Week 13-2 Ecotourism Saves Species

Griffith University's new research found that ecotourism can save endangered species from extinction. Population viability modelling was used to quantify the impact of ecotourism on threatened species for the first time. Before then, net effect of ecotourism increasing or decreasing risk for endangered species, a crucial parameter for conservation efforts, could not be evaluated. Population viability models are widely employed in practical wildlife management to estimate cumulative population changes by simulating births and deaths thousands of time repeatedly, one generation at a time. Based on the models, scientists calculated future population alterations for 9 threatened species (orangutan, hoolock gibbon, golden lion tamarin, cheetah, African wild dog, New Zealand sealion, African penguin, great green macaw and Egyptian vulture).

All ecotourism effects whether positive or negative were transformed to ecological parameters. 7 species were found to have benefited from ecotourism factors (private reserves, habitat restoration, reduction in habitat damage, removal of feral predators, anti-poaching measures or captive breeding and food supplementation). The research also showed that net effects of tourism depends on species and sub-populations, which are influenced by local environment (scale and intensity of ecotourism, size of initial populations, rates of predation and impacts of other industries such as fishing, poaching and logging). Moreover, the research affirmed that ecotourism is not always successful as it can have net negative effect on threatened species in rare cases. However, for majority of endangered and rare bird and mammal species studied, ecotourism can help with their survival.

Resources
https://app.secure.griffith.edu.au/news/2016/02/19/can-ecotourism-save-threatened-species/?src=hp

Week 13-1 Paper Recycling Printer

We are not printing so much nowadays as we rely on electrical versions and most paper is from managed forest. However, we still print, such as paper for editing is easier than looking through electronic screens and meeting handouts prevent distractions from electronic devices. Epson had developed PaperLab, “world’s first compact office papermaking system capable of producing new paper from securely shredded waste paper.” This will create a closed-loop recycling system in an office when its production start in Japan this year.

PaperLab's other advantage is decreasing energy consumption and confidentiality. It cuts out services and transport when recycling paper. Confidential papers even when shredded, no one is sure what happens once they leave the office, but PaperLab reprocess them immediately. The technology invented by Epson is quite simple. Waste paper is disintegrated into fibres without water with a treatment process called 'dry fibre technology.' When the fibres then bounded strongly enough, the user can add tint or fragrance or flame retardants for security and public safety, and choose paper thickness. However, it is unknown for number of times the process can repeat. Epson's innovation would be sustainability gem in an office if it is affordable and scalable.

Resources

http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/12/epson-rolls-out-printer-that-also-recycles-printed-paper/

Week 12-2 Smart Cities & State Policies

We all have changed the way we live, work and communicate as homes, businesses, cities continue to shift to newer and faster technologies. Internet-based advanced technologies are now the primary tool for cities and communities to gather, grow and share. There are currently 15 billion internet connected devices and the number is estimated to be 50 billion in 2020. To keep up with the demand, we need public policies that support transition from outdated networks to modern infrastructure,

A bill, AB 2395 has been passed in California to shift from outdated phone system to advanced IP-based technologies and services from 2020.  This will allow them to communicate effectively, quickly and intelligently to mitigate risk and conserve resources as urban population grows. Drought-plagued California's loses over 220 billion gallons of drinking water every year. The technologies can identify risks, and collect and analyse increasingly vast amounts of data to manage important resources better.

Old networks, which can no longer support cities' future needs avert investment and resources from modern infrastructure. Therefore, it is crucial for policy-makers to support modern network technology infrastructure for exceptional data and information sharing. IP-based technologies and services can improve quality of life and sustainability of the cities.

Resources
http://cityminded.org/intersection-smart-cities-smart-state-policy-15533

Week 12-1 Two-faced Solar Panels

Solar energy becomes cheaper than ever as the market is more competitive so manufacturers lookout for new ways to differentiate their modules and make their products more efficient. To get more value out of solar panel, the sunlight reflected from the ground can also generate electricity. The bificial panels does exactly that aside from the usual sky-facing surface converting sunlight into power.

The firm Yingli China, one of the biggest solar module manufacturers in the world created bificial panels TwinMax series with their special technology known as Panda cells. They used 10% more efficient phosphorous instead of boron to treat silicon for conducting electricity. Panda cells gave more energy at the beginning and end of day.

As a result, TwinMax panels are 30% more productive than conventional modules. They also provide 30 year warranty, making them durable and reliable. This case shows that competition in sustainability technologies to make them work in better ways faster, and it is very exciting to look forward to the next better technology that will lead to a more sustainable future.

Resources:
http://www.eco-business.com/news/why-two-faced-solar-panels-are-a-bright-idea/

Week 11-2 Three Ps for Companies

At present, companies need to reconsider their sustainability as the customers pay more attention to the topic, affecting their purchase decisions. Neilsen survey in 2015 revealed that brands that commit to sustainability grew more than 4% globally while those without grew less than 1%. Moreover, 66% respondents would pay more for sustainable goods, which is 11% increase from 2014.

Processes: Businesses can incorporate more sustainable practices in their business strategy such as reusing recycled parts in new products when manufacturing.

Products & Services: Businesses can create eco-friendly supplies and get certified by environmental bodies, such as Forest Stewardship Council to engage with customers.

People: Businesses can provide avenues for staff to participate in environmental initiatives, such as Earth Hour, nurturing them to give back to community.

Other than positive brand reputation, which can increase sales, sustainability initiatives can reduce operation costs. Sustainability initiative by companies are very effective because they also influence their partners, staff and customers. It is time for them, regardless of industry or size, to contribute more significantly for a sustainable future for upcoming generations.

Resources

http://www.eco-business.com/opinion/sustainability-can-be-profitable-too/

Week 11-1 Eco Action Day 10 Years

Companies are hesitant to make more sustainable offices by switching to cleaner sources of energy or investing in energy efficient technologies due to economic or time constraints. Global Eco Action started in 10 years ago in Japan, encouraging employees, corporate partners and other organisations to reduce energy use. The Eco Action Day campaign was launched in Singapore a year later with 18 supporters such as a hospital, multinational corporations and a school.

Eco Action Day is now Singapore's oldest and longest campaign with more than 700 public and private sector organisations. The participants pledge sustainable actions such as switching lights off during lunchtime, and participants with especially ambitious and innovative pledges were rewarded. As a result, 200 tonnes of carbon emissions were avoided.

They believe "communicating environmental messages and conserving resources are the two cornerstones of sustainable environmental management." The government started to support Eco Action day by encouraging businesses, community and individuals to mange carbon footprint. They continue to expand globally and get everyone on board for a more sustainable living.

Resources

http://www.eco-business.com/news/eco-action-day-marks-10-years-of-environmental-leadership/

Week 10-2 Bleaching Great Barrier Reef

According to the recent findings, half of northern reef is dying because of coral breaching due to increase in temperature from global warming. Although scientists previously thought the waters would be too cool for bleaching, the worst breaching episode in Australia's history has occurred, and it would take several decades to recover from this damage. The coral reefs brought aquaculture and tourism, employing almost 70,000 Australians and produced higher than $5 billion for Australian economy every year.

However, the Australian government's budget for 2016-2017 reveals their continual support for polluting industries including coal and natural gas, rather than for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by cutting budget on renewable energy development. The Liberal's budget allocation missed out to lead globally with clean economy, providing jobs in public transport and clean energy to tackle global warming. It is is time to stop the polluters and protect essential services like clean energy, education and health.

Resources

http://www.eco-business.com/news/australian-budget-falters-on-climate-change/

http://www.eco-business.com/news/more-than-half-of-great-barrier-reef-corals-dying-as-bleaching-spreads/

Week 10-1 Green Buildings' Health Benefits

Not only green buildings are environmentally sustainable, a recent study has proven that they have social and economical benefits as well. Therefore, green building advocates should also focus on improving well-being of occupants that could also lead to economical sustainability, other than lessening emissions and increasing energy efficiency in the built environment.

John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer in United Technologies Corporation stated that  human resources cost a lot more than energy bills in a building’s operating costs. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to try to think of the payback time for sustainable fixtures when they don't cost as much.

The Impact of Green Buildings on Cognitive Function study hosted 24 participants in laboratory conditions to stimulate indoor environment in sustainable structures with enhanced ventilation, green buildings and conventional buildings. The results were that compared to participants in conventional environment, those in green environment scored 61% higher and those in enhanced ventilation scored 101% higher.

In addition, researchers found that USD14-42 spent on a person per year on improving indoor health air could improve employee's productivity by USD6,500 annually. The findings will not only accelerate green building movement but also a better economic sustainability for investing in clean technologies.

Resources
http://www.eco-business.com/news/the-hidden-health-benefits-of-green-buildings/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=April%206%20newsletter&utm_content=April%206%20newsletter+Version+A+CID_90865690d186e4d024e54ce533fe04b7&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=The%20hidden%20health%20benefits%20of%20green%20buildings

Week 9-2 Make Recycling Easier

Packaging is not trash because a lot of it can be reduced, reused, recycled and even composted to gain back value from the materials that were used to make them. Seeing packaging as valuable makes more sense to recycle, diverting from landfill for environmental and economical sustainability as it conserves natural resources and reduces environmental impact.

In America, when items are recycled, they get processed in material recovery facility, where they get separated by material into paper, plastic, glass, metal, cartons and magazines or newspaper. After the separation, they are sent to reprocessor facilities, who pays for them to create new products.

Sorting out recyclable items can be confusing and a bit time consuming. How2Recycle has created a new, simple system for that purpose. The labels as shown above tells if the items are widely recycled, check locally, not yet recycled or store drop-off. How2Recycle has resources for check locally and also collects feedback. There are more than 40 participating members.

I think the system is very easy to understand and makes recycling of packaging a lot more efficient. I think other countries should try to follow this example. I can already imagine more recycling being done since it is easier and takes less time to sort them.

References
http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/sponsorvideo/think-you-know-how-recycle-think-again?utm_campaign=treehugger-native&utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=referral

Week 9-1 Lilyfield Housing Redevelopment

As an Architecture student, while searching about housing in Australia, I came upon Lilyfield Housing Redvelopment. It not only provides affordable home for the citizens. but was also the first social housing project to receive the highest Green Start rating of 5 from the Green Building Council of Australia.

1. Passive solar design and natural ventilation eliminates energy hogging air conditioning (thermal performance of the units are 60% better than standard residence)
2. No car parking but space for residents' and visistors' bicycles
3. Water tanks capture over 100,000 litres of rain on the roof for toilets and communal vegetable gardens, grown by the residents and raise community spirit
4. Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal panels create on-site electricity production and gas-boosted solar hot water.
5. 9 of the 88 modern apartments are designed for disability access
6. Central courtyard and barbecue area also facilitates neighbourhood atmosphere
7. Lighting in common areas have daylight and motion sensors to decrease energy usage. Outdoor lighting was targeted that less than 5% of light output is wasted by escaping skyward, which solves a big flaw of Australia's light pollution.

The redevelopment considers sustainability in all aspects, environment, economy and social. The aim of the project was to inspire other cities and it deserves recognition and praise for combining several environmental innovations to make a more self-sufficient affordable housing with a lively community into a reality.

References
http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/australias-first-green-star-public-housing-project-opens-in-sydney.html

Week 8-2 Sustainable Roadmap for 2050

By 2050, the world's population is said to be doubled. The main objectives are to abandon fossil fuels as they produce deadly green house gases, to limit natural resources such as crucial metals and minerals for manufacturing and rearranging how we produce, consume and live due to climate effects such as droughts, heat emergencies and high temperatures affecting crop growth and sea level rise.

Solution 1: renewable energy that is closer to users to avoid interruptions from issues such as devastating storms that destroy utility infrastructure in recent years or hacking and to decrease the energy loss over long distance transmission
Solution 2: more mobility with less cars so more sustainable transport such as walking, biking or shared transport using renewable energy (electric or hydrogen powered) for health
Solution 3: more local food with less carbon footprint reducing transport, waste less to save water and energy, carbon taxing on livestock, land-locked fish farming to not disturb aquatic food chain and better choices of food such as easily cultivated Moringa plant that provides many nutrients
Solution 4: renew, reuse and recycle consumer goods to reduce waste by creating a cycle instead of a chain such as local clothes manufacturing, reselling and recycling

I think it is very exciting to be living in a new sustainable lifestyle in the future and I am honestly looking forward to it, hoping things won't go so wrong as we have recognized the problems and solutions many years before 2050. In saying that, action starting today is definitely required as the population continues to increase even today.

Resources:
http://cityminded.org/adapting-adaptation-roadmap-will-live-2050-15334

Week 8-1 Limiting Melbourne's Skyscrapers

After learning about urban heat island effect and that the urban fabric includes walls, which can be 50% of total surface area and 3 times the aerial surface area. Hence, taller buildings take a lot more time to cool down at night due to less exposure to the cool sky, resulting in higher temperatures in urban areas compared to rural areas.

Surprisingly to me, Melbourne CBD is that it is denser than some dense Asian cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Therefore, it is proposing for buildings higher than Government height limits to prove that it provides special value to the city to ensure the sustainable development.

Building industry groups argued that lead developers will invest elsewhere so it will be harder to create innovative ground-breaking projects and property value will decrease with restrictions, which will impact state and local government budget. They added that Melbourne continued to become less attractive due to planning decisions without consultation with the industry.

Melbourne is referring back to Sydney and doubting the industry groups' fears would happen. "[T]he proposal would be up for public discussion, which would be assessed by an independent panel and the Government would make a decision in September."

It would be interesting to see the regulations in a few months. The government seem to be taking in consideration of the industry, having public opinions heard and I hope the building industry's "innovative ground-breaking projects" can prove to be of special value to the city to go over height limits. The biggest problems would be turning away of investors and drop in land prices, which hopefully will not occur. I hope the government account for this so even if the worst case scenario occurs, it can bounce back.

Resources
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-26/proposal-to-limiting-size-of-melbourne-skyscrapers/7357102

Week 7-2 Inspiring New York's High Line

New York City's High Line, a park on a deserted elevated rail line, succeeded with the public and nearby real estate developers and inspired park projects all over the world. It seems that each month, there is a city planning for its version of High Line. Some projects are a knock off of it, such as Singapore's plan for transforming at-grade railway to a series of public spaces so it is not high at all. Another example is Washington's plans for a bridge park over the Potomac River, which is a new construction rather than recycling old infrastructure. As the comparisons are stretching, "High Line" is becoming urban planners' term for a "linear park." Most of them commonly want to cure wounds on a city's urban fabric made by highways, railways or social segregation.

Four recent examples are from different continents. Seoul is turning a vehicle overpass into elevated park instead of demolishing to preserve historical marker for Korea's industrial age and reconnect areas to decrease travel time. Tel Aviv is planning a park on top of Ayalon Highway to reduce noise and air pollution, create easier access and provide leisure facilities and bicycle and pedestrian routes, creating job opportunities. Rome is creating exhibition space under a viaduct left unfinished, where garbage piled to socially activate the space. Philadelphia plans to transform unused Reading viaduct to an elevated park instead of twice as costly demolition to revive the area. High Line deserves the credit for its success in fulfilling its purpose of transforming socially dead areas to active areas and inspiring sustainability all over the world.

Resources:
http://cityminded.org/inspired-by-new-yorks-high-line-if-not-always-copying-it-15251

Week 7-1 Downsizing Royal National Park

The Royal National Park is not only oldest park in Australia and one of the oldest parks in the world, but also it is the first to receive the title, "national park" and one of the closest parks to the city, allowing the experience of untouched wilderness. It is an important breakthrough for wildlife conservation with habitat that provides shelter and food for a wide variety of animals and allows expansion into neighbouring urban suburbs. This made Sydney high in biodiversity compared to other cities in the world.

Despite its significance, the Royal National Park forests are currently under threat of developers, planning to cut down more than a thousand trees on an untouched bushland, which is an essentially home to birds, possums and sugar gliders. It will take 80 years for the trees to mature enough to support the current wildlife. Even then, plenty of the Red Bloodwood trees, which provides most of the canopy in Spring Gully, formed strange growths, 'mallee', which is very rare for this species. In addition, it is a home to many threatened species, Pigmy possum, Red-crowned Toadlet, Giant Burrowing Frog and Broad-headed Shake.

The developer's objective is to create ecotourism by installing office, tents and kitchens, while claiming that there are no threatened species. This may seem harmless on the surface but eventually 15.5 hectares of unaltered bush will likely be wiped out with the tactics of series of small development at a time. Ecotourism can be an excellent idea and aid conservation efforts when rightly done. If the developer sincerely cared about conversation, he would buy an already developed site, not wiping out the trees in a national park with threatened species.

It always make me wonder how far human greed can go in terms of harming other species. On the brighter note, Spring Gully Protection website is working on an objection proposal to stop this crime against nature and not compromise their oldest relics. I have also lodged my objection and shared with my friends so our voices will be loudly heard. It is a pity that I personally have not visited the park, so I will be doing so in the near future in case the worst case scenario comes.

Resources:
http://gumnutnaturalist.com/destruction-of-one-of-the-oldest-national-parks/

Week 6-2 Wet 'n' Wild Sustainability

While studying sustainability course, I remembered about Wet 'n' Wild water park that I visited a few years ago. I wanted to find out how they are using a huge amount of water and passed the council's requirements as Sydney is pretty strict on sustainability regulations.

The park in Sydney focuses on water efficiency and sustainability by saving 50 million litres of water by using rainwater, recycled water and special filtration and irrigation technologies in the initial design and construction phase. Another initiative is that the park in Gold Coast recycles into separate bins of beverage packing and cardboards, diverting from landfill along with Queensland Government's "Do the Right Thing, Use the Right Bin" message.

In addition, empty Coke and Mt Franklin water bottles went to specified bins. Coca-Cola donated 5 cents for every bottle collected and assisted in further training of lifesavers and surf safety campaign in June 2010. The recycling was also implemented to all Warner Village Theme Parks in Queensland. As a result, the park changed behaviours of their customers, including young generation that will take charge later on to adopt positive habits at homes, schools and etc.

Overall, they have significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions, which I find every impressive. It also shows even contributing to areas of sustainability that doesn't have directly relate to the function while working together with the government. other corporations and getting the community involved can create a ripple effect.

Resources

http://www.holidayswithkids.com.au/blogs/wetnwildsydney

http://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/waste/news/wet-n-wild-rides-the-recycling-wave-59309137

Week 6-1 Mobility for Elderly

Life expectancies in developing countries may continue to increase and so does retirement age but it is truly heartbreaking to hear senior citizens living alone, not being taken care by anyone or not being able to go to places as often as they want. America has a statistics that 20% of senior citizens cannot drive because of reasons including lack of access to a private auto mobile, poor eye sight and difficult access to public transport. Therefore, they become isolated, not being able to get to essential medical appointments, errands, family and friends.

Seven services (Freedom in Motion, Lyft and National Medtrans Network Partnership, Lift Hero, SilverRide, National Volunteer Transportation Center, Via & Uber and AARP “Life Reimagined” Partnership) for elderly citizens listed in Shared Use Mobility Center website are an excellent solution. Their greatest innovations include:
1. Charging according to the customers' income
2. Providing door-to-door assistance, such as carrying bags or assisting with equipments, going as far as using medical professionals
3. Providing different platforms (mobile app, online services, booking in person or phone call) to suit customers' wishes
4. Providing additional services, such as monthly outings to museums and concerts to help seniors go out, enjoy and meet other service users
5. Paying by credit card so there's no need to carry cash around
6. Sharing rides to reduce carbon footprint
7. Seeking volunteer from the community to serve as drivers, including elderly themselves if eligible

I think America has came far in terms of providing mobility for elderly including disabled and low income residents. There is room for improvement with more community involvement. I hope the rest of the world would try to do the same since for a healthy community in terms of social sustainability, no one gets left behind.

Resources:
http://sharedusemobilitycenter.org/news/7-new-services-expanding-mobility-for-aging-americans/

Non Teach-2 Noise Pollution Policy

Noise Watch Australia, recognises that noise pollution is a big issue in Australia than it deserves and is ignored by politicians. Noise interferes with economic, environmental and social aspects of life. It brings unwarranted and unpaid-for risk that can't be afforded and is harmful to both psychological and physical health so we need to ensure integrity and health of the people.

Noise Watch Australia lays out a few policy recommendations. First of all, choose a weighing scale that measure frequency and not just dB(A), which only concentrates on middle frequency of people's hearing. It is because high frequency noise damage our hearing more than equivalent pressure middle frequencies and low frequency travels further and penetrates barriers easier than middle frequency. Moreover, very low frequency causes more health issues. Therefore, middle frequency causes least problems so inverse of A weighed curve would be be more proper.

Relevant authority should give directions for complainants to approach perpetrators because in reality, the complainants don't feel that they could have a civilised conversation with the perpetrators. Several cases went out of control, resulting in one party taking criminal actions against the other. There were even many murder cases in Australia due to noise problems. Maintaining anonymity of complainant is necessary to prevent revenge. There should also be only one organization responsible for a one type of noise because currently, there are many organisations that has power to act on a particular noise problem, but neither takes the responsibility.

Rules and actions should be directed at reducing noise level at or near the source, not near the recipient locations. There are many compelling reasons; firstly, it is usually more effective and cheaper to reduce noise at or nearby source and noise producer should be liable instead of recipients for the noise reduction cost. Mostly, there are multiple recipients per noise source even if they don't complain. Unrestricted noise increases background noise, even if not offensive to immediate surroundings.

The Commonwealth Government outlined ADR 83, where after a phasing in period, applies to all road vehicles manufacture from 2008. However, modification after market exhausted is not prevented so assurance is needed that they continue to comply so that noisy vehicles can be resolved in the long run. This should be enforced by a specialised unit in the state police force because the matter had been given low importance by State Police compared to their other priorities. This gradually makes the matter worse with widespread quality of living and sleep issues. It is inefficient to wait for public complaints for a police to act as offenders can be easily detected. This solution "is unlikely to be reversed again because of the effort and cost of rectification."

Noise pollution, just like light pollution are not taken seriously in the society although it effects us everyday. The faster we can get these policy changes, the better the people's health and finance will be. If the policy doesn't become stricter, the noise pollution is only bound to become worse.

Resources
http://noisewatchaus.org.au/read.htm

Non Teach-1 Light Pollution & Insomnia

HealthDay reported that a new research suggests people living in more lit up neon signs and street lights neighbourhoods are more probable to report on sleep issues. The scientists presumed that intense outdoor illumination in the evening lowers the quality of sleep, though the study didn't outline cause-and-effect. People with high night light exposure in a country were 13% less satisfied with their sleep quantity and quality than those in low-lit areas.

George Brainard, a professor of neurology and neuroscience and director of Light Research Program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, explained that light exposure at night can have strong biological and behavioural effects. However, he cautioned that due to busy and vibrant nature of urban areas, people there sleep less as they stay up later. The culprit could be the bright light at home and not street lamps.

National Sleep Foundation stated that human's sleep patterns are regulated by 2 systems. One is sleep/wake cycle, also known as natural circadian rhythm, that causes alertness or sleepiness according to the time of day. Secondly, after staying up for more than 16 hours a day, rest is needed and sleep/wake homeostasis will be triggered. Also, levels of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone, increase in the evening but light exposure delays its release.

In the past eight years, the researchers telephone interviewed almost 16,000 people on medical and psychiatric disorders, quality of sleep and sleep habits. The Defence Meteorological Satellite Program data was used for the amount of night light exposure. Night light exposure was 3 to 6 times more intense in urban regions with more than 500,000 people than in small rural regions. The people with high light exposure slept 10 minutes less per night on average than those with low light exposure. They were also more probable to have impaired functioning and excessive sleepiness, report fatigue and wake up in confusion during the night.

The study showed population-level effects of light exposure to sleep patterns by areas, disregarding if individuals wore eyeshades or closed their bedroom window shades before bedtime. It was diluted by number of people in the region and would only made a difference if everyone darkened their bedrooms every night, which was not the case.

International Dark-Sky Association, a non-profit organization for reducing negative impacts of artificial light including effects on human health, revealed that street lights cause most global light pollution. Cities increasingly switching from yellow incandescent lighting to more economic blue LED lighting might implicate sleep so best colour of LED should be explored.

Brainard suggested for now, the city dwellers should invest in dark-out curtains, remove night light and turn off display screens to get better rest at night, adding "The darker the sleep environment, the better." As someone who has lived in both low and high night light areas, I definitely agree that street lights are a factor, as well as the lifestyles, including usage of electronics with display screens.

Resources
http://news.health.com/2016/03/02/sleepless-in-the-city-nighttime-light-pollution-may-be-to-blame/

Mid Sem-2 Planning Green Cities

Cities are becoming more crowded, hotter and noisier and heatwave due to climate change strains human health, infrastructure, productivity and urban amenity. This often result in an expensive solution of air conditioning, that creates more pollution, noise and hotter outdoor spaces. Green infrastructure including green roofs, green walls, vegetated surfaces and street trees is an obvious solution that has been increasingly implemented in several cities all over the world. The Australian government has recognized and placed an agenda for it as part of Clean Air and Urban Landscape hub in National Environmental Science Program to green cities.

Hard surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete and stone that is common in cities, increase urban temperatures due to heat absorption and radiation back into the air. This can be solved by green infrastructure that regulates ambient air temperatures better. Street trees can lower surrounding temperatures up to 6℃ or 20℃ over roads. Additionally, foliage creates local cooling by evapostranspiration, in which the plants release water vapour into the surrounding air.

Green roofs and walls can cool buildings naturally, essentially decreasing air conditioning. Green infrastructure can improve storm water management and urban aesthetics, and provide habitat for wildlife and recreational activities for people. They also provide shade, take in carbon dioxide and decrease noise levels.

Although there are multiple benefits of urban greening, the Urban Developer's research shows that the planners are very cautious. The planners cautioned about uncertainty in delivering the technology The biggest obstacle was the inexperienced planning department in dealing with green infrastructure. They usually avoid it since it is not traditionally part of planning agendas and can create economic, environmental, institutional, legal and social issues.

It is further explained that it is hard to choose appropriate forms of vegetation based on drainage capacity, prevailing climatic conditions and species growth patterns. The root systems could damage underground utility networks and buildings, the trees might damage houses in a storm and the roofs needs to be strong enough to support rooftop gardens, which means external experts' advice is required. The socio-political barrier includes governance concerns, for example the political context of planning decision-making. Furthermore, management problems were of government's commitments to budget for green infrastructure delivery and management. Lastly, "public sentiment about green infrastructure can be influenced by perceptions of modified access, changed use or loss."

It is urgent to bring in the urban green infrastructure into the cities as they are getting hotter due to climate change. The research indicates that green infrastructure should be mandatory as an urban feature so the planners should collaborate with other government departments, residents and utility companies. They also need to manage stakeholder's expectations and ensure sharing cost where needed. Innovative solutions are needed for economic, environmental, legal and social challenges. As the planners increasingly provide green cities, they need to know its value and be prepared to lead and learn from new problems and solutions encountered for the habitability and urban comfort of urban residents.

Resources
http://www.theurbandeveloper.com/green-cities-urban-greening/

Mid Sem-1 Global Footprint Network

There are many Ecological Footprint calculators on the web but the ones that follow the international Ecological Footprint standards are more credible and consistent. The standards state that Ecological Footprint calculates the amount of biologically productive area (land and sea) is needed to produce the resources for human population and to absorb its carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, using calculators with transparent information on methodology and created by Global Footprint Network partner, which means it complies with Ecological Footprint standards is important.

According to the Global Footprint Network, a person can't live in a country with the means of resources from one planet because of services or societal impacts. They include government, healthcare, entertainment, legal services, military, real estate, restaurants and roads and infrastructure that everyone living in the country contributes to. Therefore, being more sustainable is not just changing one's lifestyle but also influencing their governments.

I agree that influencing the government is one of the key solutions. As shown in the lecture, the area where the country makes the most money and people have less say in is where the largest Ecological Footprint comes from. Also, people's lifestyles are strongly dependant on life cycle of products, operation of government and public services and design of national infrastructure. Global Footprint Network states that "governments need to dramatically improve the efficiency of the built environment and invest in renewable energy and smart land-use planning."

Because currently it will take 1.6 planets to sustain the world's population, which means we are turning resources into waste faster than they can be replenished, searching for alternative solutions is important too because we humans are good at it and it is very hard to ask people to change. No matter how hard, spreading correct knowledge about sustainability is the first step to create a ripple of changes for a more sustainable future.

Resources
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/footprint_calculator_frequently_asked_questions/

Week 4-2 Solar Energy in Australia

As someone who lived in Myanmar and Hong Kong, I was surprised by Australians' initiative to sustainable energy when I first arrived in Sydney. My first project in architectural degree was assessing a friend's house, which not only had solar panels but also a rainwater collection. Australia continues to get more sun as more colours were incorporated into heat maps while the solar systems' prices continually drop.

Approximately 5% of households had solar thermal water system and/or rooftop solar photovoltaic system. By 2014, there was about 4 times increase; 19% of households had solar systems and 90% of Australian households were considering to shift to solar power. Out of the 19%, it was primarily solar photovoltaic (15%) and the leftover 5% was solar water heaters. By states and territories, 24% of South Australian households used solar electricity, followed by 20% of Queensland, 16% of Western Australia, 10% of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory, 7% of Tasmania and lastly, 6% of Northern Territory.

The statics are pretty amazing since according to the trend, almost every house in Australia will have a solar system in a few years. I admire Australian's initiative in making use of the energy that they have access to. Therefore, it is important and easiest for a country to adapt to appropriate resources available to them in the area for its sustainable approach to have an eventual widespread implementation.

Resources
http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/australia-show-the-way-1-in-5-households-solar-system.html

Week 4-1 Crowne Plaza Hotel

Hotels typically consume a lot of energy but there are ways to make them energy efficient. Crowne Plaza, Copenhagen Towers is the top green hotel in the world and it is the first of its kind for conserving resources in Denmark. High quality environmental and social sustainability initiates played vital role. The initiatives include:

1. Largest solar photovoltaics on facade: reduction of more than half the energy consumption compared to conventional hotels
2. Groundwater cooling and heating system: recycles energy to provide heating & cooling to all 366 hotel rooms (saves up to 90% of energy used for thermal comfort)
3. Low-energy light sources: LED flat screens & electronically controlled electric equipments (ensures minimal energy consumption of vacant rooms)
4. Energy generating exercise bikes: earn points for free meal in restaurant to encourage guests' participation
5. Many more - social and environmentally aware staff, interior design & organic decomposing toilet

The hotel saves almost 1,400 tons of CO2 emissions every year and received the golden nail for the most innovative environmentally friendly construction. The green concept is beneficial for the hotel, staff and employees. It allows the guests to take away socio-eco-friendly concepts home. Other hotels, especially the new ones should go green for a more sustainable future.

Resources

http://www.dac.dk/en/dac-cities/sustainable-cities/all-cases/buildings/copenhagen-no1-green-hotel-in-the-world/

Week 3-2 Backcasting Smart Cities

Smart Cities lecture had me question how we can predict the future and what is most needed to make this change. The cities all over the world had set greenhouse emission targets for complete carbon neutrality by 2040 or 2050. The local governments adopt smart city tactics and designate test areas to evaluate. The objectives are to increase energy and resource efficiency, control excessive demand for mobility and support sharing of spaces, tools, vehicles and other resources.

The stakeholders, including construction, energy, infrastructure, real estate and retail industry need to coorporate for a long term, as well as the citizens. However, due to excessive uncertainty of the future and stakeholders possibly having different interests, change can be positive for some and negative for others.

Other than forecasting from now to the future, backcasting from future goal to now can be a more useful tool as it can try to eliminate undesirable outcomes. This involves identifying steps needed to reach the goal, potential obstacles and stakeholders' contribution needed. Because the it is impossible to predict exactly, different pathways are explored. Identification of critical variables that would affect the world in upcoming decades and extrapolating them will show a 2 or more versatile scenarios. The stakeholders can then broaden their horizons on how to reach the goal.

The aim is to decrease 40% of emissions by 2040 with a higher quality of life than present. 3 societal drivers are present in the 3 scenarios:
1. Nations reach a global consensus, which basically change global economy and individual societies.
2. Rapid increase in disruptive technologies (inexpensive automated vehicles, energy storage, solar panels etc.), which overthrows the old solutions in the market.
3. Sudden global energy crisis disrupts the market, being forced to find alternatives for basic needs.

This helped the cities find direction for the pilot test. New partners to provide smart urban services can be identified. Partner cities try new shared logistics services, pop up shops and experiment new smart home solutions with real estate owners. New solutions whether successful or not would be wide spread due to digitalisation. It is important for when partnership between big corporations, city and real estate owners cannot dictate the area any more.

It is increasingly important to share economic solutions for sustainability. The scenarios, followed by cities, corporations and startups partnerships enabled sharing economy startups and smart solution developers to digest the wider importance of their actions leading towards sustainable cities.

References

http://cityminded.org/backcasting-smart-city-futures-15093

Week 3-1 Walk Score Reliability

Walk Score is a website that can provide data on ease of transport in a specified place with information on different modes of transport and nearby services. It has been so revolutionary that it used by researchers and analysts for government, finance, public health, real estate and urban planning.

Walk Score claims that "transit score measures how well a location is served by public transit based on the distance and type of nearby transit lines." I recently found on the website that Sydney Fish Market got a transit score of 89, meaning it is convenient for most trips. However, it is a bit far from truth in a sense that the buses are not very frequently served so the waiting time is long and it also takes a long time to walk to the stop. For example, travelling to the city by bus would take approximately the same amount of time as walking.

Robert Steuteville, a blogger found other problems with Walk Score. Federal Way, Washington, a suburban area had a walk score of 87, meaning most errands can be accomplished on foot. The reality is that average block size of 14 acres with homes far apart is too large for walking and pedestrians would have to pass through monotonous spaces. Another issue was that the closest "school" had no students and was perhaps just an educational office. The actual ones were half a mile to a mile away.

Therefore, Walk Score has some serious flaws so it should consider for instance, the frequency of public transport and distance to the stops for Transit Score and conditions of the area and more precise service identification for Walk Score. If not, the next competition might just take over the job and become the reliable data source for smart cities. Additionally, users should be very critical in using these kind of resources and even visit the site if necessary.

References:

http://bettercities.net/news-opinion/blogs/robert-steuteville/21738/problem-walk-score
https://www.walkscore.com/score/sydney-fish-market

Week 2-2 Anzac Parade Trees

After hearing about the urban form of buildings, I recalled placing a light rail to UNSW was the solution to fixing the transportation problems as I also remembered the protest for cutting down trees along the Anzac Parade when I came back to Sydney after the summer break.

There are several issues in removing the trees. First of all, scientists predict 2016 will be the hottest year on records so they are needed more than ever. Secondly, these perfectly healthy trees provide vital shade, habitat for native birds and other animals and clean air as they take in more carbon dioxide than younger trees. Lastly, some of the trees are of historical importance, planted in 1927 in honour of the Anzacs, soldiers that had fought bravely on Australian’s behalf.

I also believe Sydney should be proud of a transport system that goes around trees, not through them. State Opposition Leader Luke Foley proposed to the government an alternative route without removing trees but had no response. In addition, the protesters even chained themselves to the trees but were unsuccessful.

Premier Baird claimed that the Government had done all it could to minimise removal of trees for the light rail and significantly more trees would be planted to replace them (small tress = 2 trees, medium trees = 4 trees, large trees = 8 trees). Annie Haque, local resident and campaigner responded it is not adequate for the loss as it would take another 100 years to get back what we had.

This is definitely a ‘wicked’ problem with many issues that would bring in removing the trees so I feel that the government should be more transparent that they have been listening to the citizens and find a better way to solve the environmental issues that would bring or if they haven’t been listening, they definitely should.

References:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-27/100-yr-old-sydney-trees-to-be-felled-to-commemorate-anzacs/7116608

http://www.tec.org.au/urban-sustainability.html

Week 2-1 My College's Sustainability

My college accommodates UNSW students from different backgrounds. I will be assessing its sustainability based on personal experience through triple bottom line and give suggestions on where it could be improved.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT
1. Reminders beside the mirrors in the communal washrooms to close the tap while brushing teeth works well. I have not seen running water without someone using it.
2. However, reminders to close the lights when the washroom is not used beside the light switch does not really work. During night times, the lights are often on without anyone using it but people who do use at this time are less alert. I think it would be better to place sensors so the lights only turn on when it is being used like in many of UNSW buildings. The same solution applies to the lights in the hallways that are always on at night.
3. Meals are served by kitchen staff, which in my case results in wastage of food because I can't eat a lot and I am a bit picky. Also, even when I ask for less, they are always generous. Self-serving could be a possible solution but the unfairness could be seen that some residents who pay the same amount eat a lot more and other possible hygienic issues. However, there has been some efforts put in for less wastage, which is asking residents' opinions on what food we prefer and other suggestions to improve the service.
4. Central communal garden with a pond is not only pleasant for residents to sit around on not rainy or cold days, but it also gives back a small healthy ecosystem. Gardening activities are rarely carried out by residents but involvement could be improved by better advertising.
5. Donation area for clothes, free stuff area for other residents and reselling of unwanted items at cheaper prices decrease a lot of wastage.
6. There is unfortunately only paper recycling bins on each floor, which is used quite well so it would be better to have at least communal recycling bins on ground floor for other recyclables.
7. Bike storage encourages students to use bikes more as car-parking is not available.

SOCIAL ASPECT
Communal rooms including reading rooms, kitchens, computer room, gym, sports room, TV room, dining hall and laundry encourages more interaction and togetherness among the residents.

ECONOMICAL ASPECT
There is a minimal staff of 2, the master and administrator, 5 kitchen staffs and 3 cleaners. The rest is ran by senior residents, who pays half the accommodation as other residents. Therefore, it is undeniably the most affordable accommodation on campus for what it provides.

I would conclude that my college is quite sustainable and as there are improvements that could be made as I mentioned, the college tries hard in improving.