Luca G Furino

Thanksgiving:

From what I understood, each video targets some different aspect of environmental degradation by explaining it then offering solutions on what can be done to ameliorate it. In particular, the topics of each video included, ecological footprint, carbon footprint, degrowth, and economic inequality. For the most part, they all culminate in criticizing one aspect of contemporary society that is to blame for our planet’s current environmental crisis. Overconsumption, economic disparity, and perpetual growth, all of which are interconnected by the capitalistic economy we live in. While they do not directly blame capitalism, the root of the problems that they discuss can be traced back to capitalism.

Week 9 Sustainability Action:

Week 8 Sustainability Action:

Environmental sustainability in the fashion industry is often overlooked in terms of environmental protection, but that does not necessarily mean it is something that should be deprioritized. In fact, the fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment, from the use of water and chemicals in textile production to the disposal of garments that contribute to waste in landfills. Fast fashion, in particular, encourages overconsumption and short product life cycles, exacerbating environmental degradation. Prioritizing sustainability in fashion involves adopting practices such as using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and promoting ethical labor practices. By shifting toward more sustainable production and consumption patterns, the fashion industry can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and preserving natural resources for future generations.

Week 7 Sustainability Action:

This week, I spent time learning about the energy generation potential of biomass and its possible applications in the future. For context, biomass is any organic material derived from plants and animals, such as wood, crops, algae, or even waste products, that can be converted into energy.

The Power of Mass Demonstrations:

Mass demonstrations by the general public are an empowering thing. No matter the reason behind the protest, there is a sense of unity among all of those present, and that feeling of strength in numbers is what motivates people enough to keep going, or even recruits others that were too afraid to stand up because they did no see how many people were willing to fight for the same cause.

Week 6 Sustainability Action:

Over the past week I have made the effort to consume all of my meals without the presence of any distractions. No electronic devices or entertainment. Just myself and contemplative silence, with the exception of dinner when I eat with multiple individuals. A couple things became apparent to me. Firstly, you are more focused on the actual meal itself. You gain a newfound sense of appreciation for it, especially if someone else prepared it for you. Secondly, and maybe this is just my mind being left to wander, but I became acutely aware of the privilege I found myself in. To be able to sit down and eat a meal in peace and in the comfort of my own home is not something we would typically think of as a luxury. In a developed country, such as Canada, we think of it as commonplace, normal. Or maybe, you do not even think of it at all and yet, the majority of people around the world do not live a life as good as we do.

Week 5 Sustainability Action:

This week, I spent some of my time learning about micro wind turbines and their potential to become a more customary source of energy. The primary question is, "What makes micro wind turbines such an attractive source of renewable energy generation?" The answer is in its cleanliness and renewability. For context, when I say cleanliness, I am referring to its zero emissions quality. The generation of micro wind energy from these turbines generates none of the pollution that more commonplace sources of energy do, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The other benefit of these turbines comes from their renewability. Unlike the previously mentioned sources of energy, whose supply is finite, micro wind generation is infinite as it harnesses kinetic energy produced by wind, a naturally occurring phenomenon, and converts it into mechanical energy used to power a generator which then produces clean electricity. Furthermore, their compact size in comparison to traditional, larger wind turbines makes their implementation into urban complexes and more remote, sparsely populated areas achievable.
But, there exists some kind of drawback to every solution and in this regard, micro wind turbines are no different. They are costly and not easily manufactured. It would not be a realistic assumption to say that within the next dew decades, these micro wind turbines will become a staple in the energy production industry, because they will not. The reality is that they will likely remain an unpopular means of energy generation in which only the most affluent and technologically advanced nations can afford them.

Week 4 Sustainability Action:

I selected this challenge as I knew it would be simple enough to integrate in my current lifestyle. I would typically have my parents drive me to and from the bus station in the morning and afternoon/evening upon my return. This week, I simply decided to walk this distance, as I do enjoy walking and experiencing the liberation that the outdoors provides, in contrast with being kept indoors to either study or learn in a classroom for hours at a time.

Self-Introduction:

My name is Luca, I am a third year at Vanier College in the Computer Science and Mathematics pre-university program. My main interest is video gaming, but I do not mind the occasional read. I also dedicate a large amount of my Saturday's to working at a reception hall, so you could maybe consider that a kind of hobby done begrudgingly. In terms of ideas for my sustainability project, one of them would be something along the lines of water management and reusability/treatment. Being responsible with our water consumption on a day to day basis.

Vanier Sustainability Action Plan Response:

I believe the plan has a strong foundation. It is organized well enough and has been thought out, given the structuring of the plan. It is ambitious in that it manages to acknowledge and improve upon practically every aspect of the Vanier College Campus, such as waste management, transportation, education, nutrition, ect.
In terms of how well these initiatives have been implemented, I am going to say they have done a fairly unnoticeable job. There are some obvious solutions to problems that are still present. For example, if you want to reduce waste, then install hand dryers in every bathroom on campus so that you eliminate the need for paper towels to dry your hands. This would allow you to remove all garbage bins inside of bathrooms.