This report evaluates the sustainability and energy efficiency of radios, considering their impact on the environment. It reviews their efficiency, lifespan, and costs, and explores alternative power sources. The findings aim to determine the suitability of radios in terms of sustainability.
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SUSTAINABILITY 1 SUSTAINABILITYSYSTEMS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY Name of student: Name of institution: Date:
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SUSTAINABILITY 2 Executive Summary Recently, the United Nations launched an initiative to mobilize all its member states to adopt sustainable development goals(General Assembly, 2015). The objective of this initiative is to have governments align their development projects towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals launched earlier. In the long run, the projects undertaken by governments should ensure the available resources aren’t depleted. One of the main priorities for most countries at the moment is the fight against climate change (Gifford, 2011). Several cases of adverse weather conditions, rising sea levels, and very strong storms have been reported in the past. Therefore, everyone has a responsibility to play their part towards the realization of this global assignment. By completing this report, the students are given an opportunity to contribute towards crafting a solution to the problem at hand. The student is expected to conduct a life cycle analysis for two selected products used by masses in Australia. One of the main areas of focus during this analysis is to identify the effects of their use on the environment. Based on how environmentally friendly the product turns out to be, the student goes ahead and recommends its use over the other available alternatives. During the analysis, the student also considers both the initial and maintenance costs for the item. Also, the efficiency of the product is evaluated. Based on these parameters, a decision made on the suitability of the product. The most suitable products are the one with the most favorable features as per the findings of the analysis.
SUSTAINABILITY 3 Plastics are non-biodegradable(Demirbas, 2011). Same case to metals. Owing to this fact, it is very important to use the right strategy to dispose of these items. The disposal criteria used should be one which reduces the negative effects of the item to the atmosphere. If not disposed of well, these items end up causing blockages to the drainage system. Other than that, they affect the aeration of the soil, making it not favorable to the organisms that live in the soil. Both plastic and metallic waste also give the environment a very unattractive look. The cost of rectifying the damages caused by these irresponsible disposals is very high. This trend can, however, change if a preventive approach is adopted other than the curative approach. The use of plastic mugs should be completely abolished. However, in the circumstances that they are not completely abolished, there should be a proper way of ensuring that the used plastics are recycled. Similarly, all the scrap metals should be recycled in order to make or manufacture other important items instead of disposing them off to the environment. The best alternative is the metallic mug. A metallic mug is the best alternative because metals are recyclable. Metals do not release toxic gases into the environment. Therefore, the metallic mugs ae more sustainable than the plastic mugs. Introduction According to research conducted earlier, it was established that in several areas within Australia, there were fragments of plastic products on water surfaces(Reisser, et al., 2013). From the research findings, it could be established that the fragments were as a result of degradation of
SUSTAINABILITY 4 initially largerparticles ofpolyethylene and polypropylene. This is an indication that there has been continuous contamination of the environment by plastic products. This, therefore, calls for drastic measures to contain this vice.One of the best ways to address such challenges is by conducting a life cycle analysis. This exercise helps identify what threats are posed to the environment by these products and therefore necessary measures are taken to address the same. Life cycle analysis has been conducted on plastics for several years now(Lazarevic, et al., 2010), the same case as metallic items.Both regulators and manufacturers are interested in the findings of such analyses. This is because the information is very useful in policy formation and decision making. Countries such as Kenya and Rwanda have in the recent past banned the use of plastic bags, citing their adverse effects to the drainage system(Citizen Digital, 2019).The two countries claim that the plastic bags have not been disposed of properly in the past, causing serious blockages to the drainage systems in most places. This report assesses how effective a plastic mug and a metallic one could be. The report compares the two. To help with this, a life cycle analysis is conducted for both of them and the findings used to measure the effectiveness.Both the cost and effect on the environment are some of the main areas of interest. Problem Statement This report focuses on addressing the impact of plastic and metallic mugs on the environment. Mugs are mostly used to serve juicy and liquid items. Some of the foodstuffs that require a mug
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SUSTAINABILITY 5 to take include tea and porridge. Considering that a majority of the population normally take either tea or porridge, it is very likely that very many mugs are produced per year. These mugs are bought by the members of the public, who then use them and dispose them at some point. Their disposal strategy is one of the most critical aspects of this report. Plastics are non-biodegradable(Demirbas, 2011).Same case to metals. Owing to this fact, it is very important to use the right strategy to dispose of these items. The disposal criteria used should be one which reduces the negative effects of the item to the atmosphere. If not disposed of well, these items end up causing blockages to the drainage system. Other than that, they affect the aeration of the soil, making it not favorable to the organisms that live in the soil. Both plastic and metallic waste also give the environment a very unattractive look. The cost of rectifying the damages caused by these irresponsible disposals is very high. This trend can, however, change if a preventive approach is adopted other than the curative approach. Life Cycle Analysis Process The following procedures were recommended by the International Organization for Standards (ISO) for carrying out a life cycle analysis(Chen, et al., 2010). Life Cycle Analysis Goal definition and Scope determination Life Cycle Inventory: Involving identifying inputs and outputs Impact Assessment: environmental effects. Interpretation: data analysis
SUSTAINABILITY 6 Weight and Functional unit Metallic MugPlastic Mug Weight453.5 grams- 850 gram340 grams- 453.5 grams Functional unitOne cup of coffeeOne cup of coffee Data source:(Jennie, 218),(Richter, et al., 2017) Impact analysis in Gabi
SUSTAINABILITY 7
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SUSTAINABILITY 11 Hot Spot Identification Plastics are non-biodegradable(Demirbas, 2011). Same case to metals. Owing to this fact, it is very important to use the right strategy to dispose of these items. The disposal criteria used should be one which reduces the negative effects of the item to the atmosphere. If not disposed of well, these items end up causing blockages to the drainage system. Other than that, they affect the aeration of the soil, making it not favorable to the organisms that live in the soil. Both plastic and metallic waste also give the environment a very unattractive look. The cost of rectifying the damages caused by these irresponsible disposals is very high. This trend can, however, change if a preventive approach is adopted other than the curative approach. Remedial Measures
SUSTAINABILITY 12 The use of plastic mugs should be completely abolished. However, in the circumstances that they are not completely abolished, there should be a proper way of ensuring that the used plastics are recycled. Similarly, all the scrap metals should be recycled in order to make or manufacture other important items instead of disposing them off to the environment. Best Alternative The best alternative is the metallic mug. A metallic mug is the best alternative because metals are recyclable. Metals do not release toxic gases into the environment. Therefore, the metallic mugs ae more sustainable than the plastic mugs. References Chen, C. et al., 2010. LCA allocation procedure used as an incitative method for waste recycling: An application to mineral additions in concrete. October, 54(12), pp. 1231-1240. Citizen Digital, 2019.Poor quality shopping bags banned, two years after plastic ones,s.l.: s.n. Demirbas, A., 2011. Waste management, waste resource facilities, and waste conversion processes.Energy Conversion and Management,52(2), pp. 1280-1287. General Assembly, 2015.Transforming our world,s.l.: s.n. Gifford, R., 2011. The dragons of inaction: Psychological barriers that limit climate change mitigation and adaptation.American Psychologist,66(4), pp. 290-302.
SUSTAINABILITY 13 Jennie, 218.How Many Grams a Cup Weighs – paper, plastic, ceramic, glass cups.[Online] Available at:https://gramcup.com/grams-a-cup-weighs-paper-plastic-ceramic-glass-cups/ Lazarevic, D., Austin, E., Buclet, N. & Brandt, N., 2010. Plastic waste management in the context of a European recycling society: Comparing results and uncertainties in a life cycle perspective.Resources, Conservation and Recycling,December, 55(2), pp. 246-259. Reisser, J. et al., 2013. Marine Plastic Pollution in Waters around Australia: Characteristics, Concentrations, and Pathways. pp. 7-13. Richter, V. et al., 2017.Life Cycle Assessment: Comparative LCA of using Disposable Cups VS the GreenCup for drinking Coffee on KTH Campus Valhallavägen,s.l.: s.n. Wu, B., 2011. Consumption and economic law.Consumption and Management,pp. 61-97. ENERGY EFFICIENCYE Executive Summary According to a research report published in December 2018, the carbon emission levels increased to 558.4m tons of carbon dioxide(The Guardian, 2019). This a high record according to the findings from earlier reports. If this trend is to continue, the country would be faced with very serious challenges in regards to climate change in the near future. This would make the weather every unpredictable and inconsistent, making it difficult to predict.
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SUSTAINABILITY 14 Radio is not only used as a medium of passing important information to the Australian citizens. It is also used to entertain and educate them. Some radio programs are aimed at training the target groups such as family issues and health-related matters. The use of radio has grown to be popular due to the fact that it reaches a large population at the same time. This makes it very suitable to conduct mass communication. Even the government finds it an appropriate medium for communicating some of its policies to the people. Due to its popularity, it, therefore, goes without saying that a large population of the country has access to a radio. Since it uses energy and emanates carbon and waves to the atmosphere, it, therefore, possess a threat to the environment. It is, therefore, necessary to evaluate how sustainable and how environment-friendly a radio is. That is the primary mandate for this report. It evaluates these aspects of the radio. The paper also reviews its efficiency and the approximated lifespan. Its initial and maintenance costs are very important for this study as well. When all these aspects are we analyzed, it would then be possible to make a decision on the suitability of the radio. Other than electric power, solar energy can also be used to listen to the radio. This way, the amount of electricity used may be drastically used. There is a need to find other alternative sources of power that would result in reduces power consumption. This helps reduce the cost of power. Also, people may choose to watch televisions rather than listening to the radio. The information may be passed more effectively due to the fact that there is a visual aspect. When not being used, it is important to switch electronic appliances(Anastasi, et al., 2009).
SUSTAINABILITY 15 Problem Statement The levels of carbon and its components in the atmosphere are more concentrated in certain parts of Australia than others. An example of areas with a high concentration of such substances is Western Australia(Biswas, 2014). These substances are a great threat to the atmosphere and are associated with the climate change problem that has pounced on a number of countries in the recent past. Other than that, energy consumption eves in Australia in the recent past has been quite high. The same trend has also been seen in the level is of environmental pollution. These two aspects are a great threat to the growth and well-being of a country.Economic growth is a function of a consistent climatic pattern since such a pattern favors the growth of agriculture and results in increased production. It is therefore very to ensure that the sources of energy used have limited effect on the environment. One of the main features of the radio are recorded in the table below. Sources of Energy A radio uses electricity. There are numerous sources of energy that provide power for the electricity.The common sourcesof energy are:coal, water (hydroelectricpower), wind, geothermal and sun (solar energy). Relevant information Radio Cost$ 30 - $ 500 EfficiencyVery efficient Functional unit3 years
SUSTAINABILITY 16 Amplitude Modulation10kHz Short wave3000 KHz Data Source:(Indian Media Studies, 2017),(Bharadia, et al., 2013) State Selection The State selected is Queensland Energy Regulatory Bodies in Queensland It is possible to regulate both power and the volume of the radio. The power buttons used to switch the radio on and off while the volume button is used to increase or reduce the volume. Nationally, it is the responsibility of the government to regulate energy consumption. They have delegated this role to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Opportunities to reduce energy consumption Other than electric power, solar energy can also be used to listen to the radio. This way, the amount of electricity used may be drastically used. There is a need to find other alternative sources of power that would result in reduces power consumption. This helps reduce the cost of power. Also, people may choose to watch televisions rather than listening to the radio. The information may be passed more effectively due to the fact that there is a visual aspect. When not being used, it is important to switch electronic appliances(Anastasi, et al., 2009).
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SUSTAINABILITY 17 References Anastasi, G., Conti, M., Francesco, M. D. & Passarella, A., 2009. Energy conservation in wireless sensor networks: A survey.Ad hoc networks,7(3), pp. 537-568. Bharadia, D., McMilin, E. & Katti, S., 2013. Full duplex radios.Computer Communication Review ,43(4), pp. 375-386. Biswas, W., 2014. Carbon footprint and embodied energy consumption assessment of building construction works in Western Australia.International Journal of Sustainable Built
SUSTAINABILITY 18 Environment,December, 3(2), pp. 179-186. Indian Media Studies, 2017.Radio Production.[Online]. The Guardian, 2019.Australia's annual carbon emissions reach a record high.[Online] Available at:https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/14/australias-annual-carbon- emissions-reach-record-high