Sustainable Houses
Today we’re talking about an interesting place where we can be sustainable, our homes. There are many ways we can be more eco-friendly at home and it goes from small steps to much bigger ones.
“(…) a large part of the energy used goes to waste. Such energy loss can be minimised by improving existing buildings and striving for smart solutions and energy efficient materials when constructing new houses.” (European Commission, 2020)
For starters, there are the ‘small’ things we can change. Opting for energy efficient appliances has a bigger impact than you think and is very easy to check now-a-days. Choose LED light bulbs instead of the normal light bulbs. Install low-flow shower heads and a dual-flush toilet, to conserve water. Avoid leaving your electronics plugged in. Try doing your own little vegetable garden. And lastly, when you can, don’t be lazy and hang your clothes instead of throwing them in the dryer!
“Architecture and building offer the greatest potential for a sustainable shaping of the environment.” (Hegger, 2007)
On the other side there are ‘bigger’ things we can do. For instance, install a solar system if you have the conditions for it, they heat up domestic waters only using solar energy. You can also change your windows for a more efficient system, with this you avoid the loss of temperatures from inside to the outside. If you have the chance of doing a thermal isolation of your walls and ceilings it will also benefit a lot the reduction of energy loss.
The most important tip is for when buying homes. Just like appliances, houses also have a certificate for their energy class. Always check this and try to choose the high category, that is A+.
We hope all this information helps you become greener,
Green Impact Team
References:
[1] Hegger, M.; Fuchs, M.; Stark, T.; & Zeumer, M. (2012). Energy manual: sustainable architecture. Walter de Gruyter.
[2] Isolani, P. (2008, May). Eficiência energética nos edifícios residenciais.
[3] Climate Action – European Commission. Tips for your home (2016, November 23). Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/tips_en on May 8, 2020.
[4] European Commission. In focus: Energy efficiency in buildings (2020, February 17). Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/focus-energy-efficiency-buildings-2020-feb-17_en on April 30, 2020.
Environmental impact of technology and ways to prevent it
Scrolling down through our Instagram feed for hours, who hasn’t? We are so comfortable, on the couch with a fluffy blanket… It seems so harmless, but it has an environmental impact, the devices we use come with their own carbon footprint.
Since everything is digital and we cannot just stop using them all of a sudden, we must find other solutions. This article will feature some tips to increase our devices’ life, kindly suggested by PChoice– an organization whose main goal is to make sure we make the right choice concerning technology (Go check their website!).
Technologies are growing day by day, but at what cost? Although technology makes our life easier, it has a huge impact on our planet. For starters, to make all the different technological devices it requires a lot of energy and electricity. These come mostly from fossil fuels, which cause pollution leading to global warming. The “need” of people to always have the new smartphones and the new PC’s on the market makes them throw the ones they already have away even though they still work perfectly. This causes a big waste of devices that is usually called “techno-trash”.
With this being said, to avoid this techno waste, there are two essential attitudes towards the use of technology: the first one is to certify we acquire the equipment that most fits the use we want to give it and satisfies all our necessities (in order to avoid the further purchase of other equipment); the second one is to promote the life extension of that same technological equipment, the goal is to delay its substitution and reduce the unnecessary production of these equipment that lead to big environmental costs.
Complementing the alerts and suggestions Green Impact gives of alternating the habits that endanger the sustainability of our planet, you can also change your environmental behaviour towards technology. Achieve this by using the tips PChoice offers and its orientations regarding the consumption of equipment. Cooperation and knowledge are the key for a better future.
References:
[1] The Carnegie Cyber Academy. How Technology can harm the Environment. Retrieved from: http://carnegiecyberacademy.com/facultyPages/environment/issues.html on April 24, 2020.
Air Pollution & Transports
“Should I take my car or the bus?” is the big question! Most of us are so used to the comfort of our own car we don’t give this question much thought.
Europe’s biggest source of carbon emissions is Transports. From 1990 to 2014, road transport CO2 emissions’ grew, being responsible for the largest increase. Nowadays, transports contribute to 27% of the EU’s total carbon emissions. In the WHO European Region, 100 000 premature adult deaths occur because of air pollution, “(…)Emissions from road traffic account for a significant share of this burden.” (World Health Organization). The risk of having respiratory problems is twice as big for children that live near traffic congested streets, comparing to the ones who don’t. With all these facts, how can people choose a car over public transports that reduce so much pollution?
From the moment people can drive, one of the biggest excitements is to be able to take their car everywhere and enjoy that freedom and convenience, but we forget that cars aren’t environmentally friendly. Here you’ll find some better options.
For starters, instead of being a lonely person, going all by yourself to work or school, why not share your ride? Traffic lines would gain more flow, and if you don’t have anyone to go with you, there are apps that help you find people looking for a ride.
“By reducing the growth in vehicle miles of travel, easing congestion and supporting more efficient land use patterns, public transportation can reduce harmful CO2 emissions by 37 million metric tons annually(…)” (APTA)
Another important solution is taking public transports. Environmentally, “traveling by rail is on average 3-10 times less CO2 intensive compared with road or air transport” (CER, 2015). Plus the convenience of taking a train or the subway is that it has no traffic, this is great when you are in a rush. As for buses, “A bus with as few as seven passengers is more fuel-efficient than the average single-occupant auto used for commuting.” (DNREC) They are also more common in all areas, they’re usually more frequent than other transportations, and they relieve the traffic pressure. Lastly, don’t forget that planes have a negative impact on the atmosphere, so whenever you can, try going by train, nowadays there are many fast options. Try it out and you might be surprised.
Besides being great for the environment, it will be great for you too since you’ll be saving a lot more money in the end with gas. Most importantly,don’t forget air pollution has a big impact in your health, “Transportation affects many major health risks.” (Litman, 2012).
Think about these aspects while also saving our environment!
Green Impact Team
References:
[1] Litman, T. (2012). Evaluating public transportation health benefits. Victoria Transport Policy Institute.
[2] Hughes-Cromwick, M.; Dickens, M. (March 2020). 2020 Public Transportation Fact Book. Retrieved from: https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/APTA-2020-Fact-Book.pdf on April 20, 2020.
[3] Transport & Environment. CO2 emissions from cars: The facts (2018, April). Retrieved from: https://www.transportenvironment.org/publications/co2-emissions-cars-facts on April 21, 2020.
[4] European Environment Agency. EU greenhouse gas emissions at lowest level since 1990 (2016, June 21). Retrieved from: https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/eu-greenhouse-gas-emissions-at on April 21, 2020.
[5] World Health Organization. Air pollution and climate change. Retrieved from: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/Transport-and-health/data-and-statistics/air-pollution-and-climate-change2 on April 21, 2020.
[6] CER. Rail transport and environment: facts & figures (2015, September 16). Retrieved from: https://www.cer.be/publications/latest-publications/rail-transport-and-environment-facts-figures on April 20, 2020.
[7] Delaware Department of National Resources and Environmental Control. The Environmental Benefits of Riding Public Transit. Retrieved from: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/dwhs/info/Pages/OzonePublicTrans.aspx on April 20, 2020.
[8] APTA. Public Transportation Reduces Greenhouse Gases and Conserves Energy. Retrieved from: https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/Resources/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/greenhouse_brochure.pdf on April 20, 2020.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is a vegetable oil used in almost every product you can find in a supermarket, since around 50% of packaged products you come across in a store contains this substance[1]. It goes, from frozen pizza, to chocolate, lipstick and even soap, detergents and so on.
You are probably thinking, “What is the problem with that?”. The palm oil has many different properties that makes it very versatile for companies to use it in literally everything. It is used not only in the products we mentioned before but also in the making of biofuel and biodiesel.
Since it is used in such large quantities throughout the world, the plantation of the trees that give origin to this oil is growing more and more. Every year, 66 million tons of palm oil is produced[2] and to make space for these kind of plantations, humans have been burning forests leading to deforestation and loss of a lot of natural habitats, destroying a big part of the planet’s biodiversity. All these just so that they can plant these areas with palm oil trees, and 27 million hectares of our planet is already covered with these plantations[2]. This is the problem!
So now you can ask, “What can we do to help?”. For starters, you can talk to others about this issue, spread the word. You can start going to the supermarket and reading the labels of the products that you are buying, so that you make sure that they don’t contain this oil. It is not always easy to identify palm oil in labels since it also goes by others names [3] such as elaeis guineensis, glyceryl, palmate, sodium lauryl…
Also try to leave your car at home, and walk or ride a bike. These are some ways to make sure we reduce the consume of palm oil and decrease the unnecessary deforestation.
Stay healthy,
Green Impact Team
References:
[1] WWF (2020, January 17). 8 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PALM OIL. Retrieved from: https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/8-things-know-about-palm-oil on April 16, 2020
[2] Rainforest Rescue. 5-minute info – palm oil. Retrieved from: https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/topics/palm-oil#start on April 16, 2020
[3] Orangutan Alliance. ALTERNATIVE NAMES FOR PALM OIL. Retrieved from: https://orangutanalliance.org/alternative-names-for-palm-oil on April 16, 2020
Climate Change & Our actions
A wise woman, Wangari Maatthai, once said “You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their own, that they must protect them.” (Maathai, 2004)
For the past few years organisations have been warning us about several environmental problems like pollution and deforestation. They harm not only us and the planet we live in (which should already be a big reason to stop and think about our actions) but also those cute animals you see every day on your Facebook feed!
A few years ago, a huge hole on the Ozone Layer was discovered over Antarctica. This was already a big problem on its own, but the consumerist behaviour of the human being made it a lot worse!
The diet choices of the average human have been disrupting Nature’s cycle; the massive production of goods and services is leading to the increase of pollution levels; deforestation is endangering a big number of species and their habitats; and extreme weather conditions are causing floods, fires and all kind of natural disasters.
Since then scientists have been searching a way to fix it. Governments are setting specific targets to manage the situation. Some countries are more willing to change the way they operate than others. But, as you know, if only half the planet contributes to this matter, the situation won’t get that much better. We need to be united in this front!
See you next time,
Green Impact Team
References:
[1] Maathai, Wangari (2004)
[2] May, S. (2014, May 14). What is climate Change?. Retrieved from Nasa Website: https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-climate-change-k4.HTML on March 28,2020.
Green Impact 