Sustainability of building

Introduction The environment is an important part of every human being. This is because it is what informs the quality of life that one leads. In essence, quality is defined by the environment or the surroundings that one has (Abraham 2006). Thus, maintaining a quality environment is usually on top of the agenda when it comes to establishing the kind of area that one is living in. We live in a society that seeks to ensure that development is achieved in all things. Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Sustainability of building specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is worth noting that most of development projects within the society emanate from the construction which takes place within the society. In this case the buildings which are put up need to meet certain standards which are in line with the expectations of environmental sustainability as well as ensure that the quality of the building is in accordance with th e stated regulations. It therefore follows that achieving sustainability is the role of the engineers (Jonker Jan 2012). Purpose of the report The purpose of this report is to establish the main considerations which need to be put in mind when designing buildings. It brings to the fore the importance of engineering which is based on strategy as well as technology based on progress (Jonker Jan 2012). Preview of the themes The main themes in this report evaluate the impact of the engineering projects on the environment. In addition, this report seeks to evaluate some of the strategies which need to be put in place in order to ensure that the negative impacts of the future engineering projects are mitigated (Abraham 2006). This will be achieved through ensuring that some of the major objectives are realized. These objectives include working towards ensuring that the maintenance of the options which are available meet a given criteria that is in tandem with the critical threats and objectives, secondly, identifying the critical threats with the intention of avoiding the threats to sustainability and lastly, being in a position of coming up with long term strategies which will work towards safeguarding the interests of the people as well as ensuring that the long term projects are beneficial to all the parties who are available (Wheeler Beatley 2004). Background: The goals The goal of any society is to ensure that there is both growth and survival. In order to achieve this, there is need to ensure that the projects and approaches which are put in place are sustainable and progressive. To achieve this goal, institutions and societies work towards creating more value than they consume. This is characterized by being innovative and creative amidst trying and tough times (Jonker Jan 2012). The goal of the environment is to survive and prosper.Advertising Looking for report on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15 % OFF Learn More In order to achieve this sustainable environment and ecosystem needs to be put in place. Essentially, this goal can only be achieved if people cannot stop or reduce extracting heavy metals, and establishing buildings and constructions which are depleting the earth’s very resources (Jonker Jan 2012). The degradation which has been taking place in the environment due to inadequate engineering strategies has led to the wasting away of vital aspects of the society. Thus, a framework which is defined by the right strategies needs to be put in place. This is because, without such frameworks, the future of the projects will be put into jeopardy. Furthermore, if these frameworks are not put in place, the chances of having sustainable projects and buildings in the future will not be guaranteed (Wheeler Beatley 2004). Time is another important aspect when it comes to sustainable projects and buildings. This is because, projects are established based on tim e frames in which they will operate. There is need to establish the positive and the negative effects of a given project within a given time frame (Abraham 2006). This will enable the engineers to be in a better position of establishing what aspects need to be given priority and which need tom be ignored. Consequently, the results which shall be attained will be in line with the objectives which will be worked towards (Wheeler Beatley 2004). Scope of the challenge of sustainability Owing to the nature of the problems which are faced by the engineers, most of them will tend to work based on the opportunities which arise. This poses challenges to the nature of the sustainability of the work which shall be realized. Based on this, the nature of progress depends on the ability to address what has been happening in the past. For instance, in developed countries, the effects of previous projects should be analyzed in light of the future anticipated projects. Through such ventures, the sustainability and the suitability of the buildings and nay projects will be realized (Jonker Jan 2012). Suitability of any project should be evaluated against the information and data which has been collected from other parties. In this case, engineers should work closely in consultation with other immediate stakeholders such as planners in order to be in a better position to provide and generate solutions to the prevailing circumstances. Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Sustainability of building specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Through this, effective solutions will be realized with regard to the problems which are prevailing in light of the challenges (Wheeler Beatley 2004). The role of education One may ask, what role does education play in all these? Essentially, education forms a large portion of the process. This is because education provides the thinking perspectives which are informed by the phil osophy which informs the output or the products of an education system (Wheeler Beatley 2004). In as much as we may seek to establish much better projects which are sustainable, it is equally worth mentioning the fact that the system of education has not really played sufficient or adequate role in addressing these issues. Furthermore, the philosophy which was used in the previous society is the same philosophy which is still in use today. Therefore, the chances of having a changed approach to the issues which are affecting the society are almost brought to nil. In the current age, it is therefore important to integrate new versions of approaches with the better teaching and learning approaches. Furthermore, the engineering curriculum should be able to provide a platform which will or can harmonize the traditional techniques of solving designs as well as the current trends. Through this, engineers will be more receptive when it comes to accepting criticisms of technology regardin g the sustainability and suitability of projects within a given scope of time (Jonker Jan 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, sustainability is an issue which needs to be addressed in every circle of development. This is because it informs the approaches which should be taken when working on a project. However, despite the importance of the subject, little has been achieved especially in light of the curriculum which is followed by the engineering students. Thus, there is need to interrogate the best approaches that are bound to reinvigorate the engineering approaches and enhance creativity which will work towards solving some of the technological problems which are being faced. In this regard, technology will be able to provide solutions which will ensure that the problems which are presently being faced do not recur in the future Reference List Abraham, MA 2006, Sustainability science and engineering:defining principles, illustrated edn, Elsevier, New York. Advertising Looking for report on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Jonker, G Jan, H 2012, Engineering for Sustainability:A Practical Guide for Sustainable Design, Elsevier, New York. Wheeler, SM Beatley, T 2004, The sustainable urban development reader, Routledge, New York. This report on Sustainability of building was written and submitted by user Dominik V. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Informative Essay Sample on the Novella Heart of Darkness Underlying Ideas

Informative Essay Sample on the Novella Heart of Darkness Underlying Ideas While in England between 1898 and 1899, Joseph Conrad wrote the novella Heart of Darkness. Taking place during the height of European imperialism in Africa, Heart of Darkness follows the journey up the Congo River of Marlow, a steamboat captain. Marlow comes to Africa to escape the strict confines of European society. Marlow is very idealistic, and during his travels up the Congo, he is eager to prove that there is some good to the European presence in Africa. Although Marlow looks for signs of the good of imperialism, he finds none. Because of this, Marlow is eager to meet with Kurtz, another trader in the Congo. Marlow is so eager to meet with Kurtz because he believes Kurtz is the man the will prove to him that there is good in the European presence in Africa. However, as Marlow journeys up the Congo, viewing the effects of European imperialism on Africa, he realizes that there is no good in the presence of Europeans; furthermore, he is exposed to his own heart of darkness that he has seen in all the other Europeans in Africa. Joseph Conrad was inspired to write Heart of Darkness because of a journey through the Congo early in the 1890’s. Heart of Darkness deals with European imperialism in Africa during the 1890’s. During this time, Africa was the property of King Leopold II of Belgium. Leopold believed that his mission statement was to reduce the barbarism of the African people by bring civilization to the African people. For most Europeans, the continent of Africa was the Dark Continent because the people of Africa were considered to be uncivilized, uneducated, lacking a real government, and lacking any culture. Europeans considered it their duty to bring all that the Africans lacked in culture and civilization to the continent; thus, imperialism in Africa began. Conrad explores the heart of darkness through the Protagonist of the novel: Marlow. As Marlow journeys up the Congo River, viewing the atrocities of European imperialism on the African people, the reader realizes what the heart of darkness is. The heart of darkness is in the heart of every person where each person is faced with his or her true and often inherently evil nature. A person’s encounter with their own heart of darkness is almost always brought about by a person’s own immoral actions that allows them to see the true nature of themselves or others. As Marlow journeys up the Congo, he sees European society’s heart of darkness, and he realizes that European imperialism is not the selfless mission for the civilization of the African continent, but rather a mission of exploitation based greed and ambition in the hearts of Europeans in the Congo. Marlow comes to Africa because he feels very separated from the imperialism in Africa; furthermore, Marlow has heard what the critics say about imperialism in Africa. When he goes to Africa, he is very idealistic about the European presence there despite some of the stories he has heard. From the beginning of his journey, Marlow is confronted with the insanity of imperialism in Africa when he sees a French ship repeatedly shelling a spot of forested coast for no apparent reason saying, â€Å"Nothing happened. Nothing could happen. There was a touch of insanity in the proceeding, a sense of lugubrious drollery in the sight; and it was not dissipated by somebody on board assuring me earnestly there was a camp of nativehe called them enemies!hidden out of sight somewhere.† Pg. 11 As Marlow continues his way up the Congo River, he encounters decay and death at an alarming rate. He was overwhelmed by the horror of the death and destruction he sees: It is here that Marlow first enco unters the heart of darkness and slowly begins to realize what it is. Marlow is once again faced with this overwhelming sense of decay and death when he reaches the outer station of the company, he encounters a group of native African people who have basically been enslaved in a chain gang; furthermore, he sees that also the Europeans are suffering as well: disease, biting insects, and outrageous heat. This scene at the outer station is an important one because it shows that not only is the African people suffering because of imperialism, but so are the Europeans as well. Basically, no one is reaping any real advantages from the European presence in Africa. During a ten-day wait at the outer station, Marlow is first told about Kurtz. After being exposed to an overwhelming amount of evidence against imperialism, Marlow is now introduced to the idea of man doing good for the people of the Dark Continent. Marlow realizes this; thus, he has a strong desire to locate and talked to Kurtz in hopes of seeing first hand the good that Kurtz does for the people of the dark continent. A Marlow travels up the Congo River, he is being exposed more and more to the savagery, this heart of darkness, which all the Europeans in Africa seem to posses. For example, Marlow overhears a conversation between the Manager of that company and his uncle about the condition of Kurtz. Marlow discovers that these men wish to hang Kurtz and are discussing ways in which to accomplish this. They wish to hang Kurtz in order to level the competition in their favor because â€Å"anything can be done in this country.† These two men, both civilized at first glance, posses these savage and primal tendencies. Marlow sees this and is once again exposed to the heart of darkness that man possesses. Conrad does an excellent job of conveying this savagery and animal actions when he has Marlow describe the uncle of the manager’s mannerisms during the conversation saying, extend his short flipper of an arm for a gesture. . .that seemed to beckon with a dishonoring flourish before the su nlit face of the land a treacherous appeal to the lurking death, to the hidden evil, to the profound darkness of its heart. (Pg.27) As Marlow continues up the river to find Kurtz, the signs of European society were replaced by a more primal and savage feeling. I believe this to be a metaphor for the heart of darkness: A person may look civilized on the surface, but as you further explore them, you begin to see that they are truly savage at heart. Once Marlow reaches Kurtz’s station, he encounters a young man. The young man tells Marlow about Kurtz’s tendency to wander off into the forest alone, raiding nearby villages for ivory and gaining the loyalty of the natives. The young man also confided in Marlow that Kurtz had almost shot him once for some ivory saying, â€Å"He declared he would shoot me unless I gave him the ivory and then cleared out of the country, because he could do so, and had a fancy for it, and there was nothing on earth to prevent him killing whom he jolly well pleased.† (Pg.50) With this description by the young man of Kurtz, Marlow’s hope’s of finding the presence of good in European imperialism is Africa is crushed. The situation of Marlow being told of Kurtz reputation as a good man and now seeing that he too has been corrupted and has done terrible things to the African people is another metaphor for the heart of darkness that Conrad places in the book. After arriving at Kurtz station, Kurtz in taken aboard Marlow’s ship, and the two meet and speak for the first time. Later that night, Marlow tracks Kurtz off the ship and finds him watching some kind of tribal ceremony. Marlow trys to get Kurtz to come back to the boat, but as he looks at Kurtz alone in the wilderness he comments that he realizes that because Kurtz had been alone in the wilderness, his soul was alone and had gone mad; furthermore, Marlow realizes that his soul has this very same feeling to it. At this moment, Marlow comes to the realization that he too has his own heart of darkness. The next night, as the ship sailed down the Congo, Marlow witnesses Kurtz’s death. As Kurtz died he said, â€Å"The horror, the horror.†( pg.62) I believe this quote is a commentary on what man can do when not inhibited by society’s restrictions. In the case of Kurtz, society was willing to over-look any of his more questionable actions because Kurtz supplied them with ivory. When Kurtz says these words on his deathbed, he is speaking to the atrocities man can commit when there are no restrictions placed on him by society. Marlow comes to Africa with the hope of seeing the good of European Imperialism first hand. Instead, Marlow is exposed to the heart of darkness: a primal and savage instinct that all man posses, yet is never truly exposed unless the circumstances are correct. As Marlow journeys up the Congo, his encounters with the heart of darkness become more frequent and powerful. Through the novel, he battles his own heart of darkness until he finally gives into it at the end of the novel. Through Kurtz’s death, Kurtz was able to say something true about the mess that human life has become: The horror! The horror! Because of Kurtz, Marlow was able to look into the darkness that Kurtz had gotten lost in, and learn from that darknesswhether this was beneficial or harmful is an uncertainty.

Mid-term essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Mid-term - Essay Example Kant disagrees with the principle of utility when he argues that we should instead have indirect moral obligations in treatment of animals. Kant views animals as beings that lack independent rational wills and therefore human beings do not have any moral obligation to animals since they lack the condition of being considered as objects of obligation (Altman 20). Kant’s view when we mistreat animals is that we wrong ourselves but not violating the animal rights and therefore violating the principle of utility which in this case, will consider those who mistreats animals as wrong since their actions delivers pain to the mistreated animals. For example, If somebody shoots his or her dog because it no longer gives service, he or she does not fail in his duty to that dog because the dog is an irrational being which cannot judge, however, the one who does that acts in an inhuman way and damages that humanity that is in himself or herself that is ought to be shown towards humankind. Utilitarianism accounts for both human and nonhuman rights. The basic principle of utility has a moral consideration of animal rights and therefore animals ought to be treated the same way as human beings. The principle of utility implies that animals should be treated well in order to produce happiness for the animals. If you chop off the head of a donkey you have done wrong to the donkey itself and if you allow it to rest you give that animal the pleasure it deserves. Utilitarianism accounts for equal moral concern to human and nonhuman beings which mean killing an animal for other reasons other than food is wrong, bullfighting and even using animals for medical experimentations is unjustifiable. Kant argues that the fact that rational beings ought to have indirect moral obligation on animals has been pointed out in his arguments (Altman 23). Animals do not have the rational capacities that are considered by Kant to constitute humanity. Animals are considered to have the same