462-2/24 Urbanization and energy consumption, draft 

462/24 - Global warming and Energy Transition. draft 

Global Warming and Urbanization: A Vicious Cycle

Urbanization, the rapid growth of cities, is a significant contributor to global warming. As cities expand, land is cleared for infrastructure, leading to deforestation. Additionally, increased energy consumption for transportation, heating, and cooling in urban areas contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

The consequences of global warming on urbanization are far-reaching. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, and hurricanes, can devastate urban areas, resulting in economic losses and human suffering. Moreover, the increased demand for resources, such as water and energy, in growing cities can strain local ecosystems and exacerbate climate-related challenges.

The movie "Interstellar" offers a glimpse into the potential consequences of global warming and urbanization. While not explicitly about these topics, the film depicts a future Earth ravaged by environmental degradation and resource scarcity, likely resulting from unchecked urbanization and climate change. The film highlights the interconnectedness of these issues and the potential for consequences if not addressed.

To mitigate the impacts of global warming and urbanization, individuals and institutions must take action. Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by adopting sustainable transportation, conserving energy, and reducing consumption. Cities can invest in green infrastructure, such as parks, green roofs, and bike lanes, to improve air quality and reduce heat island effects. Governments can implement policies that promote sustainable urban development, including zoning regulations, public transportation systems, and renewable energy initiatives. By working together, individuals, cities, and governments can create more sustainable and resilient urban environments.

 

1) What has been the relationship between Urbanization and Global Warming? 

__________________________________________

1.1) Why has urbanization contributed to global warming?

Immediate ___________________________________

Underlying ____________________________________

Structural _____________________________________

 

 .2.1) Which could be consequences of GW for Urbanization?

Past _______________________________________

Present ___________________________________

Future - Short time _________________________

Future - Long time future _____________________

 

3) Which cultural product does represent some causes and consequences of global warming for Urbanization?

___________________________________________

4) Which institutions should help to tackle global warming in relation to industrialization? 

4.1 What these institutions should do?

4.2 How should these institutions do that?

____________________________________________

5) – Based on the previous answers, the text and what was discussed in class, create a mind map on the topic of Global Warming, urbanization and sustainable cities.

Global Warming and Urbanization

Introduction

·         Increased energy consumption: 

o    vast amounts of energy for 

§  transportation, heating, cooling, and industrial activities.

·         Waste generation: 

o    significant amounts of waste 

o    inefficient disposal practices 

§  contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

·         Deforestation: 

o    Urban expansion 

o    clearing forests

§  reducing absorption of carbon dioxide.

Development 1: Consequences of Global Warming for Urbanization

·         Extreme weather events: Rising temperatures can lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, floods, and storms, posing significant risks to urban infrastructure and populations.

·         Sea-level rise: Coastal cities are particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise, which can result in flooding, erosion, and displacement of communities.

·         Heat island effect: Urban areas tend to be hotter than surrounding rural areas due to the concentration of buildings, concrete, and asphalt, exacerbating heat-related health risks.

Development 2: Movie/Series Representation

·         The Day After Tomorrow (2004): This film depicts a sudden global climate shift that leads to extreme weather events, including a massive ice storm that engulfs New York City. It highlights the vulnerability of urban areas to rapid climate change.

Conclusion: Intervention Proposals

·         Individual interventions: Reduce energy consumption by using public transportation, conserving water, and minimizing waste. Support sustainable urban planning and development.

·         Institutional interventions: Invest in renewable energy sources, improve waste management systems, and implement green building standards. Promote sustainable transportation options and urban green spaces.

462-4/24 Livestock and Wildfires, Outubro, 2024, draft

462/24 - Global warming and Energy Transition. draft 

Where there's smoke, there's cattle: leading states in livestock farming have the highest number of fires, study shows, by Lucas Weber, in Brasil de Fato, October 2, 2024 at 2:09 pm

A study published by the NGO "Mercy For Animals" shows a relationship between the expansion of the agricultural frontier and fire data

The capital of Brazilian livestock farming, São Felix do Xingu (PA), was also the champion in fires this year [2024]. The city of 65,000 inhabitants has more than 2.5 million cattle in its territory and recorded 2,522 fire outbreaks between January and the first half of September 2024.

The data compiled by the NGO Mercy For Animals is part of a larger study that shows the correlation between livestock farming and fire in the country.

Among the ten states with the highest number of fires this year, eight are also the ones with the largest cattle herds in the territory. Mato Grosso and Pará have the highest number of cities on the list.

"We can say that cattle follow in the wake of fire, which comes after deforestation," argues George Sturaro, Director of Government Relations and Public Policies at "Mercy For Animals", in an interview this Wednesday (oct 2, 2024).

"There is a historical cycle of destruction of Brazilian biomes driven by the expansion of cattle ranching and also of monoculture, especially soybean monoculture, most of which is used to feed animals raised in confinement, such as pigs, chickens, and hens."

Sturaro explains that cattle ranching uses fire in two moments. First, it is to "clear" an area that has recently been deforested. In other words, the farmer cuts down the largest trees and the remaining vegetation is destroyed by fire, to prepare the land for pasture.

"From time to time, this pasture needs to be renewed. And the way to renew it again is with fire. So, farmers set fire to the pasture."

The researcher says that this has been the model applied to the Cerrado and Amazon for at least the last 40 years, mainly with the movement imposed by the military dictatorship known as Marca do Boi. But the expert goes further.

"If we look at the model of "economic development in Brazil", in general terms, it has remained unchanged over the last 40, 50 years. It is strongly based on extractive crops, monocultures."

"At least around 80% of Brazil's agricultural exports are based on 10 products, with a predominant share of soybeans and products of animal origin, such as beef and chicken."

It is an economic model based mainly on monoculture for export, which does not differ much in its ethos from the colonial model that we have had for the last 500 years," he concludes.

https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/10/02/onde-ha-fumaca-ha-boi-estados-lideres-na-pecuaria-concentram-maior-numero-de-incendios-mostra-estudo

Amazon fires are soaring again – but forest loss is down. What’s going on?, by Grace Murray, at the TBIJ - The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, September 12, 2024 

    In the last few months, typically the peak of the annual fire season, the Amazon has seen record blazes. Data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) showed more than 38,000 fires in the Amazon last month – the highest August figure for 14 years. That followed nearly 11,500 in July, the highest in almost two decades. And figures for September (more than 23,000 in the first 11 days) are already close to surpassing last year’s.
    Last month, fires spread from the Amazon to Brasília and São Paulo. Flights were grounded and schools shut down.
    So deforestation is decreasing while fires are on the rise. What’s going on?
    The first thing to understand is that deforestation (generally defined as the permanent conversion of forest for another use) has various different causes, such as logging, road-building, mining and farming. Many of these are being tackled in the Brazilian Amazon – and fires are now accounting for a larger share of overall forest loss.
    The Brazilian authorities have attributed the alarming rise in forest fires to global heating and the El Niño weather pattern, which both exacerbated early-year droughts whose effects are still being felt. However, experts suspect human activity could also be a key driver.
    A recent analysis by the Amazon Environment Research Institute, an NGO, shows that a vast majority of the fires in August occurred in agricultural areas, raising suspicion among environmentalists that some of the activity may have been intentional.
    Paula Vargas, Brazil programme director at Amazon Watch, an NGO, told TBIJ that ranchers often start fires deliberately, which is illegal in Brazil.
    “There are ongoing investigations by Brazilian authorities into whether farmers yet again organised a ‘fire day’ this year,” said Vargas. Four people have been arrested in connection with starting the fires that spread to São Paulo.
    Global danger
    Writing in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, a group of international academics warn of the dangers of uncontrolled wildfires for forest degradation, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss and damage to Indigenous communities.
    All this forest destruction and degradation has severe consequences for the global climate. The Amazon forest has historically acted as a carbon sink, storing potential emissions in its trees, soils and vegetation. But rampant destruction in recent years means that in some parts, the forest now releases more carbon than it absorbs.
Key to halting forest loss, Vargas added, is support for Indigenous people, who are recognised as the best forest protectors and safeguard around 80% of the planet’s biodiversity.
[The government should fight, too,] a legacy of criminal activities such as land invasions and deforestation in the Amazon. [It should too, increase] funding for environmental law enforcement and [should have to] actively [disencouraged] the conversion of forest into pasture to raise cattle. 
Adapted from: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2024-09-12/amazon-fires-are-soaring-again-but-forest-loss-is-down.-whats-going-on

 276° Escolhas entre pílulas, 28/10/2021, draft, [03/10/2024]

Nova mente,
tempo de escolher entre pílulas:
 vermelha ou azul.

Qual escolher?

Chegou o tempo de girar,
e eu me sinto,
a cada vez,
menos capaz de decidir qual escolher

@vanres2016

28/10/2021
02/10/2024

Sumário: Miríade e Distopia (2004-2024), draft

versões anteriores 

 276°

hora de escolher a pílula:

 vermelha ou azul. 

qual escolher?

chegou

o tempo 

de gira na ...

Capitulação, 18/09/2006, draft [30/09/2024, 2a]

quem sabe sobre Capitu com seus olhos de

… ressaca…

... braba

Será que alguém a-ma-tou?

                                      

@vanres2004

18/03/2006

21/08/2024

Sumário: Miríade e Distopia (2004-2024) - draft

versões anteriores

quem sabe sobre Capitu com seus olhos de 

… ressaca…

... braba

Será que alguém a-ma-tou?

                                      

@vanres2004

18/03/2006

21/08/2024

 464/24 - Science Fields 

1) What is science?

1.1) Which are the main science's fields?

1.2) Which is the most interesting field and discipline?

2) Which has been the greatest invention in your favorite discipline?

2.1) How this invention has changed the world?

3) Which is a series or movie which does represent this invention importance?

4) How should an institution help students to learn more about this science, its discipline and invention?