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The Carbon Footprint Challenge
Please note: to best view these screen captions, hover upon section and ‘PERMALINK’ will appear at the bottom of it — click this to view the post full size. Thank you ☺
Erica and Bryce were the two group members chosen to undertake the carbon footprint challenge. WWF’s footprint calculator deduced that we would need 2.9 Earths to sustain Erica's lifestyle. The breakdown can be seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1:
Similarly, Bryce’s calculation came to 2.2 Earths to sustain his lifestyle. The breakdown can be seen in Figure 2.
Figure 2:
Erica’s carbon breakdown shows that her biggest contributions to Greenhouse gases, according to the WWF’s calculator, come from the areas of food and transport. This logically leads to targeting this area for behaviour modification, and so, the group decided to assign her the tasks of eating around half as much meat for the week, and driving her motor vehicle for one less day of the week. Bryce’s largest contributions also came from food. This too leads to targeting this area for alteration. The decision was for Bryce to ensure his weekly fruit and vegetables were all locally produced, to reduce carbon from food transportation.
The calculations were repeated after the week/Bryce’s shopping expedition. Bryce's second carbon breakdown was exactly the same, at 2.2 Earths to sustain life, and can be seen in Figure 3.
Figure 3:
Erica's second carbon calculation also produced exactly the same results as the first calculation, despite the behaviour change.
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Carbon Footprint Calculators
Carbon footprint calculators are a basic, useful tool for promoting individual behavioural change in regard to carbon emissions. The usefulness comes for an individual questioning their use of fossil fuel burning technologies. With the WWF, an individual can calculate their usage, which shows them an overall picture of their emissions. The WWF tells the person using the calculator that, “If everyone lived like you, we’d need 2.2 Planet Earths to provide enough resource.”(WWF, 2012, 17/3/2013, http://www.wwf.org.au/). This has a kind of shock value, which emphasises the individuals need for change. In Figure 1, 2 and 3 you can see the shock value in the top right and bottom right frame. Following the shock, the individual is lead to a breakdown of their carbon emissions, which highlights potential target areas for the individual to explore. Furthermore, there is left side frames to see if the person can “reduce your ecological footprint” (WWF, 2012, 17/3/2013, http://www.wwf.org.au/) and has links to “explore simple actions to change your footprint (WWF, 2012, 17/3/2013, http://www.wwf.org.au/), which fully enable an individual to enact lifestyle changes. So, carbon footprint calculators are a useful tool for promoting change at an individual level.
These basic principles of change for the individual can be applied to bigger greenhouse gas contributors, such as business. A business, like an individual can be worried about its destruction of the environment, for reasons such as self-evaluation and/or its image in the general public, or amongst business partners. Following the basic outline for the individual, the business could use a business specific carbon footprint calculator, such as http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator1.html and http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/carbon-calculator.html to target areas where emissions reduction could take place. This is another aspect of the calculator’s ability to promote change.
However, carbon footprint calculators aren't without drawbacks. Their ability to promote change is restricted to those who actively want to take steps to reduce emissions. Generally, these aren't people who are the biggest carbon suppliers. Furthermore, the transparency and accuracy of the data produced was questioned. In an American study of carbon footprint calculators (Padgett et all, 2008), they showed that the amount of carbon emissions per person per annum ranged from over several metric tonnes. They, and we share their sentiment, call for increased research and standardisation of the processes used in calculations to ensure accuracy. This is important because, as Padgett puts it, “if a carbon calculator gives a lower value for air travel” due to discrepancies in measurement, “and a higher value for vehicle use, an individual may be induced to opt for air travel more often”.
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References
Carbon Footprint, viewed 16/03/2013, http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator1.html
Carbon Neutral, viewed 16/03/2013, http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/organisations/calculate.html
Padgett et al, 2007, A comparison of carbon calculators, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol 28, 2-3, Macquarie University Library.
World Wildlife Fund, 2012, viewed 16/03/2013, http://www.wwf.org.au/, http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/people_and_the_environment/human_footprint/footprint_calculator/
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Please note: to best view each figure, hover upon the individual section and ‘PERMALINK’ will appear — click this to view the post full size. Thank you ☺
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The Demography of Belrose
Demographic Transition theory as outlined by Knox and Marston (2001, pp.416) states that a relationship exists between birth and death rates and levels of economic development. This relationship suggests that changes in economic, social, political and technological factors can improve economic well-being, and by extension, standards of living. Increased standards of living facilitate superior population health, which results in lower birth rates and death rates. Thus, as a population increases its levels of economic development, demographic transition theory states that birth and death rates will be significantly reduced.
Belrose is a suburb located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It lies 14km from Sydney’s CBD and has a population of approximately 8300. It is a multicultural community with large numbers of immigrant residents from England, South Africa, New Zealand and China. Belrose residents have a median age of 43 and the median household income is $1782.00 per week.
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Belrose Population Growth (figure 1.)
Belrose experienced strong population growth from 2001 to 2006. However, from 2006 to 2011, population numbers in terms of males, females and total, decreased slightly. This trend opposes that of the entire Australian population, which has continued to grow steadily each year.
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Birth Rates / 1000 (figure 2.)
Birth rates per 1000 of the population in Belrose have been dynamic, trending upwards from 2001 to 2006, and decreasing from 2006 to 2011. Such a decrease differs from Australian birth rate trends and may account for the reduction in Belrose’ population growth from 2006-2011 (figure 1.). Overall, Australia’s birth rates have been steadily slowing; a pattern that demographic transition theory suggests is indicative of improved economic development and general living standards.
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Highest Level of Schooling Completed – Year 12 (figure. 3)
Educational level attained is one indicator of economic development and general living standards. Figure 3 highlights that the number of male and female Belrose residents completing year 12 has increased consistently from 2001 to 2011. This trend mirrors that of the general Australian population and supports demographic transition theory in that improved standards of living, achieved through increased education (figure 3.) and health care, act to slow population growth (figure 1.) and reduce birth rates (figure 2.)
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References
P. L. Knox & S. A. Marston, 2001, ‘Human geography – places and regions in a global context,’ 6th Ed., pp. 82-4, 416
http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/SSC10169?opendocument&navpos=230 - (Accessed 18/03/13) Belrose Census Data 2011
http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?&action=404&documentproductno=SSC11083&documenttype=Details&tabname=Details&areacode=SSC11083&issue=2006&producttype=Community%20Profiles&&producttype=Community%20Profiles&textversion=false&navmapdisplayed=true&breadcrumb=D&&collection=census&period=2006&producttype=Community%20Profiles&#Basic%20Community%20Profile - (Accessed 18/03/13) Belrose Census Data 2006
http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?&action=404&documentproductno=SSC11196&documenttype=Details&tabname=Details&areacode=SSC11196&issue=2001&producttype=Community%20Profiles&&producttype=Community%20Profiles&javascript=true&textversion=false&navmapdisplayed=true&breadcrumb=PLD&#Basic%20Community%20Profile - (Accessed 19/03/13) Belrose Census Data 2001
http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?c=as&v=24 (Accessed 18/03/13) - Population growth rate
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Saturday 9th March, 2013
Our group's choice of suburb to visit was Cabramatta which, for some of us, warranted more than an hour spent on public transport each way. During this time one could look out the window and see a very evident shift from the usual suburban and city landscapes that we are all familiar with to something rather different; streets lined with signs in languages other than English and people native to them flocking to these places to create a whole new atmosphere; a recreation of their home cultures mixed together with some Australian influences.
Cabramatta is the largest Vietnamese community is Australia and is often referred to as Sydney's "Little Asia". The area is flush with a variety of international cuisines, many of which serve authentic meals from Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia) and further west (Lebanon, Iraq, Italy, Spain and Turkey). This meant we were spoilt for choice when it came to picking an eatery for our late lunch together.
Deciding upon Vietnamese, we were pleasantly surprised with not only how quickly our orders were served to us but also by the generous size and the very reasonable prices. Best of all, the food was delicious!
Just an interesting note: we are used to water being provided free of charge whilst any other beverage would cost extra, however we found the reversal of that to be the case in the Vietnamese restaurant -- water costed $1.00 whilst endless pots of fresh green tea were supplied for each table free of charge. (Was nice green tea, too!)
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How do these landscapes contribute to your sense of place?
Symbolic landscapes and vernacular landscapes both contribute to my sense of place, but they do so in different ways. The symbolic images of the Australian landscape provide me, and many others, with a broad sense of identity in Australia. Identity contributes to a sense of place as identity is “making yourself through: subjective feelings based on your everyday experiences and social relations”[1] (Knox and Marsden 2013, 6). The symbolic landscapes also display aspirations of the Australian culture[2] (Knox and Marsden 2013, 24). For instance, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a piece of iconic architecture and as such displays Australia’s desire to be associated with ingenuity and design. Similarly, the Opera House is an iconic piece of Sydney’s harbour side and displays Australia’s desire to be associated with culture and art. These aspirations help create a sense of place as aspirations reflect dreams and values of Australian society[3] (Knox and Marsden 2013, 24). This is evident in the vernacular landscape through architecture of houses and other personal pieces of property.
Some of the iconic landscapes of Sydney are only iconic to Sydney-siders and Australian’s because of regionalism[4] (Knox and Marsden 2013, 24). The Rocks is a strong link to Australia’s colonial history. The Rocks is a loved place by Sydney siders but may not have the same emotional connection for those who do not live in Sydney or Australia and share in our colonial history. The Rocks, and similar landscapes provide this sense of place through a “distinctive identity” within the area[5] (Knox and Marsden 2013, 24).
The beaches too, are strongly associated with Sydney and Australia’s large surfing culture. Beach landscapes have been idealised in Australian society. Almost all Sydney siders could attest to feeling a sense of place at the beach[6], yet many of us do not visit the beach regularly. The strong sense of pride Australian’s have in their beaches makes them iconic and provides Sydney siders with a connection to beaches even though they may not be frequented regularly. It is important to note that the connection to these places is ongoing and it is because of shared meanings and the timelessness of these meanings that these places become symbolic[7](Knox and Marsden 2013, 24).
Intersubjectivity is when “shared meaning is created from everyday practice”. This is how I find meaning to be created in our vernacular landscapes. My home is a symbol for my family and I, of the love that we share and it is the space that we can express it in. However, not all Australian’s look at my house and feel the same way. The feeling of ‘sense of place’ that I associate with my house is one that I feel due to routine and a shared meaning has developed because of intersubjectivity[8] (Knox and Marsden 2013, 26). My home along with many other aspects of my vernacular landscape derive their sense of place from this concept. It is the routine and the experiences I consistently have in these places that provide me with a sense of place within them.
The landscapes that I interact with on a daily basis are similar to the iconic ones as they also provide me with a sense of place. My local Westfield is constructed from our materialistic culture and provides me with a sense of place but does not have the shared meaning for everyone that exists in shops like the Queen Victoria Building. I also spend a great deal of time in the water, but I spend most of my time at the pool, not the beach. This indicates the truths that exist in the meaning behind Australian’s being water loving, but my local pool is not a symbol of this for everyone, whereas Bondi beach is. My local pool still provides me with a sense of place as it provides a sense of community and has a “life world” to it that may not be present at other pools or in other places[9] (Knox and Marsden 2013, 25).
Therefore, it can be seen that vernacular and symbolic images play a similar role, but just on a different scale. What is symbolic to me and not others is part of my vernacular landscape and what is symbolic to all is part of the symbolic landscape.
[1] Paul Knox & Sallie Marsden, Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, Pearson, 2013, p 6.
[2] Paul Knox & Sallie Marsden, Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, Pearson, 2013, p 24.
[3] ibid
[4] ibid
[5] ibid
[6] ibid
[7] ibid
[8] Paul Knox & Sallie Marsden, Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, Pearson, 2013, p 26.
[9] Paul Knox & Sallie Marsden, Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, Pearson, 2013, p 25.
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symbolic landscape of Erica's experience in Australia
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