Do you feel that your product has met the goals you set at the start of the process?
Our team’s goals were to create a unique and novel snack that appeals to our target audience’s specific preferences and is both international and Chiense. Our target audience are young adults, such as high schoolers. We achieved our goal of making our product unique as this this product has never been created before. By analyzing high schoolers’ food product preferences in our food survey, we were able to identify specific components of our food product that we should mofidy or add. For example, due to the majority votes, we decided to change our filling to black sesame filling and add chocolate. Based on the customer survey results, we also focused on making the texture crispy through an innovative method–frying tangyuan.
Did design choices still fit your target audience?
Yes, our choices effectively reflected the preferences of our target audience. First, we distributed the survey to mostly young adults, our target audience, to investigate their preferences in a food product. Secondly, the final price of our food price and the nutritional facts mostly likely satisfies young adults, such as high schoolers. Since most high schoolers are not independent yet and, thus, do not have a lot of money, they would more favor snacks with low prices. Since 6RMB per a s’more is not an expensive price, it specifically targets the young adults. In addition, because young adults are generally more healthy, they do not have to maintain a strict nutritional diet. So, we prioritized taste over health. Nevertheless, our survey showed that young adults do prioritize nutrition afte rtaste. Since tangyuan has a high caloric density, we are aiming to use graham crackers with the least added sugar and calories.
What would you do if you had more time or resources?
If I had more time, I would love to receive feedback about about product from people. From our survey, many participants told us how not tasting the actual product would make their ratings invalid. So once we have created a final product and made our participants taste it, this will help us identify aspects of our product that still needs modifications. I would have loved to have this process of feedback and improvement because this helps us get closer to creating the most attractive food product.
How would you evaluate your contributions to the team? Anything you’d like to work on in terms of teamwork?
I believe our team collaborated well. Every team member finished their tasks diligently and responsibly, allowing us to make more progress every day. For myself, I think I was effective in contributing to the team, although I missed two classes. Once I returned, I was very flexible because after receiving feedback from Mr. Landrum and the participants, I immediately made changes and re-started the data collection process. Thankfully, our team was able to finish data collection and analysis part the first day I came back. However, I think I can work on open communication with my team more. We should commuicate with each other more, reminding members about their reponsibilites and tasks. So, what I took away from this group project is to always ensure open communication no matter their absence. I would try to come together and create a goal or deadline to ensure that no member is falling behind.
*I was absent on the week of March 11, so my responses are based on the week after.
What progress has your team made so far? Have any new ideas, questions or challenges arisen from this work?
So far, our team has finished with the financial modeling, nutrition research, and a survey. While the financial modeling part was straighforward, I faced challenges with the consumer survey. Initially, our team and I planned to distribute the survey to better understand our consumers’ preferences of Tangyuan flavors and specific components of our product. Specifically, we wanted to determine their favorite Tangyuan filling and preferred kind of cooking method. However, after we distributed our survey, some our our participants refused to participate–they told us their ratings would be invalid as they have not yet tasted them before. Mr. Landrum told us the same thing. He advised us to make the purpose of our survey tailored to our needs in order for our product to be successful. So, our group had to investigate people’s perception about Tangyuan and S’mores, and preferences on aspects of our product, such as texture, addition of chocolate, and price. Looking back, I am so grateful that we could correct a limitation in our previous survey to better suit our needs.
What progress have you and your group made on collecting data? How was it collected? How has that supported your design choices?
Initially, the survey was to be collected by 40 students and 10 teachers. However, after distributing a new survey, we received responses from 13 students and 2 teachers. It was collected by distributing a printed copy of the questionaire to every student and teacher in the Food Science class, and two students outside the classroom. The participants were asked to not write their names and given around 5 minutes to complete it. Then, each paper was anonymously collected. If we had more time, we would have made our final product based on the survey responses and conducted taste tests.
Conclusions fron the survey:
Taste is the most important component in a food product in our food science class, followed by nutrition.
A large majority of students in our class like tangyuan slightly to very much.
2/3 of students in our class likes black sesame.
Most of the students responded that they would “maybe” eat Tangyuan S’mores.
78% of students have eaten S’mores before.
Soft and chewy, and crispy texture are most important to our consumers.
86% of students prefer s’mores with chocolate.
Mean price with 50rmb outlier: 9.57 RMB
Mean price without 50rmb outlier: 6 RMB.
Our final product is fried Black sesame flavored Tangyuan with a drizzle of chocolate. Black sesame was, by majoirty, the most popular flavor among the students. In addition, by frying the tangyuna, we will ensure that the texture of our product is both soft and chewy, and crispy. Although students desire the addition of chocolate, when my team produced and ate it, chocolate overpowered the sweetness of the Tangyuan. Nevertheless, to please our customers, we decided to just put a drizzle of chocolate.
Have you worked on visual or financial modelling? If so, provide some insight into those processes.
We worked on the financial modelling. First, we found the amount of ingredients needed to make 1 s’more. Then, we found the amount each ingredient contained and its unit cost. For example, the package of graham crackers we used had 250g, and it was 20RMB. Afterwards, we divded the unit amount contained in te package divided by the amount we needed for just one s’more. Dividing this value from the cost of the package gave us the cost per s’more. In total, the cost per s’more without chocolate was 0.95 RMB and cost per s’more with chocolate was 1.61 RMB. The optimal revenue price from the Cost of Good Sold (COGS) for the food industry is around 35%, in which our production cost is 1.61 RMB. Thus, the optimal sales price derived would be around 2RMB. However, this price only covvers material costs, not reflecting labor and marketing costs. Therefore, we decided to increase the price of our product to 6RMB, a value agreed upon by our survey participants.
My product is Tangyuan S’mores and we are targeting the children and young adults, who have a sweet tooth. Tangyuan is a traditional Chinese dessert made of glutinous rice shaped into balls that are served in a hot broth or syrup. S’mores are popular snacks in the United States. They are confections consisting of toasted marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker. We combined these snacks to and came up with… Tangyuan S’mores! We will have three kinds of Tangyuan S’mores– Black Sesame, Peanut, and Red Bean. And the tangyuan will either be boiled or fried.
What are your plans for data collection and modelling, as a group of individual?
After we take photos of the different types of Tangyuan, we are going to put them in the consumer suvey. The purpose of the consumer survey for us would be determine what type of filling and cooking method would our consumers most prefer.
This survey will be distributed to 10 students per grade, so we will survey 40 ISB high school students in total. In addition, we will survey 10 HS teachers and some MS students.
For the modelling, we are going to model the price of our product through a chart. Specifically, we are going to calculate the price of one product, ingredient costs, and labor fee.
What is your role in the team?
My role, other than to provide moral support, is to collect data. I have to create a survey and distribute it to 40 students. I have already selected students or participants. I will distribute the survey to students through Wechat or email or offline, because I know many of them at school. Once I have collected all 40 responses, I will create a graph to visualize the data.
What are some potential challenges you may run into over the next three weeks?
I am worried that we might not be able to collect all 40 students’ response in a timely manner. If the students don’t reply quickly, we will have to wait or get new students to participate.
Can this device be built within 3 classes of 75 minutes?
Are the materials available at the ISB design lab?
Is this product original?
Is this product appealing to students?
Some of my ideas included a toy car, a toy gun, electric mixer, and a lamp. But here’s how I was only left with a lamp through process of elimination:
They all meet criteria one: a toy car and a nerf gun converts elastic energy to mechanical energy, sound energy, and heat; an electric mixer converts electrical energy to mechanical and heat energy; a lamp converts electrical energy to radiant and thermal energy.
A toy car and a nerf gun are eliminated because they are not practical to students’ lives.
An electric mixer and a lamp are durable, safe, and sustainable.
A mini electric mixer and a lamp can be built within 3 classes.
An electric mixer requires a wire whipper, which the ISB Design lab does not have. Through process of elimination, my only option is a mini, electrical lamp.
Though a lamp is unoriginal, I could be creative with its design.
Yes! A lamp can be both aesthetic and practical in students’ lives, so it appeals to students.
Target:
Before I sleep, I turn my room light off and look at my phone on my bed for 10 minutes. I don’t turn my room lights on because, one, I don’t want to snuggle out of my blankets and, two, phoning in a dark room shuts my eyelids much quicker.
But staring at my luminescent phone in a pitch-black room sores my eyes. So, I need a dim- even better, aesthetic-lamp. This lamp will not only be specific to clients with such conditions as mine, but the product serves to produce a small light source, protects eyes when using electronic devices in the dark, and illuminates a mood in your room.
I scoured the internet, keeping in mind the four criteria of a lamp design I wanted to meet:
Moderate Luminescence:
A night lamp cannot be brighter than my study lamp or the room lights. Specifically, its brightness should around 25% of that in Apple devices.
Controllable:
To save electricity, I must turn off this lamp before I sleep. Thus, this lamp must have a switch so that users can shut off light.
Eco-friendly:
My prototype should recycle materials and avoid using too much energy. Thus, I would use LEDs in place of incandescent bulbs because diode light is much more efficient, power-wise, than filament light. LED bulbs “use more than 75% less energy than incandescent lighting”. Plus, they say eco-friendly is user-friendly.
Light:
I want my night lights to hang from the ceiling because that way I solely have to extend my arm to turn the light off and immediately fall asleep. To suspend from a ceiling, my night lamp must be light: the prototype should weigh less than 50 grams.
Aesthetic:
I like my room minimalistic and all-white. Accordingly, my night lamp should be either simple or colorless to complement my room’s atmospere.
My inspo board:
#1
This levitating cloud lamp captured my heart. It’s moderately luminescent, controllable, and aesthetic, checking off all my standards for a night lamp- it even harmonizes with my monochrome room. Plus, the ISB Design lab owns like nine 3D printers. Will I finally lay my hands on those hallowed instruments?
No.
While this device challenges me to uncover various gadgets, I think a levitating cloud lamp’s a little beyond for a fifteen-year-old to build within 3 classes. Take the body, for example. I have never learned how-tos of 3D printing, electrical circuits, and coding. Just grasping the foundation of this lamp would at least take two classes. In addition, this device is too heavy to swing and its cloud would not float due to the stronger gravitational force when suspended. Lastly, I probably would not be able to find those materials, as I do not even know what those gadgets are . However, above all, the most underlying “con” is the constraint of time.
I LOVE THE MUSHROOMS. I also like how this bark lamp has mini mushroom lanterns lit up by each LED wire. Specifically, this engineer wired each SMD LED light with an electric circuit to a single battery and varied the length of electrolytes. I think this division of electolytes from a battery is what gives this lamp the perfect moderate-bright for late-night phoning. Hence, this mushroom lamp inspired me to connect varying lengths of electrolytes to LED lights.
Yet, these lights seem too heavy to suspend from my ceiling. Moreover, it is not sustainable and mushrooms do not complement my room’s minimalistic aesthetics. I mean, silicon resins and artificial bark? Though its over-the-top design is baffling, at least I took away from the tutorial to use SMD lights or use several electolytes.
#3
Sophie’s design stunned me. Her lantern ticked sustainability, moderate luminescence, control, and, most importantly, aesthetics. Also, I loved her simple source of light – an LED light strip- and its minimalistic look. Her lamp inspired me to use LED lights or LED strips, which uses much less energy than that of filament lights.
But I decided to alter her design to meet my criteria. Because my lamp must hang from the ceiling, I would attach a string on top my lamp rather than “give legs” like Sophie. Other than that, I would change design of her lamp shade to a more simple design, say, a cloud.
What I did:
On our mini “fieldtrip to the Design lab”, I consulted with the design-lab coordinators and Mr. Hussack to ensure I have all the materials. Everything was sound. In fact, Ms. Tina bestowed me a WHOLE bag of Polyester Fiberfill. By the end of today’s class, I finished the “define & inquire” and partially the “Plan and create” stage.
Make sure all materials are available in ISB Design Lab
Replace unavailable materials
Finish Blog post
✅
✅
✅
Feb 21
Day 2
Absent for APAC
Feb 23
Day 3
l Ask for approval from Mr.Hussack
Start building!
✅
50% Finished
Feb 27
Day 4
Absent for BEIMUN
Mar 1
Day 5
Finish cloud lamp
Test product
Ask for peer-feedback
✅
✅
✅
What I did:
Before we set our hands into building our prototype, Mr.Hussack had to approve our design. So, I quickly sketched my little lamp with rough measures. I didn’t immerse myself into specific lengths and volumes because I knew my final prototype would transpire after lots of trials and errors through the building process.
As soon as Mr. Hussack gladly approved my design, I immersed myself in the materials station.
First, the source of the light vexed me. I knew I couldn’t just slide my fairy lights at home inside a plastic bottle as my YouTube tutorial told me because, well, that’s too basic.
Stressed, I skedaddled to Mr.Hussack and Mr.Fidler to hear their sage advice, and they suggested the following light sources.
Now I faced a dilemma. I could either meticulously plug the mini-LED pins in a “bread figure” or assemble a generic light bulb. But could I decipher the electronics language?
Stressed again, I surveyed through the materials boxes.
There it was.
AN LED STRIP!
I happily marched forward to Ms. Tina, one of the Design Lab crews, and (stupidly) asked if I could slice and slide a 10m light strip in a plastic water bottle.
No, I couldn’t cut a light strip.
Then Ms.Tina escorted me to one the Gray-Design-Lab drawers and handed me a mini light strip. It was broken, though.
Thankfully, Ms.Tina connected the detached positive wire to the battery within the rest of the class. Meanwhile, I cut a 50mm x 10mm rectangle on “top side” of my bottle to fasten the switch. (The top of the horizontal side is most ideal because that way we can conceal from the worm’s eye view)
And that was how I productively spent the science class.
Create and Improve
Day 3
in dark setting.in bright setting.
What I did:
1. I smeared glue gun on the surface and fastened the “clouds” on the surface. I was surprised of how nicely the polyester fiberfill fastened the plastic bottle. I was about 1/8 done when I realized: I had not cut out the cap for cosmetics. Here are the side view and bird’s eye view with the cap:
2. Mr. Fidler sawed the lid off my bottle. Then I continued to attach and mend “clouds” on the surface. My cloud lamp was almost finished- I just needed a suspender to hang it on my celling.
3. I tied a thin rope on a halved popsicle stick. Next, I slid it inside the rectangular hole. Now I could hold my lamp without touching or damaging the clouds!
Explain how it works using science terminology
The electric circuit in my night lamp transfers chemical potential energy stored in the batteries to electrical energy through conducting electricity, which works by transferring electrons from a negatively-charged cathod to a positvely-charged anode. That is, when an external circuit connects the cathod (composed of graphite anions) to the anode (composed of zinc cations), the oppositely charged electrostatic forces of attraction transfer electrons, enabling an electric current to flow. This electric current is what lights up my LED lights. As electricity flows through the electrolytes into conductible wires in the light strip, the electrical energy from the bulb spontaneoulsy gets converted into heat energy and then into light energy.
A switch turns the light on and off through exploiting the consistent electric current until the battery runs out (of transferring electrons). That is, a switch, sitauted between the LED lights and the battery, lights the LED lights on and off, interrupting the electron flow in the circuit.
Explain the areas you were successful in in the product/process
My night lamp turned out even better than how I envisioned it.
At first, my mind was blank about the light source- I thought all I had to do was fit in some fairy lights! But the fairy lights I had at home were too long- and I learned, you can’t cut an electrical circuit. So, I spent a lot of time researching and debating different light source alternatives.
After fruitful exchanges between my supervisors and fellow engineers, I landed on an LED strip, which was flexible and bright enough. But somestimes, the strip did not light up, despite me rigorously pushing the button. I knew I couldn’t always rely on our design lab supervisors. So, I learned the mecanism of an electrical circuit- how to fix, fasten, and adjust the circuit- through scouring google and Youtube tutorials. Now I can inspect for the cause of, and repair, the malfunction, whether that might be a faulty wiring, loose connection, water damage or improperly plugged-in battery. I’m proud that I took time to consider sustainable light sources (than some fairy lights), and mastered the how-tos of an electrical circuit.
Plus, I’m very proud that I spent time productively and, therefore, finished my design and blog post before the 4-day break. I only had 3 days in the lab due to absenses for APAC and BEIMUN. Granted, fititng an LED strip in a cloud-adorned bottle is easy. But it was my thorough planning and reserach that enabled my lamp to materialize within 3 work days. Thanks to my meticulous reserach, I did not attempt ideas -say, the “levitating cloud lamp”- that would fail and, thus, take my time away. When there were some errors like my broken wire in the circuit, I sought the lab supervisors or researched the solutions at home. All in all, I attribute my cloud lamp’s success to thorough research.
Explain the areas you need to improve in the product/process
I need to work on the “create and improve” process- securing the “clouds” on the plastic bottle. While some of my fellow engineers complimented my aesthetic fluffy cloud, some complained to me that the glue gun’s nozzle was stuck with polyester and the glue gun station fraught with cloud stuff. Then I realized some clouds were plummeting from the bottle. So, I need to mend and squish the polyester more so that it would stick to the bottle.
Explain the impact of this project on our planet, and the potential client/consumer/audience.
Saves wasted thermal energy
My cloud lamp appeals to students who share a room with others, need light for small tasks,or want a moody vibe in their dark room. My mom, whom I share a bed with, sleeps at 10, while I sleep later to read. So, I cannot turn my room light on or it would disturb my Mom’s sleep. My cloud lamp not only dimly lights my study area, but also reduces thermal energy waste from normal light bulbs, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.
Recycles Plastic Bottles
According to the National Geographic, 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste had been generated…around 9 percent of that was recycled, 12 percent was incinerated, and 79 percent accumulated in landfills or environment. So, it is crucial that we recycle plastic bottles in our daily lives.
This interior of the cloud lamp is held by a used plastic water bottle, reducing the global plastic waste by 20 grams. Even lifting the plastic waste by 2o grams makes a difference towards a sustainable planet, as they say a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. My cloud lamp takes a baby step towards recycling, which when accumulated into a ton, conserves energy, reduces air and water pollution, reduces greenhouse gases, and conserves natural resources.
Saves lives of animals through killing mosquitoes
Initially, my cloud lamp was to save electrical energy in my room. But I wanted my lamp to be make an impact to our planet.
After surfing through the internet about lamps that help our environment, I came across a bug zapper. A bug zapper emits a UV light that “attracts bugs to the center of the device, where they’re electrocuted, usually between two metal grids,” enlightened The New York Times. Because of the irresistible lure of their light, bug zappers are incredibly effective at killing bugs.
Inspired by the bug zapper, in the very last minute, I’ve elevated my design to repel mosquitos.
Here’s my final desgin:
Correction: DEET indoor insect spray, not eucalytus oil
My upgraded cloud lamp makes an impact to the environement through repelling and killing bugs, whose bites can spread viruses like West Nile, Zika, dengue, chikungunya. In fact, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, mosquito-borne diseases kill some 725,000 people a year.
My bug-zapping lamp is an expedient instrument to exterminate mosquitoes; the UV light lures bugs into a cloud of bug spray, then the insect spray breaks the insects’ cholinesterase, which prevents their state of tetany, (continuous contraction) making flying and respiration impossible. In conclusion, though my lamp disables a living organism, utilitarinarily, it saves lives of animals. (Though Deet products on skin for extended periods of time can cause irritation, redness, a rash, and swelling, the CDC and WHO have confirmed Deet is safe for the environment, as it does not contain posinous substances)
Thus, my cloud lamp appeals to civilians in countries with over 100 malaria cases (per 100,000) or people who want to repel or kill mosquitoes.
Therefore, the impact of this night lamp on the environment is largely good because it saves electrical energy, uses recycled materials and repels harmful bugs from humans. Of course, this lamp is not 100% good for the environment: the lamp is powered through a single-use battery instead of renewable energy and if bug repellents wash into surface waters, they can poison aquatic organisms such as fish and crustaceans.
La ciudad de Tokio es una de las ciudades más activa y colorido del mundo. Tokio está situado en el centroy el este de Japón, un país entre China y Corea en Asia. Específicamente, Tokio está rodeado de muchos los océanos y las montañas.
Hay muchas actividades que hacer en Tokio. Si quieres hacer senderismo en Tokio, se puedes ir a la montaña Fuji en Tokio. El Monte Fuji es la montaña de la forma perfecta más alta de Japón y es el símbolo de Japón y es el lugar histórico. Tokio es famoso por la montaña Fuji porque la montaña es muy hermosa en todas estaciones. ¡Debes visitar el Monte Fuji¡
Si te gusta las escenas románticas, deberías ver las flores de cereza en la primavera. Tokio es muy famosa por sus flores de cereza. Cada primavera, puedes ver los pétalos rosados en todas las calles. Las flores de cereza son muy bonitas y románticas. Por lo tanto, las flores de cereza en Tokio son una visita turística famosa.
LO PEOR DE VIVIR EN TOKIO
¡La comida en Tokio es indescriptible!
Lo único de Tokio es la deliciosa comida. En Tokio, hay muchas las comidas japonesas. Por ejemplo, hay sushi, sashimi, ramen, y mucho más. El sushi no solo es sabroso sino también saludable para ti. Se dice que el sushi es muy fresco y salado. Por eso, puedes comer los platos con una variedad de alimentos saludables. Además, Tokio está lleno de las tiendas convenientes con la tanta comida barata y rica.
¡El transporte público en Tokio es increíblemente conveniente!
Lo mejor de Tokio es el transporte en Tokio. Mas específicamente, el transporte en Tokio es más famoso del mundo porque es muy moderno y conveniente. Por mi parte, muchos los transportes públicos en Japón son rápidos y elegantes, no son tranquilas. Así que, es fácil moverse a la escuela o la compañía. Yo creo que un buen transporte público en Tokio mejoraría tu vida.
Por supuesto, Tokio es la ciudad centro de las artes.
Las personas de todo el mundo visiten a Tokio para ver las artes gráficas, por ejemplo, el anime. Si eres encantas el arte de anime, ven a vivir en Tokio. Los colores y los gráficos están en todas partes en Tokio, incluso los baños son bonitos. ¡También, hay tantos lugares donde se filmaron las películas de anime! Entonces, Tokio te espera.
Usted puede disfrutar del ambiente animado especial en Tokio.
Tokio es una ciudad con muchas atracciones. Tokio está lleno de los parques de atracciones y las cabinas fotográficas. Adicionalmente, lo más importante es que Tokio tiene muchos los centros comerciales. Por lo tanto, los habitantes de Tokio pueden tomar buenas fotos, comprar la ropa barata con la calidad excelente y pasar el tiempo en los divertidos parques de atracciones. Por eso que los habitantes de Tokio disfrutan de su estilo de vida extrovertido y divertido. ¡Tú también puedes ser uno de los habitantes!
LO PEOR DE VIVIR EN TOKIO
El costo de vida en Tokio es feo.
Se dice que el costo de la vida en Tokio es tan caro. La renta por los apartamentos es muy cara, y estos apartamentos son pequeños y feos. Además, tú necesitas comprar los muebles mismos. Todavía, muchas personas no pueden permitirse los apartamentos pequeños o las casas minúsculas. Así que, si no tiene dinero, puedes dormir en el suelo de Tokio.
Tienes que tener cuidado en los todos momentos en Tokio
Lo peor de Tokio es que hay muchas los desastres naturales. Es más común para desastres naturales en Tokio porque Tokio está situado en el anillo de fuego de pacifico. Por lo tanto, hay muchas las posibilidades de que su casa y usted puedan estar en peligro. Sin embargo, la tecnología avanzada nos ayuda a comprender los desastres naturales. Aunque que los tsunamis y tornados dan miedo, la gente de Tokio sabe cómo vivir en las tormentas.
Sobrepoblación es un aspecto negative en la Ciudad de las maravillas.
Tokio es una ciudad con muchas atracciones. Mucha gente animada de todo el mundo vive en Tokio para Para el exclusivo estilo de vida de Tokio. Como Tokio es tan famoso, hay demasiadas personas viviendo en una pequeña ciudad. Por lo tanto, los transportes públicos y las calles están muy abarrotadas. También es muy fácil robar las cosas de alguien o perderse en las calles.
El clima en Tokio damiedo.
El clima en Japón es muy extremo y dramático porque el clima de Tokio es diferente cada estación. Por ejemplo, el verano en Tokio es demasiado caliente y algunas veces tanto húmedo. Por otro lado, el invierno en Tokio es demasiado frío. Debido a que Tokio es una isla, el clima cambia mucho. Por lo tanto, las personas que viven en Tokio tienen problemas de ira y se estresan debido al clima. El clima en Tokio nunca es templado. Si vives en Tokio, es posible que siempre necesites un paraguas o botas.
¿Te han convencido nuestros motivos para vivir en Tokio? ¡Deja un comentario abajo!
“Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year” (Climate change and health). Moreover, “more than five million extra deaths a year can be attributed to abnormal hot and cold temperatures” (Guo). Ironically, we are at the height of our so-called “development,”, posing as the apex predator, the pinnacle of living beings on Earth. Nevertheless, this precise arrogance as well as our relentless drive for gain has blinded us from the hurt, we are inflicting on Earth. Now more than ever, we are responsible for realizing the uncomfortable truth of our “development” and taking immediate action to correct climate change. By virtue of the United Nations, nonetheless, climate change is addressed through the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. Associated with Goal 3, 7, 9,11,13, and 15 of the UN Sustainability Goals, climate action is imperative to Planet Earth as “climate-related disasters between 1998 and 2017 killed 1.3 million people and left 4.4 billion injured” (Goal 13: Climate Action). Of course, we cannot “command z” the ruins produced by human activities on Earth’s climate—yet people have ample time to prevent its worst impacts. Hence, every degree of temperature increase is worth avoiding for the prosperity of our planet and future. Should proper precautions not be taken at present, climate change could engulf the world. Thus, we must conquer climate change through instant and dedicated courses.
How does climate change influence biodiversity?
Climate change demands immediate and ambitious action since left unchecked, it threatens biodiversity, the variety of life which bears human and societal needs. Severe climate, warming oceans, and hotter temperatures exceed the tolerance thresholds of flora and fauna, resulting in mass extinction. For instance, according to the World Wildlife Organization, “Wildlife populations in Latin America and the Caribbean declined 94% between 1970 to 2016 (Shaw). Climate change drastically reduces biodiversity; the loss of biodiversity would threaten the structure and function of the ecosystem, ultimately affecting humans in terms of natural resources. To put into perspective, a reduction in plants would hinder the advancement of medicine: “more than 80% of the developing world continues to rely on traditional medicines, predominantly plants (Shanley). As the population of plants is dwindling, we are losing the means to cope with various diseases. In short, without the presence of biodiversity, homo sapiens would cease to thrive.
Biodiversity is merely a fraction of the problems caused by climate change.
Climate Change Impacts
Climate change affects world citizens environmentally, medically, and economically. To illustrate, “sea level rise has accelerated from 1.7mm/year throughout most of the twentieth century to 3.2mm/year since 1993” (Climate Change Impacts). Some fatal effects of rising sea levels include “erosion of beaches, flooding, and loss of many marshes and wetlands” (Hurricanes and Climate Change). Along with catalyzing extreme weather phenomenon, sea level rise situates island nations in vulnerability. According to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) reports, namely “80% of Maldives could become uninhabitable by 2050” (Manzo). Maldives, a modern-day Atlantis, is fading out of Earth’s framework accompanied by several coastal nations. As a result of drastic environmental changes such as rising sea levels, humans and other species would struggle to maintain stability in their dwellings.
Figure 1 displays simulated image of Maldives underwater. Image source
Furthermore, global temperature escalation could ultimately jeopardize public health and safety, water resources, and ecosystems. An analysis by NASA indicates that without significant action to reduce emissions, global temperature would rise by “2.5 °C to 4.5 °C by 2100″ (Is it too late to prevent climate change?)
Figure 2 illustrates rise in Global Surface Temperature. Image source
For instance, civilians are at risk as “higher temperatures increase heat-related illnesses and conveniently ignite wildfire” (Heat and Health). Since heat-related syndromes proliferate, demand of medications to treat those syndromes will undoubtedly surge. Nonetheless, increased temperatures halt production of remedies; specifically, plant diversity is diminishing because of climate change. Beggs, an Environmental Health Scientist, asserts that “increases in UV radiation from stratospheric ozone depletion…lead to an increased sensitivity to the damaging effects of UV radiation, such as photosensitivity [on medicine]” (Beggs). In simple English, medicine development is hampered by temperature upsurges. This undeniably reveals that rise in global temperature imperils our public health.
In addition, changes in weather and climate patterns directly put our health at risk. Not surprisingly, “heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities every year” (Severe Weather Awareness-Heat Waves). To illustrate, “warmer sea surface temperatures could intensify tropical storm wind speeds” (Hurricanes and Climate Change). Allowing wildfires to spark more conveniently, dry conditions set large landscapes on fire and causing mass casualties.
In fact, to avoid heat exhaustion, many would employ electricity to remain cool and comfortable. Consequently, our electricity bills are becoming increasingly burdensome. Specifically in the United States, “if the nation’s climate warms by 1.8°F, the demand for energy used for cooling is expected to increase by about 5-20%” (Climate Impacts on Energy). Do we want to carry a financial burden in surplus to environmental and medical hindrances? Due to the fact that electricity burns fossil fuels, we would be trapped in this vicious cycle of climate dystopia.
As such, climate change affects us in every aspect: our environment, medical needs, and financial loads. Nevertheless, effects of climate change depend on our transformational action taken to reduce emissions and adapt to the climate. There are many solutions to combat the devastating impacts of climate change. Should we be resilient and ambitious, we can prevent the worst in the future.
Realistic Approaches to Climate Change
In recent years, the greenhouse effect has been criticized for its principal influence on climate change. Michael E. Mann, a Professor of Meteorology, affirms that “concentrations of greenhouse gases…have driven substantial climate changes at a wide range of timescales” (Mann).
It is not surprising that greenhouse gas concentrations have intensified since the Industrial Revolution due to advancements in automation. Moreover, greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor—derive from “a variety of human activities, including burning fossil fuels for heat and energy, clearing forests, fertilizing crops, storing waste in landfills, raising livestock, and producing some kinds of industrial products” (Basics of Climate Change).
Hence, if we curb our emission of greenhouse gases, the rise in global temperatures would begin to flatten within a few years. Although completely ceasing to emit greenhouse gases is implausible, methods do exist to reduce the greenhouse effect.
One efficient solution is sustainable transportation. Transportation accounts for “27% of 2020 Greenhouse gas emissions” (Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions). The United States Environmental Protection Agency further asserts that “over 90% of the fuel used for mobility is petroleum-based, including primarily gasoline and diesel” (Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions). Yet, the combustion of petroleum-based products results in the majority of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. Notwithstanding the exorbitant greenhouse emissions, some continue to drive planet-slaying vehicles. Instead of engaging in such irresponsibility, global citizens must strive towards sustainable transportation, which is more economic as well as environmentally friendly. Most importantly, it is a realistic solution. Sustainable transportation refers to “any means of transportation that is ‘green’ and has a low impact on the environment…Sustainable transportation includes walking, cycling, transit, carpooling, car sharing, and green vehicles” (Sustainable Transportation). Undeniably, most sustainable transportation does not discharge immoderate concentrations of carbon dioxide. Therefore, people should replace petroleum-based mobility with sustainable transportation, which reduces the negative impacts of greenhouse gases on our planet.
Another method that can be immediately employed to alleviate climate change is renewable energy. Electricity releases copious amounts of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere: “25% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from generating electricity…60% of electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas” (Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions). Thus, we must find an alternative to reduce electricity emissions. Harnessing the power of the wind, sun, water, and other planetary resources to produce power, renewable energy is a likely substitute for electricity is renewable energy. Renewable energy ideally replaces electricity, as it “emits[s] about 50g or less CO2 emissions per kWh over [its] lifetime, compared to about 1000 g CO2/kWh for coal and 475 g CO2/kWh for coal natural gas” (Tierney). Of course, some may argue that ‘renewables can still cause pollution’, yet in the long term, renewable energy is far less contaminating than burning fossil fuels. Hence, our planet relies on us to invest more in renewable energy.
Unfortunately, climate change cannot be fixed within a short period. Yet, if we opt for pessimism and neglect our ongoing climate change issues, our planet will retaliate with irreversible consequences. Climate change pleads our devoted and instant attention, before ice caps dematerialize and entire nations are wiped out. Most importantly, what we must realize is that climate change is not an abstract occurrence only affecting remote Arctic areas. On the very contrary, every aspect of our lives, ranging from medicine to the economy, will be directly and adversely affected by environmental changes. However, not all hope is lost. There are various methods to thwart detrimental outcomes: displacing petroleum-based vehicles to sustainable transportation and investing in renewable energy.
In the end, the prophecy of our civilization will depend on whether global citizens cooperate through the efforts of adaptation and mitigation or not.
Works Cited
Beggs, Paul J. “Impacts of Climate and Climate Change on Medications and Human Health.” National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 24 Dec. 2000, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6155474/. Accessed 2 June 2022.
Buis, Alan. “A Degree of Concern: Why Global Temperatures Matter.” NASA: Climate Change and Global Warming, Earth Science Communications Team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 19 June 2019, climate.nasa.gov/news/2865/a-degree-of-concern-why-global-temperatures-matter/. Accessed 2 June 2022.
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. “Hurricanes and Climate Change.” C2ES: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, www.c2es.org/content/hurricanes-and-climate-change/#:~:text=Warmer%20sea%20surface%20temperatures%20could,by%20up%20to%2010%20percent. Accessed 2 June 2022.
Guo, Yuming. “World’s Largest Study of Global Climate Related Mortality Links 5 Million Deaths a Year to Abnormal Temperatures.” Monash Educational, 2022 Monash University, 8 July 2021, www.monash.edu/medicine/news/latest/2021-articles/worlds-largest-study-of-global-climate-related-mortality-links-5-million-deaths-a-year-to-abnormal-temperatures. Accessed 2 June 2022.
Lindsey, Rebecca. “Climate Change: Global Sea Level.” Climate.gov, 14 Aug. 2020, www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-sea-level. Accessed 2 June 2022.
Manzo, Daniel. “Facing Dire Sea Level Rise Threat, Maldives Turns to Climate Change Solutions to Survive.” ABC News, ABC News Internet Ventures, 3 Nov. 2021, abcnews.go.com/International/facing-dire-sea-level-rise-threat-maldives-turns/story?id=80929487. Accessed 2 June 2022.
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan. “Severe Weather Awareness-Heat Waves.” National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) branch of the Department of Commerce, www.weather.gov/mkx/heatwaves#:~:text=Extreme%20heat%20is%20the%20number,more%20than%201%2C250%20people%20died. Accessed 2022.
Shaw, Rebecca. “68% Average Decline in Species Population Sizes since 1970, Says New WWF Report.” World Wildlife Organization, 2022 World Wildlife Fund, 9 Sept. 2020, www.worldwildlife.org/press-releases/68-average-decline-in-species-population-sizes-since-1970-says-new-wwf-report#:~:text=Washington%2C%20D.C.%2C%20Sept.%209%2C%202020%20%E2%80%93%20Globally%2C%20monitored,fared%20worst%2C%20with%20an%20average%20decline%20of%2094%25. Accessed 2 June 2022.
Tiernay, Susan, and Lori Bird. “Setting the Record Straight about Renewable Energy.” World Resources Institude, 2022 World Resources Insitude, 12 Mar. 2020, www.wri.org/insights/setting-record-straight-about-renewable-energy.
United Nations. “Goal 13: Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and Its Impacts.” United Nations Organization, United Nations, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/. Accessed 2 June 2022.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Basics of Climate Change.” EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/basics-climate-change#:~:text=Key%20Greenhouse%20Gases,-Most%20of%20the&text=Greenhouse%20gases%20come%20from%20a,some%20kinds%20of%20industrial%20products. Accessed 2 June 2022.
—. “Climate Change Impacts.” EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, 19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-energy_.html#:~:text=If%20the%20nation’s%20climate%20warms,by%20about%203%2D15%25. Accessed 2 June 2022.
—. “Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=Transportation%20(27%25%20of%202020%20greenhouse,ships%2C%20trains%2C%20and%20planes.
Vaughan. “Sustainable Transportation.” Vaughan, City of Vaughan, www.vaughan.ca/projects/projects_and_studies/sustainable_transportation/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed 2 June 2022.
World Health Organization. “Climate Change.” World Health Organization, www.who.int/health-topics/climate-change#tab=tab_1. Accessed 2 June 2022.
—. “Heat and Health.” World Health Organization, 1 June 2018, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-heat-and-health. Accessed 2 June 2022.
—. “WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medici.” World Health Organization International, World Health Organization, www.who.int/initiatives/who-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine/. Accessed 2 June 2022.
I was born twice: first, as a baby boy, on the saline yet refreshing shores of Boston; and then again, as a patriot, in the herbal aromas of the Boston Harbor in December 16th, 1773.
Despite numerous changes due to the revolution, people of color did not rise in social status because wealthy landowning white men were dominated in society. Thus, slavery continued in the South of America and the labor for men and women stayed the same. However, the American Revolution brought copious advances as well.
The Revolution certainly allowed the Unites States of America to become a nation with constitution, ruled by 3-branch government led by the president. The constitution of America allowed for several changes: direct representation of citizens, natural rights and bill of rights, and the freedom of worship.
Owing to the collapse of mercantilism, land expansion became possible while new markets and trade partners opened to foreign companies. New society decrees were enacted: end of Indentured servitude, Inheritance of land to be divided among children, and the women’s suffrage. Hence, no patriot was denied opportunity because of his or her parent’s social status. Yet, indigenous people were pushed westwards as Americans expanded.
The American Revolution was largely due to taxes and duties imposed by the British Parliament to pay the debt caused by the 7 Years’ War. The British Parliament wanted more revenue from the colonies for defending the 13 colonies in the war. Thus, the parliament began imposing several heavy taxes upon the colonies. The video underscores several acts charged by the British Parliament such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Declaratory Act and the Townshend Acts. Colonial opposition grew as the bond colonies infracted the British Parliament’s laws and policies. Phrases such as ‘No taxation without representation’ prospered as an anti-British propaganda. Ultimately, Common Sense by Thomas Paine served as a legendary propaganda which argued independence for the American colonies from Britain. As the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies gained constitutional liberal democracy. From 13 colonies in the 1750s, there are now 50 states in the United States of America.
