Seventh Post

During last week's class on Urban Planning and Transportation, I learned how important the location of things could determine the structure of a city, and affect transportation, which affects climate change through gas emissions. For example, if grocery stores, schools, and other places we visit frequently were close by, we would not have to drive as much. But once a city is built, it is very hard to redesign the whole city. So it might be better to just try to mitigate the impact, rather than plan a decade long plan to redesign the city. But I believe the best approach would be to tackle both at the same time. And to really think and consider the consequences of urban planning for future projects and expansions of the city. One approach to reducing gas emissions is to create more subsidies for green energy and hybrid or electric cars. If the electricity for the electric cars came from a cleaner source, it will reduce the time for the car to offset the strain it took on the environment during production.

I found the history of cars in the US the most interesting. I never knew that between 1915 and 1930, people were against having cars in the city because the children mortality rate increased. But corporations being the way they are, turned the focus onto the idea of jaywalking, and blaming all the deaths on that. So that's why today, our streets are more car oriented than people walking.

Recently, I've been really stressed about not having any hours done from volunteering. But after having an informational interview with Ari, he offered to let me job shadow at NOVA! And I also found out that I could combine job shadowing, and volunteering. I plan to volunteer with a friend at ReVision Urban Farms next Tuesday for three hours, and hopefully one of the eight organizations I've contacted will reply back. But, I should only need three more hours, or possibly 1-2 more interviews to complete this assignment.

Sixth Post

I learned from Tim Griffin the intricacies of community based approaches to sustainable agriculture as opposed to government or policy driven approaches. In his opinion, community-based incentives are much more effective than policy driven ones because the citizens impacted by the change would be more receptive to locally driven initiatives than from "someone working for the big government." By working with the community, you listen, communicate, and connect with the residents. This way, they feel that their opinions and concerns are heard and incorporated into any changes. While someone coming from the government most likely comes from somewhere else and may not understand the community dynamics in the short time they are there. The former feels much more permanent while the latter feels temporary. I agree and slightly disagree with everything Tim says. I think that government policies can create certain incentives that might direct the economy and market on a national scale, but to be implemented, the community has to feel like they are involved with the decision making. A national or state legislation might not take into account all the local needs and resources, but it can drive the whole nation towards a more sustainable future.

I also learned the difficulties of rooftop agriculture from John Stoddard. A big obstacle in his project is being economically sustainable and having the workforce to make it so. One thing he said that made me really look at it differently was how he need farmers, not just gardeners. He said that a lot of people have large, nice gardens, but is still very different than producing and harvesting large quantities of crops to feed a community. This change my outlook on the difference between gardening and agriculture. One is a hobby, and the other is a way of life. It definitely made me realize how hard it can be for sustainable farmers and urban farmers. My back up plan, if I couldn't find a job or the market was really down, was to work on a farm while I look for another opportunity. I think it is still a possibility. I've worked on farms before, for short periods of time, but am unsure what the life is like long term. I'm interested in sustainable agriculture, but not enough to be my primary focus in my professional career.

Fifth Post

This week, I really learned a lot about green buildings this week, specifically about LEED buildings. We also had two speakers come into class to talk about green buildings. Shaun O'Rourke was really interesting. His work with LA was the most fascinating for me. I really liked how he talked with the community before planning everything. I found it really interesting that Hispanic mothers were the pivotal influence in creating community change, how once they found out how a Green Alley would change the neighborhood, connect the community, and reduce crime and drugs. And it's really interesting that once the project was getting so much support, local and city officials began to take notice and help Shaun out.

Art Adler's work was interesting, but his presentation was honestly, bland. It was interesting when he pulled up the system looking at all the vents in a Tufts building, but his talk could have been cut in half. When we asked what he found interesting about his job, he didn't have an answer and just talked more about the systems. Compared to Shaun, he seemed like he didn't have any passion for the work he does. It doesn't mean he doesn’t have passion, but he just could not convey it to us in his presentation.

I would be a lot more interested in Shaun's work compared to Art's, but that also might be because I'm not an engineer. Other planning, or community organizing, is probably the most interesting part of green buildings for me. Also brainstorming would be something I like to do. Basically anything other than the actual architecture part of green architecture.

I have finally found someone to interview! I met Ari Daniel at a Science in Media Panel hosted by a Tufts Experimental College Perspective course called Environmental Issues through a Documentary Lens. It was an event where five people who work with science and media in one way or another discuss questions and advice for anyone interested in science communication or journalism. There was a producer, editor, journalist, reporter, and a radio show host. I talked to Ari after the Panel and set up an appointment for next week in Davis Square to talk about his career and his life's path. I will also be seeing his three month old baby!

Fourth Post

                I recently found out that I have a mutual friend with Jeff Orlowski, the director of the documentary "Chasing Ice." I asked her to contact him and connect us  After a few weeks, he finally got back to her and said he did not have enough time in his schedule to have a twenty minute interview. But if I had any quick questions, he would be willing to answer a few of them. I also tried to reach out to one of the heads of Conservation International through my connections. But she, too, had been hard to reach. One week she was in Ecuador, the next in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest, and then in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. So currently, I do not have someone to interview. At this point, I'm a little lost and do not know who to contact. I want to contact someone high up in a well known non-profit, specifically someone in the communications area, to ask them what strategies they used for outreach, to convince people to care.

                The information from Jim about LinkedIn was helpful, but more in how to use LinkedIn then how to approach people. The LinkedIn groups information was probably the most helpful, because I probably would never have been able to find them without Jim. It was really nice to have a breakdown of all the parts of LinkedIn, but I wished we went more into talking to strangers and how to ask for an interview.

                I think the most problematic waste is plastic waste. They don't degrade, are not compostable, and when exposed to heat, they release harmful chemicals, such as PCB and DDT. This is especially problematic to ocean pollution. Some scientists estimated that by 2050, the weight of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the combined weight of all the fish in the ocean. Boyan Slat and the Ocean Cleanup Project, a non-profit, had a great strategy to rid the ocean of millions of tons of plastic. At the young age of 19, he developed a feasible plan to trap and funnel the plastic towards a floating damn, where they can remove and recycle the plastic. Although this is a reactive response and not a preventative one, I think it is a great way to start. If I was trying to convince a group of students to reduce waste, I would show documentaries and video clips of what waste does to the environment, animal health, and human health. I probably would also include some graphic images such as a dissected seagull with its stomach full of plastic. This strategy would probably work with most middle to upper class students, but might have a less of an impact on lower class students, as they may have other priorities that us privileged kids take for granted.