SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Question 1

Who wrote Silent Spring?

Answer 1

Rachel Carson

Question 2

When was the term conservation coined?

Answer 2

Late 19th century… Referring to economic management of natural resources.

Question 3

Five principles of “the natural step” from 1996

Answer 3

1. Substance from the earth’s crust must not systemically increase in the ecosphere
2. Manufactured substances must not systemically increase in the ecosphere
3. The productivity and diverse city of nature must not being systemically diminished
4. There must be a fair and efficient use of resources to meet human needs
5. Buildings consume at least 40% of the worlds energy. The account for one third of the world submission if he trapping carbon dioxide. They create 2/5 of acid rain causing carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Question 4

What is the definition of ecosphere?

Answer 4

5 miles of the earth’s crust

Question 5

What is the biosphere?

Answer 5

5 miles up into the troposphere of the atmosphere

Question 6

Name six sustainable factors in site selection

Answer 6

1. Adjacency to public transportation
2. Erosion, fire, and landslides – avoid!
3. Sites with high slope or agricultural use
4. Solar orientation, wind patterns
5. Landscape site conditions
6. Floodplains

Question 7

What percentage of natural vegetation remains in the United States?

Answer 7

2%

Question 8

Three ways to reduce disruption of natural watercourses… With Stormwater management

Answer 8

1. On-site infiltration of contaminants… Using swales and wetland vegetation
2. Reduce impermeable surface (which creates aquifer recharge)
3. Encourage groundwater recharge

Question 9

Name for basic sustainable landscaping techniques

Answer 9

1. Indigenous plants material is more durable and lower maintenance
2. Locate shade trees and plants over dark services reducing “heat island effect”
3. Replace lawns with natural grass and requiring less watering, fertilizer, and mowing
4. In dry climates, encourage xeriscaping

Question 10

What does benchmarking refer to?

Answer 10

The US department of energy’s standards of total energy consumption for various kinds of buildings in the US… Expressed as averages

Question 11

What is ground water aquifer cooling and heating (AETS)?

Answer 11

Uses differential thermal energy and water from an underground well to cool the building during summer and heat it during winter

Question 12

4 pros and 4 cons of wind turbines

Answer 12

Pros:
cost-effective, tested and established, systematic started up, relatively high output

Cons:
Need a fine mess, requires substantial structural support, potential for noise pollution, visually intrusive

Question 13

What are fuel cells?

Answer 13

Electrochemical devices that generate direct current electricity similar to batteries but require continual input of hydrogen-rich fuel. … They basically combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity.

Not at all cost effective so far

Question 14

How does biogas work?

Answer 14

Through the anaerobic digestion… The conversion of biomass to gas by organisms in an oxygen free environment

Question 15

Name 4 advantages of biogas.

Answer 15

1. Lends itself to both heat and power production
2. Almost 0 carbon dioxide emissions
3. Eliminates noxious odors and methane omissions
4. Protects groundwater and reduces the landfill burden