Dear friends,
The world grapples with a dynamic mix of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties post-pandemic, and paradoxical urgent environmental challenges amid a growing awareness of climate change and sustainability. In this context, our most challenging task is to comprehend.
I recently delved into an article published in National Geographic on Jan 19, 2023. The environmental message from this piece revolves around the impact of construction materials on climate change and the potential of traditional mud construction as a sustainable alternative. The article highlights the environmental drawbacks of concrete, particularly concerning carbon emissions from cement production and its contribution to global warming. It emphasizes that the manufacture of cement, a key component of concrete, accounts for around 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.
In contrast, the article suggests that mud construction offers a more eco-friendly option. When constructed correctly, mud buildings absorb and store heat, providing natural cooling without energy-intensive air conditioning. Using locally available materials, such as mud, is presented as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach, especially in regions grappling with the challenges of climate change.
Furthermore, the article advocates for a reevaluation of the perception of traditional building techniques, asserting that embracing mud construction can contribute to reducing carbon emissions and provide a sustainable solution to housing needs in the face of a changing climate. The message promotes environmentally conscious choices in construction to address both the immediate needs of communities and the broader global challenge of climate change.
On Sept 14, 2023, The Economist presented a heartwarming report. Hornbills, otters, and even the elusive tapir: Singapore is experiencing a renaissance of nature. Once-lost species are reemerging in this densely built city-state, where the concrete jungle gives way to a lush tapestry of life.
The smooth-coated otter, a threatened species native to South and Southeast Asia, had vanished from Singapore's landscape by the 1970s as the pursuit of rapid economic growth took precedence, and waste choked the city's waterways.
In a metropolis teeming with 5.6 million souls, the clarion call has become the conservation and resurrection of natural havens. The vision entails connecting these sanctuaries with verdant corridors, allowing species to roam freely, like verses in a song. It's a symphony of renaturalization, particularly along the riverbanks once entombed in concrete, which has offered a lifeline to the otters.
The diligent efforts to cleanse the waterways bore fruit. Fish, like forgotten characters in an ancient story, returned to their stage, and, in 1998, so did the otters. Initially, they lingered by the shores of Singapore's less-touched northern expanse, but their wanderlust knew no bounds as they embarked on a poetic journey of rediscovery.
On Jul 26, 2023, Scientific American reported a seemingly absurd research outcome contrary to contemporary inference; nevertheless, I shared it to update my friends. Forests need to regain their ability to sequester carbon. A new USDA report suggests that by 2070, forests could become principal carbon emitters. US forests could worsen global warming instead of mitigating it because natural disasters destroy their ability to absorb planet-warming gases, and trees are aging.
Naturally, the forest reaches a saturation point in how quickly it sequesters atmospheric carbon. More aggressive forest management can help by cutting down a small portion of aging forests to make way for younger trees that absorb more carbon. We should study each forest thoroughly before removing older trees, comparing forest management to prescribing the proper drugs to a patient.
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