Conclusion - “We’ll save the planet only if we’re forced to”

The planet is facing some serous problems such as global warming. People are not responding to the problems we face. However, people are controlling the temperature by releasing harmful gasses to the air. Many people are trying to solve the problems by changing their light bulbs and their life styles, but he thinks it’s not even the start of solving the problems. There is no use if people tried to change things as individuals, in order to make a change they should all work as a team. Greenhouse gas emissions are harming millions of people. The solution should come from the government, they should make people pay taxes and force them to shift to green cars. Johann Hari had enough with the fake excuses. He thinks that people should be forced in order for them to save the planet.

In my opinion, I disagree with Johann Hari. I think that it’s wrong to force people to be environmentally friendly. One reason is that people would give out their best if they agree with what they are doing. For example, if a person is forced to do something he doesn’t agree with he would do it but with no love. Another reason is that people might do harmful stuff behind the government or who ever forces them to do so. Also I think that if people agreed on what they are doing I think it would be easier to save the world.

Abu Dhabi - A Cool City?

In my opinion, Abu Dhabi is not a cool city but they are working on it. However, I think that the “Masdar City” project will go well because Abu Dhabi has a hot climate and “Masdar City” will have a cool climate. Also it would give people more and better options. In order for Abu Dhabi to become a cool city they would have to set rules and try to reduce the carbon emissions in the city not only building a city in Abu Dhabi it will reduce some of the carbon emissions but in order to get better results they should focus on the entire city. However, Abu Dhabi is has many projects which will be build in the future so I think its going to be a cool city after 20 years.

Cool Cities

Since the industrial revolution the world has achieved a remarkable economic development. However, in exchange for economical growth we are now having problems such as earth’s environmental issues or in other words global warming. These issues include rise in population, traffic delays, increases in energy consumption, as well as increases in carbon dioxide being released into the air. If we continue today’s life style without solving these issues we will face serous problems in the future. Many cities have signed up to be cool cities to solve these issues. These cities are planning to build a city which has a goal which is to maintain a sustainable urban development and architecture. Cool cities are cities that have signed up and made promises that they will reduce global warming. Hence, Abu Dhabi is one of the cool cities which had made a promise to try to control global warming. Abu Dhabi is making a big action in developing their environmentally friendly actions by building “Masdar City”. Moreover, “Masdar City” will focus on solar energy with zero carbon which will reduce the build up of CO2 in the country’s atmosphere. Also it will have zero waste which will reduce the pollution caused by discarded products. In addition to that, it will have a sustainable transport. The city will be build with the help of the WWF. Also it will be build by the best scientists in the world. On the other hand there around two hundred cool cities in America. In America the cities over there are reducing global warming in the entire city unlike Abu Dhabi which is only building a city in the city of Abu Dhabi. However, there are four steps for cities to become a cool city. First, the city should promise that they would try to control global warming. Second, build a global warming emissions inventory. Third, bring up solutions for the problems. Fourth, apply and monitor the project.

Why I would like to live in Masdar city

The estimated $22 billion zero carbon city “Masdar City” will be a city for people who want to live a sustainable lifestyle. I think that I would like to live in “Masdar City” because it would be cooler than Abu Dhabi because it would have shaded streets. Even though living in Masdar City would be expensive but I think it’s worth it. Moreover, I think that living in “Masdar City” will prevent me from losing my environmental and sustainable values. Also it will be cool there which will prevent me from travelling to other countries looking for a country with a cool climate. Moreover, I won’t need to set the air conditioning to a high level

One Planet Living

Global warming is a term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface and oceans. If everyone lived like an average North American we would need five planets. On the other hand, an average European needs three planets. While an average Emirati needs seven planets. However, our global footprint grew by 150% between 1961 and 2003. It is now 25% above the planet’s biological capacity to support life on earth. Therefore, the WWF has developed an initiative called One Planet Living. It has ten guiding principles:

1. Zero Carbon: Will reduce the build up of CO2 in the country’s atmosphere by supplying energy from renewable sources

2. Zero Waste: Will reduce the pollution caused by discarded product by recycling and composting

3. Sustainable Transport: Use renewable fuel

4. Local and Sustainable Materials: Use local materials which are renewable and recycled

5. Local and Sustainable Food: Provide healthy and quality local food

6. Sustainable Water: Reuse and recycle local water resources

7. Natural Habitats and Wildlife: Regenerate damaged environments and protect them

8. Cultural and Heritage: Build and protect diversity and local heritage

9. Equity and Fairtrade: Encourage fair trading relationships and equity

10. Health and Happiness: Encourage physical and healthy lifestyles

In my opinion, I think that Equity and Fairtrade will be diffcult for Masdar City to maintain because; it will cause some global problems in fairtrade. The “One Planet Living” programme has three goals:

1. Build a global network of One Planet Living Communities

2. Build One Planet Living Centres in each One Planet Living community as a focus for education

3. Encourage the essential for One Planet Living and its guiding principles to catalyse change with governments, business and individuals

There are five different Emerging One Planet communities:

1. Masdar City

2. JinShan

3. Sibaya

4. Meadowbrook Montreal

5. OPL London Project

There are three Officially Endorsed One Planet Communities:

1. Sonoma Mountain Village

2. One Gallions & One Brighton

3. Mata de Sesimbra

Cool Cities In The USA

1. Seattle: They reduced global warming pollution by more than 60 percent by constructing green buildings and operating alternative fuel vehicles.

2. Washington DC: Has replaced 414 of its polluting diesel buses with buses that burn natural gases.

3. Houston: Converted a substantial portion of the city of fleet of cars and trucks.

4. Marion County/Florida: They use gas-electric hybrid vehicles.

5. The city of Scottsdale: Has introduced Arizona’s first green building program which helps builders and home owners learn about how to integrate energy efficiency and water saving.

6. Salt Lake City: They changed 861 traffic lights to LED light signals.

7. Colorado: Is working to produce 50 percent of the city electricity with renewable energy by 2017.

8. Charlotte: They switched from a gas only Ford Taurus to a hybrid Toyota Prius or Honda Civic and that would save city taxpayers approximately $800-1200 per vehicle including over $400 in annual fuel cost.

9. Twin Falls/ Idaho: Reduce energy cost and cut pollution by increasing the energy efficiency of its 11 schools.

10. St. Paul: They use a system that uses heat drawn from a biomass-fired power plant.