There are many environmental problems that associated to the start of industrial revolution. Modern cities and economic development lead to problems like rising population, traffic delay, increasing energy consumptions and increasing footprints (Cool Cities Video, 2009). Human are using resources of more than two planets, therefore we have to find solutions to reduce CO2 emissions (Cool Cities Video, 2009). Over 90% carbon dioxide emitted into the air is caused by Transportation and Buildings (Cool Cities Video, 2009) (See Chart One).
Chart One
One of the important solutions for global warming around the Earth is establishing COOL CITIES. Cool cities defined as cities that made a promise to stop global warming by using the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement (Cool Cities, 2009). The cool cities are unique because they implement smart energy solutions in order to have clean and safe cities (Cool Cities, 2009). Supporters of cool cities argue that cool cities are the right solution for global warming and energy consumptions. They believe that cool cities could provide people with better and healthier life. These cities have many useful ideas like hybrid cars, energy efficient buildings, solar power, recycling, and renewable energy …etc (Cool Cities Video, 2009). We must admit that using smart ways of implementing energy will help in different ways in decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide admitted to the air. Cool city has many different zones, Business and public zone, Residential Zone, Cultural and sports zone and Resort zone (Cool Cities Video, 2009). One of the main supporters of cool cities methods is BioRegional Development Group. They believe that people can reduce their ecological footprint (BioRegional solutions, 2009). Moreover they established a program called “One Planet Living” that aims to reduce our ecological footprint to live within a fair share of the Earth's resources (BioRegional solutions, 2009).
However, still there are some people who are concerned about problems and drawback that do not make this idea practically useful to all people. For example, these cities are small and designed for certain amount of people. Moreover, it is expensive to live in such cities in order to rent a flat or to use transportation...etc.
UAE is consuming CO2 and polluting at different rates (BioRegional solutions, 2009) (See Chart Two). Therefore, UAE started the Masdar project the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city (Masdar, 2009). Masdar CEO Dr. Sultan Al Jaber stated that the total development budget for the city is US$22 billion (Masdar, 2009). It will use the solar power to get energy (Masdar, 2009).
Chart Two
In conclusion, in my opinion, the idea of cool cities is very interesting because it is a new way that could help in reducing global warming and carbon dioxide. It is also useful to change people’s lifestyle and encourage them to appreciate the resources they have. Furthermore, cool cities contain the dream home for all of us which clean, safe, and close to our work, gardens, schools and more. Finally, this way of living will protect us and our children from different diseases that associated with CO2 gases.
Resources:
Resources:
BioRegional solutions for sustainability, 5 May. 2009, < http://www.bioregional.com/about%20us/aboutus.htm>.
Cool Cities, Solving Global Warming One City at a time, 5 May. 2009, <http://www.coolcities.us/>.
Cool Cities Video, Towards Sustainable Urban Development and Architecture, 4 May 2009, <mms://194.170.37.230/Business/Cool%20City.wmv>
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