Energy Efficient Building Regulations

Pakistan is one the many countries that is in the dire need of conserving energy through all the ways and means, nature and science can offer. In this regard, the government of Pakistan has finally taken a worth mentioning step to combat this crisis through the implementation of energy conserving regulations upon construction and building.

" It is the first time in almost three decades that the existing energy provisions in the building code have been updated in light of international best practices and latest industry standards. It was essential that better systems were designed in Pakistan to reduce power consumption and improve efficiency in the use of existing energy resources." said the Minister for Science and Technology of Pakistan, Zahid Hamid.

As there is the saying that "where there is a will, there is a way" , there is a possibility that these rules and regulations when implied will greatly contribute towards the eradication of energy crisis within Pakistan. As the studies show that after the industrial consumption, it is the public and private buildings that consume the most of the energy reserves of a country.

For a deep insight on this topic, please refer to the following link: http://tribune.com.pk/story/670997/energy-efficient-designs-new-set-of-building-regulations-launched/

Serve to Conserve! But How?

We use electricity every hour of every day in our lives. Whether it is for an alarm clock or a fridge, we all use electricity. Most people think this is a clean source of energy, but in most cases, it is a large source of pollution. 
For example, the single largest source of greenhouse gasses in Virginia is the coal-fired electricity generators that supply over 40% of the state’s electricity. 
For this reason, the number one recommendation for reducing our carbon footprint from electricity is to switch to 100% renewable energy. The easiest way to do this is to purchase your electricity from a green source such as wind and solar energy, a huge step in going green. 
Moreover, there are numerous easy-to-act-on ways that if implemented by each and everyone of us, can not only play a pivotal role in playing our part in conserving energy but can also lower down our electricity bills significantly.

• Reduce Your Fridge Energy Consumption:  Keep the refrigerator temperature between 35 F (1.7 C) and 38 F (3.3 C) and the freezer at 0 F (-18 C) for maximum efficiency and safety.

• Dry Clothes Naturally: A clothes dryer requires a lot of energy, so why not air drying your laundry on a clothes tree or clothes line? When you do use your dryer, clean lint filter thoroughly after each load and don't over dry the clothes.

• Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: The common light bulb we use today is actually the technology from over 100 years ago. It is inefficient and produces heat. While Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL) cost more to purchase, they save you money over the life of the bulb through energy conservation. They last much longer than a traditional bulb, run cooler, and use almost 80% less energy. --> Some people object to the colour of the light, so what you need to shop for is “Warm White”, which is much closer to the light of a traditional bulb. Remember to dispose the bulbs once they burn with hazardous waste such as batteries as they contain mercury. To see why you should make the switch, check out this 3 minute YouTube video called "CFL Lightbulbs in Plain English"

• Turn Off Computer When Not in Use: A computer  (Desktop w/ monitor) left on for 24 hours uses the same amount of energy as a 13w fluorescent light bulb left on for almost 10 days. Most people wouldn’t leave a light on for 10 days, so why does it make sense to not turn off a computer? If you are concerned about the hardware wearing out faster, don’t be - those are outdated thoughts. In the last decade, computer hardware has evolved and will not be adversely affected by turning the machine on and off. For additional energy conservation, plug in all your computer devices to a power bar or extension and turn off the power bar after the computer is shut down. 

• Use LED Lighting: Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting is extremely energy efficient. They are now common in decorating lightings. The LEDs are about 100 times more efficient than traditional lighting. For example, there are many companies conserving energy and saving money simply by changing their exit signs to use LEDs. All we have to do is to switch the traditional decorative or excessive lightings with the LED lightings.

• Dishwasher Efficiency: To make more efficient use of your dishwasher, only run it when there is a full load. Use the energy saving setting such as choosing to air-dry the dishes. If you are shopping for a dishwasher, ensure you purchase a model with an Energy Star symbol. This ensures you are getting one of the most energy efficient appliances available.

As it goes that "charity begins at home", similarly first we have to bring change in our selves and our homes and do our bit to conserve energy, and then we have to look up for the bigger ideas on a commercial platform. And if we implement these small changes in our lives, there would be a day soon in the foreseeable future when our planet will be more energy efficient than today.

For more tips on energy saving and conservation, you can refer to the sites listed below.
Energy Conservation Tips for Homes
Energy Conservation - Need of the hour

WATER - WHY NOT WE ALL HAVE IT

This time as I again let my hands play on the keyboard, I would like to ponder on the point that even though millions of people of the world are deprived of most of the modern facilities of the 21st century, there still exists a large number of human population in the world, who are unable to get the basic necessities of the life.
One of those utmost necessities is clean drinking water and one of those ill-fated nations to face this problem is Pakistan.
In Pakistan, except a couple of cities and urban areas, the dwellers of the most of the rural areas are still unable to get one of the most basic necessity of life - clean drinking water. As many as 72 million Pakistanis out of a population of 180 million + are deprived of having access to safe drinking water.

"About 60% children die due to water and sanitation related diseases in Pakistan, with diarrheal diseases estimated at killing over 200,000 under-five years' children, every year (“World Water Day: Pakistan 60 Million People No Access to Safe Drinking Water”). According to WHO-UNICEF in 2000 the mortality rate of children under five in Pakistan is 101 deaths per 1,000 children, and most of the deaths are caused by water transmitted diarrheal infections." - DAWN NEWS
The major reason behind the scarcity of clean drinking water in Pakistan is that the major source of drinking water in Pakistan is groundwater, so water availability has become the second most serious issue over the time.This becomes even more daunting as estimated level of water available may decline considerably in the foreseeable future.
The need of the hour is to join hands to overcome this worldwide fierce problem. We need to raise awareness about the adverse effects and fatal diseases caused by drinking unclean water.  An effective way to do that is to reach out to all those underprivileged areas, arrange sessions for all those people who are not fortunate enough to live their lives like you and me, and make the full use our skills and resources to provide them healthy and safe drinking water.
"For a united nation is a successful nation and living for others is living the right way". 

Its the time to take Action!

Energy conservation plays a pivotal role in defining energy and its key areas. Therefore it is imperative that we involve individuals at all levels to strive collectively to conserve and save energy. We as individuals should take the first step with the aim of making a difference in the lives of others by saving energy and being a part of a great cause to conserve it. We want to educate people towards a better tomorrow by inculcating in them a behavioural change. The first step towards this change is identifying the fact that we are all connected. The tag line, ‘Serve to Conserve', for the energy conservation message propels us to work for a greater cause in our respective capacities.
As for task-4 of Global New Media Lab, we had to expand our circle of resources for data collection for our social campaign through RSS Feeds and Google Alerts. I did research a couple of websites for that purpose. Or should I say, they found me through RSS Feeds and Google Alerts. Some of them which shared the same goal as mine are:
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/01/19/news/profit/energy-conservation-need-of-the-hour/
http://www.altenergymag.com/emagazine/2011/04/alternate-ways-to-overcome-energy-crisis-in-pakistan/1682
The websites listed above specially emphasized on the ways and means to overcome this issue within my country as well as globally.
I hope with the passage of time, as I learn more about my targeted social issue, its consequences and ways and means to eliminate it, I would be able to make a difference in my society and eventually in my country.