Environmental Engineering - Assignment Example

Environmental engineering Name: University: Course Title: Instructor: Date: Answers for 6 Topics Regarding Environmental Engineering Is global warming a myth? There has been controversy and international politics over change in climatic patterns, whether it is a normal environmental variation or a true scenario as a result of human activity. This has been the case in media since in the scientific corridors it has been accepted as a true concept (Weart, 2008, p. 138 and 155). Global warming has been noted as the increase in earth’s temperature when the earth heats up. The concept is highly linked with the emission of what is called green house gases. The green house gases include carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide and methane. The process occurs when these gases trap heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere. Consequently, this cause a temperature rise, as the heat can not escape back. The essence here is about above normal green house gases means more trapping of heat. Otherwise the greenhouse gases are also essential for human and other organisms’ survival but only at optimal level (Maslin, 2007, p. 9). The evidence for existence for global warming is the climate change. It is noted that the global climate is rapidly changing due to the rise in temperature. It is noted that in the past 100 years, the average earth’s temperature increased by approximately 0.8 degrees centigrade, with the highest percentage occurring in the last three decades. Climate projections has also been done to show that in 21st century the increase in temperature will be from 1.1 to 2.9 degrees centigrade for low cases and from 2.4 to 6.4 degrees centigrade for extreme upper cases (Maslin, 2009). The main contributor to the global warming is the atmospheric pollution. The pollution results from emissions from burning of energy such as fossil fuels which produce wastes called green house gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide and methane). Other causes that are tied to global warming and climate change are the human activities like deforestation and emission of chemicals like chloro fluoro carbons that leads to ozone layer depletion (Moore, 1995, p. 2, 3, 4 and 5). Erratic climatic conditions are now being recorded global and it is projected to continue. The key culprit here is as a result of human activity in relation to energy consumption and destruction of green cover/ forests. The need for development is all aspect of human life like industries, home, transportation and farming is greatly contributing to atmospheric pollution in terms of carbon dioxide and other chemicals emission (Schneider, 1989. p. 2, 3 and 4). The climate change concept existence is supported by recently observed phenomenon like rise in sea levels. These are evident in the strong typhoons, hurricanes and see flooding that has now become a common occurrence. Just to name few of these, we have of late experienced huge typhoons like Katrina which killed and destroyed properties. The second is the flooding that numerous countries have been facing in Australia, America, and south East Asia. The floods are unpredictable while at the same time causing havoc on human life. The other noted effect is on changed rainfall pattern. The other noted concern is the thawing of glaciers at the top of mountains, melting of icebergs in polar and in deep sees (Houghton, 2004, 1, 2, 3,4,5,6 and 7). From the above discussions, it is evident that global warming is a reality and not myth. The 2007 codes for sustainable homes in UK With human beings living a sedentary life, modification of his environment is inevitable thus leading to the growth of the built environment. Built environment involves modification of natural environment, and after completion, the housing units require different forms of energy for it to be habitable for human beings. In addition, the housing units consume other resources and emit wastes (DCLG, 2008, p. 4). This calls for sustainable practices by adopting concepts like eco-homes (Dixon, 2011, p. 2).The code for sustainable homes aims at securing sustainable development in housing both at design and post construction period (NHBC, 2011). The code considers various issues related to sustainability whereby it works with 9 sustainability procedures. These criteria do not work in stand alone but in integration in order to assess the ultimate environmental impact. These standards have minimum levels to be met at entry level. The first measure of sustainability is in terms of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The second criterion is based on water consumption from portable, public systems and underground sources. The other is the change in the run off pattern after completion of the development. The third considers the impact of construction material onto the environment (DCLG, 2006, p. 12, 13, 14 and 15). Apart from these initial ones, the code considers surface water run off as a result of the development, possible management and flood risks. The fifth one relates to waste management. This criterion tackles the issue of waste generation during construction phase and how they can be managed in terms of reduction, reuse and recycling. The sixth covers the broad spectrum of pollution as a result of operating the house after completion. It aims at informing how wastes produced during occupation can be managed. The seventh issues deals with health and well being of the building on its occupants and other users. It looks into the effect of indoor environment and design to the occupants. The eighth issue is concerned with management. It covers steps to be taken to allow for proper management of environmental impact of the construction and operation of the home. The last issue in the code is concerned with ecology whereby the overall impact of the housing unit to immediate environment is analyzed. This is in terms of bio-diversity and land use (DCLG, 2006, p. 16-24). The issues that might arise due to deciding what we mean by high quality, high value and sustainable buildings are the relative interpretation of these terms, politics, economic and social concerns. If we are not to lock out human of utilizing his natural resources by total conservation then sustainability is the option. Sustainability can only be achieved by finding balance between economic, social and environmental need which is not an easy task, as evident with even bickering at global level. With implementation of high standards it means those with low disposable income are like to be locked out of acquiring decent housing and thus breading another social problem of growth of slums (Osmani and O’Reilly, 2009, p. 604, 605 and 606). This is likely since in Europe UK is ranked as the country with strict social program (Mayhew, 2001, p.2, 10 and 11). Life cycle assessment This is a concept developed in order to assess the overall environmental impact of products, processes, or services right from design up to disposal. The assessment across the life cycle is also called cradle to grave approach. The noted effects are either beneficial or destructive in nature. This concept is also referred to as life cycle analysis (LCA). The LCA process entails collection and evaluation of quantitative data on the inputs and outputs of material, energy and waste flows related to the product over its whole life cycle so as to determine the environmental impacts (RSC, 2010, p. 1; Horne, Grant and Verghese, 2009, p. 2 and 3). The adoption of this concept in to building fraternity is traceable in US from 1990s. According to international standardization (ISO) reference number ISO 14040: 1997 (E) potential effects analyzed include fossil fuel depletion, other non renewable resource use, water use, global warming, and ozone depletion among others (Carmody and Trusty, 2005, p. 1 and 2). The quantification of environmental impact of buildings in UK is derived from ISO 14040. ISO 14040 defines four principal phases of life cycle assessment with each step affecting the other in some sort. The domestication of LCA in the building industry signifies that the product studied is the building itself while the assessment is defined according to certain levels and contain all material process. The levels can be both at whole process or part of the building, building component or material (BMCC). The first step is to define goal and scope. The second step involves inventory analysis. This is done through data collection and calculation procedure. The third step involves doing impact assessment (Khasreen, Banfill and Menzies, 2009). The tool widely used in UK for the analysis of the whole process of building is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) even though currently there is the adoption of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) concept (BREEAM, 2011; The Green Home, 2011). While trying to quantify the whole life environmental impacts of building materials, some problems might arise. Carmody and Trusty (2005, p. 2) notes that LCA is not in a position to address environmental concerns such as uncertainties, risk related to toxic releases, and site specific resource extraction effects. In addition, they observe that there is greater uncertainty for projected impacts during the occupancy and demolition/ disposal phases of building’s life, which can extend 50-100 years in to the future. The other problem that might arise due to use of LCA is the lack of standardization in building. Building industry is diverse and highly differentiated with numerous complications. This compounded with lack of completeness hinders the adoption of internationally accepted protocol to be used in LCA (Khasreen, Banfill and Menzies, 2009, p. 682). How risk assessment process may apply to development and maintenance of water supply and sewage treatment within the context of the regulation and finance of the UK water industry Projects have becomes gradually complex as a result of the multiple risks and uncertainties associated with them. The key obstacles are how to conceptualize model and visualize risks, define and monitor the risks’ impacts, analyze the probability of risk occurrence and mitigate the negative impact of risks (Stewart and Melchers1997, p. 1, 6 and 7). One key component of risk management is business continuity planning. Risks management entails the protection of firm’s valuable components from a threat. The protection can be in term of physical security, back up of data, and insurance. Risk management help in mitigating of operational risks associated with certain business (Smith, 2003, p. 49). The assessment in great deal helps firms detect areas of concern so as to prioritize use of resource in order to maximize response and recovery efforts. The process exposes operations that are subject to a single point of failure. In accordance with safety engineering and reliability engineering concepts, numerous risk assessment processes are carried out. Risk assessment is one of the key components in risk management. Risk assessment entails the predetermination of qualitative and quantitative value of risks connected to a situation and a likely threat or hazard. Qualitative approach to risk assessment entails calculations of two components of risks, magnitude of the potential loss and the probability for loss occurring. In engineering field assessments are done especially in relation to threat to life, social impacts, threat to environment or machine functionality. Risk assessment can also be carried out in relation to financial stability and business recovery plan, and information system vulnerability/ security (Hurst, 1998, p.42 and 43). An organization can estimate possible loss as a result risks, threats or vulnerability of an asset. This kind of estimation can be achieved through quantitative risk assessment of calculating annualized loss expectancy. The results from the assessment can then be used by an organization to justify their expenditure to implement measures of protecting that asset (LaGoy, 1994, p. 2). One key component of risk management is business continuity planning. For the realization of business continuity in an event of adverse situations, there is need for business continuity policy/plan (Hiles, 2004, p. 2, 3, 4 and 5). Thus, within the context of the regulation and finance of the UK water industry, risk assessment can be applied to guarantee continuity in the event of uncertainties occurring. The key objective of business continuity planning is to guarantee a competitive advantage and value system integrity in the event of these threats. These adverse conditions include vandalism, theft, fire, earthquakes and floods. In more detailed and precautionary approach, any instance that might curtail or threaten organisations operation should be treated as adverse condition worth planning for. The adverse effects can be felt in supply chain interruption (Blyth, 2009, p. 39). How environmental impact assessment can balance conflicting views To offer a balance to conflicting views EIA major utilizes two tools (Abdullah, 2007, p.2-6). The first relates to environment impact assessment report/ plan or environmental action plan. The second tool is trough the use of environmental audit reports. These tools are able to analyze the probable impact of a project on economic, social, political and environmental aspects of human lives (Mitchell, 2009, p.25). The environmental audit program ensures a guaranteed continual improvement on environmental management. The approach usually encourages firms to examine how well facility operations or development programs are complying with regulations stipulated out by the authorities such as local governments, state government or federal government. The concept and principle of the audit program is on technical assistance and compliance rather than enforcement. It is driven with the motive that a firm, which carries out, an audit has a higher probability of pinpointing the problem. This allows for timely redress (DIANE, 1995, P.2-6).The audit report is on how the company will mitigate pollution through pollution prevention plan. Usually the company utilizes audit checklists such as air quality, hazardous wastes, solid wastes, storm water. In addition to the above, the company conducts industry check lists in relation to asphalt plant, vehicle maintenance, spills and sand and gravel handling. One major platform that EIA advocates for is about sustainable development. This concept recognizes the need of present and future. The need for present is acknowledged that human need to exploit their environment but in a sensible manner. Sustainable practices not only make sense to the environment but also to the long term profitability of business (Goumans, Peter and guy, 2000). The concept chief concern is all about finding a common ground for three human development needs in the form of economic, social and environmental. Human economic needs are diverse and the environment is availed for human utilization but within a reasonable limit. Secondly, it aims at offering social satisfaction and lastly, while achieving the two earlier ones, it also ensures a proper conservation of environment. The concept does not advocate for total conservation thus it is able to address various conflict views of extremist by offering a mid ground (Waste and Resource Action Programme, 2010). The other avenue that EIA offers in order to address conflicting views is through sustainability reporting. The concept of sustainability reporting has continually developed over the last 12 years becoming a norm rather than exception in mainstreaming ethical practices into business operations. The greatest benefit of sustainability reporting is the protection of environment from degradation as a result of firm’s economic activities (Geraghty, 2010, p.141, 142 and 143). The adoption of the sustainability reporting by a firm is a true indication of how they value the physical environment they operate in, and which forms and dictate their future existence. Sustainability reporting shows the level of commitment that a company has towards social responsibility. In addition it offers a platform for benchmarking (Aras and Crowther, 2008, p. 279 and 280). Effects recent regulatory changes have had on the re-development of contaminated sites Contaminated land in urban planning term is referred to as Brownfield. Most Brownfield emerged in UK as a result of industrial development in the past 100 years (SEPA, 2011). For these sites to be brought back to meaningful use by human beings they need thorough remediation. Remediation is the process of cleaning up of contaminated sites through various approaches like in situ oxidation and soil vapor extraction. Environmental agency (2003) notes that the government deliberately decided to direct 60 % of new developments be done on previously developed land. However, it has been noted that is difficult to develop Brownfield as compared to Greenfield, this is due to cost of clean up involved and possible legal action. Robinson and Zass-Oglive (2009, p. 4) observes that the target of 60 % has been exceeded, whereby 74% of new housing in 2005 were built on Brownfield sites. The driving legal notice for this shift is the Public Service Agreement Target 6. In England, most Brownfield sites are found in North-East England due to industrial history of that part of the country. The principal regulatory framework in reclaiming all Brownfield sites is tied Environmental Protection Act of 1990. The major impact that this policy shift has had is on the intensive redevelopment of once contaminated sites. Zass-Oglive (2009, p. 4) observes that the target of 60 % has been significantly surpassed. This kind of trend is a positive step in reducing pressure of development on Greenfield sites. The other positive aspect of this is that it has helped in controlling urban sprawl as formerly unoccupied and derelict sites are now being put into active use after successful remediation. The third positive aspect of this step is about achieving sustainability in built environment. With the remediation being done, it means human beings are able to remove and reverse the negative effects they had impacted on the environment (Wernstedt et al., 2004, p. 9 and 20). The other effect that this regulatory change has had relates to demystifying the myths that redevelopment of contaminated sites is expensive. While in the initial input it is expensive, at the long run cumulative benefits outweigh the initial financial investment (Russel et al., 2008 cited in Zass-Oglive, 2009, p. 4). Finally, the regulatory change has brought about reduction of eye sore related to unsightly abandoned scenes. Since some are now being converted to parks and recreation grounds (Wernstedt et al., 2004, p. 4). In a nut shell, the regulatory framework work introduced has been able to identify and contain possible toxics that might rise due to neglect of these sites. 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