Summary_Reader Response Draft 1

In the article, "Green buildings, Singapore's natural ally for a greener future", MacKenzie (2017) states that green building design is a way to fight climate change. The author claims that Singapore’s economic success over the many years has resulted in a sharp increase of buildings being built. This contributes to a quarter of the carbon emission produced by Singapore. To combat this issue of climate change, BCA aims to have at least 80% of buildings to be Green Mark certified by the year 2030 and to educate people about the consequence of climate change. In fact, some buildings have already started going green. For example, PARKROYAL has features that make it energy efficient. For a building with green building designs, it should consist of light colours, makes use of natural lighting, optimize technology, utilizing an element that emphasizes sustainability and lastly, liaising with the stakeholders. Asia Square is a prime example of this. It consumes 35% less energy and is one of the most efficient buildings in Singapore, as it combines design and sustainability. This shows that having a green building design is not expensive and is the way forward.

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While the summary provides clear details on the positive impacts and details of green buildings, it fails to mention why developers would adopt green building.

It is an undeniable fact that buildings are a major contributor to the carbon emission in the worlds. However, it is essential that the government would have to entice entities to adopt green building.  Singapore is a good example of how the government attracts green building design to developers and businesses. In the article, “Why green real estate is the way forward”, Ang (2017) states that the government of Singapore offers developers benefits for buildings that adopt green building features. The government rewards developers with an extension of 2 percent Gross Floor Area when they adopt green building features. As for existing buildings, BCA will absorb 50 percent to the implementation cost of the green building features. As for businesses, the government enforces green building design by only leasing out office spaces that are certified with a Green Mark Gold Plus. This shows that the government provides an open door for the transition to the adoption of green building design.

India also places heavy emphasis on green building and is leading in the pursuit of green building design. In the article, “Green Buildings: Way forward in reducing emissions from buildings”, TCRP (2016) states that it is the Indian government’s priority to shift its focus to ‘sustainability of habitats’ through improving the energy consumption of its buildings.

India already has a system in place with the backing of the Indian government which would help in the country’s pursuit to implement green building design. According to, “Going Green: The way forward” The Economic Times (2008), it claims that [*the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), which works closely with the Indian government*], plays a vital role in the green building initiative. It implements a complex system called the Integrated Building Management System (IBMS) which is much like a ‘nerve centre’. It controls anything that consumes power, to reduce the consumption of energy throughout the entire building. In the long run, it is an economical system for developers or businesses to have. Unlike Singapore, which gives direct incentives for the adoption of green building features, India provides entities with the system which aids in the facilitation and implementation of green building.

In conclusion, I believe that it is the ease of transition for entities to adopt green building design and its economic benefits they would gain from it, that is the number one pull factor that governments would have to come up with, to push their countries towards green building design.

References

Ang, K. S. (2017, January). Why green real estate is the way forward. Retrieved from JLL Real Views website: https://www.jllrealviews.com/

TCRP (2016). Green buildings: Way forward in reducing emissions from buildings. Retrieved from Climate CoLab website: https://www.climatecolab.org/contests/2016/buildings/c/proposal/1321702

TNN (2008, May). Going Green: The way forward. Retrieved from The Economic Times website: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/going-green-the-way-forward/articleshow/3040667.cms

Edited: 6/2/2019

Summary draft 1

In the article, "Green buildings, Singapore's natural ally for a greener future", MacKenzie (2017) states that green building design is the way to fight climate change. The author claims that Singapore’s economic success over the many years has resulted in a sharp increase of buildings being built. This contributes to a quarter of the carbon emission produced by Singapore. To combat this issue of climate change, BCA aims to have at least 80% of buildings to be Green Mark certified by the year 2030 and to educate people of the consequence of climate change. In fact, some buildings have already started going green. For example, PARKROYAL has features that makes it energy efficient. For a building with green building designs, it should consist of light colours, makes use of natural lighting, optimize technology, utilizing an element that emphasizes sustainability and lastly, liaising with the stakeholders. Asia Square is a prime example of this. It consumes 35% less energy and is one of the most efficient buildings in Singapore, as it combines design and sustainability. This shows that having a green building design is not expensive and is the way forward.

Thesis statement: The summary provides clear details on the positive impacts and details of green buildings, however, it fails to mention why developers and businesses would adopt green building.

Summary draft pointers

-In the article, "Green buildings, Singapore's natural ally for a greener future", MacKenzie (2017) states that green building design is the way to fight climate change.

-Singapore’s economic success over the many years has resulted in a sharp increase of buildings being built, contributing to a quarter of the carbon emissions produced by Singapore.

-To combat this issue of climate change, BCA aims to have at least 80% of buildings to be Green Mark certified by the year 2030 and to educate people of the consequence of climate change.

-A building that reduces the total consumption of water and electricity.

-Using green building designs:

1) Use light colours

2) Maximise natural light

3)Leverage technology

4) Select and install suitable elements that promote sustainability

5) Work with stakeholders

-To combine design and sustainability

Reported speech problem scenario

Andrew claimed that his problem statement was drinking carbonated drinks at least three times a day. This habit was formed when he was in polytechnic, as he claimed that he has not drank enough carbonated drinks when he was in primary and secondary school. His habit became worse as carbonated drinks replaced water. Even after countless advice from others, he still chose to ignore them. According to him, this habit developed as he has no control over himself due to his young age. But after he grew older, he came to realise the negative effects of this bad habit and eventually kicked this habit out.

More about myself

Dear Mr Blackstone,

My name is Alfian Arjuna. I am a year one student from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), pursuing a bachelors degree in civil engineering. Having graduated from the diploma in civil engineering from Singapore Polytechnic, I believe it is the passion I have for the built environment which led me to continue and pursue this field.

I chose to be in this field because I have always been fascinated by the skyscrapers and infrastructure around us. I remember when I was younger, I use to spend hours playing lego, building all sorts of intricate 'buildings and bridges'. I believe this was how i developed the passion for civil engineering.

Furthermore, I find that in Singapore's current economic climate, being in the engineering industry is secure, as there will always be jobs available for us. Especially in civil engineering, there are various industries which I can work in, be it in construction, transport, water, geotechical, environmental, structural and many more.

To share a little bit about myself, I used to be severely overweight, weighing at 104 kilograms. It was when i enlisted into National Service, that I was taught the importance of my health. From then on, I lost even more weight and eventually got to where I am today. The reason why I am sharing this with you is because I strongly believe in the power of determination, in setting what our hearts wants us to do.


My hobbies include cycling, hiking and swimming. These hobbies helps me tremendously in maintaining my weight as I believe it is important to pursue anything that we love.


My communication strengths would be i am able to express my personal opinions through writing, and I am sure that I am able to deliver my point across. I am also open to criticisms as i feel that through criticisms, it is the only way that we can improve.

My weaknesses would definitely be my presentations and expressing my opinions through words. I have always been a shy individual, and because of this, I feel that I have to step out my comfort zone.


At the end of this module, I aim to improve the way I write, know when to use the different tones for different situations, improve my presentation skills, and articulate my words clearly. Just like how I was determined at losing my weight, I strongly believe that with your help and guidance in this module, I would be able to achieve my aims in improving my communicating skills. Thank you.

Best Regards,

Alfian  Arjuna
CVE 1281
Group 4

Edited 19/1/2019 22:27

Commented on:

Jordon
Baizurah
Aufal

Introduction

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my blog! This blog has been created for the purpose of improving my command of english and also to hopefully have fun in the effective communication module!

Alfian