DOCSLIB.ORG

The Built Environment: Is There a Connection Between Sprawl

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Built Environment: Is There a Connection Between Sprawl with separate and distinct areas of education, work and commerce. Sprawl communities, which mushroomed beginning in the 1970s, often display “leapfrog” development and a lack of centralized planning and assume de- The Built Environment: Is There a pendency on auto travel. The typical subur- ban home sits on a cul-de-sac that feeds into Connection Between Sprawl & Health? a high-volume road separating schools, homes and shopping malls by large distances. The one-car garage is a relic of the past. The tale is in the taillights. Drive around tices, builders and developers blasted the re- Despite the long-held assumption that almost any American city of size at almost any port. The Southern California Building In- suburban living is healthier than urban, those hour of any day and you’ll see ahead of you dustry Association, for example, labeled it “a who study the issue of community design tie an unending string of lights on the cars, SUVs ludicrous sham,” suggesting that it has no sprawl to the nation’s increasingly sedentary and trucks heading to and from work, school scientific merit and that CDC should stick to living habits. Today’s neighborhoods, for ex- and shopping malls. Stressful, no doubt, but its mission of “fighting physical diseases, not ample, often lack sidewalks or bike paths, in addition, a growing number of public defending political ones.” making driving a necessity for even the short- health and urban planning experts are making But Chris Kochtitsky, the center’s asso- est trips. Safety is also a concern. Many par- a connection between suburban design and ciate director for policy planning and a coau- ents feel it’s dangerous for their children to myriad other health hazards, from obesity and thor of the report, said that while there isn’t play outside or walk or bike unsupervised to respiratory diseases like asthma to automobile- yet enough evidence to draw hard conclu- the school, store or playground. The result: related pedestrian deaths. sions, “there is evidence that our built envi- kids engage in less-active indoor pastimes, like A report issued in November by the Na- ronment affects our health.” The report, he watching TV or playing video games. tional Center for Environmental Health at continued, “was not intended to attack any “The logic is that built and natural en- the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- type of development but to provide infor- vironments affect our health and behavior in tion (CDC) highlights the dangers. The lack mation on how various urban design and a variety of ways,” observed Rich of sidewalks and bike paths in many cities land use decisions impact human health.” Killingsworth, director of active living by contributes to overweight and obesity and, design at the University of North Carolina in turn, to conditions like diabetes and heart WHAT IS SPRAWL? School of Public Health. One simple solu- disease, the authors of Creating A Healthy Once upon a time, neighborhoods were tion, he suggested, “is providing choice. Ev- Environment: The Impact of the Built Envi- designed to allow an integrated mixture of eryone should have the choice to be physi- ronment on Public Health say, and the “bad work, education, entertainment and shop- cally active and there should be close-to-home air” generated by vehicle emissions “makes ping that catered to pedestrians. Kids walked opportunities, but the way we are using our lung diseases, especially asthma, worse.” De- or rode their bikes to school—research com- land and designing our communities is not cisions about land use, they say, “are just as paring older to newer neighborhoods found accommodating that choice.” much public health decisions as are decisions that students are four times more likely to about food preparations… We must be alert walk to schools that were constructed before HEALTH HAZARDS to the health benefits, including less stress, 1983, for example—and adults tended to In its November report, CDC spotlighted lower blood pressure and overall improved reserve the automobile for work and for er- several major health hazards it said were physical and mental health, that can result rands outside of ambulatory range. connected to suburban design. when people live and work in accessible, safe, Then came “sprawl”—a relatively recent Obesity: Part of the impetus for study- well-designed, thoughtful structures and (post-World War II) phenomenon fostered by ing the connection between health and the landscapes.” greater automobile ownership and govern- built environment grew out of the U.S. Sur- Noting that the research was financed ment road-building subsidies and marked by geon General’s landmark 1996 report on by the Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse, a non- a number of easily recognizable characteris- physical activity and obesity. The report, profit group dedicated to best land use prac- tics, most notably low-density development which synthesized data from thousands of studies, documents the tremendous toll that rising rates of overweight and obesity take CONTRIBUTING STAFF on the public’s health. The report attrib- is produced by staff from the Environment, Energy and Glen Andersen, Janis Borton, Carla Curran, Ann Dietrich, Jo uted more than 200,000 deaths each year to Transportation Programs and the Health Care and Donlin, Doug Farquhar, Kristine Goodwin, Tracey Hooker, Prevention Projects Programs, located at the Martha King, Leslie Teach Robbins, Cheryl Runyon, Lisa sedentary lifestyles, and CDC pegs the direct National Conference of State Legislatures Speissegger, Laura Tobler, Stephanie Wasserman headquarters in Denver. 1560 Broadway, Suite 700 and indirect annual cost of inactivity, obe- Denver, CO 80202 sity and its related illnesses (heart disease, For more information about the programs, visit: Fax: 303-863-8003 http://www.ncsl.org or call (303) 830-2200. email: [email protected] or [email protected] diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis) at more than $100 billion. This insert is supported in part by grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [Sprawl, p.6] STATE HEALTH NOTES - MAY 6, 2002 3 Sprawl, from p. 3 By reducing opportunities to exercise Atlanta, Georgia, one of the fastest grow- table. In Santa Rosa, for instance, officials are safely, the CDC report suggested, sprawl is ing cities in the country and also one of the taking steps to make sure the teen fatality contributing to the obesity epidemic—six in most notorious for urban sprawl, illustrates tragedy isn’t repeated, providing $5 million ten adults are overweight and four in ten are the problem. Huge increases in the number to build new sidewalks and requiring schools obese, and childhood obesity has doubled, of vehicles on the road and the number of to have safe, walkable routes. to nearly 25 percent, since the mid-70s. (See miles traveled have created very poor air qual- Other steps suggested in the CDC re- SHN #370, 4/22/02.) Americans consume ity, despite threats by the government to cut port: setting and enforcing lower speed lim- at least as many calories as they did a decade off federal highway funds for air quality vio- its in urban areas (pedestrians hit by a car ago, for example, yet over the past 20 years, lations unless the city takes steps to reduce traveling 40 mph have a 15 percent chance the average adult took 42 percent fewer trips health-threatening air pollution. of survival; at 20 mph, the odds leap to 95 on foot, and the frequency with which kids One dramatic example of the effects of percent) or using “traffic-calming” measures walked or biked to school dropped 40 per- air pollution on health occurred during the like speed bumps; using traffic signals to pro- cent. As many as 70 percent of adults do not 1996 summer Olympics, when Atlanta re- tect pedestrians in crosswalks; and providing achieve the Surgeon General’s recommenda- stricted traffic in an effort to provide cleaner over- or underpasses or tunnels for walkers tion for 30 minutes of moderate physical ac- air for the athletes. According to a CDC analy- and bikers to bypass particularly dangerous tivity at least 5 days a week. sis, smog levels fell 28 percent and emergency roads or intersections. “Parking lots are built as close as possible room visits for asthma attacks fell nearly 42 On a more global level, the agency out- to final destinations in order to increase con- percent. Even so, the city reverted to its old lined other ways for the public health sector venience and safety for motorists,” the report habits once the games concluded. to create healthier, more-livable communities, noted, and “the design of most new residen- Pedestrian Fatalities: In 1999 a Santa encouraging providers to join urban plan- tial areas reflects the supposition that people Rosa, California high school student was ners, architects, politicians and traffic engi- will drive to most destinations.” It may not struck and killed by a car while walking home neers in the planning process and making seem that taking a few more trips on foot from school on a busy street with no side- developments more people-friendly by turn- each day will have a meaningful impact on walks. As it turns out, the story isn’t uncom- ing to mixed land use patterns that allow obesity, Killingsworth added, but such rou- mon. According to the Surface Transportation people to work, shop and recreate within tine activities afford a great opportunity for Policy Project, walking is 36 times more dan- walking distance of their homes. daily exercise. gerous per mile covered than driving. Con- Because they control much of the money Respiratory Disease: Sprawl isn’t just bad sider this: Americans took about 1 out of 20 for transportation and land use, states can also for physiques; the lungs suffer too.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Implementing Sustainability in the Built Environment
    Report August 2017 Implementing sustainability in the built environment An analysis of the role and effectiveness of the building and planning system in delivering sustainable cities Trivess Moore, Susie Moloney, Joe Hurley & Andréanne Doyon Implementing sustainability in the built environment: An analysis of the role and effectiveness of the building and planning system in delivering sustainable cities. Trivess Moore, Susie Moloney, Joe Hurley and Andréanne Doyon School of Global, Urban and Social Studies and School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University. August 2017 Contact: Joe Hurley RMIT University GPO Box 2476 Melbourne Vic 3001 [email protected] Phone : 61 3 9925 9016 Published by: Centre for Urban Research (CUR) RMIT University | City campus Building 15, Level 4 124 La Trobe Street Melbourne VIC 3000 www.cur.org.au @RMIT_CUR facebook.com/rmitcur Layout and design: Chanel Bearder 2 Contents Executive summary 4 1. Introduction 7 1.1 Introduction 7 1.2 Project description, aim and scope 7 1.3 Methods 9 1.4 Project Context: Transitioning to a sustainable built environment future 10 2. Review of key planning and building policies 12 2.1 Building systems 12 2.2 Planning systems 13 2.3 State ESD policies and regulations 14 2.3.1 Victoria 15 2.3.2 New South Wales 15 2.3.3 Australia Capital Territory (ACT) 16 2.3.4 Queensland 16 2.3.5 South Australia 17 2.3.6 Western Australia 17 3. Planning decision making in Victoria: ESD in VCAT decisions 18 3.1 Stage 1: Identify all VCAT cases that have coverage of sustainability issues within the written reasons for the decision.
    [Show full text]
  • The Benefits of Polymers for Australia's Built Environment
    AUSTRALIAN MODERN BUILDING ALLIANCE Safe and sustainable construction with polymers The benefits of polymers for Australia’s built environment The benefits of polymers for Australia’s built environment This information sheet explains how polymer-based construction products create modern buildings that are durable, safe, sustainable and energy efficient. Polymers in the construction industry Polymers form the basis of many construction materials that are integral to modern buildings such as foams, paints, sealants, rubbers and plastics. These materials cover a broad range of products and applications for building interiors and exteriors including insulation, piping, flooring, wiring, window installation, solar modules, ventilation systems, awnings, painting, tiling and landscaping. The challenge According to the Australian particularly at a time when Whether in the construction, use Sustainable Built Environment Australia’s energy costs and or end-of-life phase, buildings Council (ASBEC), buildings in demands are increasing. consume vast volumes of energy Australia constructed after 2019 The performance and durability equating to large volumes of could make up more than half of of construction products – greenhouse gases (GHG). the country’s total building stock particularly insulation – is key by 2050.3 The IEA recommends In Australia, our buildings to creating more energy efficient strengthening construction codes account for 19 per cent of total buildings. energy used and 18 per cent of to address the energy efficiency our total direct GHG emissions.1 of new buildings and those Products should be long lasting, This figure would be closer requiring major retrofits as an require low maintenance or 2 to 40 per cent of total GHG immediate priority.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change, Scale, and Devaluation: the Challenge of Our Built Environment
    Climate Change, Scale, and Devaluation: The Challenge of Our Built Environment Nathan F. Sayre * Abstract Climate debate and policy proposals in the United States have yet to grasp the gravity and magnitude of the challenges posed by global warming. This paper develops three arguments to redress this situation. First, the spatial and temporal scale of the processes linking greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to climate change is unprecedented in human experience, challenging our abilities to comprehend, let alone act. An adequate understanding of the scale of global warming leads to an unequivocal starting point for all discussions: we must leave as much fossil fuel in the ground as possible, for as long as possible. Second, a policy informed by this insight must focus on the built environment, which mediates economic production, exchange, and consumption in ways that both presuppose and reinforce high rates of GHG emissions, especially in the U.S. A rapid and comprehensive reconfiguration of the built environment is imperative if we are to mitigate and adapt to global warming. Third, the obstacles and opposition to such a reconfiguration are best understood in terms of the devaluation of fixed capital, public and private investments alike, that has been sunk in the built environment of the present. In a fortuitous paradox, these investments are threatened with devaluation whether or not we act to stabilize the atmospheric GHG concentrations; in highly uneven, unpredictable, and potentially abrupt ways, global warming will make our current built environment increasingly untenable and uneconomical. There is, therefore, no reason not to be proactive and to craft policies with the goal of completely redesigning and rebuilding our built environment over the next 20 to 50 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Geoengineering in the Anthropocene Through Regenerative Urbanism
    geosciences Review Geoengineering in the Anthropocene through Regenerative Urbanism Giles Thomson * and Peter Newman Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +61-8-9266-9030 Academic Editors: Carlos Alves and Jesus Martinez-Frias Received: 26 June 2016; Accepted: 13 October 2016; Published: 25 October 2016 Abstract: Human consumption patterns exceed planetary boundaries and stress on the biosphere can be expected to worsen. The recent “Paris Agreement” (COP21) represents a major international attempt to address risk associated with climate change through rapid decarbonisation. The mechanisms for implementation are yet to be determined and, while various large-scale geoengineering projects have been proposed, we argue a better solution may lie in cities. Large-scale green urbanism in cities and their bioregions would offer benefits commensurate to alternative geoengineering proposals, but this integrated approach carries less risk and has additional, multiple, social and economic benefits in addition to a reduction of urban ecological footprint. However, the key to success will require policy writers and city makers to deliver at scale and to high urban sustainability performance benchmarks. To better define urban sustainability performance, we describe three horizons of green urbanism: green design, that seeks to improve upon conventional development; sustainable development, that is the first step toward a net zero impact; and the emerging concept of regenerative urbanism, that enables biosphere repair. Examples of green urbanism exist that utilize technology and design to optimize urban metabolism and deliver net positive sustainability performance. If mainstreamed, regenerative approaches can make urban development a major urban geoengineering force, while simultaneously introducing life-affirming co-benefits to burgeoning cities.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Engineering: the Future of Structural Design
    Sustainable Engineering: The Future of Structural Design J.A. Ochsendorf1 1PhD, Assistant Professor, Building Technology Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139; PH (617) 253 4087; FAX (617) 253 6152; Email: [email protected]. Abstract Structural engineers face significant challenges in the 21st century and among them, global environmental challenges must be a priority for our profession. On a planet with finite natural resources and an ever-growing built environment, engineers of the future must consider the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of structural design. To achieve a more sustainable built environment, engineers must be involved at every stage of the process. To address the broad issue of sustainability for structural engineers, this paper is divided into three sections: 1) Global environmental impact: The trends in steel and concrete consumption worldwide illustrate the growing environmental impact of structural design. In particular, the emissions of greenhouse gases due to structural materials are a primary global concern that all structural engineers should consider. 2) Solutions for today: There are many steps that each structural engineer can take to mitigate the environmental impact of structural design. Furthermore, there is growing demand for engineers who are knowledgeable of environmental issues in construction. This section presents several options that are available today for engineers interested in reducing environmental impacts. Case studies will illustrate examples of more sustainable structural design. 3) Challenges for the future: Although short-term solutions exist to reduce the environmental impact of construction, there are significant long-term challenges that we must address as a profession. By facing these challenges, we can take a leadership role in matters of vital global importance.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Plastic Lumber Brenda Platt, Tom Lent and Bill Walsh
    hhealbthy bnuilding network JUNE 2005 The Healthy Building Network’s Guide to Plastic Lumber Brenda Platt, Tom Lent and Bill Walsh A report by The Healthy Building Network. A project of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance 927 15th Street, NW, 4th Fl. — Washington, DC 20005 — www.healthybuilding.net About the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Since 1974, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) has advised citizens, activists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs on how to design and implement state-of-the-art recycling technologies, policies, and programs with a view to strengthening local economies. ILSR’s mission is to provide the conceptual framework, strategies, and information to aid the creation of ecologically sound and economically equitable communities. About the Healthy Building Network A project of ILSR since 2000, the Healthy Building Network (HBN) is a network of national and grassroots organizations dedicated to achieving environmental health and justice goals by transforming the building materials market in order to decrease health impacts to occupants in the built environment – home, school and workplace – while achieving global environmental preservation. HBN’s mission is to shift strategic markets in the building and construction industry away from what we call worst in class building materials, and towards healthier, commercially available alternatives that are competitively priced and equal or superior in performance. Healthy Building Network Institute for Local Self-Reliance 927 15th Street, NW, 4th Floor Washington, DC 20005 phone (202) 898-1610 fax (202) 898-1612 general inquiries, e-mail: [email protected] plastic lumber inquiries, e-mail: [email protected] www.healthybuilding.net Copyright © June 2005 by the Healthy Building Network.
    [Show full text]
  • The Tourism-Environment Nexus; Challenges and Opportunities
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by InfinityPress Journal of Sustainable Development Studies ISSN 2201-4268 Volume 9, Number 1, 2016, 17-33 The Tourism-Environment Nexus; Challenges and Opportunities Amin Shahgerdi, Hamed Rezapouraghdam, Azar Ghaedi, Sedigheh Safshekan Faculty of Tourism, Eastern Mediterranean University, Gazimagusa, Cyprus, via Mersin-10, Turkey Corresponding author: Amin Shahgerdi, Faculty of Tourism, Eastern Mediterranean University, Gazimagusa, Cyprus, via Mersin-10, Turkey Abstract: Tourism industry is heavily dependent on environment. Moreover the vitality of sustainable tourism development in an environmentally friendly manner along with avoidance of ecological damages has been highly emphasized by environmentalists, which indicate the significance of this phenomenon and its vulnerability as well. This study by means of descriptive qualitative approach employs content analysis as its method and sets ecological modernization theory as well as sustainability as its theoretical framework and reviews tourism literature and highlights bilateral impacts of the tourism and the environment on each other. The realization of these themes not only beckons the tourism stakeholders to be more cautious about the upcoming effects of their activities, but also increases social awareness about these impacts along with the importance of the environment. Keywords: Environment, negative impacts, positive influences, tourism. © Copyright 2016 the authors. 17 18 Journal of Sustainable Development Studies 1. Introduction “It is widely recognized that the physical environment plays a significant role in shaping and being shaped by tourism”(Parris, 1997 cited in Kousis, 2000, p. 468). Besides its positive effects, tourism industry brings undeniable negative influences on the local destinations’ environment as well (Andereck et al., 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Heritage Tourism and the Built Environment
    H E RI T A G E T O URISM A ND T H E BUI L T E N V IR O N M E N T By SUR A I Y A T I R A H M A N A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (Centre for Urban and Regional Studies) University of Birmingham MARCH 2012 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. A BST R A C T The aims of this research are to examine and explore perceptions of the built environmental impacts of heritage tourism in urban settlements; to explore the practice of heritage tourism management; and to examine the consequences of both for the sustainability of the heritage environment. The literature review explores the concepts of heritage management, the heritage production model, the tourist-historic city, and sustainability and the impact of tourism on the built environment. A theoretical framework is developed, through an examination of literature on environmental impacts, carrying capacity, sustainability, and heritage management; and a research framework is devised for investigating the built environmental impacts of heritage tourism in urban settlements, based around five objectives, or questions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Circular Economy in the Built Environment
    The Circular Economy in the Built Environment About Arup Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists offering a broad range of professional services. From 90 offices in 38 countries our 12,000 employees deliver innovative projects across the world with creativity and passion. Arup Foresight + Research + Innovation Foresight + Research + Innovation is Arup’s internal think-tank and consultancy which focuses on the future of the built environment and society at large. We help organisations understand trends, explore new ideas, and radically rethink the future of their businesses. We developed the concept of ‘foresight by design’, which uses innovative design tools and techniques in order to bring new ideas to life, and to engage all stakeholders in meaningful conversations about change. Contacts Carol Lemmens Director and Global Business Leader Management Consulting [email protected] Chris Luebkeman Arup Fellow and Director Global Foresight + Research + Innovation [email protected] Released September 2016 13 Fitzroy Street London W1T 4BQ arup.com driversofchange.com © Arup 2016 Contents Foreword 5 Introduction 9 The Built Environment: from Linear 15 to Circular Circularity at Scale 43 Enabling the Circular Economy 69 Conclusion and Recommendations 79 Further Reading 88 Acknowledgements 93 - click on section title to navigate - Cover: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, USA DRAFT Foreword “Moving towards a truly circular economy will not be achieved in one step. However, this report represents tangible progress on the journey towards a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient future. Arup is in this for the long haul, because, even if it takes a generational shift to get there, the direction of travel represents a far better future for our shared society.” —Gregory Hodkinson, Global Chairman, Arup The systemic nature of the circular economy requires both the ecosystem and its individual components to change.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability, Restorative to Regenerative.­ COST Action CA16114 RESTORE, Working Group One Report: Restorative Sustainability
    COST Action CA16114 RESTORE: REthinking Sustainability TOwards a Regenerative Economy, Working Group One Report: Restorative Sustainability Sustainability, Restorative to Regenerative An exploration in progressing a paradigm shift in built environment thinking, from sustainability to restora tive sustainability and on to regenerative sustainability EDITORS Martin Brown, Edeltraud Haselsteiner, Diana Apró, Diana Kopeva, Egla Luca, Katri-Liisa Pulkkinen and Blerta Vula Rizvanolli COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020 IMPRESSUM RESTORE Working Group One Report: Restorative Sustainability RESTORE WG1 Leader Martin BROWN (Fairsnape) Edeltraud HASELSTEINER (URBANITY) RESTORE WG1 Subgroup Leader Diana Apró (Building), Diana Kopeva (Economy), Egla Luca (Heritage), Katri-Liisa Pulkkinen (Social), Blerta Vula Rizvanolli (Social) ISBN ISBN 978-3-9504607-0-4 (Online) ISBN 978-3-9504607-1-1 (Print) urbanity – architecture, art, culture and communication, Vienna, 2018 Copyright: RESTORE Working Group One COST Action CA16114 RESTORE: REthinking Sustainability TOwards a Regenerative Economy Project Acronym RESTORE Project Name REthinking Sustainability TOwards a Regenerative Economy COST Action n. CA16114 Action Chair Carlo BATTISTI (Eurac Research) Vice Action Chair Martin BROWN (Fairsnape) Scientific Representative Roberto LOLLINI (Eurac Research) Grant Manager Gloria PEASSO (Eurac Research) STSM Manager Michael BURNARD (University of Primorska) Training School Coordinator Dorin BEU (Romania Green Building Council) Science Communication Officer Bartosz ZAJACZKOWSKI (Wroclaw University of Science and Technology) Grant Holder institution EURAC Research Institute for Renewable Energy Viale Druso 1, Bolzano 39100, Italy t +39 0471 055 611 f +39 0471 055 699 Project Duration 2017 – 2021 Website www.eurestore.eu COST Website www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/ca/CA16114 Graphic design Ingeburg Hausmann (Vienna) Citation: Brown, M., Haselsteiner, E., Apró, D., Kopeva, D., Luca, E., Pulkkinen, K., Vula Rizvanolli, B., (Eds.), (2018).
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on the Built Environment Under NEPA and State EIA Laws
    Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on the Built Environment under NEPA and State EIA Laws: A Survey of Current Practices and Recommendations for Model Protocols By Jessica Wentz August 2015 © 2015 Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law develops legal techniques to fight climate change, trains law students and lawyers in their use, and provides the legal profession and the public with up-to-date resources on key topics in climate law and regulation. It works closely with the scientists at Columbia University's Earth Institute and with a wide range of governmental, non- governmental and academic organizations. Sabin Center for Climate Change Law Columbia Law School 435 West 116th Street New York, NY 10027 Tel: +1 (212) 854-3287 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.ColumbiaClimateLaw.com Twitter: @ColumbiaClimate Blog: http://blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechange Disclaimer: This paper is the responsibility of The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law alone, and does not reflect the views of Columbia Law School or Columbia University. This paper is an academic study provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and the receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between sender and receiver. No party should act or rely on any information contained in this White Paper without first seeking the advice of an attorney. About the author: Jessica Wentz is an Associate Director and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. She previously worked as a Visiting Associate Professor with the Environmental Law Program at the George Washington University School of Law.
    [Show full text]
  • Introductory Guide on Plastics in Construction
    Authored by The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products Peer-reviewed by the ASBP Plastics in Construction Group INTRODUCTORY Q&A GUIDE WHAT IS BEING DONE? This interactive PDF guide provides an introduction to the topic of plastics in construction. Are there any examples of organisations tackling the ‘plastics problem’? Click on a question to link through to the answer page. To return to this home What research is being undertaken? PLASTICS IN page, click X on the answer page. What needs to happen next? CONSTRUCTION v1 June 2020 WHY PLASTICS? WHY ASBP AND PLASTICS? Why plastics in construction? Who is The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products? What do we know about plastics in construction? What is the ASBP Plastics in Construction Group? Where is plastic used in construction? Who is involved in the group? What types of plastics are used? Why just plastics? What happens to plastic waste from construction? What are the group’s ways of working? How much recycled content is there? Has the ASBP conducted previous work on plastics in construction? What do we know about plastics in general? WHAT ARE THE ISSUES AND ALTERNATIVES? WHAT ARE THE DRIVERS? What are the issues? In the UK, are there governmental drivers for reducing plastic usage/adopting alternatives? Are there any health issues? In the EU, are there governmental drivers for reducing What are the challenges for reducing plastics usage/adopting plastic usage/adopting alternatives? alternatives? Are there non-governmental drivers for reducing What are the advantages of plastics? plastics/using alternatives? What about the alternatives/solutions? Are there any environmental benefits? What about bioplastics? Is there a business case? Supported by the ASBP Plastics in Construction Group x Why plastics in construction? In recent years, awareness of the negative impacts of plastic waste and pollution on our environment has heightened.
    [Show full text]