Environmental Solutions
Air pollution in Italy is a large concern, especially in Florence. Florence is the most air polluted city in all of Italy. The majority of air pollution is caused by industrial and urban pollution. Because of all the pollution, Italy’s forests, bodies of water, and residents were impacted. It is clear that the problem needs to be addressed.
What has already been done (in the present) to address this issue?
Officials have taken action to reduce the air pollution by banning specific places and highways until the issues are mitigated. Not just Florence, but Italy as a whole has been doing much to help the pollution lessen. There is a limit on how long you can keep heat on, because heating systems can affect emissions. Traffic emissions are also being controlled. As one can see, air pollution is a growing environmental problem in Italy.
Solutions from perspectives:
Geography: Solutions to air pollution in Florence, Italy would greatly affect the geography because the environmental issue affects rivers, oceans, and many other physical features. The perspectives from geography tie around with perspectives from the environment as well. Because the city of Florence is very tightly packed and is only about 40 square miles, the factories, chemical centers, and other industrial buildings are very close to the other structures and houses. When emissions such as the sulfur dioxide emissions polluting Florence come from large industrial factories, it can affect all the residents and also cause health problems. In other words, because of how everything is set up in Florence, the polluted air of factories easily travels to the rest of the city.
Environmental: Some ideas which relate to the environment in Florence can help solve some of the countless issues. Tillandsia is a plant which is able to grow in almost any condition, anywhere, without needing soil or much watering. This plant doesn’t require much attention, so it would be good for the busy city of Florence. They don’t need to grow in any specific garden, so it is very self-sustainable and self-sufficient. Therefore, it is an easy way to help clean up the air in and around Florence.
Solutions:
- If more parks and gardens were built, it would help make the environment and the city itself healthier because the variety of plants can give off fresh air.
- Many of the manufacturing buildings should be relocated at a farther distance where the environment is not affected. (ex: an abandoned place)
- Because space is an issue in Florence, instead of consuming usable space, parking lots should be stacked up on top of each other, one car above the other. This would help leave room to construct new and improved places (preferably to help the environment) or simply leave as a field (do not construct on it; there are already too many buildings in Florence).
- If the some of cars were solar-powered, the large amount of the burning of harmful substances such as fossil fuels would decrease immensely. With a decrease in the burning of fossil fuels, the environment would be healthier for the residents.
- Solar-powered houses are also a good option for saving energy.
- Reducing the number of cars on the road is an easy option to help reduce the pollution. Public transportation is an alternative.
Solution: Solar powered cars/buses
As a solution my group and I have listed solar powered cars because it would reduse the amount of the burning of harmful substances. If Florence were to use solar powered cars and buses then that means the environment around them would be much heathier and cleaner. The whole point of using solar powered cars is that the sun will hit the solar panels and it would allow the car to move and drive. You are probably wondering, what if the sun isn't shinning? Well, there is electricity packed inside the battery, therefore this allows for the car to start moving without the need of light. The cost of something like this is very expensive, which is probably why you don't see many people driving around in solar powered cars. Considering the fact that the sun will be beating down on the car, this will make it really hard for someone to drive in because of the amount of heat. Although it seems like a good thing to buy, consider this, lets say you had an accident, the car wouldn't be able to protect you from the thing you have just crashed into, because of the lightweight frames the car is made out of. A solar powered car is known to be the cars of the future. Solar powered cars have a very high speed rage, meaning they could be one of the fastest cars. A car like this would be able to charge while you are driving in it, unlike the cars we all have where your "charging" is actually putting gas into your car. A solar powered car would help a person save money and it would also be environmental friendly. To this day many solar powered cars are being upgraded, meaning people are trying to make a new solar powered car better than the last one made.
By: Elsie
Solution: Tillandsia
Planting tillandsia plants is one step towards solving the dreadful air pollution problem in Florence. Tillandsia plants, or air plants, as they are commonly called, are environment-friendly alternatives to other houseplants which require a lot of attention and work. This plant is extremely self-sufficient and self-sustainable, so it is fit for the busy lifestyle of Florentines. It can grow practically anywhere and doesn't require a specific garden. These air plants grow by attaching themselves to trees and can be a unique accent to hanging gardens. Rather than getting their needed nutrients through the soil like most plants, tillandsias take out some of the moisture in the air to survive. They live best in bright sunlight, and don't demand daily watering. However, they should be watered in the mornings because at nighttime they are caught up in their gas exchanging processes. If they are watered at night when this happens, it disrupts the process and the air plant won't be able to breathe. They generally can live in multiple habitats including deserts, rainforests, and mountainous areas. For these reasons, they are uncomplicated and effortlessly give back to the environmment. Planting tillandsias in Florence would be an easy solution to cleaning up the contaminated air. Because Florence doesn't have many parks or gardens and is mostly composed of active people who don't have time to take care of many plants daily, I believe that tillandsia is a good option.
By: Kimia
Solution: Stacked up parking lots
Because of the tight space capacity overall in the city of Florence, Italy, it is important to conserve every ounce of land that they have available. With the development of stacked-up parking lots, Florence will be able to have more empty space for the construction of buildings to help put a stop or reduce the amount of air polluition for the residents. Stack parking not only consumes a small amount of space, but also saves money. To construct another parking deck or to enlarge a parking lot is very costly so with the installation of stacked-up parking lots, the amount of money that would be spent is reduced. Although this high-tech hydraulic system does not operate very quickly, it is, however, efficient during the process of moving cars to different levels. These stacked-up parking lots raise, lower, and slowly move the cars in different directions to place a car on the right level. Stack parking is more efficient and pleasing when the driver acknowledges when they will return because that allows the person responsible for returning their car more time to move the vehicle back to the first floor for the driver. With the availability of space in Florence after the installation of stacked-up parking lots, they can build local areas such as more parks and gardens. With additional parks and gardens in the city, the plants can give off oxygen and fresh air so that the residents don't have to constantly breathe in polluted air which is very effective on their health.
By: Laura
Solution: Health Problems (considering air pollution)
Air pollution in Florence, Italy has been a major problem especially for the sake of the peoples' health. As you may already know, asthma is very common, but polluted air can make this worse. This is because the pollutants in the air can give a person with asthma a higher possibility for an asthma attack. Some pollutants that may cause a higher chance of an asthma attack can be sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen oxide. Many people use masks as a coping method to not breath polluted air but, Florentine has considered the reduction of the use of heat and traffic bans. Furthermore, they are still trying to find more solutions to help people and their health by putting away air pollution, considering the fact that "...Florentines breathe the most toxic in all of Italy."
By: Yujin
Solution: Solar powered cars
Solar powered cars can greatly reduce the amount of air pollution in Florence. Solar powered cars are powered by solar panels. Like solar powered homes, solar powered cars take the energy from the sun and convert it to electricity. Then the electricity fuels the car's battery. But in solar powered cars, instead of a battery, there is an electric motor. Solar cars can accomplish this through photovoltaic cells (PVC). PVCs are the components in solar paneling that convert the sun's energy to electricity. They're made up of semiconductors, usually made of silicon, that absorb the light. The sunlight's energy then frees electrons in the semiconductors, creating a flow of electrons. That flow generates the electricity that powers the battery or, in this case, the electric car motor in solar powered cars. You will never have to fill up for fuel again. These cars would be good as an environmental solution to Florence's air pollution because while saving your money on fuel, it also helps reduce air pollution.
By: Daniela
What has already been done (in the present) to address this issue?
Officials have taken action to reduce the air pollution by banning specific places and highways until the issues are mitigated. Not just Florence, but Italy as a whole has been doing much to help the pollution lessen. There is a limit on how long you can keep heat on, because heating systems can affect emissions. Traffic emissions are also being controlled. As one can see, air pollution is a growing environmental problem in Italy.
Solutions from perspectives:
Geography: Solutions to air pollution in Florence, Italy would greatly affect the geography because the environmental issue affects rivers, oceans, and many other physical features. The perspectives from geography tie around with perspectives from the environment as well. Because the city of Florence is very tightly packed and is only about 40 square miles, the factories, chemical centers, and other industrial buildings are very close to the other structures and houses. When emissions such as the sulfur dioxide emissions polluting Florence come from large industrial factories, it can affect all the residents and also cause health problems. In other words, because of how everything is set up in Florence, the polluted air of factories easily travels to the rest of the city.
Environmental: Some ideas which relate to the environment in Florence can help solve some of the countless issues. Tillandsia is a plant which is able to grow in almost any condition, anywhere, without needing soil or much watering. This plant doesn’t require much attention, so it would be good for the busy city of Florence. They don’t need to grow in any specific garden, so it is very self-sustainable and self-sufficient. Therefore, it is an easy way to help clean up the air in and around Florence.
Solutions:
- If more parks and gardens were built, it would help make the environment and the city itself healthier because the variety of plants can give off fresh air.
- Many of the manufacturing buildings should be relocated at a farther distance where the environment is not affected. (ex: an abandoned place)
- Because space is an issue in Florence, instead of consuming usable space, parking lots should be stacked up on top of each other, one car above the other. This would help leave room to construct new and improved places (preferably to help the environment) or simply leave as a field (do not construct on it; there are already too many buildings in Florence).
- If the some of cars were solar-powered, the large amount of the burning of harmful substances such as fossil fuels would decrease immensely. With a decrease in the burning of fossil fuels, the environment would be healthier for the residents.
- Solar-powered houses are also a good option for saving energy.
- Reducing the number of cars on the road is an easy option to help reduce the pollution. Public transportation is an alternative.
Solution: Solar powered cars/buses
As a solution my group and I have listed solar powered cars because it would reduse the amount of the burning of harmful substances. If Florence were to use solar powered cars and buses then that means the environment around them would be much heathier and cleaner. The whole point of using solar powered cars is that the sun will hit the solar panels and it would allow the car to move and drive. You are probably wondering, what if the sun isn't shinning? Well, there is electricity packed inside the battery, therefore this allows for the car to start moving without the need of light. The cost of something like this is very expensive, which is probably why you don't see many people driving around in solar powered cars. Considering the fact that the sun will be beating down on the car, this will make it really hard for someone to drive in because of the amount of heat. Although it seems like a good thing to buy, consider this, lets say you had an accident, the car wouldn't be able to protect you from the thing you have just crashed into, because of the lightweight frames the car is made out of. A solar powered car is known to be the cars of the future. Solar powered cars have a very high speed rage, meaning they could be one of the fastest cars. A car like this would be able to charge while you are driving in it, unlike the cars we all have where your "charging" is actually putting gas into your car. A solar powered car would help a person save money and it would also be environmental friendly. To this day many solar powered cars are being upgraded, meaning people are trying to make a new solar powered car better than the last one made.
By: Elsie
Solution: Tillandsia
Planting tillandsia plants is one step towards solving the dreadful air pollution problem in Florence. Tillandsia plants, or air plants, as they are commonly called, are environment-friendly alternatives to other houseplants which require a lot of attention and work. This plant is extremely self-sufficient and self-sustainable, so it is fit for the busy lifestyle of Florentines. It can grow practically anywhere and doesn't require a specific garden. These air plants grow by attaching themselves to trees and can be a unique accent to hanging gardens. Rather than getting their needed nutrients through the soil like most plants, tillandsias take out some of the moisture in the air to survive. They live best in bright sunlight, and don't demand daily watering. However, they should be watered in the mornings because at nighttime they are caught up in their gas exchanging processes. If they are watered at night when this happens, it disrupts the process and the air plant won't be able to breathe. They generally can live in multiple habitats including deserts, rainforests, and mountainous areas. For these reasons, they are uncomplicated and effortlessly give back to the environmment. Planting tillandsias in Florence would be an easy solution to cleaning up the contaminated air. Because Florence doesn't have many parks or gardens and is mostly composed of active people who don't have time to take care of many plants daily, I believe that tillandsia is a good option.
By: Kimia
Solution: Stacked up parking lots
Because of the tight space capacity overall in the city of Florence, Italy, it is important to conserve every ounce of land that they have available. With the development of stacked-up parking lots, Florence will be able to have more empty space for the construction of buildings to help put a stop or reduce the amount of air polluition for the residents. Stack parking not only consumes a small amount of space, but also saves money. To construct another parking deck or to enlarge a parking lot is very costly so with the installation of stacked-up parking lots, the amount of money that would be spent is reduced. Although this high-tech hydraulic system does not operate very quickly, it is, however, efficient during the process of moving cars to different levels. These stacked-up parking lots raise, lower, and slowly move the cars in different directions to place a car on the right level. Stack parking is more efficient and pleasing when the driver acknowledges when they will return because that allows the person responsible for returning their car more time to move the vehicle back to the first floor for the driver. With the availability of space in Florence after the installation of stacked-up parking lots, they can build local areas such as more parks and gardens. With additional parks and gardens in the city, the plants can give off oxygen and fresh air so that the residents don't have to constantly breathe in polluted air which is very effective on their health.
By: Laura
Solution: Health Problems (considering air pollution)
Air pollution in Florence, Italy has been a major problem especially for the sake of the peoples' health. As you may already know, asthma is very common, but polluted air can make this worse. This is because the pollutants in the air can give a person with asthma a higher possibility for an asthma attack. Some pollutants that may cause a higher chance of an asthma attack can be sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen oxide. Many people use masks as a coping method to not breath polluted air but, Florentine has considered the reduction of the use of heat and traffic bans. Furthermore, they are still trying to find more solutions to help people and their health by putting away air pollution, considering the fact that "...Florentines breathe the most toxic in all of Italy."
By: Yujin
Solution: Solar powered cars
Solar powered cars can greatly reduce the amount of air pollution in Florence. Solar powered cars are powered by solar panels. Like solar powered homes, solar powered cars take the energy from the sun and convert it to electricity. Then the electricity fuels the car's battery. But in solar powered cars, instead of a battery, there is an electric motor. Solar cars can accomplish this through photovoltaic cells (PVC). PVCs are the components in solar paneling that convert the sun's energy to electricity. They're made up of semiconductors, usually made of silicon, that absorb the light. The sunlight's energy then frees electrons in the semiconductors, creating a flow of electrons. That flow generates the electricity that powers the battery or, in this case, the electric car motor in solar powered cars. You will never have to fill up for fuel again. These cars would be good as an environmental solution to Florence's air pollution because while saving your money on fuel, it also helps reduce air pollution.
By: Daniela
Solution: Solar powered buildings/ houses
As we know Florence faces a dilemma with space. The loss of space is one of the challenges Florence addresses next to air pollution. With this environmental solution these problems could be addressed. With the use of solar paneled, buildings, offices and houses, some affects of air pollution could be abolished, as well as be a solution that does not use excess space. Let me explain, Stoves and heaters for houses and other large complexes acquire large uses of the the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline, coal, oil, and fuel, that can emit dangerous pollutants into the air and surrounding environments and cause air pollution to be abundant. By replacing these burning areas or generators with solar panels , clean, ecofriendly energy can be provided by the most renewable, reliable resource we have available on earth ; the sun. With the help of the sun, solar panels if placed at least with one on every complex, can be placed on the roofs of these places and acquire unused space. Another advantage to having solar panels as a solution, is that the energy it provides can not only provide clean energy but also can account for a lot of made energy. Solar panels are just as energy efficient as generators too. this is why solar panels are so important to the city of Florence. With the uses of solar panels, it can help manage Italy's waste emissions as well as save money in Florence's pocket. Solar panels can also be used with double purposes. Solar panels can double as ceilings, overhangs or shade providers for walkways, and other public areas. This way people visiting Florence will realize the city as an environmentally friendly place that take advantage of their resources, and the masters of their Eco friendly solutions. soon if this happens nations could copy the example of Florence's sustainability and Florence would be the representation of this environment solutions.
By: Kiara
