Technology and Management for Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructures

According to a report published in 2019 by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the building sector accounts for 38% of all energy-related CO2 emissions when adding building construction industry emissions. [...]

Classificação de áreas semiáridas e subúmidas secas utilizando diferentes índices climáticos

As delimitações das áreas semiáridas do Nordeste do Brasil e norte de Minas Gerais podem apresentar grandes diferenças conforme os métodos de classificação climática e de estimativa da evapotranspiração potencial (ET0) utilizados. Para demostra esta afirmação de forma quantitativa, nesta pesquisa, delimitou-se as áreas semiáridas usando dois métodos de classificação climática (1) índice efetivo de umidade de Thornthwaite (Im) e (2) índice de aridez do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Meio Ambiente (IaUNEP), enquanto, para a estimativa da ET0 usou-se os métodos de (1) Thornthwaite e (2) Penman-Monteith-FAO (PMF), totalizando quatro diferentes configurações de delimitações de áreas semiáridas. Com a utilização de Im observou-se um aumento do grau de aridez e de áreas semiáridas quando comparado com os resultados obtidos com o uso de IaUNEP. Do mesmo modo, ao usar a estimativa de ET0 pelo método PMF verifica-se um aumento da aridez e das terras semiáridas em comparação com a ET0 calculada por Thornthwaite. Como o método PMF é geralmente reconhecido como um método padrão para estimativa da ET0. Portanto, é possível certificar que o grau de aridez e de terras semiáridas no Nordeste do Brasil são mais elevados do que aqueles mostrados nos estudos com a estimativa de ET0 por Thornthwaite. Classification of semi-árid and sub-humid sreas using different climate indexes A B S T R A C TThe delimitations of semi-arid areas in the Northeast of Brazil and northern Minas Gerais can present great differences according to the methods of climatic classification and estimation of potential evapotranspiration (ET0) used. To demonstrate this statement in a quantitative way, in this research, we used two different methods of climate classification: (1) the moisture index of Thornthwaite (Im) and (2) aridity index of the United Nations Environment Program (IaUNEP), as well as, two methods to estimate ET0: of (1) Thornthwaite and (2) Penman-Monteith-FAO (PMF), totaling four different configurations of delimitations of semi-arid areas. As the use of Im an increase in the degree of aridity and semi-arid areas was observed when compared with the results obtained as the use of IaUNEP. Similarly, when using the ET0 estimate using the PMF method, there is an increase in aridity and semi-arid land compared to the ET0 calculated by Thornthwaite. As the PMF method is generally recognized as a standard method for estimating ET0. Therefore, it is possible to affirm that the degree of aridity and semi-arid lands in Northeast Brazil are higher than those shown in studies with the estimate of ET0 by Thornthwaite. Keywords: Semiarid, climatic classification, potential evapotranspiration

Seasonal investigation of marine litter on beaches of Urla (Izmir/Turkey)

In this study, types and quantities of marine litter in Urla (İzmir) Kum Denizi Beach and Demircili Koyu Beach were determined seasonally between October 2017 and October 2018. At the beaches, marine litter larger than 2,5 centimetres were collected with 3 people along 2-meter lines, which are determined to be parallel to the sea. The collected litters were classified according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP, 2009), quantities were determined and the pollution status of the beaches was evaluated according to the Clean Coast Index. A total of 1,265 litter from Kum Denizi Beach and 2,099 litter from Demircili Koyu Beach were collected. In total, 3,364 pieces of litter weighing 90.81 kg were collected from the two beaches. Among the litters collected, plastic litter was found to be dominant with 2,794 pieces. This was followed by 145 metals, 141 papers, 110 fabrics, 87 foam plastics, 42 wood, 32 glass, 8 other litters and 5 rubber. Given the seasonal averages of the clean coast index values; Kum Denizi Beach was found to be clean and Demircili Koyu Beach was found to be moderately polluted.

GREEN ECONOMY AS A TREND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABLE CITY DEVELOPMENT: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

The article discusses environmental problems in the context of the Concept of Sustainable Development. It was considered discussions on the conceptualization of the “green economy” presented in the United Nations Environment Program. The author of the article, relying on the green economy strategy, believes that one of the key tasks of ecology is the development of a green urban infrastructure. The article substantiates the position that the greening of landscapes in urban space is one of the factors of sustainable environmental development. According to the author, in order to achieve the goal of sustainable development and growth, it is necessary to use positive international experience in national strategies for a green economy.