Reflection 2

Since the first day of the class I learnt so many things that were very helpful and useful in present period and it will help me in future. I learnt at the first days of the semester how to summarize articles and I have did two, the first one was Robot Waiter Arrives in Abu Dhabi and the second one was Houbara Bustards. For making a good summarize there are some steps that we have to follow beginning with reading the whole article then write the main idea for each paragraph after that organize the main ideas and summarize the article in our own words. Also we learnt how to use bibme.com to put the sources on it but there was one problem for me that is how to get URL for the article but the teacher explains that for us and there are two way to get it first one is to write the title of the article or to write the first sentence of the article in any searching websites like googel.com then we have to cope the URL and put on bibme.com and full up the information like author name and create date and other things also we learnt how to make in-line citations by take it from APA after putting the URL in bibme.com and edit it. When we finished the summarize we have another thing to learn which is writing essay and it’s harder than summarize for me but I have to learn it and I did two and It was about Masdar and other one about Story Of Stuff, I learnt how to make a good essay, by making outline to organize the ideas then search for information that will help me and support my essay and write it in my own words also we have to make in-line citations and put all the sources that I used on my essay in bibme.com and download it as APA. At first it looks hard for me but day after day it look more easily. Furthermore we did online vocabulary quizzes It was long and takes hours but it was valuable because I learnt new words. Every thing that I learnt in this class is important for me because writhing essays or reports is necessary in college or in jobs so I’m really glad that I took this class. I really enjoyed every moment on this class and it was fun and helpful and Mr. Gregory was very patient and helpful he explains every thing we need and give us a lot of information that help us to develop in writing. I really enjoyed this class and I hope if I had class  next semester that I will learn valuable things like this class.

Essay 2

Story Of Stuff

Introduction

Consumerism, a process which cuts through various societies and economies, is the compulsion to purchase an excess of consumer goods (Gibson, 2011). The increase in consumerism has made the world greatly focused on increasing its pace of consuming goods and services. Consumerism influences an individual’s psyche causing such individual to perceive himself has devalued until he has contributed to consumption by purchasing and consuming (Wikipedia, 2013). To better grasp the concept of consumerism, an understanding of the materials economy is required. The materials economy is made up of five different processes which explain the life cycle of consumer goods. “These processes are Extraction, production, Distribution, Consumption and Disposal” (Story of Stuff, 2007).

EXTRACTION

Every consumable goods has its origin from raw materials. These raw materials are natural resources provided by Mother Earth (Story of Stuff, 2007). Extraction is the modern term given to the exploitation of natural resource. It comprises of sets of practices such as cutting of trees, killing of animals, drilling of the earth’s surface, and so on. Although these processes are designed to obtain raw materials for goods production, they have the resultant negative effects of rendering the earth inhabitable, whilst reducing the amount of resources left to man’s disposal (Gibson, 2011). Over the past few decades, about one-third of the global natural resource base has been consumed. The rate of extraction is now so high that the earth is gradually losing its ability to sustain human habitation (Story of Stuff, 2007).

PRODUCTION

This is the second phase in the materials economy. Production converts raw materials into usable consumer goods. Although production is assumed to be of good to man, it is sad to note that most of the waste products released during extraction are released and recycled for use in production processes (Gibson, 2011). Most of these harmful substances contain toxins, which form part of the production process for consumer goods. So consumer goods are being produced which are rich in toxic substances. It is sad to note that those who suffer most from this constant exposure to danger are factory workers, most of which are women of reproductive age.

DISTRIBUTION

After production, the next phase in the materials economy is to ensure that the produced goods get to the consumers. This is called distribution. Here, the aim is to increase the number of consumers and this is done by strategic processes such as fostering affordable sale rates (Wikipedia, 2013). It is important to note that goods are not displayed with prices that replicate their true costs. This is because producers and distributors externalize the true cost of goods. This means that the true cost of any consumable product is in the mineral resources depleted, the future of children denied since many of them drop out school to work in production plants, health insurances denied, etc. (Story of Stuff, 2007).

CONSUMPTION

Virtually every human currently possesses the consumer identity. With each day, purchases are made, goods are bought and consumed, money is spent, and the cycle continues to repeat itself. According to the Story of Stuff (2007), consumption is caused by two factors which are Planned Obsolescence and Perceived Obsolescence. In Planned Obsolescence, producers create goods designed to last only for a specific period at the end of which change is required. Here constant upgrades are induced into the system that any product which has not been upgraded becomes obsolete and lost in the new system. In Perceived Obsolescence, humans are convinced by people and society to change purchased goods after a given period. Advertisement and the media play a key role in this aspect.

DISPOSAL

After the consumption of goods comes the disposal of waste. Unfortunately for the human race, most methods of waste disposal only end up producing more harmful results. Asides global warming, the incinerator process produces the most toxic manmade substance, dioxin. The only safe disposal method is recycling, but this is insufficient when compared to the amount of goods in consumption (Story of Stuff, 2007).

CONSUMERISM IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The United Arab Emirates is presently a very attractive place for the practice of consumerism. With the oil boom and the major investments in tourism, the United Arab Emirates receives thousands of visitors every day (Vadayar, 2012). Dubai, one of its largest cities, has become a city of malls. The economy is now largely fuelled by tourists and expatriates. The city, with an average annual per capital income of $120,000, is constantly filled with individuals ready to make expenditure with deep pockets and wallets filed with credit cards (Gerson, 2008). Overall, the income generated from oil and tourism only serves to ensure that consumerism is at its peak in the United Arab Emirates.

CONCLUSION

Although consumerism has eaten deep into the core of human nature, many individuals are labouring at different parts of the materials economy to make things better. New ideas are being introduced in areas such as sustainability and equity, zero waste, renewable energy, and so on. Many people argue that these are not realistic, however, this are people who want things to remain as they are. Things will definitely get better if everyone understands the significance of the materials system and work together to influence each phase positively.

References

Abouchakra, R., & Najjar, C. (n.d.). Economic Diversification: The Road To Sustainable Development. http://www.adced.ae/. Retrieved May 24, 2013, from www.adced.ae/en/PDF/English%20Economic%20Vision%202030-Final.pdf

AlSubaihi, T. (2012, December 26). Season's admirable themes lost in consumerism - The National. Latest and breaking news | thenational.ae - The National. Retrieved May 26, 2013, from http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/channel-page/lifestyle/middle-columnist/seasons-admirable-themes-lost-in-consumerism

Dubai of the Desert: A Mirage of Consumerist Splendor. (n.d.). Trends Updates - Gadgets, Fashion, Automobile, Environment. Retrieved May 26, 2013, from http://trendsupdates.com/dubai-of-the-desert-a-mirage-of-consumerist-splendor

Gibson, A. (2011). Ideas and Practices in the Critique of Consumerism. Environmental Philosophy, 8(2), 171-188. Retrieved May 24, 2013, from http://secure.pdcnet.org/envirophil/content/envirophil_2011_0008_0002_0171_0188

Richardson, A., & Gerson, J. (2008, October 4). 'Consumerism and foreigners' greatest identity threats. The National. Retrieved May 24, 2013, from http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/consumerism-and-foreigners-greatest-identity-threats

Story of Stuff (2007, OFFICIAL Version) - YouTube. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM

The Story of Stuff - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2013, April 25). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved May 27, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Stuff

UAE tops the list among saving-conscious consumers - Dubai News UAE. (2009, September 18). Dubai Information Guide - Visit and Living in Dubai City UAE. Retrieved May 27, 2013, from http://www.guide2dubai.com/925-UAE-tops-the-list-among-saving-conscious-consumers.html

Vadayar, M. (2012, October 9).     gulftoday.ae | Consumerism ‘root cause of economic woes’.    Latest news, comments and reviews from The Gulf Today | gulftoday.ae. Retrieved May 27, 2013, from http://gulftoday.ae/portal/4364688e-fc56-4cfa-a502-746f192c3c50.aspx

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Essay 1

Masdar City

Early History

            Masdar City is one of the most important projects being built in Abu Dhabi, which is being groomed to be the new tech city of the region. As a sustainable community, Masdar City tops green urban development design to combine technology and the environment. By 2020 or 2025, this planned city will be fully realized as a successful and innovative community though there are several companies and institutions already situated in the city, including the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

            In April 2008, Masdar Initiative was launched with the goal of broadening investments in renewable energy and clean technology. The development of Masdar City is "pushing the sustainable business park concept to a higher level of technological aspiration, theming it with local climate response, efficiency and renewable energy virtues with the scale that has become the hallmark of regional projects" (Droege, 2012,). Masdar City is constructed 17 km Southeast of Abu Dhabi's metropolis; and it is also strategically adjacent to an airport and other communities. The city is designed to host an urban population of 50, 000, situated within a larger community of more than 470, 000 people (Oxford Business Group, 2010,). The goal of the Government of Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, the prime builders and financiers of the project, is to diversify the economy of the emirate, innovate new renewable technologies, keep sustainable human development, and expand the emirate's global energy market. 

Development

            The Mubadala Development Company heads the construction of Masdar City, which was initially planned in 2006. But it was not until 2008 that the construction of the planned city began, with occupancy in October of 2010. There are two city squares that formed the core of Masdar's urban section; the larger square is 225 hectares and the small city square is 52 hectares (Brebbia, & Beriatos, 2011,). The core of the city is considered to cover 6 square kilometers, which will become the home of communities and around 1, 500 businesses.

            Initially, $22 billion is the projected cost of Masdar City and engineers commit to finish the project in eight years. However, with the financial crisis of 2008 that crippled the real estate industry, Masdar City was also affected and the completion of the project was postponed between 2020 to 2025. Right now, constructions are made to finish Phase 1 of the city.

            The city's transportation was planned to be only through personal rapid transit and public mass transit system, which will serve more than 60, 000 industrial and tech workers. However, the plan of banning vehicles and automobiles in the city was replaced with the intent of limiting the number of vehicles in the city. The public transit provides transportation within the city and access to other parts of the city of Abu Dhabi (Spilsbury, 2012,). But the city can still be accessed by walking. 

Modern Development

            With the current appreciation of the economy, the city's project cost is pegged at $19.8 billion (Oxford Business Group, 2010,). The concept of Masdar City is anchored on the principle of One Planet Living, which aims to establish a sustainable development (Oxford Business Group, 2010,). In the same manner, the Clean Tech Fund that is being initiated by Masdar City, in accordance to its objectives, with the support from Siemens Venture Capital, Credit Suisse, and Consensus Business Group.

            As recognition of Masdar City's core objectives and mission, the Translantic 21 Association gave the planned city the World Clean Energy Award. Other awards given include Sustainable Region/City of the Year by Euromoney and Enrst & Young 2008 Renewable Energy Awards. Masdar's seat in International Renewable Energy Agency provides a promising future for the planned city. In the end, Masdar City will become the apex of a sustainable city built globally.

Words count: 636

Bibliography

Brebbia, C.A & Beriatos, E. (2011). Sustainable Development and Planning V. WIT Press.http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=HllZW4ZSheUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=One+Hundred+Per+Cent+Renewable.&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BJCQUZ_pK4-YiAfgs4GADw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=One%20Hundred%20Per%20Cent%20Renewable.&f=false 

Fischer, J. (2012, January 19). Ezproxy Login. Ezproxy Login. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.hct.ac.ae/docview/916664392/13DA76D5BFF3258EC7B/1?accountid=1215 

Masdar City - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2013, May 1). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved May 15, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masdar_City 

Oxford Business Group. (2010). The Report: Abu Dhabi 2010. Oxford Business Group. http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=MTSa0bMfNsEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Report:+Abu+Dhabi+2010&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MJCQUca5CuKBiQeu-YG4Cw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=The%20Report%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%202010&f=false

Spilsbury, R. (2012). Towns and Cities. Raintree. http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=axDU1IqJN88C&pg=PA62&dq=Towns+and+Cities.+Raintree.&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TZCQUaOBFs24iAejhYCYAg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Towns%20and%20Cities.%20Raintree.&f=false 

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