Sustainable Building and Ecological Intelligence

Recently in class we have been focusing on sustainable building. Sustainability is not just about energy efficiency, it involves the conversation of our many resources and preserving healthy lives and a healthy planet. Maurice Strong, well renowned global environmentalist and previously Executive Director of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) once stated:  

            “After all, sustainability means running the global environment - Earth Inc. - like a corporation: with depreciation, amortization and maintenance accounts. In other words, keeping the asset whole, rather than undermining your natural capital.” (Strong) http://www.betterworldheroes.com/pages-s/strong-quotes.htm

Today there is an ever more global movement towards the sustainability of our planet and living green. Although green is many times abused as a marketing strategy for companies, I feel as though there is great importance in becoming a more sustainable planet. Being sustainable involves everything from the air we breathe to the amount of utilities we use, and the conscious efforts we make to allocate our natural resources to provide for most efficient use. Although we have seen this green movement affect every aspect of our lives down to the marketing of the products we buy, one industry making a major impact in the sustainability of our planet is the housing and construction industry. They are implementing many innovations including:

• Passive solar heat through energy efficient windows
• Compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs which are far more efficient 
• The use of grey water
• Using recycled materials 
• Better insulation
• More efficiency building materials including "earthpack"
• The use of not only efficient HVAC systems, but the additional use of air ventilation systems. There is a lot of indoor air pollution in our homes.
• The use of building materials which are "low in off gases" and and other dangerous air pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compounds.

Daniel Goleman, Industrial Ecologist and author of "Ecological Intelligence", stated that there needs to be a mass movement to utilize these practices and work toward 100% sustainability throughout the entire supply chain, because although these products allow for more sustainability, any product that has had a long chain of supply through manufacturers is not in fact 100% sustainable. Goleman, Daniel. Ecological Intelligence: the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy. New York: Broadway, 2010. Print. Goleman stated that even to make t shirts of "100% organic cotton", dangerous pesticides are used which consist of chlorinated hydrocarbons. He explains that we need a mass movement toward sustainability for all manufacturers and work toward developing a sustainable globe. I agree with Daniel Goleman in that we should be working toward a sustainable planet. Although his vision is ideal, I do not think that it is easily feasible in a timely manner. I think that we should implement more sustainable practices in our manufacturing industry just as the construction industry has been doing. So that one day we can all work toward a more sustainable planet.

Week 9- Transportation-Related Challenges

In Ralph Buehler’s article “Determinants of Transport Mode Choice: A Comparison of Germany and the USA” published in the Journal of Transport Geography, the author addresses the motorization rates in Germany and the US. Studies show that Germans make a four times higher share of trips using “green” methods of transportation (walking, biking, etc.) Delving deeper into the issue to discover why this may be, Buehler discovers that a lack of biking and walking friendly paths may be part of the issue. Many destinations in the US are accessible only by car, forcing many to drive. In addition to this problem, gas taxes and registration fees are lower in the US than they are in Germany, reducing incentive for Americans to use green methods of transportation. Also, parking is cheap and generally readily available, and road construction and maintenance are subsidized at a higher rate. These aspects present a significant obstacle for the US in reducing vehicle-related greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

In an article published in Time: Moneyland magazine, author Brad Tuttle discusses the gap between Germans and Americans (http://moneyland.time.com/2010/09/27/why-you-should-behave-less-like-an-american-and-more-like-a-german/). He believes the gap is due to cultural differences. I find this to be an interesting thesis. While I agree with Buehler in the aforementioned article, I also think the dramatic difference between the transportation choices made by Germans versus Americans is partly behavioral. The way we are raised plays a large role in the choices we will make for the rest of our lives. For instance, if we are raised by parents in an area where we can walk to places like school, the grocery store, and shops, we are likely to develop the same habits and continue to do so, if possible. But unfortunately, most Americans are raised in suburban towns plagued by urban sprawl that force them to be very auto-dependent.

With all that being said, the issue at hand is a serious one that needs feasible solutions now. The first step for the US is creating the infrastructure for walking and cycling so that people can choose to use these green methods of transportation if they desire. Other regulations like increasing incentive to walk or bike, can then be proposed. Portland, Oregon is very pedestrian friendly, and can be used as a model for other cities to add the proper infrastructure for walking and cycling.

Safer Roadways and the Elderly

The issue of elderly drivers in America is a controversial one. The issue of accidents caused by the elderly has sparked many plans to counteract their lessened physical capabilities including having the elderly renew their driver’s license at the DMV every few years. Some have gone as far as proposing a maximum driving age – similar to the minimum legal age to drive. So far neither of these concepts have been widespread, instead city planners have focused on making their roadways safer to prepare for lesser drivers.

It has been documented that less accidents occur on highways and interstate roads. Due to this, in his article at http://www.pps.org/blog/wider-straighter-and-faster-not-the-solution-for-older-drivers/, Gary Toth states that city planners have been trying to emulate highways since 1966 in order to reduce accidents. Planners have been making roads straighter and wider like highways. Unfortunately, this has proved counterproductive, as these new roads invoke drivers to speed unnecessarily and cause an increase in accidents. While higher speeds are not as detrimental on interstates, in pedestrian areas with lots of intersections this has demonstrated poorly.

            What cities have been doing has proven ineffective, and new measurements are needed. New plans call for courses that naturally reduce the speed limit. The elderly are at much less risk to themselves and others when they, and other drivers, are driving at a slower speed. At a slower speed, everyone has more time to react. Other plans of action such as roundabouts can greatly reduce fatalities and major injuries.