Living In A Healthy Community and Practical,
Everyday Application
By Hana Shazwin binti Azizan
TUNZA INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR BOARD MEMBER
Don’t you ever wish for those faraway days when gentle waves of green rolled out for
miles under our feet and pristine skies painted with chaste white and golden sun rays
hung high over our heads? You could run and never stop; the grass tickling your toes,
laughing breathlessly as you tugged your kite string along and watched as it soared
through the air among the birds.
What about now?If you peer out of your window in today’s world, the first thing you tend
to notice is the fact that you have shut it tight once again. Dust is everywhere. The sky
has been dulled by smoke. Tall buildings and skyscrapers have risen high above the
ground, blocking out the sun. The pungent smell of rotten vegetables and decaying
rubbish terrorize your nose.Nice to meet you.
I am Hana Shazwin binti Azizan from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and I am of the 11
International Junior Board members for the TUNZA International Children’s Conference
On The Environment 2006. I’m here to talk about the importance of Healthy Communities
and the effects of hygienic living on our surroundings and the environment. We live in an
urban society. That means we live in the city, where there are plenty of cars and roads
and buildings. We have lots of neat things at our disposal – technology and various
scientific advancements – yet with all this modernization, we pollute more than those
living in the countryside and villages: those who populate the rural area. Why is this so?
Governments all over the world are constantly working and spending money in order to
improve the quality of living throughout their nations.
We, who live in the city, have better standards of education and know-how of the
environment and pollution, but those who live with Mother Nature are those who really
know about the ways of taking care of our ecology. Urban ecology is the subfield of
ecology that deals with the interaction of plants, animals and humans with each other
and with their environment in urban settings. Analysis of urban settings in the context of
ecosystem ecology can result in healthier, better-managed communities. This means that
our care for the environment can affect the way we live directly.
The ingredients you use can be just about any natural ingredients. Coffee grounds,
banana peels, grass clippings, sawdust, bark, vegetable matter, mulched leaves, grass,
or branches are all great for composting. Any of this can be used as long as there are no
chemicals present in the matter. However, we must keep in mind that composting has its
downsides as well, so we must be careful when doing so. Biodegradable waste is an
important substance due to its links with global warming. When it is disposed of in landfill,
it breaks down under uncontrolled anaerobic conditions. This produces landfill gas,
which, if not harnessed, escapes into the atmosphere. Landfill gas contains methane
that is a potent greenhouse gas stronger than carbon dioxide. Because of this, the
European Union Landfill Directive puts key requirements on member states for the
management of biodegradable waste in order to prevent global warming.
Our sewage system is an impressive cross of pipelines and water inlets that have been
laid down strategically in and under the surface of the ground in order to improve our
quality of living. However, when rains pour down heavily, or when a flood occurs, why is it
that these drains can fail on us?This is because we have treated drains as a mere
outdoor rubbish bins and have emptied our litter into them. Drains clog up and no longer
flows away excess water into the sewer. Water becomes stagnant, and insects and
germs may breed in it. When this happens, a foul odor as well as rather distasteful type
of mould becomes apparent. This may cause disease to break out among the families
living in a neighbourhood. This shouldn’t happen at all! Drains need to remain clean and
rubbish-free in order for our community to remain safe and healthy. So, we have now
managed to solve one or two of our domestic waste problems. But, what about our non-
biodegradable rubbish? Or, at least, things we thought were non-biodegradable.
There are plastic materials that claim biodegradability, but are more often (and possibly
more accurately) described as 'degradable' or oxy-degradable. It is claimed that this
process causes more rapid breakdown of the plastic materials into CO2 and H2O. Lots of
things lying around our homes are biodegradable; it’s just a matter of how long it takes
before it decomposes completely.
* Cotton rags, 1-5 months
* Paper, 2-5 months
* Rope, 3-14 months
* Orange peels, 6 months
* Wool socks, 1 to 5 years
* Cigarette filters, 1 to 12 years
* Plastic coated paper milk cartons, 5 years
* Leather shoes, 25 to 40 years
* Nylon fabric, 30 to 40 years
* Plastic bags, 10-20 years
* Plastic 6-pack holder rings, 450 years
* Glass, 1 million years
* Styrofoam cup, 1-100 years
Now, everyone, have you heard of a green home? A green home is a house that is built
using materials that do not off-gas toxic chemicals, or use significant building designs
that naturally capture and reuse all of the water and energy that is required for
comfortable living within. Why should we care about energy efficient homes? The reason
is to live sustainably, using up only as much energy as can be provided through
renewable sources in a globally equitable fashion. This is to provide hope that future
generations of humans, and all other life forms on earth, will have an environment
conducive to healthful and flourishing life.
From an environmental standpoint cement has a negative impact, because
manufacturing it emits about a tonne of greenhouse gas (CO2) into the atmosphere for
every ton of cement manufactured. Then you need to add the use of fuel and emissions
in transporting the heavy cement from the factory to wherever it is used. Cement is also
a rather cold, unyielding material to live in. Just think: if we were to all live in green
homes, what kind of difference would it make to our community? Aside from being
environmentally friendly and energy saving, it would also help us in maintaining a
hygienic lifestyle.
We would use all-natural materials and equipment in everyday living – biodegradable.
The world is changing. We have to change too – our attitude towards ourselves, our
homes, and the environment. We must be aware of the steady destruction that our every
actions cause, for the entire world may perish without our realizing it. Let’s make a stand
today. Together, through every small action, we can make a difference. We can change
the world.
Sources taken from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradable_waste
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability
http://www.dreamgreenhomes.com/
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/QandA/sustainableQandA.htm
Back to Home Page
Everyday Application
By Hana Shazwin binti Azizan
TUNZA INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR BOARD MEMBER
Don’t you ever wish for those faraway days when gentle waves of green rolled out for
miles under our feet and pristine skies painted with chaste white and golden sun rays
hung high over our heads? You could run and never stop; the grass tickling your toes,
laughing breathlessly as you tugged your kite string along and watched as it soared
through the air among the birds.
What about now?If you peer out of your window in today’s world, the first thing you tend
to notice is the fact that you have shut it tight once again. Dust is everywhere. The sky
has been dulled by smoke. Tall buildings and skyscrapers have risen high above the
ground, blocking out the sun. The pungent smell of rotten vegetables and decaying
rubbish terrorize your nose.Nice to meet you.
I am Hana Shazwin binti Azizan from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and I am of the 11
International Junior Board members for the TUNZA International Children’s Conference
On The Environment 2006. I’m here to talk about the importance of Healthy Communities
and the effects of hygienic living on our surroundings and the environment. We live in an
urban society. That means we live in the city, where there are plenty of cars and roads
and buildings. We have lots of neat things at our disposal – technology and various
scientific advancements – yet with all this modernization, we pollute more than those
living in the countryside and villages: those who populate the rural area. Why is this so?
Governments all over the world are constantly working and spending money in order to
improve the quality of living throughout their nations.
We, who live in the city, have better standards of education and know-how of the
environment and pollution, but those who live with Mother Nature are those who really
know about the ways of taking care of our ecology. Urban ecology is the subfield of
ecology that deals with the interaction of plants, animals and humans with each other
and with their environment in urban settings. Analysis of urban settings in the context of
ecosystem ecology can result in healthier, better-managed communities. This means that
our care for the environment can affect the way we live directly.
The ingredients you use can be just about any natural ingredients. Coffee grounds,
banana peels, grass clippings, sawdust, bark, vegetable matter, mulched leaves, grass,
or branches are all great for composting. Any of this can be used as long as there are no
chemicals present in the matter. However, we must keep in mind that composting has its
downsides as well, so we must be careful when doing so. Biodegradable waste is an
important substance due to its links with global warming. When it is disposed of in landfill,
it breaks down under uncontrolled anaerobic conditions. This produces landfill gas,
which, if not harnessed, escapes into the atmosphere. Landfill gas contains methane
that is a potent greenhouse gas stronger than carbon dioxide. Because of this, the
European Union Landfill Directive puts key requirements on member states for the
management of biodegradable waste in order to prevent global warming.
Our sewage system is an impressive cross of pipelines and water inlets that have been
laid down strategically in and under the surface of the ground in order to improve our
quality of living. However, when rains pour down heavily, or when a flood occurs, why is it
that these drains can fail on us?This is because we have treated drains as a mere
outdoor rubbish bins and have emptied our litter into them. Drains clog up and no longer
flows away excess water into the sewer. Water becomes stagnant, and insects and
germs may breed in it. When this happens, a foul odor as well as rather distasteful type
of mould becomes apparent. This may cause disease to break out among the families
living in a neighbourhood. This shouldn’t happen at all! Drains need to remain clean and
rubbish-free in order for our community to remain safe and healthy. So, we have now
managed to solve one or two of our domestic waste problems. But, what about our non-
biodegradable rubbish? Or, at least, things we thought were non-biodegradable.
There are plastic materials that claim biodegradability, but are more often (and possibly
more accurately) described as 'degradable' or oxy-degradable. It is claimed that this
process causes more rapid breakdown of the plastic materials into CO2 and H2O. Lots of
things lying around our homes are biodegradable; it’s just a matter of how long it takes
before it decomposes completely.
* Cotton rags, 1-5 months
* Paper, 2-5 months
* Rope, 3-14 months
* Orange peels, 6 months
* Wool socks, 1 to 5 years
* Cigarette filters, 1 to 12 years
* Plastic coated paper milk cartons, 5 years
* Leather shoes, 25 to 40 years
* Nylon fabric, 30 to 40 years
* Plastic bags, 10-20 years
* Plastic 6-pack holder rings, 450 years
* Glass, 1 million years
* Styrofoam cup, 1-100 years
Now, everyone, have you heard of a green home? A green home is a house that is built
using materials that do not off-gas toxic chemicals, or use significant building designs
that naturally capture and reuse all of the water and energy that is required for
comfortable living within. Why should we care about energy efficient homes? The reason
is to live sustainably, using up only as much energy as can be provided through
renewable sources in a globally equitable fashion. This is to provide hope that future
generations of humans, and all other life forms on earth, will have an environment
conducive to healthful and flourishing life.
From an environmental standpoint cement has a negative impact, because
manufacturing it emits about a tonne of greenhouse gas (CO2) into the atmosphere for
every ton of cement manufactured. Then you need to add the use of fuel and emissions
in transporting the heavy cement from the factory to wherever it is used. Cement is also
a rather cold, unyielding material to live in. Just think: if we were to all live in green
homes, what kind of difference would it make to our community? Aside from being
environmentally friendly and energy saving, it would also help us in maintaining a
hygienic lifestyle.
We would use all-natural materials and equipment in everyday living – biodegradable.
The world is changing. We have to change too – our attitude towards ourselves, our
homes, and the environment. We must be aware of the steady destruction that our every
actions cause, for the entire world may perish without our realizing it. Let’s make a stand
today. Together, through every small action, we can make a difference. We can change
the world.
Sources taken from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradable_waste
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability
http://www.dreamgreenhomes.com/
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/QandA/sustainableQandA.htm
Back to Home Page
