Masdar: Futur Abu Dhabi

Source:

"Dailymotion - Futur Abu Dhabi : Masdar City - a Tech & Science video." Dailymotion - Online Videos, Music, and Movies. Watch a Video Today! 24 May 2009 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2zeod_futur-abu-dhabi-masdar-city_tech.

One Planet Living & Cool Cities (Task 6)

Development and industrial revolution are one of the reasons to come up with Cool cities like Masdar in the UAE. As in the figures 90% of Co2 emitted come from building and transportation. However, I argue on the point that most people in the world will live in cities like Masdar in the future.

The main reason that I believe, it depends on the economy of the country. For example, to build Masdar city it will cost $22 billion.(Work starts on gulf 'green city') For that reason not every country can just start this project. On the other hand, they can contribute with just accumulate small ways to reduce Co2 in their country by either using renewable energy or recycling waste.

Another reason that can restrict this plan it is the population. Masdar city is limited with only 50 thousand of residents.(Work starts on gulf 'green city') The total population in the UAE is 4,104,695.(UAE population) If we follow this scheme we will be going to need 82 cool cities to occupy all of them. This idea is not practical as our population raises, so it better start with changing the way we live to close or similar in Masdar city.

In a result of that a further issue is arise on lifestyle in Masdar. Traditions, customs and cultures that can’t be change in seconds. With this different environment especially in UAE with hot weather it’s difficult to live without coolant devices. In addition, this city does not have everything because it will be limited products and have zero carbon emission. However, if we altered our lifestyle and just use public transportation or reduce usage amount of electricity. This can help us to reduce the Co2 in the world.

In conclusion, most of the people can’t live in cool cities. Masdar city can decrease carbon footprint if it provided to everyone within suitable lifestyle.

Bibliography

"UAE population." UAE News and information - UAEinteract. 06 May 2009 http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_population_touches_4.104,695/21620.htm.


"Work starts on gulf 'green city'" BBC NEWS News Front Page. 06 May 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7237672.stm.

Carbon Footprints

A carbon footprint is the sum of all the Co2 and greenhouse gases that we produce in our daily activity. People all over the world produce large amount of carbon and waste which impact our natural resources. In this essay I will illustrate and compare different footprints and imply some strategy to minimize it.

The measurement of our footprint was easily done by using two websites http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ and http:// www.myfootprint.org/ . In each of those footprint calculators gave big different results. As I gone through the website some are divided in food, travel, home and stuff. (WWF Footprint Calculator) However, in the other footprint calculator is more specific which also has extra division for services and transportation in its category. (Ecological Footprint)

Based on my average 7.9 earths I was the highest consumer between them all with Mohamed on the second. On the other hand, Hammed was much better result with faisel who has 4.57 earths. Nevertheless, we all consuming much more than we need for our comfort. In total, UAE is producing 1000 tonnes of Co2 in every 3.5 minutes. (Bleja) Globally, if stay producing same amount of Co2 we will need 1.5 earth to live. (What it measures)

It’s still not too late. My suggestion is follow some of those ways by educate people about this issue, cutting to power down, less waste and recycle, by green products and uses much more efficient devices. (Another Way)

All in all, I think we should look from biggest to smallest consumptions to reduce greenhouse gases. These changes no matter how tiny they are it make big different from us all to our earth.

Bibliography:

"Another Way." The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard. 23 Apr. 2009 http://www.storyofstuff.com/anotherway.html.

Bleja, David. CO2 emissions, birth & death rates by country, simulated real-time. 23 Apr. 2009 http://breathingearth.net/.

"Ecological Footprint." Ecological Footprint Quiz by Redefining Progress. 23 Apr. 2009 http://www.myfootprint.org/en/.

"What it measures." Ecological Footprint Quiz by Redefining Progress. 23 Apr. 2009 http://www.myfootprint.org/en/about_the_quiz/what_it_measures/.

WWF Footprint Calculator. 23 Apr. 2009 http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/.

An inconvenient truth : Reviews

After watching Al Gore movie “An inconvenient truth” I checked some reviews that people posted on this movie. I read the comment and found out that majority are supporting or on agreement with Al gore. However, between the lines there are some indifferent with his opinion or the content of the movie.

Some people didn’t think this problem is real. They even didn’t like the way Al Gore interfere with his personal life or even showoff his documentation and researches. Al Gore is a politician. This all and his family history is just a materials to serve himself during election or for his personal achievement. (Sanford )

On the other hand, this one of the optimistic comment that Al Gore is right!. Whatever of all the dissonant reviews still the movie is demonstrating that how or no matter the problem is inconvenient it is real. All the documentary is a pointing that all the Humans with Conscience should work together to save and make the world better than its today. (Brunson ) .It’s not too late. We still can pick the right choice for this plant to live on.

In my opinion, Al Gore regardless of negative comments he done fine work to just show all the people how could be dangerous to keep pumping CO2 in our atmosphere. It shows possible consciences in this way he educated maybe millions about this inconvenient truth.

Bibliography

\Brunson, Matt. "An Inconvenient Truth." Rotten Tomatoes. 14 June 2006. 14 June 2006 http://www.rottentomatoes.com/author/author-5777/movies.php.

Sanford, James. "An Inconvenient Truth." Rotten Tomatoes. 29 June 2006. 29 June 2006 http://www.rottentomatoes.com/author/author-1485/movies.php.

An Inconvenient Truth: Voice Thread

Click on the link below to here the voice thread of "An Inconvenient Truth" movie.

http://voicethread.com/share/441519/

An Inconvenient Truth

In the movie the former vice president Al Gore speaks and explains his concerns on a problem or issue of global warming that most of people still didn’t realize its consequences. Some still don’t realize global warming is already started. In fact Al Gore first became aware of evidence on global warming in the 1970s.

Each and every day passes in every second in our daily activity we release mount of CO2 which is actually good for our environment. However, the population and lifestyle is changing and the demand increasing. As a result CO2 built up and caused what we call it now global warming. An Inconvenient Truth shows records of temperature and CO2 for each year which the source of the heat comes from our development. All this scientific facts explains how it has already begun to affect our environment. Hurricanes, floods and heats not just accord from it but it strengthen it. The ice all over the world is melting raising the sea level. A heat is increasing the wind movement resulting in bigger storms.

We all and each individual have to help and protect the Earth for our future and future generations

An Introduction to Global Warming

Global Warming is commonly known as an increase in temperature on the surface of the earth. It’s directly related to green house gases (CO2). This issue is caused by nature as well as human demands of energy. However, human population is increasing which leads us to burn more fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil. It radically increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Global warming may have several effects. It will alter the climate. This heat will melt the ice around the world and raise sea levels. This can flood many places in the world. As well, sea temperature increases can create more or stronger hurricanes destroying the place where people live.

This is a world-wide problem. One human being can’t solve it but I think we can if we all work together as one. We can reduce it by using solar, wind, water and heat clean energy that’s renewable.