...Reducing your Personal Energy Use Reducing your Personal Energy Use Ever since the human settlements and their population place pressure on the environment through the increasing demand for water, energy and land, and also through the production of wastes that includes greenhouse gas emission. These impacts can also be regard as direct, through the use of water, energy, and land, or indirect, through the production and distribution of goods and services that household consumes. There is evidence that our way of living and the direction of the development in today’s society are not considered ecologically sustainable. This essay is about exploring how we can use creative thinking to find a sustainable solution to a problem that we are currently facing, which is Climate Change. By applying the Osborn’s (1979) Creative Problem-Solving-process, together with creative thinking tools, this essay explore the way’s that we as an individual can come up with to reduce our consumption and change our habits to achieve a significant sustainable reduction in our personal energy use .This is achieved by identifying a problem, then generating ideas, then evaluating the potential solution the problem. The first step to Osborn’s (1979) CPSP is the fact-finding, which acquire us to identify the problem, and present fact about it for supporting. Individual demand for the energy is increasing day-by-day; there are many causes for it e.g. IT appliances, production and preparation of food and clothing...
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...Electricity: What Powers Our Planet To Whom It May Concern: It’s dark and you are trying to sign paperwork. You want to turn on the lights so you can see better. With one flick, the whole room illuminates. But, congressman, let me ask you. Have you ever wondered how electricity works? What is it that makes electricity possible? What did it take for light to have the ability to stream out of the light bulb? We take electricity for granted, but not many of us actually look into it. People often do not know how electricity is the way it is, but instead they see electricity as something that is very accessible and plentiful. So, congressman, you have the money, and I have the brains. You want to know how to spend the 200 billion? I’ll tell you. Let’s start off with what electricity really is. You hear that word so many times in your daily life, but few have heard the scientific definition. Electricity is a type of energy produced from the existence of electrons or protons, either statically as a build-up of charge, or dynamically as a current. It is usually categorized into two different currents: alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). Alternating current is a constant flow of electric charge that reverses its course from time to time. Direct current is the opposite; it only runs in one direction. Within those two currents are things such as volts, watts, amperes (or amps), and ohms. Volts are the SI unit of electromotive force, the distinction of potential that would...
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...is no doubt that the weather patterns are changing, but the question is if it is caused by humans or is it just in the natural process of the earth. Whether or not global warming exists is a controversial topic. It is easy to choose a side based on one’s opinion, but it goes much deeper than common knowledge. There are pros and cons to each side of the argument and it can be surprising what information is out there that has not even been publicized yet. Making an informed decision requires research into both sides. Also, the arguments surrounding global warming can change depending on which countries are discussing it. For several decades global warming has been debated within the scientific community and with society as a whole. Pro’s for Global Warming To understand global warming and its effect on the planet, the scientific principles need to be explained. The atmosphere is a thin spherical envelope of gases surrounding the earth’s surface. Its inner layer, the troposphere, contains the majority of the air that humans breathe. This consists of nitrogen, oxygen, and greenhouse gases. Examples of greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor. These elements assist in the reduction of heat flow back into the atmosphere which causes the natural greenhouse effect. This keeps the Earth warm enough to maintain life. According to Miller and Spoolman (2009), “The earth’s natural greenhouse...
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...management perspective - to deal with increasing waste amounts while reducing the amount of waste deposited at landfills and from an energy system perspective to improve the flexibility of the energy system in order to increase the share of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The object of analysis is waste which is not reused or recycled, but can be used for energy production. Different Waste-to-Energy technologies are analyzed through energy system analysis of the current Danish energy system with 13-14% renewable energy, as well as possible future Danish energy systems with 43% (2025) and 100% renewable energy (2050), respectively. The technologies include combustion, thermal gasification, anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and transesterification technologies producing electricity, heat, or transport fuel. In the USA, according to the US energy recovery council, there are 87 WTE plants producing 2,700 megawatts that results into 17 million of kwh per year which is enough to meet the needs for power for 2 million households. In the EU incineration is more popular. According to the confederation of European Waste to energy plants (CEWEP) the plants in Europe can supply annually about 13 million inhabitants with electricity and 12 million inhabitants with heat. Waste to energy is produced mainly by biological material and thus the energy produced is mainly biomass energy along with all its pros and cons. In addition significant steps have been taken in recent years...
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...Considerations and Recommendations Healthcare has a tremendous impact on the environmental footprint. Consider the amount of waste the healthcare industry produces; the EPA estimates that hospitals produce 7000 tons of waste per day (Sustainable Healthcare, n.d.). This waste includes regulated medical waste (infectious, biohazardous or red bag waste), solid waste, hazardous waste, recycling, pharmaceutical waste and construction or demolition debris. Some of these wastes have a direct effect on global warming by releasing harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Harmful greenhouse gases (GHG) that hospitals produce include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases such as sevoflurane, isoflurane and desflurane. Incineration and landfill disposal of solid waste causes carbon dioxide to be emitted into the atmosphere. Methane, with six times the global warming capacity of carbon dioxide, is also a by-product of landfills. Nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases are common anesthetic gases used every day in the hospital (Tracking and managing, n.d.). Of all the departments in the hospital, the operating room is one of the largest consumers of supplies and producers of waste, contributing up to 20-30% of the waste generated by the hospital (Greening the operating room, n.d.). Because the operating room at Metropolitan Hospital is the largest contributor to the...
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...Advanced Clean Coal Technology DeVry University Technology Society and Culture Professor Paul Team D Table of Contents Renee M King I A brief description of the why the technology is needed …………….page 3 II The historical development and context of the technology …………..page 5 III The technology in its cultural context, media influence……………....page 9 IV Psychological considerations and sociological effects…………..….page 10 V Economic questions and considerations VI Implications for the Environment VI Political and legal influences IX Moral and Ethical Implications References Advanced Clean Coal Technology I A brief description of the why the technology is needed The most plentiful fuel in the fossil fuel family, coal has been used since the caveman days to heat their homes. In the 1700s, people found that it would heat cleaner and hotter than wood charcoal. The Industrial Revolutions overwhelming need for energy to run the new technologies providing the real opportunity for coal to dominant as a worldwide supplier of energy. (A brief history of coal use). As other sources of energy was discovered the use of coal diminished. However, 4 decades ago it became popular again as an energy source. The 1970’s brought about an oil crisis that showed industrialized countries that any disruption in the petroleum supply line would send a shockwave through energy production. (Morse, 2012). Even though coal...
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...their bottom line dramatically. Although this has it’s positives, the implications of fracking could have incredibly serious repercussions, particularly the preservation of the earth and it’s current resources. “Fracking” is the process in which one would drill thousands of meters below the earth’s surface and inject fluid that is then pumped into the shale at an incredibly high pressure, which then shatters the rocks in order to release shale gas. This particular natural gas is trapped within sedimentary shale rock formations and is found richly in many areas of the world. Fracking breaks most of the regulations in the sustainable environments handbook, and as you can imagine, this causes a massive up brawl in the societies that are pro-environment and sustainability. Although this point of view is prominent and relevant, the opposing side has an equally compelling argument. Global thoughts on the idea of fracking Globally, the topic is thought to be both “one of the best things to happen to onshore gas exploration for a century” (Nick Grealy, director of No Hot Air energy consultancy) as well as “dangerous to the environment and throws good energy after bad” (Ian Ratcliffe, campaigner with anti-fracking environmental pressure group, Frack off). The argument in favour of fracking is threefold. The first reason for the extraction of natural gases is due to it...
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...have a limited supply of these fuels on the Earth. We’re using them much more rapidly than they are being created. Even- tually, they will run out. And because of safety concerns and waste disposal prob- lems, the United States will retire much of its nuclear capacity by 2020. In the mean- time, the nation’s energy needs are expected to grow by 33 percent during the next 20 years. Renewable energy can help fill the gap. Even if we had an unlimited supply of fos- sil fuels, using renewable energy is better for the environment. We often call renew- able energy technologies “clean” or “green” because they produce few if any pollutants. Burning fossil fuels, however, sends greenhouse gases into the atmos- phere, trapping the sun’s heat and con- tributing to global warming. Climate scientists generally agree that the Earth’s average temperature has risen in the past century. If this trend continues, sea levels will rise, and scientists predict that floods, heat waves, droughts, and other extreme weather conditions could occur more often. Other pollutants are released into the air, soil, and water when fossil fuels are burned. These pollutants take a dramatic toll on the environment—and on humans. Air pollution contributes to diseases like asthma. Acid rain from...
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...Introduction The world is a place for everyone and everything to live comfortably. In order to fulfill this comfort that we are supposed to have, we have to keep a healthy environment. Everything that everyone does affects the environment, in good and bad ways. There are things that go unnoticed in everyday life that needs to be looked at more seriously in order to improve the environment. Recognizing and correcting the problem and promoting the positive aspects will ultimately improve the environment. In order to maintain a healthy environment, society must become aware of how day-to-day activities impact the environment and they also need to be ready to approach and change such lifestyles. So how can we, as individuals, improve the environment? Why When talking about environment related issues, most people just don’t care; they are only doing enough to get by for themselves. The only concerns they have are paying their bills on time, taking care of their family, keeping their job, and being happy. People are contemplating the fact that they are just one person, and the changes they make won’t make a difference so why should it matter. (Savage) If this mind set of people changes then that one person will turn it to hundreds and thousands of people and differences in the environment will start to be seen. There are multiple different reasons on why you should care about the environment and what impacts it. Approximately 40% of deaths globally are cause by pollution, and...
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... CITIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE Responding to an Urgent Agenda Daniel Hoornweg, Mila Freire, Marcus J. Lee, Perinaz Bhada-Tata, and Belinda Yuen, editors blic Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized CITIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE The Urban Development Series discusses the challenge of urbanization and what it will mean for developing countries in the decades ahead. The series delves substantively into the core issues framed by the World Bank’s 2009 Urban Strategy, Systems of Cities: Harnessing Urbanization for Growth and Poverty Alleviation. Across the five domains of the Urban Strategy, the series provides a focal point for publications that seek to foster a better understanding of the core elements of the city system, pro-poor policies, city economies, urban land and housing markets, urban environments, and other issues germane to the agenda of sustainable urban development. Cities and Climate Change: Responding to an Urgent Agenda is the first title in the Urban Development Series. CITIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE Responding to an Urgent Agenda Daniel Hoornweg, Mila Freire, Marcus J. Lee, Perinaz Bhada-Tata, and Belinda Yuen, editors Washington, D.C. © 2011 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org All rights reserved 1 2 3 4 14 13 12 11 This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development...
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...FACULTY OF HEALTH, SPORT & SCIENCE Assessment Cover Sheet and Feedback Form |Module Code: |Module Title: | Lecturer: | | |Hydrogen: Fuel Vector for the Future (2012-13) |Jon Maddy | |PH4S01 | | | |Assignment Title and Tasks: | | | |Field trip report from visit to University of Glamorgan’s Hydrogen Research Centre in Baglan. | | | | | |You are required to submit a report of 2500-3000 words relating to the University of Glamorgan’s Hydrogen Research Centre at Baglan: | | ...
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...Travelling textiles A sustainability roadmap of natural fibre garments May 2009 This report has been prepared by Emer Diviney and Serena Lillywhite at the Brotherhood of Laurence Sustainable Business Unit. Brotherhood of St Laurence 67 Brunswick Street Fitzroy Vic. 3065 ABN 24 603 467 024 Ph: (03) 9483 1183 www.bsl.org.au the HUB of responsible business practice in Australia is a project of St James Ethics Centre © St James Ethics Centre 2 Contents Acknowledgments Summary Introduction Key findings The way forward Recommendations Introduction Brotherhood of St Laurence Gorman Industries Understanding the clothing industry Corporate responsibility and “sustainability” Developing tools for responsible business practice Roadmap methodology How we went about it Who we spoke to Overview of the garment supply chain The clothing industry roadmap Key sustainability issues in the garment sector Case study: Gorman Who is Gorman? The Gorman roadmap: Merino Tee and Forest Dress Unpicking the garment roadmap Design and production management Wool and cotton cultivation Processing raw materials and yarn manufacturing Knitting and weaving Fabric processing Cut make and trim Retailing and wholesaling Consumer use Textile waste and disposal Freight Towards sustainable garments Garment industry drivers Sources of information the HUB of responsible business practice in Australia is a project of St James Ethics Centre ...
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...The Transformation Continues QANTAS SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW 2013 This page has been intentionally left blank TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction Governance − − − − Corporate Governance Business Resilience Group Security Group Risk and Audit 2 4 4 9 10 11 13 15 19 22 31 38 45 49 56 57 Stakeholder Engagement Financial Safety and Health Customer People Environment Procurement Community Measures Glossary The Group Strategy, supported by environment, procurement and community strategies, underpins the identification and reporting on material items. To support the Group’s core goal of delivering sustainable returns to shareholders, areas of focus are used to measure, monitor and report on the Group’s performance. Areas of focus and measures are reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain relevant. The Group Strategy drives sustainable outcomes Governance Corporate governance is core to ensuring the creation, protection and enhancement of shareholder value. Stakeholders We are committed to communicating effectively with our stakeholders. Financial Safety and Health To be recognised as the world’s leading airline group in air, ground and people safety and health. Customers Our Customers are the core of everything we do. The Group is continually striving towards providing exceptional customer experiences. Vision We strive to build a strong viable business capable of delivering sustainable returns...
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...20 miles per hour. Because of these features on the towers, they rank Kansas the 3rd in the US for wind energy potential. The Gray County Wind Farm in Kansas, powered by Florida Power and Light Energy, has collected data from 2001-2009 on electricity production.... [tags: kansas, wind energy, wind turbines] :: 1 Works Cited 1537 words (4.4 pages) $29.95 [preview] Analysis of Wind Turbine Designs - Abstract Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and one of the most philanthropic men in history giving over 28 billion dollars to charity so far, states his number one wish for the world wouldn't be to rid the world of aids, vaccinate kids around the world, or feed every starving children; instead, it would be to invent and utilize a cheaper emission-free source of energy. My research aims to cut through the vast amounts of wind turbine designs and analyze the two most promising types. The first type is Small Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs), roughly 1.5 meters by 1 meter and generating roughly 500 watts.... [tags: Wind Turbine Essays] :: 12 Works Cited 1389 words (4 pages) $14.95 [preview]...
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...DEVELOPING INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN TRAINING MANUAL Volume 4: ISWM Plan U N I T E D N AT I O N S E N V I R O N M E N T P R O G R A M M E Copyright © United Nations Environment Programme, 2009 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. UNEP would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the United Nations Environment Programme. Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Environment Programme concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Moreover, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the decision or the stated policy of the United Nations Environment Programme, nor does citing of trade names or commercial processes constitute endorsement. Developing Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan Training Manual Volume 4 ISWM Plan Compiled by United Nations Environmental Programme Division of Technology, Industry and Economics International Environmental...
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