#module 7

[zurich-snows]

[yanni-thinks]

Module 7: Individuality, Citizenship, and Leadership

[5/8/23]

Sir made us take a test of our political standing and much to no one’s surprise, most of us were gathered in one quadrant to the lower left of the diagram. We got to talk about the contents of the other quadrants and the type of people that are in it. 

We also talked about what it meant to be a citizen of the country and our roles in choosing to be an active citizen or not. Even though we don’t choose where to be born, having an assigned duty of citizenship on day 1 already gives us a connection with other people.

Lastly, I remember altruism and how it’s a good trait to have that can be easily exploited. My takeaway is that while it’s good to be altruistic to everyone, not everyone deserves your kindness.

If you're curious about the quiz, click here: x

[gabrielsgarden]

Final Product

[redecio-eportfolio]

Chemistry in the Environment & Chemical Safety

Module six and seven discussed the concepts and application of the knowledge from all of the past modules to the world that we live in. Module six named as Chemistry in the Environment mainly tackles the processes that happen in the world that is inclined with chemistry. On the contrary, the last module articulated the importance of being knowledgeable on what to do in the lab and risk of what could happen if it is not followed.

[khairina21]

Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

The World Commission on Environment and Development, United Nations, 1987

It is a warning of the negative environmental consequences of economic growth and globalization, which tried to find possible solutions to the problems caused by industrialization and population growth.

How to achieve sustainable development?

The United Nations has adopted the 2030 Agenda, which incorporates the Sustainable Development Goals, which is a call for action to protect the earth and promote the global well-being of people. These universal objectives include the active engagement of individuals, organisations, governments and countries across the globe. 

[khairina21]

Pillars of Sustainability

Environmental stewardship: At environmental level, sustainability prevents nature from being used as an inexhaustible source of resources and ensures its protection and rational use. Aspects such as environmental conservation, investment in renewable energies, saving water and etc.

Social growth: at social level, sustainability can foster the development of people, communities and cultures to help achieve reasonable and fairly distributed quality of life, healthcare and education across the world.

Economic growth: Sustainability focuses on equal economic growth that generates wealth for all, without harming the environment. Investment and an equal distribution of economic resources will strengthen the other pillars of sustainability of a complete development.

[khairina21]

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

Should I have bought the tomatoes from Thailand or from Indonesia?

Raw Materials: Soil, seeds, fertilizer?

Production: Heating, Water, Ventilation?

Transportation: Trucks, Rails or Airplane?

This is why the Life Cycle Assessment provides a framework for measuring the impact of, for example, a product. LCA is a decision making tool to identify and analyse the environmental burden of a product throughout its life cycle.

The goal of an LCA is to not only create data but also to facilitate decisions to make product more sustainable.

With LCA, you can evaluate the environmental impacts of your product or service from the very first to the very last or from cradle to grave.

LCA PROCESS:

Raw material: product downsizing and extensive recycling

Manufacturing: Energy conservation, recycling raw material, measures to prevent air, water pollution

Distribution: Simplified packaging, efficient distribution, use of low pollution delivery vehicles

Consumer use: Products that consume less power, product that require less use of water, detergent and other materials

Waste: Product designed for easy recycling, lower amount of harmful substances environmentally.

Benefits of LCA:

Save Money In A Long Run

LCA will help you reduce the expenses and bring the conscience about the environment in general. According to studies, when you create a low environmental impact that will result in saving money.

Handle Environmental Claims

You will not be able to create an environmental claim about packaging and product without creating an analysis that will help you reach the results. The idea is to create the one, which will relate to Advertising Standards Authority, and LCA will improve the formulation so that you can defend your practice and provide arguments that you are not affecting it with your industrial processes.

[khairina21]

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The waste hierarchy consists of 3 R’s as follows:

Reduce (1st)

Reuse (2nd)

Recycle (3rd)

Reduce: The logic behind it is simple to understand – if there is less waste, then there is less to recycle or reuse.

Example:

source: bambooherb.com

Reuse: You may find bargains on old furniture or go trash picking and get things that you can refinish – in either case you are working towards reusing the item. Learning to reuse items, or repurpose them for use different from what they are intended for is essential in the waste hierarchy.

Example:

1. Old jars and pots: Old jars and pots can be used to store items in the kitchen. They can also be used to store loose items together, such as computer wires.

2. Tyres: Old tyres can either be sent to the recycling station or can be used to make tyre-swing.

3. Used wood: Used wood can be used as firewood or can be used as woodcraft.

Recycle: To recycle something means that it will be transformed again into a raw material that can be shaped into a new item. However, there are very few materials on the earth that cannot be recycled. That is why recycle is at the bottom of the hierarchy because some waste are not biodegradable and cannot be recycled which can pollute the environment.

Example:

1. Buy products that can be recycled like paper, glass, aluminum, plastic, etc. used in the house, school or office. Aluminum can be recycled multiple times.

2. Buy products that have been made from recycled materials.