Analyzing Sustainability: A Study of London, Montreal Protocol Cases

This assignment presents a reading response analyzing two case studies in sustainability: London's urban development and the Montreal Protocol. The London case study examines the city's historical trajectory towards sustainability, highlighting its challenges with air pollution and social cohesion, and its advancements through technological inventions and governance. The Montreal Protocol case study discusses the evolution of refrigerants, from the dangerous ammonia to the initially celebrated CFCs, and the subsequent realization of CFCs' harmful impact on the environment. The reflection section details the student's understanding of London's sustainable development through continuous policy improvements and technological advancements. It also shows an understanding of Montreal's response to environmental concerns by adopting CFCs as an alternative, while also realizing that technology can be both beneficial and harmful. This paper is a summary, reflection, and critical analysis of the readings, demonstrating an understanding of sustainability issues and solutions. Desklib offers a repository of similar assignments and study resources for students.

Running head: CASE STUDIES IN SUSTAINABILITY
Case Studies in Sustainability
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1CASE STUDIES IN SUSTAINABILITY
Summary: London
London is one of the leading city in the world pertaining to sustainability and quality of life in
the urban areas. However, the city is still struggling with the problems of air pollution and social
cohesion. In the history, the city has witnessed unsustainable developments for nearly two
thousand years. However, the people responded well and by the use of technological inventions,
social adjustments, activism of politics and the several forms of governance led to the
developments and the readjustments, leading to the current or latest plan of Grater London. The
book details about the whiplash trajectory leading to the historical development of London
pertaining to the sustainability .The books also highlights the facts that would help the ongoing
global process of urbanization , which leads to sustainable development . Thus it can be said that
the book details about the two thousand years of development of London pertaining to
sustainable development, that are included in the few chapters of the book.
Summary: Montreal Protocol
The mechanical refrigerator was invented in the middle of 1800, with its utility and usability it
proved to be a boon to the human health and food quality. It provided the provision of food
storage, ice making and other convenience for the well-being of humans. However, the problem
associated with the invented mechanical refrigerator was the cooling fluid used in it, which led to
the emission of ammonia, which is, has the tendency to explode . This problem associated with
the refrigerator led to severe accident leading to a raging fire that took lives of many firefighters.
Thus, it can be said that the mechanical refrigerator invented in the 1800s were large ,
expensive , noisy and also had safety issues . In the 1930s , industrial chemists developed a safer

2CASE STUDIES IN SUSTAINABILITY
cooling fluid as a replacement to the previously used dangerous cooling fluid . The newly
developed cooling fluid consisted of new class of chemicals named chlorofluorocarbons or
CFCs. These were marketed under the trademark name, Freon and it was widely used as the
coolant in refrigerators and the air conditioners. Later, the CFCs were used in many other
applications such as the cleanser in the electronic components, propellant in the aerosol sprays
and used in the manufacturing of plastics. Within a short span of time, the CFCs were used in the
variety of industries. The CFCs were regarded as the non-toxic and non-explosive chemical and
proved to be a smart choice for both the human beings and the environment.
Reflection: London
London is widely recognized as the developed city for quality of its socio-economic life
standard. It gradually marched towards a sustainable status as it can be traced in its historical
development. I have understood from studying on London that it continually applied frameworks
and policies to improve the livings of people living there. It is now known to me and to the
whole world that London enjoys a developed urban life standard. It enjoys a healthy socio-
economic state. The city provides its citizen an access to every means of technological
advancement across a various things. I could now understand that the people living in London
now have access to latest technologies at educational centers, job places, shopping zones, and lot
more. Technological advancement across a variety of sectors has made the lives a much livelier .
Reflection: Montreal Protocol
Montreal is another popular city, which is known to many in the world. The city has its
own attempt to pursue sustainability. I was surprised to know that mechanical refrigerators does

3CASE STUDIES IN SUSTAINABILITY
negatively impact on sustainability. The cooling fluid that is being used in refrigerators does
release harmful radiation and cause the environment pollution. Ammonia gas is used as the
cooling fluid in refrigerators. Montreal did sense the urgency and responded to it with effective
measures. With constant technological developments, the city was able to identify that CFCs can
be used as an alternative to ammonia gas. The fact has helped me to widen up my knowledge of
technology. It made me realize that technologies can be both harmful and beneficial to the
environment. It is, therefore, important to be involved in continuous development process of new
technologies to improve the living standard.

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Bibliography
Bhamra, Tracy, and Vicky Lofthouse. Design for sustainability: a practical approach.
Routledge, 2016.
Lamb, A. "Refrigerant choices for the future–small industrial refrigeration applications." Institute
of Refrigeration. 2016.
Matson, Pamela, William C. Clark, and Krister Andersson. Pursuing sustainability: a guide to
the science and practice. Princeton University Press, 2016.
Porutchikov, A. F., K. S. Krysanov, and N. V. Sharapov. "Selection of Coolant for Low-
Temperature Refrigerators." Chemical and Petroleum Engineering 52.11-12 (2017): 855-858.
Stark, Wendelin J., et al. "Industrial applications of nanoparticles." Chemical Society
Reviews 44.16 (2015): 5793-5805.