Author Archives: Herrick
Posts by Herrick
Futures Conference Reaction
Overall, I thought the Futures Conference went smoothly. My group was very prepared to present and to answer questions which showed in our presentation. We focused really hard on cutting down our presentation time to make it just right and I’m glad that we accomplished it in the end. The event was organized really well as every room was diverse and very open to discussion. It was diverse because they mixed Macaulay students from different schools into the same rooms which I really liked. Students from different backgrounds could come together to share their groups’ ideas. Every group had 10 minutes to present and then a Q&A session, which gave every group a chance to speak equally. During the Q&A sections, the environment was very open for anyone to ask their questions. I was happy to see everyone engaged in discussion on the big-picture problems. The two hours went by relatively quickly in my opinion as there were 7 groups packed together, each with an interesting topic.
Herrick’s LWT article for 4/16
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/04/11/Mayor-Bill-De-Blasio-bans-New-York-City-from-using-single-use-plastics/3091555037384/
A New and Cleaner Penn Station
The MTA’s addition of a West End Concourse is amazing because I’m tired of walking through the old and disgusting Penn Station. This West entrance/exit makes my commute a little more pleasant as I get to enjoy a new and cleaner Penn Station. This demonstrates New York City’s resiliency since they are trying to improve upon the outdated and dirty Penn Station. They are giving people an alternative route that looks brighter and feels more refreshing for commuters like me. It paints a better picture for public transportation as something that is cleaner than the usual disgusting image of New York City transportation.
Cohen Takeaways- Herrick
After reading The Sustainable City by Steven Cohen, I learned that living sustainably is not just about preserving nature but also the transition to a green economy in cities. Since the majority of people in the world live in urban areas, it is imperative that cities and nature exist together in harmony. If we don’t want to destroy the world and cause a climate crisis, cities around the world have to change what they are doing by being more sustainable. Many cities have already invested in changing their infrastructure for the sake of the future, from renewable energy and energy efficiency to mass transit and waste management. However, there is still much left to do. For cities to become more sustainable, there has to be a change in public policies and legislation that is geared towards solutions to climate change. There are a number of great examples of sustainability from all around the world that can be adapted and implemented today.
Cohen Mini-Presentations- Herrick
Future of NYC
I went to Hudson Yards this afternoon and I went up the Vessel. I thought I would share this to show that NYC’s future isn’t just about climate change and pollution even though it is a serious issue. For this week, I wanted to post a picture that symbolized something positive. This structure is a representation of NYC’s innovation and architectural achievements. I hope to see more of these magnificent landmarks in the future of NYC before it sinks into the ocean.
Planet Earth is going to die from asthma soon
If you look closely, there are four cylindrical holes where pollutants are being released constantly. There is no way for the Earth to be breathe in all this gas without having some serious negative consequences. The sad part is that the president denies these problems that are clearly right in front of us and we just have to open our eyes to see it. This is like forcing the Earth to inhale a bunch of harmful gases into its lungs and this has been happening for far too long. There is no way this can be sustainable in the long run. We already see the effects from the changing climate and something has to be done.
Imagine the things we don’t see
This photo is an obvious example of New York City’s contribution to carbon emissions. We see it all over the city and I always think that’s a lot of pollution. The pollution that New York City generates leave a huge carbon footprint. This is neither good for the environment nor sustainable for the future. Additionally, it is harmful to the air that city-dwellers breathe. The sad part is, this is only what we can see on the surface. Imagine all the pollution that’s hidden from the public eye.
Trash at every turn
It’s very disheartening to see so much trash in the city. At almost every street I turn into, there are piles of trash everywhere waiting for the garbage truck to haul it away. With the sheer quantity of trash in New York City, there has to be a better system of disposal for the future. The garbage everywhere makes walking through the city very unappealing since it not only takes up space on the sidewalk but it also smells awful. This problem won’t go away on its own so the city has to find a solution to this growing problem. Especially if there is a leak or a hole in a trash bag, all the liquids spill out onto the streets and sidewalks and it’s simply disgusting. The overwhelming amount of garbage truly taints the image of this city.
Trash to Treasure
Imagine turning something that seems like garbage into something that can be useful. Now imagine how much waste is produced in New York City and how great it would be if we could actually turn that waste into something valuable like energy. Well, in Sweden they have found a way to recycle more than 99 percent of all household waste. The way they do this is by burning waste and turning it into energy. Of course, they don’t burn everything since reusing, recycling, and composting are still better. However, burning waste for energy is a step towards zero waste. Since waste is a relatively cheap fuel, Sweden has, over time, developed a large capacity and skill in efficient and profitable waste treatment.
Source
.https://sweden.se/nature/the-swedish-recycling-revolution/
Comments by Herrick
"Hey Ingrid,
I found your post very intriguing since I had never known that these "Tenji blocks" were made for that purpose. I had always assumed that those blocks were just used for people who could see. After reading your post, it makes sense now that it is also used for people who are vision-impaired. The funny thing is, nowadays with smartphones, people are constantly looking down, so this innovation is still really useful for travelers who can see but are looking at their phones."
--( posted on Apr 6, 2019, commenting on the post
Adapting Urban Design Solutions )
"I couldn't agree with you more that the trash problem in New York City is a serious issue that isn't being addressed effectively. On my walks to Penn Station, there is not a single time where I don't pass by a pile of trash that takes up a significant part of the sidewalk. It smells disgusting and it makes the city disgusting; it truly is quite the garbage producer. I think you bring up an interesting idea about Barcelona's solution. I wonder if it is a viable solution to New York City's trash problems."
--( posted on Mar 30, 2019, commenting on the post
Yet Another Picture of Trash )
"This picture really captures a lot of NYC's terrible qualities. There's a bunch of trash everywhere, graffiti all over the walls, trees that pretty much look dead but I know it is the winter, and MTA workers fixing the rails because there is always something wrong with public transportation. It's a sad sight to see, but I'm not sure if there is any long term solution in action or not."
--( posted on Mar 16, 2019, commenting on the post
The View Behind an MTA Train Window )
"Your first statement about measuring the population growth of NYC by the amount of garbage is interesting but I am not sure how reliable and accurate that information will be. As for that specific trash bin in the photo, I personally dislike it a lot because the opening on top is too small for certain things. I am glad to hear that they are redesigning the trash cans because I never liked the wire mesh one or this one. I believe the goal of that competition is very important to all New Yorkers. I can't wait to see the new trash bins."
--( posted on Mar 9, 2019, commenting on the post
Better Trash Bin? Not this one. )
"Hey Pabvitraa,
I agree with the points you made about why trees are so important. I actually never realized what the purpose of those wood frames were for. It's actually pretty funny to think that something as simple as a wood frame can reduce the amount of damage done to trees. While this design has its limitations and flaws, I am glad that the city is doing something to protect the trees in the city rather than ignoring the issue. Especially since New York City is known to be a "concrete" jungle and not a "green" jungle, it's imperative to keep the few existing plant-life from dying out."
--( posted on Feb 23, 2019, commenting on the post
Tree Guards Protect Their Own )
"Hi Lauren,
I have noticed the same issue whenever I'm in Penn Station and I completely agree with you. That part of the station is definitely one of the worst parts of the station and it doesn't seem like the city is making a strong effort to remedy the situation in an efficient manner. I'm always worried whenever I walk under there that it might collapse in that moment and it definitely smells terrible. Since the traffic in Penn Station is almost always very busy, especially during peak times, the city should really prioritize in getting it completely fixed to improve the commute. It is certainly a great example of the city's crumbling infrastructure."
--( posted on Feb 16, 2019, commenting on the post
Crumbling Concrete Jungle )
