Reducing Impact of Climate Change at Anglia Ruskin University London

This report explores possible solutions for reducing the impact of climate change at Anglia Ruskin University London (ARUL), including solar energy, e-bike scheme, and going paperless. The recommended solution is going paperless through technological upgrade and digitalization of teaching and administration.

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Table of Contents
Introduction to nature of issue being addressed...............................................................................1
Possible solutions that can be adopted.............................................................................................1
Reasons for not recommending two possible solutions...................................................................2
Reasons for recommending one solution along with justifications.................................................3
Conclusion along with summary of main points.............................................................................4
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................5

Introduction to nature of issue being addressed
This report will look into how Anglia Ruskin University London (ARUL) can reduce the
impact on climatic change. The key options are investment in solar panels for reduction in usage
of electricity from main grid (ZEN Energy, 2018); going paperless by technological upgrade and
digitalisation of teaching & administration (Leonard, 2019), and lastly, e-bike scheme for
promotion of travel to and from campus for staff along with students (Newson and L. Sloman,
2019).
Possible solutions that can be adopted
Solar energy
Strengths: The usage of solar energy will allow Anglia Ruskin University, London
(ARUL) to reduce its impact over climate change in a number of ways. Solar energy usage will
allow the university campus to reduce the maintenance cost. Also, it will reduce the amount of
water usage which would otherwise have been used to generate hydro electricity (ZEN Energy,
2018). In addition to this, the generation of electricity via the installation of solar panels in the
campus does not require water, but only solar energy. Further, solar power provides assistance in
reducing the extent of air pollution and enabling decrease in carbon footprints. Thus, it would not
be wrong to state that usage of solar energy is an effective solution that can be implemented by
Anglia Ruskin University, London (ARUL) if its shortcomings are duly addressed.
Weakness: It is well known that the cost of installation of solar panels in the primary
stage is quite high. Anglia Ruskin University, London (ARUL) would need extensive investment
to be made in order to implement this solution in the campus. In case electricity is required in the
premises of campus at night, the next possible solution that is available is thermodynamic panels
as solar energy is not present at night time. Further, the storage of solar energy for night use is
not a feasible alternative as its battery pack is very costly.
E-bike scheme for staff and students
Strengths: E-bike scheme is an important measure in the direction of reducing the
negative environmental impacts. This will allow Anglia Ruskin University, London (ARUL) to
ensure that no pollution is generated when staff and students travel from their homes to campus
and vice versa (Newson and L. Sloman, 2019). This accounts as an important and massive step
towards protecting the nature. When less pollution is created in the region as a result of
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implementation of this solution by ARUL, lesser number of individuals will get stricken by
respiratory and other kinds of diseases caused by air pollution. This means that the health
conditions of the population of the country would stay within the limits, implying a major step
towards reducing the negative impact on environment. It will save the energy of faculty as well
as students as e-bikes are run with the help of battery and no human control is needed in it.
Weakness: E-bike scheme is a moderately feasible solution for reduction of negative
impact to the environment. This is so because these bikes take long time to get charged and only
operate for a small period of time. This means that the e-bikes can not be used by students
coming from far away areas from the college campus. In addition to this, the maintenance and
daily usage of e-bikes by students and faculty is a questionable solution. Also, these bikes are
bulkier as well as more space consuming than a regular bicycle. Thus, the warehousing of e-
bikes at times becomes difficult for individuals.
Paperless office:
Strengths: This solution also provides due assistance in reducing the impact of
organisation over the environment to which every entity is obligated. The storage of data related
to university upon cloud will save company the cost and time which would otherwise have been
utilised in documenting the information (Leonard, K. (2019, 25th January, 2019). This data can
be accessed by anyone from the faculty or students at any time using the login credentials. In
addition to this, the risk related to loss or misplacement of important documents also gets
eliminated within this alternative.
Weakness: The biggest shortcoming of this solution is that the information stored upon
cloud is posed to security risks along with virus attacks. Furthermore, it is identified that the
initial cost of storing all the data on cloud is extensive. In addition to this, the software for
storage of information needs to be properly maintained which will increase the maintenance cost
for Anglia Ruskin University London (ARUL).
Reasons for not recommending two possible solutions
The solar energy solution is not recommended as the primary cost of installing the solar
panels is very high. In addition to this, storage of solar energy is not a feasible option because the
solar battery packs are expensive. As solar energy is not available at night and its storage needs
handsome amount, thus it can not be used at night unless an extensive capital is invested by the
respective university.
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E-bike solution is also not recommended because the battery operates for a shorter period
of time while take a long time to get charged. This makes it a non feasible option for Anglia
Ruskin University, London (ARUL). Further, the warehousing of e-bikes is a tougher process
than that of bicycles as these are heavier and more space consuming. Along with this, the
maintenance of e-bikes is quite a costly process.
Reasons for recommending one solution along with justifications
After conducting a thorough analysis of the 3 alternatives, it has been proposed that going
paperless is the solution that is best suited for Anglia Ruskin University London (ARUL). This is
justified as, being an academic institution, the organisation undergoes a lot of paper work on a
daily basis. This causes extensive negative impact over the environment as paper is made when
trees are cut. This implies that deforestation can be controlled to a large extent by Anglia Ruskin
University London (ARUL) if it goes paperless. There are many other reasons owing to which
this is a viable alternative that can be adopted by the university management in the long run.
These reasons are determined and listed as follows:-
 This solution when applied within the campus of Anglia Ruskin University London
(ARUL) will result into savings of cost, time and efforts. This is so because all the data
will be stored electronically, thereby reducing the reliance over human resources.
 Additionally, this option will increase accessibility of data as all the information will be
stored on cloud. This information would be accessible by the faculty members or students
at any point of time from any place using the login credentials.
 This solution will eliminate the risk of misplacement or loss of important information of
the university. When data is stored in the form of memory upon cloud, the risk related to
loss can be effectively avoided.
 In addition to this, materials and information stored online via the cloud technology can
be easily updated in a short span of time thus facilitating a hassle free experience for the
top management of Anglia Ruskin University London (ARUL).
 By going paperless via the employment of digital technology, Anglia Ruskin University
London (ARUL) will be able to reach to a larger base of individuals. This will allow
them to access the information about the college or the coursework easily and remotely
from any location at anytime.
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 Furthermore, Going paperless leads to a significant increment in process efficiency along
with organisational productivity. This happens because management of documents in a
digital manner allows educators to save their time and energy. The coursework materials
can be upgraded with the passage of time by the educators in an effectual manner.
Electronic processing of data is much faster.
 Apart from this, the security of data also gets enhanced while going paperless. This is so
because the online information can be accessed only by the authorised persons, that also
only with the admin permissions and proper login credentials.
 Another benefit of going paperless is that it allows electronic assignment and homework
submissions whereby the teaching faculty can access the projects and provide feedback
upon the same with grades accordingly.
Conclusion along with summary of main points
To conclude, some of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of climate change to
the environment are using e-bikes, and leveraging solar energy. However, it is recommended that
becoming paper less by using computerised technologies is the best solution. Also by
implementing these solutions, an organisation can build extensive reputation within the market
place.
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REFERENCES
Online
ZEN Energy. (2018, 17th February 2020). "5 Advantages of Solar Energy on the Environment."
Retrieved 18th May, 2020, from https://www.zenenergy.com.au/blog/five-advantages-of-
solar-energy-on-the-environment/.
Newson, C. and L. Sloman (2019). The Case for a UK Incentive for E-bikes. Transport for
quality of life. London, Bicycle Association.
Leonard, K. (2019, 25th January, 2019). "Advantages & Disadvantages of a Paperless Office."
Retrieved 29th April, 2019, from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-amp-
disadvantages-paperless-office-40653.html
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