Reading Post #8

Reading Post #7

The story of Usha sheds light on how "empowerment" of women is ultimately what will stop the abusing and trafficking of women in some communities. Usha is a 28-year-old woman who graduated  from college with a degree in hotel management, a rare case in her community of Dalits, or the "Untouchables", lower-caste people with dark complexions. Her community was controlled by a man named Akka, a higher-caste man who constantly abused the Dalits. Authorities turned a blind eye on all him and his gang's violent behaviors since they received cash bribes and the Dalits are considered lower-caste people. Long story short, Akka was enraged by Usha one day when she filed a complaint regarding his assault of a woman and threatened to pour acid on her. Usha, well-educated and fearless, did not back out and her bravery encouraged the other Dalits, who finally helped her fight back by attacking Akka's gang with stones. The case was brought to court and Akka's bail hearing turned into a gory killing as the enraged women with their new-found courage stabbed Akka to death. The Dalit women decided to all claim responsibility so no individual would be culpable for a murder.

Murder should not be condoned, but in this case, the women were eradicating a public menace for self-defense since no police or government was protecting their safety. The women left behind the traditional "virtues" of being docile and passive, in exchange for their own well-being. "Empowerment" of women can be a dangerous concept sometimes when individual female stands up for herself without any defense or protection. However, when all women stand their ground and unite for counterattack, the chances of winning increase. Asylums for abused women should be available to these women as they fight for their own rights.  

Taiwan's Dust Explosion

About three weeks ago, an explosion caused by ignited colored powder injured nearly 500 people at the "Color Play Asia" party in Bali District, New Taipei, Taiwan. Approximately 200 people were left in critical condition and as of yesterday, there has been seven fatalities. The tragedy was named the "worst incident of mass injury in New Taipei". The "Color Play Asia" party was inspired by "Holi", or the "festival of colors", a Hindu religious festival celebrated in countries like India and Nepal. Experts have warned that if the material used for the colored powder were combustible, a dust explosion may ensue. On June 27, 2015, over 1000 party-goers participated in the color party held at Formosa Fun Coast Water Park. Spectators were immersed in the dense dust cloud when a sudden fire swept over the concert stage. Because the powder caught fire immediately, many people were burnt on limbs and torsos. The materials used for the colored powder were identified to be corn-starch and food colorings, and were not supposed to used under high temperature. Water spray that was supposed to reduce risk was not used, and many participants were smoking cigarettes at the event. The investigation for the exact reason that triggered the fiery blast is still underway.

Most of the injured were teenagers or students in their twenties. They are being treated in 54 hospitals across Taiwan, and some were transferred to Hong Kong and Shanghai. After the incident the water park was shut down and the organizer was detained for investigation. Victims suffer from over 50% burn and many encounter respiratory problems. 

Reading Post #6

"Half the Sky" has been an eye-opening read so far, giving insight on the lives of the lower-class girls who suffered as involuntary sex slaves. It is truly ironic how the countries that are the most sexually oppressed have the most underage trafficked girls. The most infuriating part to me is where Nick was having a conversation with the Indian border guard regarding the the trucks transferring numerous Nepali girls to brothels. According to the border guard, the poorer girls from Nepal were to satisfy the need of young Indian males because the "decent" and "middle-class/higher-class" Indian girls are supposed to be saved (for marriage). Basically, 1) poor girls inevitably become sacrificial lambs since in this society good girls need to stay chaste 2) poor girls aren't good girls.  Whether it is based on Indian religious belief or not, there is something fundamentally wrong with this society that has extreme double standards for different genders and allows their people to exploit young girls from poor backgrounds. First of all, the close-minded view of the Indian culture should be changed: girls should not be judged by whether their hymens are intact or not. While that one may take longer to change (since it's probably based on some kind of religious belief),  the least they can do is to respect basic human rights and allow the girls to choose their own career paths. It is hard to believe that the young men who are educated in society with such twisted values and morals can grow up to be righteous human beings, let alone the girls who are tortured all the best years in their lives.

"Neth and Momm underscore that many prostitutes are neither acting freely nor enslaved, but living in a world etched in ambiguities somewhere between those two extremes." The stories of Neth and Momm, two trafficked cambodian girls, demonstrated how more complicated reasons are involved in the prostitution of young girls. In Momm's case, she was drugged and became addicted to meth, making her inseparable from the brothel. Neth left and happily married, but was soon discouraged by the fear of AIDs. Their pasts as prostitutes are not something they can simply walk away from. To help these girls, we need to understand their stories in order to find the right remedy to their problems. 

[Final] Green Roofs

[Expert Article] Green Roofs

Via buzzbuzzhome.com

As cities grow rapidly, more buildings are being built in higher altitudes. Buildings are replacing what have once been grasslands and forests, raising the local temperatures of such metropolitan areas. When we take a look at the conventional roof in an urban environment, it is often a barren concrete desert with unfavorable conditions such as high temperature contrasts and harsh winds. To mitigate the various environmental issues we’re facing, we want to make a reverse turn and transform these concrete deserts back into grasslands, this time at elevated levels.

Historically, green roofs have appeared on the prairies in U.S.—sod houses constructed with the sod of thickly-rooted prairie grass. These living roofs were invented because of the lack of other building materials like wood or stones. Nowadays, architects and planners increasingly turn to green roofs not because of shortage of building materials but for aesthetic and environmental reasons. When it comes to energy saving for buildings, instead of setting up solar panels, nourishing a green roof can offer a better use of space.

Benefits of Green Roofs

Via roofmeadow.com

• Reduced energy use and air pollution
• Enhanced human health and comfort
• Improved storm water management
• Revamped look for a lackluster rooftop

It is no news that air pollution has been a problem in cities. Green roofs add layers of insulation to buildings, thereby reducing the energy used for cooling and heating systems.  They also cut down air pollution, since air conditioning is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, vegetation cleans the air by removing air pollutants through dry deposition and carbon sequestration (epa.gov).

Ever walked across an outdoor parking lot on a sizzling hot summer day? If yes, then you have experienced the urban heat island effect. Urban heat island describes the condition in which cities are hotter than the surrounding rural areas. Because cities tend to have a lot more dark surfaces and fewer green covers, more heat is absorbed. According to EPA statistics, the annual mean temperature of a city with one million or more can be 1.8-5.4°F warmer than its surroundings. In New York City’s case, it is 7°F hotter than Westchester suburbs. Green roofs alleviate this issue by providing shade and removing heat through evapotranspiration, a process in which air is cooled by water evaporating from the plant leaves.

Green roofs reduce storm water runoff and filter pollutants from rainfalls. In some cities that rain often, rainwater can overflow the sewer and causes pollution and diseases.

Via Inhabitat.com

In addition, a rooftop garden allows city dwellers quick retreats from the bustling city, being right above their apartment homes or offices. The greeneries can attract birds and butterflies, forming small ecosystems of their own. In contrast to the dreary concrete rooftop, green roofs are like a breeze of fresh air in city dwelling.

There are two main types of green roof systems: extensive and intensive. Extensive green roof system is the more common of the two, weighing 15 to 50 pounds per square foot. Since the plant media are shallow—about 1.6 to 6 inches thick, extensive roofs are not designed for public access or being walked on. These are easy to add onto existing roofs and suitable for single or multi-family residential buildings. With the emergence of modular roof products, people are given the option of instantly installing pre-grown green roofs that fit together like giant puzzles. The downside is that plant choices are limited to those with shallow root systems. Intensive green roofs are relatively complex and can accommodate almost all types of plants as well as walkways and benches. The planting media, usually over a foot, creates a load of up to 150 pounds per square foot. Due to the heavier extra load, it’s more cost-efficient to incorporate the intensive green roof and its irrigation system in the initial building design and construction. An example of green roof in the U.S. that uses both systems is the rooftop meadow at Chicago City Hall.

Taking it to the Next Level: Roof Farming

Via afar.com

What’s even better than having a rooftop garden? Having a garden and a source of fresh food. Rooftop farms offer the same perks as gardens, so why not? With emerging rooftop farms, residents and even grocery stores and restaurants are getting high quality and pesticide-free local produce. It is hard to associate farming with cities, but Gotham Greens, a New York based greenhouse business, have been operating rooftop greenhouses that supply local grocers in New York and Chicago. In 2008, Gotham Greens opened the first commercial-scale rooftop greenhouse in the U.S. It yields 100 tons of fresh produce annually and their Brooklyn location, built on top of Whole Foods Market, brings 200 tons more. Additionally, the newest facility in Chicago aims to produce 500 tons a year. Although greenhouses don’t have all the benefits of open-air green roofs, Gotham Green’s irrigation method helps save resources and eliminate the use of pesticide. The hydroponic technique—growing plants without soil and providing them nutrients through water supply, is ideal for urban environments where land and soil are scarce. Its climate-controlled environment also makes year-round harvests possible.

Via cookjenshel.com

Elevated Park: The High Line, New York 

Besides the rooftops of homes, green roof is a versatile concept that can be carried out on other structures such as abandoned infrastructures. High Line, the green strip that runs across Manhattan is a repurposing of the obsolete railway called the West Side Line. Not so long ago, the West Side Line was just an abandoned remnant of concrete and steel that the city was eager to tear down. Nonprofit organization Friends of High Line sees its potential to be reused as a greenway similar to the Promenade Plantee in Paris, and advocates to preserve it. Turns out that the structure is perfect for elevated public amenities. The black steel columns that formerly supported train tracks now prop up the park that is a combination of a promenade, town square, and botanical garden. An elevated park gives an unique experience, visitors can observe the street life and sceneries while being separated from car traffic. 

Worth the Weight?

People who take interest in growing a green roof are often scared away by the initial costs. More complex green roofs such as ones using the intensive system require design expertise and structural analysis. Even the lower-maintenance extensive roofs start at around $8 per square foot. In the long run, however, environmental and economic benefits outweigh the expenses. Green roofs protect the roof membrane and help them last longer. The planting media provide insulation that minimizes building heat gain, bringing down energy demand as much as 75%. In a wider scale, when installed by many, these roofs improve air quality of cities, making them more livable and ultimately more valuable in terms of real estate. Moreover, some cities such as the City of Chicago’s have been giving incentives and grants for growing green roofs. Sounds like a win-win situation for all. It’s a growing trend that rooftops are no longer an afterthought in building design, and not long from now more luscious greeneries will jazz up cityscapes all over the world.

Works Cited

"Green Roofs." EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015. <http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/greenroofs.htm>

"HIGH LINE." BuroHappold Engineering. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015. <http://www.burohappold.com/projects/project/high-line-160/>

Klinkenborg, Verlyn. "Green Roofs." — National Geographic Magazine. N.p., May 2009. Web. 10 July 2015. < http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/05/green-roofs/klinkenborg-text>

"Plant Connection, Long Island NY, Green Roofs: Extensive vs. Intensive."Green Roofs: Extensive vs. Intensive. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2015. <http://www.myplantconnection.com/green-roofs-vs.php>

Elliott, Brianna. "Gotham Greens Is Pushing The Scale Of Urban Agriculture With Their Tasty, Pesticide-Free Veggies." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 24 Apr. 2014. Web. 10 July 2015. < http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/24/gotham-greens-urban-agriculture_n_5175724.html>

Reading Post #5: A Brave New World?

Towards the end of the book, Korten took us on a hypothetical trip to his future Real Wealth Economy and described it as such: "This seems to be a truly middle-class society. I've found little evidence of more than modest distinctions between the richest and the poorest in terms of income, asset ownership, size of residence, and consumption." In this new world, everyone is middle-class and content with where he/she is. There are no large international firms no more--every business is human-scaled and locally owned. While I agree with his point that we should focus on creating real wealth (labor, land, healthcare, etc.), I believe that he is oversimplifying the complex problems we've got and throwing out a radical and utopian solution. 

First of all, Korten demonizes Wall Street and claims that they make the public believe that "there is no alternative". Then, he points out that our current capitalist system brings the worst out of us. He recognizes the greed in human nature yet he blames the system for it. It is unclear how in his proposed new world, all humans will be easily-satisfied and have high moral senses. And that is precisely what is missing from his book--he fails to demonstrate how humans can overcome greed and create a corruption-free world. Frankly, Korten's proposal is practically socialist, and his measure is drastic--a complete destruction of the current system. His advices can be useful for smaller sustainable communities, but I don't see it being implemented on a global/national scale. Nonetheless,  his book allows us to see that there are definitely improvements we can make and we should challenge the current system for the better. There can be alternatives. 

[Expert Article] Green Roofs

As cities grow rapidly, more buildings are being built in higher altitudes. Buildings are replacing what have once been grasslands and forests, raising the local temperatures of such metropolitan areas. When we take a look at the conventional roof in an urban environment, it is often a barren concrete desert with unfavorable conditions such as high temperature contrasts and harsh winds. To mitigate the various environmental issues we’re facing, we want to make a reverse turn and transform these concrete deserts back into grasslands, this time at elevated levels.

   

Historically, green roofs have appeared on the prairies—sod houses constructed with the sod of thickly-rooted prairie grass. These living roofs were invented because of the lack of other building materials like wood or stones. Nowadays, architects and planners increasingly turn to green roofs not because of shortage of building materials but for aesthetic and environmental reasons.

Benefits of Green Roofs

   

• Reduced energy use and air pollution 
• Enhanced human health and comfort
• Improved storm water management 
• Revamped look for a lackluster rooftop

It is no news that air pollution has been a problem in cities. Green roofs add layers of insulation to buildings, thereby reducing the energy used for cooling and heating systems.  They also cut down air pollution, since air conditioning is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, vegetation cleans the air by removing air pollutants through dry deposition and carbon sequestration (epa.gov).

Urban heat island describes the condition in which cities are hotter than the surrounding rural areas. Because cities tend to have a lot more dark surfaces and fewer green covers, more heat is absorbed. According to EPA statistics, the annual mean temperature of a city with one million or more can be 1.8-5.4°F warmer than its surroundings. In New York City’s case, it is 7°F hotter than Westchester suburbs. Green roofs alleviate this issue by providing shade and removing heat through evapotranspiration.

Green roofs reduce storm water runoff and filter pollutants from rainfalls. In cities that rain often, rainwater can overflow the sewer and causes pollution and diseases.

A rooftop garden allows city dwellers quick retreats from the bustling city, being right above their apartment home or office. In contrast to the dreary concrete rooftop, green roofs are like a breeze of fresh air in city dwelling.

Taking it to the Next Level: Rooftop Farming

Elevated Park: The High Line, New York

The green strip that runs across Manhattan is a repurposing of the obsolete railway called the West Side Line. The project was constructed in three phases, and took approximately ten years to complete, from initial idea to realization.

Works Cited

"Green Roofs." EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015. <http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/greenroofs.htm>"HIGH LINE." BuroHappold Engineering. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015.<http://www.burohappold.com/projects/project/high-line-160/>