18/03/2024
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By 2050, plastic waste will outweigh all fish in the oceans
According to a report from the UK-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), “by 2050, the total volume of plastic waste will far exceed the weight of all fish and shrimp in all oceans in the coming decades.”
The EIA attributes this to humanity's “addiction to plastic consumption” and the failure to prevent this difficult-to-degrade material from polluting the food chain, directly harming human health, diminishing biodiversity, exacerbating climate change, and posing the risk of “creating large-scale harmful environmental changes.”
It is estimated that each year, around one million seabirds and 100,000 sea turtles, along with countless other marine mammals, have died needlessly after ingesting plastic waste in the ocean or becoming entangled in the tangled mess of floating plastic debris. In 2019, a dead whale washed ashore on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. When biologists examined its stomach, they found 40 kilograms of plastic waste intact, bearing the names and the images of supermarket products.
Therefore, in order to prevent serious consequences from occurring, we must come together to take action to minimize waste right now by rejecting single-use plastic items such as plastic straws, plastic bags, food containers, or plastic packaging. For example:
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Use fabric bags instead of plastic bags daily
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Do not use straws or use stainless steel, glass, or bamboo straws instead of plastic ones
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Bring personal containers whenever shopping
Practice waste sorting at the source to enhance the recycling efficiency
When “Green UEHer Citizens” act for a sustainable future, what will happen? 🌿 Changes from the smallest actions in life can create significant value for the environment. Let’s join UEH Green On on the journey to inspire and to find your own green lifestyle.
THE ENVIRONMENT IS WARMING UP EVERY SECOND
A recent study illustrates that trees in warmer climates are struggling to 'breathe', meaning that they cannot compensate for the increasing carbon emissions caused by humans. These plants are facing significant barriers in capturing carbon dioxide (CO2), slowing down the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and water.
Plants absorb billions of tons of greenhouse gases every year, helping to mitigate human impact on the environment. However, this finding has raised concerns among many experts. This means that plants may no longer serve as a solution to offset the carbon emissions that humans release every day. Our Earth may be becoming hotter and hotter than ever before.
BELOW ARE SOME SMALL TIPS TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
What Has the World performed to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning?
While air conditioning makes the temperature inside buildings more comfortable and cooler, it contributes to the warming of the Earth. It is estimated that the world will add another billion air conditioning units before the end of this decade, and the market is predicted to nearly double by 2040. The demand for air conditioning (AC) is soaring in markets listed as India, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. While this is beneficial for public health and economic productivity, it undoubtedly harms the climate.
Many people believe that air conditioning pulls outdoor air in to cool the interior of a room; on the other hand, air conditioning units, in reality, compress gas, making it extremely hot, and pass through a heat exchanger to cool down and release pressure. Throughout the cooling process, air conditioning systems emit a significant amount of hot air into the environment. Furthermore, older air conditioning units are prone to gas leaks depletes the ozone layer and contributes to global warming.
Ways to Lower Temperatures Without Air Conditioning
1. Plant more greenery: For instance, the city of Medellin in Colombia reduced temperatures by 2 degrees Celsius after three years of implementing green corridors.
2. Construct buildings that do not require air conditioning: Qatar University has utilized wind towers to maintain fresh air and push hot air outside.
3. Paint houses white: This helps to lower indoor temperatures by 2-5 degrees Celsius.
4. Use ceiling fans: These facilitate air circulation.
5. Reduce glass installations: This helps to keep buildings cooler.
Tips to Lower Temperature Without Using Air Conditioning
You may have heard advices like always setting the air conditioning at a temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius to save electricity. How can it be cool at such a hot temperature of 40 degrees? Let Zeen suggest to you: use an additional fan while setting the air conditioner at a temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius.
Information from the Vietnam Electricity Group
When the outside temperature is 40 degrees Celsius, in case that you use a 1HP inverter air conditioner continuously for 8 hours:
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At an air conditioning temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, it will consume approximately 10.72 kWh.
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At an air conditioning temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, it will consume approximately 4.9 kWh.
Most fans available today have a power of approximately 70W; after 8 hours of fan usage, it will consume approximately 0.56 kWh.
Comparison: 10.72 kWh > 4.9 kWh + 0.56 kWh.
Therefore, according to experts, air conditioning should only be used on peak hot days. When the outside temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, the temperature difference between the air-conditioned room and the outside should be a maximum of 6-10 degrees Celsius.
UEHers, try applying this right this month to give our wallets a chance to grow! Zeen wishes you success applying these handy tips!
Meet all of you in the upcoming series of UEH Green Campus! 🌱 Thank you for accompanying "Monday to be better and Greener" throughout this time. Let’s continue spreading the green lifestyle, contributing to the building of a sustainable university and a brighter future. 💚 “Time to go green” has never ended – for the green journey is forever!
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UEH Green Campus - Green Monday Series “Monday to be better and greener” is part of the UEH Green Campus project, sharing the latest, most interesting, and important updates on the environment, sustainable living, and UEH’s Green University policies. Our goal is to build a community that works together for a greener university in every aspect.
“It’s time to go green” - If you’re unsure where to start your green journey, begin with Monday - every week!
News & Images by: UEH Green Campus Project
