SEMINAR PAPER: POVERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

My friend, Amalina and I had choose the topic of "Poverty and The Environment" for our seminar paper. Here the slide presentation of the our seminar paper:

GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming is the greatest challenge facing our planet. It is, in fact, the increase in the temperature of the earth’s neon- surface air. It is one of the most current and widely discussed factors. It has far-reaching impact on biodiversity and climatic conditions of the planet. Several current trends clearly demonstrate that global warming is directly impacting on rising sea levels, the melting of ice caps and significant worldwide climate changes. In short, global warming represents a fundamental threat to all living things on earth.

Global warming is primarily a problem of too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere—which acts as a blanket, trapping heat and warming the planet. As we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas for energy or cut down and burn forests to create pastures and plantations, carbon accumulates and overloads our atmosphere. Certain waste management and agricultural practices aggravate the problem by releasing other potent global warming gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide. See the pie chart for a breakdown of heat-trapping global warming emissions by economic sector.

Between 1970 and 2004, global greenhouse gases (GHGs) have increased 70 per cent due to human activities. 

POVERTY

In Malaysia, there are three type of poverty which is absolute poverty, hard core poverty and relative poverty. The level of poverty is measured by PLI.

Poverty in Malaysia is measured by the Poverty Line Index (PLI). A household is considered poor if its income falls below that line. The Poverty Line Index (PLI) for Malaysia was introduced in June 1977 using the 1973 Household Expenditure Survey (HES)

Poverty Line income in Malaysia:

Poverty eradication: The Malaysia way of organizing poor and landless people

In Malaysia, there are many parties/institutions involved in reducing poverty by improve the living standard in rural areas. One important and most successful example of institution that helps in poverty eradication was the new land and resource development strategy under Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA). This strategy was proposed by the World Bank in 1954 and was also implemented in the First Malaya Plan (1956-1960). It is an instrument designed to develop idle land, to provide the landless and the under-employed with better income, and make those in the villages in the backward areas feel a part of the centre. This new land development strategy was seen to be more important than the in-situ rural development strategy because it encouraged the movement of large numbers of the rural poor and landless population to the areas in which the land development schemes operated. The new land development strategy was mainly involved in the commodity products for export (rubber and oil palm).This institution (FELDA), not only play a major role as a main contributors to the production of Malaysian export commodities (rubber and palm oil) but also had successfully raised the average net monthly income of FELDA settlers to a level above the poverty line. The Malaysian way of organizing poor and landless people in commercial agricultural production was recognised internationally as an ideal model to deal with rural poverty.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

"Sustainable agriculture is the efficient production of safe, high quality agricultural products, in a way that protects and improves the natural environment, the social and economic conditions of farmers, their employees and local communities, and safeguards the health and welfare of all farmed species."

(source: Sustainable Agriculture Initiative)

Sustainable agriculture also defined as the act of farming using principles of ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. The phrase was reportedly coined by Australian agricultural scientist Gordon Mc Clymont. It has been defined as "an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will last over the long term" For Example:

• Satisfy human food and fibre needs
• Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends
• Make the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls
• Sustain the economic viability of farm operations
• Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole

Sustainable agriculture developed Principles and Practices for Sustainable Agriculture, articulated around four main pillars : sustainable farming systems, economy, social and environment

(source: Sustainable Agriculture Initiative)

Farming and natural resources

Sustainable agriculture can be understood as an ecosystem approach to agriculture. Practices that can cause long-term damage to soil include excessive tillage (leading to erosion) and irrigation without adequate drainage (leading to salinization).

The most important factors for an individual site are sun, air, soil, nutrients, and water. Of the five, water and soil quality and quantity are most amenable to human intervention through time and labor.

1. Water
2. Soil
3. Phosphate
4. Land
5. Energy for Agriculture

CONCRETE JUNGLE

Source: fineartamerica

Concrete Jungle is defined as a city or area of a city that has a high density of large, unattractive, modern buildings and that is perceived as an unpleasant living environment. it also  defined as an urban or other populated area containing a high density of buildings constructed of concrete or similar materials, especially one which lacks greenery and which seems unattractive, harsh, or unsafe.

Penang a Concrete Jungle?

Over the past few years, hills in Penang have been slowly losing their green lustre and now blemished with concrete buildings. Houses and high-rise buildings have cropped up in the hill slopes in Paya Terubong, Sungai Ara, Tanjung Bungah, Bukit Gambier, Bukit Jambul, Batu Ferringhi, etc.

As we know, hills serve a variety of important ecological functions ranging from regulating the microclimate to maintaining the hydrological regime. Local communities in Penang also benefit from the hills as a source of water, for outdoor activities and some just enjoy its greenery and aesthetical value. However these benefits are slowly diminishing as some of the hills in Penang are threatened by development projects.

Hill lands are extremely sensitive to human-induced environmental changes. The majority of slope failures occurring on hills and highlands in Malaysia are due to disturbance of these fragile ecosystems, especially when man had altered the original terrain. 

The disasters involving landslides and slope failures in the past are testimony to the fact that some development have gone beyond the limits allowed by nature.

Illegal earthworks on Bukit Relau.

If the situation continues it is possible Penang will become fully concrete jungle. Further various problems that will arise as a result of the existence of concrete jungle. Among the potential problems is environmental pollution, heat island, and etc.

GREEN BUILDING INDEX (GBI)

What is Green Building Index (GBI)?

The Green Building Index (GBI) is Malaysia’s industry recognised green rating tool for buildings to promote sustainability in the built environment and raise awareness among Developers, Architects, Engineers, Planners, Designers, Contractors and the Public about environmental issues and our responsibility to the future generations.

GBI is developed specifically for the Malaysian-tropical climate, environmental and developmental context, cultural and social needs and is created to:

• Define green buildings by establishing a common language and standard of measurement;

• Promote integrated, whole-building designs that provides a better environment for all;

• Recognise and reward environmental leadership;

• Transform the built environment to reduce its negative environmental impact; and

• Ensure new buildings remain relevant in the future and existing buildings are refurbished and upgraded to improve the overall quality of our building stock.

GBI Rating System

www.greenbuildingindex.org

1) Energy Efficiency (EE)

Improve energy consumption by optimising building orientation, minimizing solar heat gain through the building envelope, harvesting natural lighting, adopting the best practices in building services including use of renewable energy, and ensuring proper testing, commissioning and regular maintenance.

2) Indoor Environment Quality (EQ)

Achieve good quality performance in indoor air quality, acoustics, visual and thermal comfort. These will involve the use of low volatile organic compound materials, application of quality air filtration, proper control of air temperature, movement and humidity.

3) Sustainable Site Planning & Management (SM)

Selecting appropriate sites with planned access to public transportation, community services, open spaces and landscaping. Avoiding and conserving environmentally sensitive areas through the redevelopment of existing sites and brownfields. Implementing proper construction management, storm water management and reducing the strain on existing infrastructure capacity.

4) Materials & Resources (MR)

Promote the use of environment-friendly materials sourced from sustainable sources and recycling. Implement proper construction waste management with storage, collection and re-use of recyclables and construction formwork and waste.

5) Water Efficiency (WE)

Rainwater harvesting, water recycling and water-saving fittings.

6) Innovation (IN)

Innovative design and initiatives that meet the objectives of the GBI.

Based on the table above, the classification of the building can be defined. It will give rating to the building either paltinum, gold,silver or certified.

TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT

What is Traffic Impact Assessments?

A traffic impact assessments is a study which assesses the effects that a particular development’s traffic will have on the transportation network in the community. These studies vary in their range of detail and complexity depending on the type, size and location of the development. Traffic impact assessment should accompany developments which have the potential to impact the transportation network. They are important in assisting public agencies in making land use decisions. These studies can be used to help evaluate whether the development is appropriate for a site and what type of transportation improvements may be necessary. 

Traffic Impact Assessment help communities to: 

• Forecast additional traffic associated with new development, based on accepted practices. 
• Determine the improvements that are necessary to accommodate the new development. 
• Assist communities in land use decision making. 
• Assist in allocating scarce resources to areas which need improvements 
• Identify potential problems with the proposed development which may influence the developer’s decision to pursue it. 
• Allow the community to assess the impacts that a proposed development may have. 
• Help to ensure safe and reasonable traffic conditions on streets after the development is complete. 
• Reduce the negative impacts created by developments by helping to ensure that the transportation network can accommodate the development. 
• Provide direction to community decision makers and developers of expected impacts. 
• Protect the substantial community investment in the street system.

What should be included in a traffic impact Assessments?

I. BACKGROUND:  Description of proposed development  Identification of peak hours and whether weekends will be used in the impact analysis Description of study area Location of proposed Access points  II. BASE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS:  Description of road network and intersections adjacent to site and at access points Counts during peak-impact hours  III. SITE TRAFFIC GENERATION: Trip generation rates used and the source of these rates Traffic generated during peak impact hours  IV. SITE TRAFFIC DISTRIBUTION: Method used to distribute traffic Table showing estimated traffic movements by direction Discussion of method used for traffic assignment and assumptions for assignment of traffic to network V. NON-SITE TRAFFIC PROJECTIONS: Definition of design year—opening of proposed development Identification of development in study area whose traffic is to be included in calculations Adjustments of off-site through traffic volumes Assembling of off-site traffic forecast for design year VI. TRAFFIC ASSIGNMENTS: Assignment of peak-period traffic to intersections and access points Figures for existing peak impact traffic hours, site traffic and total traffic Recommended access design improvements VII. REVIEW OF SITE PLAN: Internal Reservoir at access points Parking layout Loading dock locations and access, including design truck used Recommended changes  VIII. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS: Other developments in area

(Community Guide to Development Impact Analysis by Mary Edwards)