TDIC Project

Me and my partner Adel Al Afifi researched the ‘Desert Islands’ project. We made a PowerPoint showing its best features which is embedded below.

The project I liked the most was the ‘Desert Islands’ due to many reasons. The main reason is that this project riches the natural heritage and eco-tourism of the UAE. By the way, this project was a vision of the UAE’s late president His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Although these islands located far away from the capital Abu Dhabi, it considered as a part of the UAE. Many citizens like to take their vacation in a quiet, stress less place and inside the country; that why this point consider as the second advantage. In addition, this location has a free area that let the government build these islands with all facilities people need. Another issue is that each island of the eight islands has a unique design which is suitable to the island. For example, Sir Bani Yas Isalnd will be designed in a way that reflects the island historical heritage.

From my point view, the least interesting project was ‘Qaser Al Sarab’ since it’s in the middle of the desert and there are many others nearby resorts. Another disadvantage is that any natural catastrophe such as sand storms may cause a huge damage in both the island and people. Also, since this island is in the desert it will cost the government a lot of money and workers to fulfill the project.

However, as any project, TDIS projects have advantages and disadvantages, but these TDIS projects consider as an huge advantage step for the UAE development.

Cool cities adaptations:

Good adaptations:

According to the “cool cities” video, the only transportation means will be environmental friendly vehicles such as hybrid cars and rechargeable light trail translate. This action will reduce the amount of CO2 emissions in the air. Another point is that new techniques developed in most of the cool cities decreases the outside temperature. One of these techniques is by butting sea water under the city to help reduce the outside temperature. A further issue is that some cool cities will avoid dissertation by growing solar powered farms.

Bad adaptations:

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages in cool cities. One problem that can occur is water shortage by using some of the cooling techniques. Another problem is that this cool cities cost a lot due to the advance techniques used in it. Many people can not trade some of the things they use in life even if it’s not environmental friendly, so this type of cities is not suitable for all people.

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My carbon footprint

First of all, let me start with a definition of carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of carbon dioxide linked to human activities in a specific time period. According to the website http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/, my footprint is 2.35 planets which equals 4.24 hectares in the ecological footprint and my carbon footprint is 9.58 tonnes per annum. In my view, this score is not bad but it’s also not good enough, so I have some problems to solve which I will outline below.

After I did my footprint survey, I found that I have several problems. One point is that I don’t eat enough meat and fish. Another issue is that I spend too much money on some products such as bath and grooming products. It also seems that I have a problem in the area of transport. Frankly, most of the time, I move from one place to another only by car, even if the place is nearby.

However, there are some solutions related to my footprint. One possibility is that I need to buy more seasonal food. Another option is to avoid buying over-packaged products such as on DIY tools and grooming products. Finally, it is better for me to walk instead of using the car to go somewhere close.

To conclude, it is a better to solve my footprint problems to help decrease the total amount of carbon dioxide in the world and I advise all people to work out on their footprint problems.