Math Blog: Global Warming

      Proven over and over again all the time, math can be found anywhere and everywhere.  Global warming, for example, is a threatening predicament that has many statistics to prove that it must be slowed down.  Already, global warming is responsible for approximately 150000 extra deaths a year.  This figure is expected to double by 2030, according to the World Health Organization.  This astonishing fact is horrifying since it proves that global warming has started to affect humans even more rapidly than ever before.  Additionally, it tells us that we must stop releasing so much pollution into the air and stop using so much energy so that we can prevent global warming from continuing rapidly into a path of certain disaster.


      As another example of how the climate change is effecting us is that an unusually harsh heat wave in Europe in the summer of 2003 led to 20000 deaths.  According to Grolier, these types of brutal summers may seem normal in fifty years.  If summers like the one in Europe happen more often, how many more deaths will there be?  How many more will suffer?  There is no answer to these two questions right now, but, looking at all the frightening statistics, everyone can tell that it is more than many more.  However, if we can work to overwrite our mistakes, global warming can be slowed down.


      Taking a step back from global warming, I can definitely say that statistics help people understand the reality of all situations.  Numerous and various things can be shown to relate to mathematics.  As stated in the beginning, math can be found anywhere and everywhere.  


 ~Starflower 794!

A Green City: Masdar

      Far, far away, in the land of a desert named Abu Dhabi, a green city, powered 100% by solar energy, is being constructed.  The aim of this ambitious project is to go, simply put, completely green.  This city, Masdar, scheduled to be completed in 2016, is being built on a humongous cement platform that's made of 60% recycled waste.  As you can already see, the city is obviously striving to be as energy efficient and environmentally aware as possible.  Although it costs approximately 22 billion dollars to construct, the project is well worth it. Here's why...

      First of all, all cars are banned in the city. In lieu of using them, everyone uses the PRT system, or a personal rapid transit system.  The PRT system basically consists of about 3,000 electric cars that operate on recyclable batteries instead of gasoline, which is better for the environment.  Solar thermal farms use the sun's heat to supply Masdar with a quarter of its needed energy.  More carbon-free power comes from photovoltaic plants that utilize sunlight by turning it directly into electricity.  In addition, biofuels are grown in urban farms that are all irrigated from the city's wastewater.  The average temperature of Masdar is expected to be around 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding desert.  The world's first 100% solar powered office building, being built in the green city, will produce at least 3% more energy than it uses.  The building is eight stories tall and three blocks long.  A layer of glass on the outside of the building reflects the sun's heat but allows natural light.  Further, the way it's built protects inhabitants from too much sun.  Amazingly, the office is built entirely of 85% recycled steel!  All around Masdar, lush, beautiful gardens provide more than a pretty picture.  They keep the environment cool and absorb carbon dioxide to release more oxygen.  Most importantly, the city will use 60% less water, 75% less electricity, and 98% less landfill space than a city of a similar size.  


      When I found the article, A Green City Blooms in the Desert, I was immediately intrigued by it and quickly flipped to the page it started on.  After I was done reading, I was amazed at how environmentally conscious the people of Abu Dhabi were.  In my opinion, their city will make a big effect on the world.  It will probably become the role model of what future green cities should be like.  Masdar will save A LOT of energy and will definitely make a difference.  It will create more jobs by just being there since a city needs people to run it and offices need people to work in it.  Plus, the city will be an incredibly healthy environment to live in because of its non-smog-y atmosphere, organization, and order.  I now want to visit Masdar one day and see for myself how energy efficient the city is.  Global warming may be able to be slowed by this small but huge step toward a cleaner world.  However, America contributes the most to global warming so if we can change our ways and build or fix cities so that they use more alternative fuels and solar power like Masdar, we could slow the process of global warming  down considerably.  Hopefully, soon, many more cities just like this one will be constructed so that we can correct our mistakes and let the environment breathe. 


My article was from the Fortune magazine, Volume 158, Number 11, page 133.  The first picture was from here, my second picture from here, and my third picture from here.  An internet link to the article I read can be found here.


~Starflower794!