer: Obi Michael The major criticism of the Gaia theory is that its a hypothesis. However, if this hypothesis is right, it would require substantial number of years for the earth to respond positively according to the prediction.
Answer: obi mike 100715653 Hurricanes are low pressure areas that form over warm ocean water. The warm water serves as fuel and thats why its predominant at summer. Katrina was the inevitable. Global warming was only attributed to its ferocity and speed of occurrence.
Q- what is green design? what is the benefits of green design?
A- Green designs use eco-friendly reusable materials, furnishings and leftovers. These kind of designs feature the use of long lasting, non-toxic materials as well as recycling. Green designs make use of materials that are renewable and long lasting.the benefits of green design is saving energy, and reduce greenhouses gases,and more environment friendly.
Answer: • Unplug a freezer. One of the quickest ways is to unplug the extra refrigerator or freezer that rarely use (except when you need it for holidays and parties). This can reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 10 percent.
• Plant a tree. In addition to storing carbon, trees planted in and around urban areas and residences can provide much-needed shade in the summer, reducing energy bills and fossil fuel use.
Week 3
Question: What is the effect of ozone layer depletion?
Answer: • increase in UV-B radiation at ground level • disturbance of the thermal structure of the atmosphere, probably resulting in changes in atmospheric circulation • Reduction of the ozone greenhouse effect • Changes in the troposphere ozone and in the oxidising capacity of the troposphere.
Week 4
Question: Briefly explain the meaning of eco-city.
Answer: Eco-cities are human settlements that respect the natural environment. It is a city designed with consideration of environmental impact, inhabited by people dedicated to minimisation of required inputs of energy, water and food, and waste output of heat, air pollution - CO2, methane, and water pollution.
A- a sustainable city that enables all its citizens to meet their own needs and to enhance their well being, without degrading the natural world or the lives of other people, now or in the future.
A- Yard trimmings are a great way to help recycle and create fertilizer. Food waste products are disposable too but they will smell so bad when decomposing that you will definitely have a problem with animals and neighbors. When it comes to creating your own compost pile you want to stick with organic materials such as leaves, plants, grass and other yard wastes and leave food or animal wastes alone to be disposed of in another manner.
Q- What is the difference between recyclable and reusable waste?
Reusing generally means waste unaltered gets to be reused. They either have the same uses as before or they get a different use. Eg. a drinking bottle to use as a flower vase. Recycling is done by reprocessing materials to their raw state and then the materials are to be manufactured into a whole new product.
Q: Other than the International Treaties, is there any other organization that is very influecial to affect the world?
Week 4
Q: What is the example of sickness that is occured among the citizens because of the weather now? Or What can be done by the economist to help to sustain the environment?
Week 5
Q: How can we (architects) help in sustaining the environment?
1. What is urban heat island? As urban areas develop, changes occur in their landscape. Buildings, roads, and other infrastructure replace open land and vegetation. Surfaces that were once permeable and moist become impermeable and dry.
These changes cause urban regions to become warmer than their rural surroundings, forming an "island" of higher temperatures in the landscape.
Heat islands occur on the surface and in the atmosphere. On a hot, sunny summer day, the sun can heat dry, exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50–90°F (27–50°C) hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces—often in more rural surroundings—remain close to air temperatures. Surface urban heat islands are typically present day and night, but tend to be strongest during the day when the sun is shining.
In contrast, atmospheric urban heat islands are often weak during the late morning and throughout the day and become more pronounced after sunset due to the slow release of heat from urban infrastructure. The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. On a clear, calm night, however, the temperature difference can be as much as 22°F (12°C).
Surface and atmospheric temperatures vary over different land use areas. Surface temperatures vary more than air temperatures during the day, but they both are fairly similar at night. The dip and spike in surface temperatures over the pond show how water maintains a fairly constant temperature day and night, due to its high heat capacity. (* Note: The temperatures displayed above do not represent absolute temperature values or any one particular measured heat island. Temperatures will fluctuate based on factors such as seasons, weather conditions, sun intensity, and ground cover. )
Why Do We Care About Heat Islands?
Elevated temperature from urban heat islands, particularly during the summer, can affect a community's environment and quality of life. While some heat island impacts seem positive, such as lengthening the plant-growing season, most impacts are negative and include:
• Increased energy consumption: Higher temperatures in summer increase energy demand for cooling and add pressure to the electricity grid during peak periods of demand. One study estimates that the heat island effect is responsible for 5–10% of peak electricity demand for cooling buildings in cities.
• Elevated emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases: Increasing energy demand generally results in greater emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Higher air temperatures also promote the formation of ground-level ozone.
• Compromised human health and comfort: Warmer days and nights, along with higher air pollution levels, can contribute to general discomfort, respiratory difficulties, heat cramps and exhaustion, non-fatal heat stroke, and heat-related mortality.
• Impaired water quality: Hot pavement and rooftop surfaces transfer their excess heat to storm water, which then drains into storm sewers and raises water temperatures as it is released into streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Rapid temperature changes can be stressful to aquatic ecosystems.
What Can Be Done?
Communities can take a number of steps to reduce the heat island effect, using four main strategies: • increasing tree and vegetative cover; • creating green roofs (also called "rooftop gardens" or "eco-roofs"); • installing cool—mainly reflective—roofs; and • using cool pavements.
As urban areas develop, changes occur in their landscape. Buildings, roads, and other infrastructure replace open land and vegetation. Surfaces that were once permeable and moist become impermeable and dry.
These changes cause urban regions to become warmer than their rural surroundings, forming an "island" of higher temperatures in the landscape.
Heat islands occur on the surface and in the atmosphere. On a hot, sunny summer day, the sun can heat dry, exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50–90°F (27–50°C) hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces—often in more rural surroundings—remain close to air temperatures. Surface urban heat islands are typically present day and night, but tend to be strongest during the day when the sun is shining.
In contrast, atmospheric urban heat islands are often weak during the late morning and throughout the day and become more pronounced after sunset due to the slow release of heat from urban infrastructure. The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. On a clear, calm night, however, the temperature difference can be as much as 22°F (12°C).
Surface and atmospheric temperatures vary over different land use areas. Surface temperatures vary more than air temperatures during the day, but they both are fairly similar at night. The dip and spike in surface temperatures over the pond show how water maintains a fairly constant temperature day and night, due to its high heat capacity. (* Note: The temperatures displayed above do not represent absolute temperature values or any one particular measured heat island. Temperatures will fluctuate based on factors such as seasons, weather conditions, sun intensity, and ground cover. )
Why Do We Care About Heat Islands?
Elevated temperature from urban heat islands, particularly during the summer, can affect a community's environment and quality of life. While some heat island impacts seem positive, such as lengthening the plant-growing season, most impacts are negative and include:
• Increased energy consumption: Higher temperatures in summer increase energy demand for cooling and add pressure to the electricity grid during peak periods of demand. One study estimates that the heat island effect is responsible for 5–10% of peak electricity demand for cooling buildings in cities.
• Elevated emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases: Increasing energy demand generally results in greater emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Higher air temperatures also promote the formation of ground-level ozone.
• Compromised human health and comfort: Warmer days and nights, along with higher air pollution levels, can contribute to general discomfort, respiratory difficulties, heat cramps and exhaustion, non-fatal heat stroke, and heat-related mortality.
• Impaired water quality: Hot pavement and rooftop surfaces transfer their excess heat to storm water, which then drains into storm sewers and raises water temperatures as it is released into streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Rapid temperature changes can be stressful to aquatic ecosystems.
What Can Be Done?
Communities can take a number of steps to reduce the heat island effect, using four main strategies:
• increasing tree and vegetative cover; • creating green roofs (also called "rooftop gardens" or "eco-roofs"); • installing cool—mainly reflective—roofs; and • using cool pavements.
2. What is green house gas? When do we send green house gases into the air?
Greenhouse Gas refers to any gas that absorbs infra-red radiation in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), halogenated fluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone (O3), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
We send greenhouse gases whenever we use electricity that comes from power plants to:
Watch TV Use the Air Conditioner Turn on a Light Use a Hair Dryer Ride in a Car Play a Video Game Listen to a Stereo Wash or Dry Clothes Use a Dish Washer Microwave a Meal
1. Most power plants use coal and oil to make electricity. Burning coal and oil produces greenhouse gases.
2. The trash that we send to landfills produces a greenhouse gas called methane.
3. Methane is also produced by the animals we raise for dairy and meat products and when we take coal out of the ground.
4. Whenever we drive or ride in a car, we are adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
5. When factories make the things that we buy and use everyday, they too are sending greenhouse gases into the air.
6. When people burn fossil fuels (remains of died plants which were buried in earth and turned into coil and oil), they send co2 and other greenhouse gases into the air
Q: What are the effects of global warming? A: Here are ten surprising effects 1. Aggravated Allergies; Research has shown that the higher carbon dioxide levels and warmer temperatures associated with global warming are also playing a role by prodding plants to bloom earlier and produce more pollen. With more allergens produced earlier, allergy season can last longer. 2. Heading for the Hills; Starting in the early 1900s, we've all had to look to slightly higher ground to spot our favorite chipmunks, mice and squirrels. Researchers found that many of these animals have moved to greater elevations, possibly due to changes in their habitat caused by global warming. 3. Arctic in Bloom; Arctic plants usually remain trapped in ice for most of the year. Nowadays, when the ice melts earlier in the spring, the plants seem to be eager to start growing. Research has found higher levels of the form of the photosynthesis product chlorophyll in modern soils than in ancient soils, showing a biological boom in the Arctic in recent decades. 4. Pulling the Plug; A whopping 125 lakes in the Arctic have disappeared in the past few decades. Research into the whereabouts of the missing water points to the probability that permafrost underneath the lakes thawed out. When this normally permanently frozen ground thaws, the water in the lakes can seep through the soil, draining the lake, just like pulling the plug out of the bathtub. 5. The Big Thaw; The planet seems to be thawing out the layer of permanently frozen soil below the ground's surface. This thawing causes the ground to shrink and occurs unevenly, so it could lead to sink holes and damage to structures such as railroad tracks, highways and houses. 6. Survival of the Fittest; Because plants bloom earlier in the year, animals that wait until their usual time to migrate might miss out on all the food. They must reset their 'internal clocks' and set out earlier to survive, thereby ultimately changing the genetic profile of their entire population. 7. Speedier Satellites; Air in the atmosphere's outermost layer is very thin, but air molecules still create drag that slows down satellites. But the amount of carbon dioxide up there is increasing. And while carbon dioxide molecules in the lower atmosphere release energy as heat, the sparser molecules in the upper atmosphere collide less frequently and tend to radiate their energy away, cooling the air around them. With more carbon dioxide up there, more cooling occurs, causing the air to settle. So the atmosphere is less dense and creates less drag. 8. Rebounding Mountains; As the glaciers melt, this weight is lifting, and the surface slowly is springing back. Because global warming speeds up the melting of these glaciers, the mountains are rebounding faster. 9. Rising seas and more extreme weather have the potential to damage irreplaceable sites. Floods attributed to global warming have already damaged a 600-year-old site, Sukhothai, which was once the capital of a Thai kingdom. 10. Forest Fire Frenzy; In western states over the past few decades, more wildfires have blazed across the countryside, burning more area for longer periods of time. Scientists have correlated the rampant blazes with warmer temperatures and earlier snowmelt. When spring arrives early and triggers an earlier snow-melt, forest areas become drier and stay so for longer, increasing the chance that they might ignite.
Light vs. Dark Snow and ice reflect sunlight back into space, which is good for keeping the planet cool. Open ground, open water and even green forest canopies al absorb more solar energy than snow and ice. When ice and snow melt to expose open water or ground, the sun warms those surfaces and they, in turn, raise the air temperatures above.
Blanket or Cooler Clouds can reflect sunlight back into space, as does snow and ice. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they keep things cool. Clouds can also block ground-level heat from radiating into space, especially at night, therefore keeping Earth’s surface warmer.
A - Climate Change is the result of a great many factors including the dynamic processes of the Earth itself, external forces including variations in sunlight intensity, and more recently by human activities, which might in future be deliberate geoengineering. External factors that can shape climate are often called climate forcing and include such processes as variations in solar radiation, deviations in the Earth's orbit, and the level of greenhouse gas concentrations.
Q – What are the impacts of population growth on the environment?
A – • Scarce Water • Scarce cropland • Fisheries --- Most of the world’s ocean fisheries are already being fished to their maximum capacities or are in decline. • Forests --- Today over 1.8 billion people live in 36 countries with less than 0.1 hectare of forested land per capita, an indicator of critically low levels of forest cover. Based on the medium population projection and current deforestation trends, by 2025 the number of people living in forest-scarce countries could nearly double to 3 billion. • Global Warming • Species Extinction
Q – What can we do to prevent global warming?
A – • Drive less. Take bikes, walk or carpool whenever possible. • Consider investing in a hybrid or electric vehicle to help prevent against further global warming. • Replace all the lightbulbs in and around your home with energy-efficient fluorescents that use fewer watts for the same amount of light. • Clean or replace your filters monthly. • Decrease your air travel. • Use a low-flow showerhead, which will lessen the hot water used but not drop your water pressure in the shower. • Cut down on your garbage—buy fewer packaged materials to prevent further global warming. • Unplug electronics when they are not in use, because they still take up energy. At the very least, turn items off when they’re not being used. • Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when you have a full load, and if available, use the energy-saving setting. • Buy recycled paper products and recycle as much of your waste as possible. • Plant a tree.
A:Resources such as trees, fish, oxygen, and fresh water are generally considered to be renewable resources as they can be continually reproduced.
Q:What is non-renewable resources? A:Resources such as fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas) and minerals cannot be reproduced and therefore can be used up.
Q:What will happen when the non-renewable resources has been used up one day? A: Don't worry.. this kind of problem has already been realized by human and tried to replace it by using renewable resources. Hope that it will be successfully solved before the non-renewable resources has been out of services.
Q: why do we need environmental protection? A: Because the water and air pollutants are keep increasing time by time which will make living creature (especially human) unable to survive in the future.
Q: What is the meaning of Greenhouse Effect? A: The greenhouse effect refers to the change in the steady state temperature of a planet or moon by the presence of an atmosphere containing gas that absorbs and emits infrared radiation.
for more understanding, can open this link: http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/tmorris/an_inconvenient_truth/an_inconvenient_truth.htm
Q-Question by: Zahra Mansourirad (1000717082) Answer by: Wong Kimmy (1000715911)
Week 2
Question: What's the meaning of sustainability in environment?
Answer: Environmental sustainability embodies "stewardship" and "design with nature", well established goals of the design professions and "carrying capacity", a highly developed modeling technique used by scientist and planners. It can be define as the ability of maintaining ecological processes, functions, biodiversity, and productivity into the future.
Global environmental sustainability depends on intact and healthy ecosystems. In other words, environmental sustainability also means using methods, systems and materials that would not harm the natural cycles. Sustainability integrates natural systems with human patterns and celebrates continuity, uniqueness, and place making. The Earth's resources must be used at a rate at which they can be replenished in order for human to live sustainably.
Environmental sustainability is important in ensuring that the overall productivity of accumulated human and physical capital resulting from development actions more than compensates for the direct or indirect loss or degradation of the environment. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs are another significance of sustainability in environment.
Week 3: Q-What is the prediction of climate change?
A-A probable global temperature rise of between 1.8C and 4C (3.2-7.2F) by the end of the century if current levels of greenhouse gas emissions continue.
Sea levels around the world are likely to rise by 28-43cm by the end of the century.
Arctic summer sea ice is likely to disappear in second half of century
An increase in the number of heatwaves and tropical storms are expected in parts of the world.
Q-How do particular human activities have an impact on ecosystems?
A- Poor farming practice has contributed to top-soil erosion, making some earth unproductive for future generations.
We have used fire to power vehicles and industries, but the resulting emissions now contribute to the global warming that threatens our resources.
We have polluted the air with toxins that destroy plants and animal habitats, and even make us sick.
The world’s rich waste fresh clean water while a billion people suffer because they don’t have it.
Since 1700, nearly 20 percent of the world’s forests and woodlands have disappeared because of the deforestation occurs when the world's forests are chopped down, burned, or destroyed, for agricultural purposes.
Week 5 Q-What is sustainable living? and why it is important to us?
A- The concept of sustainable living is define as an approach to social and economic, indeed, all activities, for all societies, rich and poor, which is compatible with the preservation of the environment.
It is based on a philosophy of interdependence, of respect for life as well as non-living parts of Nature, and of responsibility for future generations.
To live sustainably means to live in a manner that preserves our environment. The path to living sustainably has many different roads. To live sustainably one would need to reduce the impact on the earths resources.
Question : How important is architect should consider environment when designing a building or space?
Answer:
Architects should consider environmentally design to reduce the destruction of the environment. An intelligent design should consider the sustainable of sites, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and the innovation and design process. Failure of those considerations may increase the wastage of the resources and pollutions to the environment. Therefore building design should consider the ‘green design’ to build an intelligent building. An intelligent building starts with an environmentally friendly design. Creating a project that is environmentally friendly and energy efficient ties in closely with many of the intelligent attributes. Intelligent buildings are designed for long-term sustainability and minimal environmental impact through the selection of recycled and recyclable materials, construction, maintenance and operations procedures. Providing the ability to integrate building controls, optimize operations, and enterprise level management results in a significant enhancement in energy efficiency, lowering both cost and energy usage compared to non-intelligent projects. Intelligent buildings are intended to be the preferred environment for occupants. This requires focused attention to environmental factors that affect occupants’ perception, comfort, and productivity. An intelligent design finds the balance, providing a superior indoor environment and minimizing energy usage and operating labor. This is where the technology becomes valuable. Using integration and automation we are able to implement solutions that both provide a superior environment and minimize energy. An intelligent building program should start with LEED (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and work to improve the building beyond that.
WHAT COULD BE THE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS?
THE MAIN SOLUTION ONE CAN ACTUALLY WORK ON AS AN INDIVUAL OR A GROUP IS REDUCE, RECYCLE & REUSE
REDUCE - Consumption of natural resources to the extent possible Emission of carbon into atmosphere Developmental projects affecting environment Human activities acclerating global warming and climate changes Deforestation for developmental activities Consumption of non biodegradable materials in every day life Human activities causing pollution of water bodies, air, forests, soil Consumption of energy to reduce pollution and exploitation of nature
RECYCLE - All wasted/spent natural resources to reduce their consumption All used materials with the available technologies All used materials manufactured with trees/plants to reduce deforestation
REUSE - All spent natural resources to reduce more fresh consumption All materials manufactured with trees/plants for their conservation All recycled materials to reduce the demand
47 comments:
Example:
Q-What can we, as students help in building a more sustainable environment for own future?
A-NGO's should be a good place to start. Participate in non-radical activities
Hwong Joshua
1000716121
Q- How can sustainability help the environment?
A- By creating and maintaining a symbiosis between the user & resource in order for its rejuvenation
Hwong Joshua
1000716121
Week 2
Q: What can we do to save the planet? (as a student)
Duncan Lim
A: There are alot of things that we can do eventhough the effort is small such as recycling, prevent open burning, share a car with friends when wanted to travel and etc. This few ways for us to help reduce the pollution. Furthermore, we can encourage our friends to do same with us as every small actions that is taken can affect the world.
Janice Lee
1000818862
Q- Does different industrial effect each other in term of sustainbility?
LIM KEK YOUNG
1000717158
Q- As students, how can we remain or preserve the animals habitat due to the environment and pollution today?
LIM KEK YOUNG
1000717158
How do the earth pollution begins?
LIM KEK YOUNG
1000717158
If we humans keep creating trash today, eventually will overload our surface and underground area, is there other effecient way to reduce the trash besides recycle?
Q-Due to the sea level rising, our earth eventually will sink by the ocean, is there a ways to prevent such event happen?
Q- Nowadays, some of the people do not much concern about our home planet matters, is there a way to make these people to take action?
LIM KEK YOUNG
1000717158
Q- Evolution of human eventually cause pollution to earth.Isn't the humans fault to evolve?
Q-Due to over populating of people, the food demand of people also increase as well, is there a solution for this matter?
LIM KEK YOUNG
1000717158
Q-If 1 city shut down its electricity for 1 hour, will it reduce our environment temperature?
QUESTIONS:
1.Is it possible for us to creating a FOOD BANK in order to counter-measure the issue of food crisis happening all around the world?
2. How can it be done?
3. Who/Which country is the main factor contributing to the on-going FOOD CRISIS disaster?
4. Referring to QUES.(3),
How does it contribute and creating the arising issue of FOOD CRISIS?
TAN ZHEN RON
1000715679
QUESTION: Was Hurricane Katrina cursed by global warming?
QUESTION:
Why is there so much fuss about the thawing of the polar regions?
ANSWER:
Obi Michael 1000715653
there is so much worry about the disappearing icecaps because these regions:
1. prevent excess open water
2. radiates the earths temperature reflecting the suns light. This character is referred to as "albedo".
Question:
With the Gaia theory,is there really hope for a better world?
Question: Agbese Ogaba 1000715682
What is the Montreal Protocol?
Answer: Obi Mike 1000715653 The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.It is believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050.
1. Could logistics represent a tool to modify, in a more sustainable way, the interactions
between food production and food consumption?
2. Could a shorter food supply chain contribute to the creation of new, healthy and
sustainable consumption patterns?
3. Could an improved knowledge about the relation between food and environment modify
food consumption habits, towards the consumption of less processed food and changing
the present food production trends (i.e. increasing production of functional food)?
4. Which role could (or must) have Public Authorities, who buy each day hundreds
thousands of meals for school catering, in influencing the above mentioned choices?
LIM KEK YOUNG
1000717158
Answer: Obi Michael
The major criticism of the Gaia theory is that its a hypothesis. However, if this hypothesis is right, it would require substantial number of years for the earth to respond positively according to the prediction.
Answer: obi mike 100715653
Hurricanes are low pressure areas that form over warm ocean water. The warm water serves as fuel and thats why its predominant at summer. Katrina was the inevitable. Global warming was only attributed to its ferocity and speed of occurrence.
Q- what we can do to prevent a big melt?
A- a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should beginning immediatly.
Q- what is green design? what is the benefits of green design?
A- Green designs use eco-friendly reusable materials, furnishings and leftovers. These kind of designs feature the use of long lasting, non-toxic materials as well as recycling. Green designs make use of materials that are renewable and long lasting.the benefits of green design is saving energy, and reduce greenhouses gases,and more environment friendly.
Question by: Chong Hui Hui
Week 2
Question: What is the solution of global warming?
Answer:
• Unplug a freezer.
One of the quickest ways is to unplug the extra refrigerator or freezer that rarely use (except when you need it for holidays and parties). This can reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 10 percent.
• Plant a tree.
In addition to storing carbon, trees planted in and around urban areas and residences can provide much-needed shade in the summer, reducing energy bills and fossil fuel use.
Week 3
Question: What is the effect of ozone layer depletion?
Answer:
• increase in UV-B radiation at ground level
• disturbance of the thermal structure of the atmosphere, probably resulting in changes in atmospheric circulation
• Reduction of the ozone greenhouse effect
• Changes in the troposphere ozone and in the oxidising capacity of the troposphere.
Week 4
Question: Briefly explain the meaning of eco-city.
Answer:
Eco-cities are human settlements that respect the natural environment. It is a city designed with consideration of environmental impact, inhabited by people dedicated to minimisation of required inputs of energy, water and food, and waste output of heat, air pollution - CO2, methane, and water pollution.
Q- What does it mean by a sustainable city?
A- a sustainable city that enables all its citizens to meet their own needs and to enhance their well being, without degrading the natural world or the lives of other people, now or in the future.
Mohd Syafeq 1000715352
Q- What about food and yard trimmings?
A- Yard trimmings are a great way to help recycle and create fertilizer. Food waste products are disposable too but they will smell so bad when decomposing that you will definitely have a problem with animals and neighbors. When it comes to creating your own compost pile you want to stick with organic materials such as leaves, plants, grass and other yard wastes and leave food or animal wastes alone to be disposed of in another manner.
Hwong Joshua
1000716121
Q- What is the difference between recyclable and reusable waste?
Reusing generally means waste unaltered gets to be reused. They either have the same uses as before or they get a different use. Eg. a drinking bottle to use as a flower vase.
Recycling is done by reprocessing materials to their raw state and then the materials are to be manufactured into a whole new product.
Hwong Joshua
1000716121
Week 3
Q: Other than the International Treaties, is there any other organization that is very influecial to affect the world?
Week 4
Q: What is the example of sickness that is occured among the citizens because of the weather now?
Or
What can be done by the economist to help to sustain the environment?
Week 5
Q: How can we (architects) help in sustaining the environment?
Janice 1000818862
1. What is urban heat island?
As urban areas develop, changes occur in their landscape. Buildings, roads, and other infrastructure replace open land and vegetation. Surfaces that were once permeable and moist become impermeable and dry.
These changes cause urban regions to become warmer than their rural surroundings, forming an "island" of higher temperatures in the landscape.
Heat islands occur on the surface and in the atmosphere. On a hot, sunny summer day, the sun can heat dry, exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50–90°F (27–50°C) hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces—often in more rural surroundings—remain close to air temperatures. Surface urban heat islands are typically present day and night, but tend to be strongest during the day when the sun is shining.
In contrast, atmospheric urban heat islands are often weak during the late morning and throughout the day and become more pronounced after sunset due to the slow release of heat from urban infrastructure. The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. On a clear, calm night, however, the temperature difference can be as much as 22°F (12°C).
Surface and atmospheric temperatures vary over different land use areas. Surface temperatures vary more than air temperatures during the day, but they both are fairly similar at night. The dip and spike in surface temperatures over the pond show how water maintains a fairly constant temperature day and night, due to its high heat capacity.
(* Note: The temperatures displayed above do not represent absolute temperature values or any one particular measured heat island. Temperatures will fluctuate based on factors such as seasons, weather conditions, sun intensity, and ground cover. )
Why Do We Care About Heat Islands?
Elevated temperature from urban heat islands, particularly during the summer, can affect a community's environment and quality of life. While some heat island impacts seem positive, such as lengthening the plant-growing season, most impacts are negative and include:
• Increased energy consumption: Higher temperatures in summer increase energy demand for cooling and add pressure to the electricity grid during peak periods of demand. One study estimates that the heat island effect is responsible for 5–10% of peak electricity demand for cooling buildings in cities.
• Elevated emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases: Increasing energy demand generally results in greater emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Higher air temperatures also promote the formation of ground-level ozone.
• Compromised human health and comfort: Warmer days and nights, along with higher air pollution levels, can contribute to general discomfort, respiratory difficulties, heat cramps and exhaustion, non-fatal heat stroke, and heat-related mortality.
• Impaired water quality: Hot pavement and rooftop surfaces transfer their excess heat to storm water, which then drains into storm sewers and raises water temperatures as it is released into streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Rapid temperature changes can be stressful to aquatic ecosystems.
What Can Be Done?
Communities can take a number of steps to reduce the heat island effect, using four main strategies:
• increasing tree and vegetative cover;
• creating green roofs (also called "rooftop gardens" or "eco-roofs");
• installing cool—mainly reflective—roofs; and
• using cool pavements.
1. What is urban heat island?
As urban areas develop, changes occur in their landscape. Buildings, roads, and other infrastructure replace open land and vegetation. Surfaces that were once permeable and moist become impermeable and dry.
These changes cause urban regions to become warmer than their rural surroundings, forming an "island" of higher temperatures in the landscape.
Heat islands occur on the surface and in the atmosphere. On a hot, sunny summer day, the sun can heat dry, exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50–90°F (27–50°C) hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces—often in more rural surroundings—remain close to air temperatures. Surface urban heat islands are typically present day and night, but tend to be strongest during the day when the sun is shining.
In contrast, atmospheric urban heat islands are often weak during the late morning and throughout the day and become more pronounced after sunset due to the slow release of heat from urban infrastructure. The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. On a clear, calm night, however, the temperature difference can be as much as 22°F (12°C).
Surface and atmospheric temperatures vary over different land use areas. Surface temperatures vary more than air temperatures during the day, but they both are fairly similar at night. The dip and spike in surface temperatures over the pond show how water maintains a fairly constant temperature day and night, due to its high heat capacity.
(* Note: The temperatures displayed above do not represent absolute temperature values or any one particular measured heat island. Temperatures will fluctuate based on factors such as seasons, weather conditions, sun intensity, and ground cover. )
Why Do We Care About Heat Islands?
Elevated temperature from urban heat islands, particularly during the summer, can affect a community's environment and quality of life. While some heat island impacts seem positive, such as lengthening the plant-growing season, most impacts are negative and include:
• Increased energy consumption: Higher temperatures in summer increase energy demand for cooling and add pressure to the electricity grid during peak periods of demand. One study estimates that the heat island effect is responsible for 5–10% of peak electricity demand for cooling buildings in cities.
• Elevated emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases: Increasing energy demand generally results in greater emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Higher air temperatures also promote the formation of ground-level ozone.
• Compromised human health and comfort: Warmer days and nights, along with higher air pollution levels, can contribute to general discomfort, respiratory difficulties, heat cramps and exhaustion, non-fatal heat stroke, and heat-related mortality.
• Impaired water quality: Hot pavement and rooftop surfaces transfer their excess heat to storm water, which then drains into storm sewers and raises water temperatures as it is released into streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Rapid temperature changes can be stressful to aquatic ecosystems.
What Can Be Done?
Communities can take a number of steps to reduce the heat island effect, using four main strategies:
• increasing tree and vegetative cover;
• creating green roofs (also called "rooftop gardens" or "eco-roofs");
• installing cool—mainly reflective—roofs; and
• using cool pavements.
Chin Ein Yee 1000614725
2. What is green house gas?
When do we send green house gases into the air?
Greenhouse Gas refers to any gas that absorbs infra-red radiation in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), halogenated fluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone (O3), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
We send greenhouse gases whenever we use electricity that comes from power plants to:
Watch TV
Use the Air Conditioner
Turn on a Light
Use a Hair Dryer
Ride in a Car
Play a Video Game
Listen to a Stereo
Wash or Dry Clothes
Use a Dish Washer
Microwave a Meal
1. Most power plants use coal and oil to make electricity. Burning coal and oil produces greenhouse gases.
2. The trash that we send to landfills produces a greenhouse gas called methane.
3. Methane is also produced by the animals we raise for dairy and meat products and when we take coal out of the ground.
4. Whenever we drive or ride in a car, we are adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
5. When factories make the things that we buy and use everyday, they too are sending greenhouse gases into the air.
6. When people burn fossil fuels (remains of died plants which were buried in earth and turned into coil and oil), they send co2 and other greenhouse gases into the air
Chin Ein Yee 1000614725
Q: What are the effects of global warming?
A: Here are ten surprising effects
1. Aggravated Allergies; Research has shown that the higher carbon dioxide levels and warmer temperatures associated with global warming are also playing a role by prodding plants to bloom earlier and produce more pollen. With more allergens produced earlier, allergy season can last longer.
2. Heading for the Hills; Starting in the early 1900s, we've all had to look to slightly higher ground to spot our favorite chipmunks, mice and squirrels. Researchers found that many of these animals have moved to greater elevations, possibly due to changes in their habitat caused by global warming.
3. Arctic in Bloom; Arctic plants usually remain trapped in ice for most of the year. Nowadays, when the ice melts earlier in the spring, the plants seem to be eager to start growing. Research has found higher levels of the form of the photosynthesis product chlorophyll in modern soils than in ancient soils, showing a biological boom in the Arctic in recent decades.
4. Pulling the Plug; A whopping 125 lakes in the Arctic have disappeared in the past few decades. Research into the whereabouts of the missing water points to the probability that permafrost underneath the lakes thawed out. When this normally permanently frozen ground thaws, the water in the lakes can seep through the soil, draining the lake, just like pulling the plug out of the bathtub.
5. The Big Thaw; The planet seems to be thawing out the layer of permanently frozen soil below the ground's surface. This thawing causes the ground to shrink and occurs unevenly, so it could lead to sink holes and damage to structures such as railroad tracks, highways and houses.
6. Survival of the Fittest; Because plants bloom earlier in the year, animals that wait until their usual time to migrate might miss out on all the food. They must reset their 'internal clocks' and set out earlier to survive, thereby ultimately changing the genetic profile of their entire population.
7. Speedier Satellites; Air in the atmosphere's outermost layer is very thin, but air molecules still create drag that slows down satellites. But the amount of carbon dioxide up there is increasing. And while carbon dioxide molecules in the lower atmosphere release energy as heat, the sparser molecules in the upper atmosphere collide less frequently and tend to radiate their energy away, cooling the air around them. With more carbon dioxide up there, more cooling occurs, causing the air to settle. So the atmosphere is less dense and creates less drag.
8. Rebounding Mountains; As the glaciers melt, this weight is lifting, and the surface slowly is springing back. Because global warming speeds up the melting of these glaciers, the mountains are rebounding faster.
9. Rising seas and more extreme weather have the potential to damage irreplaceable sites. Floods attributed to global warming have already damaged a 600-year-old site, Sukhothai, which was once the capital of a Thai kingdom.
10. Forest Fire Frenzy; In western states over the past few decades, more wildfires have blazed across the countryside, burning more area for longer periods of time. Scientists have correlated the rampant blazes with warmer temperatures and earlier snowmelt. When spring arrives early and triggers an earlier snow-melt, forest areas become drier and stay so for longer, increasing the chance that they might ignite.
Juliana E.
1000818354
What is color matters (aka Earth albedo)?
Light vs. Dark
Snow and ice reflect sunlight back into space, which is good for keeping the planet cool. Open ground, open water and even green forest canopies al absorb more solar energy than snow and ice. When ice and snow melt to expose open water or ground, the sun warms those surfaces and they, in turn, raise the air temperatures above.
Blanket or Cooler
Clouds can reflect sunlight back into space, as does snow and ice. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they keep things cool. Clouds can also block ground-level heat from radiating into space, especially at night, therefore keeping Earth’s surface warmer.
1000819509
Wong Man Yoke
Q - What are the factors of climate change?
A - Climate Change is the result of a great many factors including the dynamic processes of the Earth itself, external forces including variations in sunlight intensity, and more recently by human activities, which might in future be deliberate geoengineering. External factors that can shape climate are often called climate forcing and include such processes as variations in solar radiation, deviations in the Earth's orbit, and the level of greenhouse gas concentrations.
Q – What are the impacts of population growth on the environment?
A –
• Scarce Water
• Scarce cropland
• Fisheries --- Most of the world’s ocean fisheries are already being fished to their maximum capacities or are in decline.
• Forests --- Today over 1.8 billion people live in 36 countries with less than 0.1 hectare of forested land per capita, an indicator of critically low levels of forest cover. Based on the medium population projection and current deforestation trends, by 2025 the number of people living in forest-scarce countries could nearly double to 3 billion.
• Global Warming
• Species Extinction
Q – What can we do to prevent global warming?
A –
• Drive less. Take bikes, walk or carpool whenever possible.
• Consider investing in a hybrid or electric vehicle to help prevent against further global warming.
• Replace all the lightbulbs in and around your home with energy-efficient fluorescents that use fewer watts for the same amount of light.
• Clean or replace your filters monthly.
• Decrease your air travel.
• Use a low-flow showerhead, which will lessen the hot water used but not drop your water pressure in the shower.
• Cut down on your garbage—buy fewer packaged materials to prevent further global warming.
• Unplug electronics when they are not in use, because they still take up energy. At the very least, turn items off when they’re not being used.
• Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when you have a full load, and if available, use the energy-saving setting.
• Buy recycled paper products and recycle as much of your waste as possible.
• Plant a tree.
Loo Wei Shen
1000716174
Q:What is renewable resources?
A:Resources such as trees, fish, oxygen, and fresh water are generally considered to be renewable resources as they can be continually reproduced.
Q:What is non-renewable resources?
A:Resources such as fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas) and minerals
cannot be reproduced and therefore can be used up.
Q:What will happen when the non-renewable resources has been used up one day?
A: Don't worry.. this kind of problem has already been realized by human and tried to replace it by using renewable resources. Hope that it will be successfully solved before the non-renewable resources has been out of services.
Law Chin Mei
1000819247
Q: why do we need environmental protection?
A: Because the water and air pollutants are keep increasing time by time which will make living creature (especially human) unable to survive in the future.
Juliana E.
1000818354
Q: What is the meaning of Greenhouse Effect?
A: The greenhouse effect refers to the change in the steady state temperature of a planet or moon by the presence of an atmosphere containing gas that absorbs and emits infrared radiation.
for more understanding, can open this link: http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/tmorris/an_inconvenient_truth/an_inconvenient_truth.htm
Juliana E.
1000818354
Q-Question by: Zahra Mansourirad (1000717082)
Answer by: Wong Kimmy (1000715911)
Week 2
Question: What's the meaning of sustainability in environment?
Answer:
Environmental sustainability embodies "stewardship" and "design with nature", well established goals of the design professions and "carrying capacity", a highly developed modeling technique used by scientist and planners. It can be define as the ability of maintaining ecological processes, functions, biodiversity, and productivity into the future.
Global environmental sustainability depends on intact and healthy ecosystems. In other words, environmental sustainability also means using methods, systems and materials that would not harm the natural cycles. Sustainability integrates natural systems with human patterns and celebrates continuity, uniqueness, and place making. The Earth's resources must be used at a rate at which they can be replenished in order for human to live sustainably.
Environmental sustainability is important in ensuring that the overall productivity of accumulated human and physical capital resulting from development actions more than compensates for the direct or indirect loss or degradation of the environment. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs are another significance of sustainability in environment.
wong Kimmy 1000715911
Week 3:
Q-What is the prediction of climate change?
A-A probable global temperature rise of between 1.8C and 4C (3.2-7.2F) by the end of the century if current levels of greenhouse gas emissions continue.
Sea levels around the world are likely to rise by 28-43cm by the end of the century.
Arctic summer sea ice is likely to disappear in second half of century
An increase in the number of heatwaves and tropical storms are expected in parts of the world.
Week 4
Wong Kimmy 1000715911
Q-How do particular human activities have an impact on ecosystems?
A-
Poor farming practice has contributed to top-soil erosion, making some earth unproductive for future generations.
We have used fire to power vehicles and industries, but the resulting emissions now contribute to the global warming that threatens our resources.
We have polluted the air with toxins that destroy plants and animal habitats, and even make us sick.
The world’s rich waste fresh clean water while a billion people suffer because they don’t have it.
Since 1700, nearly 20 percent of the world’s forests and woodlands have disappeared because of the deforestation occurs when the world's forests are chopped down, burned, or destroyed, for agricultural purposes.
Wong Kimmy 1000715911
Week 5
Q-What is sustainable living? and why it is important to us?
A-
The concept of sustainable living is define as an approach to social and economic, indeed, all activities, for all societies, rich and poor, which is compatible with the preservation of the environment.
It is based on a philosophy of interdependence, of respect for life as well as non-living parts of Nature, and of responsibility for future generations.
To live sustainably means to live in a manner that preserves our environment. The path to living sustainably has many different roads. To live sustainably one would need to reduce the impact on the earths resources.
Question : How important is architect should consider environment when designing
a building or space?
Answer:
Architects should consider environmentally design to reduce the destruction of the environment. An intelligent design should consider the sustainable of sites, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and the innovation and design process. Failure of those considerations may increase the wastage of the resources and pollutions to the environment. Therefore building design should consider the ‘green design’ to build an intelligent building.
An intelligent building starts with an environmentally friendly design. Creating a project that is environmentally friendly and energy efficient ties in closely with many of the intelligent attributes. Intelligent buildings are designed for long-term sustainability and minimal environmental impact through the selection of recycled and recyclable materials, construction, maintenance and operations procedures. Providing the ability to integrate building controls, optimize operations, and enterprise level management results in a significant enhancement in energy efficiency, lowering both cost and energy usage compared to non-intelligent projects.
Intelligent buildings are intended to be the preferred environment for occupants. This requires focused attention to environmental factors that affect occupants’ perception, comfort, and productivity. An intelligent design finds the balance, providing a superior indoor environment and minimizing energy usage and operating labor. This is where the technology becomes valuable. Using integration and automation we are able to implement solutions that both provide a superior environment and minimize energy.
An intelligent building program should start with LEED (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and work to improve the building beyond that.
by CHEW LEONG WEI 1000716054
WHAT COULD BE THE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS?
THE MAIN SOLUTION ONE CAN ACTUALLY WORK ON AS AN INDIVUAL OR A GROUP IS REDUCE, RECYCLE & REUSE
REDUCE -
Consumption of natural resources to the extent possible
Emission of carbon into atmosphere
Developmental projects affecting environment
Human activities acclerating global warming and climate changes
Deforestation for developmental activities
Consumption of non biodegradable materials in every day life
Human activities causing pollution of water bodies, air, forests, soil
Consumption of energy to reduce pollution and exploitation of nature
RECYCLE -
All wasted/spent natural resources to reduce their consumption
All used materials with the available technologies
All used materials manufactured with trees/plants to reduce deforestation
REUSE -
All spent natural resources to reduce more fresh consumption
All materials manufactured with trees/plants for their conservation
All recycled materials to reduce the demand
HASHIM MUSTAFA
1000717657
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