How Modern Cities Can Become Energy Efficient

1245 Words3 Pages

The nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan revealed the fragility of highly centralised energy systems that are not adapted into complex societies. Some technological solutions such as carbon dioxide capture or shale gas could even turn out to be mere illusions in the future. Meanwhile, energy costs are increasing every day, with social consequences. As a result, there have been calls for strong involvement of local authorities in formulating energy policies for cities. This will give rise to a more prominent place to decentralise policies on the basis of energy efficiency, energy savings as well the use of renewable energy. It is widely anticipated that the implementation of these policies by the relevant city authorities will play a prominent role in the transition to energy efficient cities (Energy-cities, 2011). Energy-cities (2011) define energy efficiency as the use of less energy input while achieving or maintaining an equivalent level of economic activity. On the other hand, energy saving refers to a broader concept that also encompasses consumption reduction through decreased economic activity or behaviour change. Practically, the two are difficult to differentiate and are often used interchangeably although they are not synonymous (Kats, 2003). In this regard, city authorities all over the world are increasingly adopting energy efficiency measures in a quest to become sustainable into the future. Consequently, this has led to the emergence of the term ‘green cities’ (Aulisi & Hanson, 2004). New York City, viewed by many as an urban, concrete jungle, was recently named the “greenest city" in the United States. This is mainly because most of its residents live in energy-efficient buildings, and use public transport, bicycl... ... middle of paper ... ...e Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings: A Report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force. Available at www.cap-e.com/ ewebeditpro/items/O59F3259.pdf. (Accessed 6th October, 2011). Mazza, P. (2005). Powering the Smart Grid: A Northwest Initiative for Job Creation, Energy Security and Clean, Affordable Electricity. Climate Solutions. Available at http://www.climatesolutions.org/pubs/pdfs/PoweringtheSmartGrid.pdf. (Accessed 6th October, 2011). Owen, D. (2004).Why New York is the Greenest City in the U.S. New Yorker. SustainableBusiness.com (2006). Climate Neutral Bonds: A Local Global Warming Solution. Available at http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/features/feature_template.cfm?ID=1305 (Accessed 6th October, 2011). US DOE.( 2004). Buildings Energy Databook. Retrieved from buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/(Accessed 6th October, 2011).

Show More
Related

  • Changes due to Urban Renewal in Pyrmont-Ultimo

    1105 Words  | 3 Pages

    Finally in 1991, the federal government initiated a ‘Better Cities Program’ which aimed to make Australian cities sustainable and more liveable. It encoura...

    Read More

  • Who Is Mount Royal Park: A Significant Mark Of Industrialization?

    1400 Words  | 3 Pages

    The creation of open green areas is one essential element in urbanization development. New York Central Park, as a successful precedent

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Climate Change

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Jason, “costs would fall if people adopt new energy-efficient technologies without a price hike in energy” (Shogren, 2004). A study done by Jaffe and his colleagues concluded that 20-25% of existing carbon emissions can be eliminated if people switched to fluorescent light bulbs, improved thermal insulation, more efficient heating and cooling systems (Jaffe, Newell, & Stavins, 2003). It all comes down to the consumers. Some of the energy efficient technologies are readily available but are still expensive. The driving force to efficient-energy technology depends on the changes of relative price. People will not want spend money on newer appliances especially if the prices are high, and if their current one still functions.

    Read More

  • Energy Efficient Housing

    3581 Words  | 8 Pages

    Wind turbines can be very useful in bringing energy into your home. They are especially useful when solar panels aren't working. They take the wind speed from oceans, lakes, dugouts, or rivers and turn it into energy. To use the wind turbines most efficiently you should set up a wind power system.

    Read More

  • City Life Dbq

    1557 Words  | 4 Pages

    According to Edward Glaeser, there are many benefits of living in the city as opposed to living in the suburbs or other places, such as enabling creativity and productivity, are more friendly to the environment. One of these benefits he wrote about is that “cities magnify human strengths” (Document 2). He explains how they attract talent and improve it based on competition which allows for social and economic mobility. He also explains how cities “use less motor vehicles” (Document 1). The reason he says this is present in cities, people walk on foot a lot more, which reduces the need for motor vehicle such as cars or motorcycles, which release a lot of Co2 and other greenhouse gases that are harmful to the environment. Glaeser also writes

    Read More

  • The Death Of Sprawl Summary

    480 Words  | 1 Pages

    He focuses on how local government can act in order to transform into a green city like Portland. As Portland has been established as one of the most sustainable city in the US, the author’s advice will provide high impact on changes on other cities as well. In order to achieve a change, one has to commit himself fully into green movements. It is agreeable that people make government and they in turn, decide what the future of economy is. Currently, transportation in the US is the biggest drawback in becoming sustainable.

    Read More

  • Sustainable Victoria Essay

    1379 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reducing and altering one’s energy consumption, and more broadly, saving resources of energy, is a key factor in ensuring that this world is kept and maintained liveable for future generations. By incorporating energy consumption methods in our daily lives, sustainable urbanisation will be achieved and our community will be ever more environmentally friendly. The practical methods and first step measures households should take in reducing their energy consumption, is by utilising energy smart principles and renewable energy resources. These have become easily accessible and affordable for many as the government continues to emphasise the importance of sustaining our environment and the importance of people being conscious of energy expenditure from

    Read More

  • Sustainability In Canada

    1157 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Pope Francis, “Any harm done to the environment, therefore, is a harm done to humanity” (UNDISPATCH, 2016), but it can imply that people should attend in sustainability in a long term. A sustainable city is developing and providing the things that society need without a negative effect on the next generation. Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC), which consists of economy, society and environment, is one of the methods to help a city to approach with sustainability. However, these have to generate or balance with each other (Pearson, 2015). Toronto is one of the cities that have made progress in becoming a sustainable city.

    Read More

  • Assignment 1 Personal Energy Footprint

    2284 Words  | 5 Pages

    Using energy more efficiently can be an effective way for households to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also defer the need to develop new sources of energy. The Government has set a target

    Read More

  • Green Buildings/Green Architecture

    2880 Words  | 6 Pages

    Kats, G., Alevantis, L., Berman A., Perlman J., & Mills, E. (2003, October). The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings: A Report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/News477.pdf

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Renewable Energy

    1403 Words  | 3 Pages

    Instilling this new way of energy usage into off-grid communities will inevitably increase the state of living for those in cities and other well-populated areas. The change to renewable energy sources could drastically lower the pollutants currently being dispersed into the atmosphere by coal mines and other harmful power options, increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce U.S. global warming emissions. a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025—the equivalent of the annual output from 70 typical (600 MW) new coal plants (“Benefits of Renewable Energy Use”). Electricity production accounts for more than one-third of U.S. global warming emissions, with the majority generated by coal-fired power plants.

    Read More

  • What Is The Climate Change Scenario Essay

    1850 Words  | 4 Pages

    Buildings and the appliances alone account for 40 percent of America 's energy use and a third of our global warming emissions (NRDC). New buildings will need to meet new energy-efficiency standards that maximize energy savings and existing homes and commercial spaces can be improved to save energy through weatherizing and installing energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems. Ultimately, this will not only be energy efficient but also cost effective as well. In the bigger picture, retrofitting just 1 out of every 5 homes would avoid the need to build 13 mid-sized power plants every year. Retrofitting every house in the country would cut as much global warming pollution as taking a half a million cars off the road – and would save more oil and gas than we could extract from drilling in our coastal waters (NRDC). In the long run, creating more efficient communities through homes and buildings, we could cut back on the global warming issues we are dealing

    Read More

  • Green Computing

    761 Words  | 2 Pages

    People are always looking for ways to save money. By using “Green” computer components you can save money and energy. Everyone having a computer powered on days at a time can use up a lot of energy, which will lead to a large energy bill. There is a lot of different ways to adapt your computer to be more energy efficient. Using more energy efficient computer components and changing settings in your operating system will save you big. By purchasing more energy efficient components such as processors, hard drives and computer monitors you can make your computer consume less power thus saving energy.

    Read More

  • Sustainable Cities

    1604 Words  | 4 Pages

    In a world where over half of the human population calls a city their home, the need to restructure and revolutionize the way we design our urban environments has never been greater. Currently, the notion that these vast metropolises of metal, concrete, and sludge could one day be fully realized pillars of sustainability is certainly laughable. However, when these same cities are constantly growing and multiplying across the globe, all the while using a greater and greater chunk of our planet’s energy, this impossible task becomes a necessary focus. To strive towards the closed, continuous loop of “true” sustainability could greatly alter the image of the modern city. Any improvement over the current state of urban affairs could carry weight, and even if that goal is not entirely fulfilled, the gained benefits would be immense.

    Read More

  • Decentralization Of Energy Essay

    641 Words  | 2 Pages

    Decentralization of energy system is process of dispersing energy or redistributing energy from central location. [1] Currently, in the world large centralized facilities provide final form of energy from primary energy sources, such as oil refineries and power plants. These plants distribute energy over long distances which effect the overall efficiency. Depending upon different factors like health, environmental and economic etc. energy production systems are built away from the cities or near to the cities. Decentralized energy system not only fulfill rural needs but also able to provide centralized energy production in urban areas. [2]

    Read More

More about How Modern Cities Can Become Energy Efficient

Open Document