#to make our cities more accessible less polluted generally safer and healthier both socially and physically

[harpsicalbiobug]

Every year I fill out my taxes and see the Alternative Motor Vehicle Federal Tax Credit, which aims to incentivize the purchase of fuel efficient hybrid, electric and diesel vehicles, in part to encourage green transit choices. And every year I have a brief burst of rage that the fuel free bike I use to get to work every day doesn’t count.

[vijaydixitseniorbuildersltd]

Sustainable Real Estate Development is the way forward - Senior Builders Ltd.

Climate change has become a big concern globally that not merely impacts our daily life but also poses serious threat for future generations. This is especially true in India as 22 of the world's 30 most polluted cities can be found India. Mumbai, Kolkata, Surat and Chennai are among 45 major cities that are at elevated risk due to rising sea levels. Northern and central India has seen intensifying heat waves over the past decade that are claiming lives across the country. Added to all of this, are the recent water shortages we experienced and the fact that about 160 million people in India lack access to clean water. 

If these statistics don’t succeed in bringing our focus towards environmental concerns then what will? Hence, now is the time to take apt actions to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for all. 

One area that presents India with enormous potential is our building sector. Globally, buildings account for more than one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, and it is estimated that by 2050 the total floor area of all buildings on the planet will double. This implies that the construction sector in India is responsible for about 22 percent of total emissions.  

“Green buildings offer a global solution for cities, communities and neighborhoods around the world to address environmental concerns, reverse climate change and enhance the wellbeing of their inhabitants. Through sustainable design, construction and operations, green buildings work wonders in reducing carbon emissions, energy and waste; conserving water; prioritizing safer materials and lowering our exposure to toxins” says Mr. Vijay Dixit, Chairman and Managing Director, Senior Builders Ltd.

Sustainability is not a new concept in India. In fact, in recent years, India has taken on a greater leadership role and commitment towards reducing carbon emissions. In addition, green building in India has also seen a dramatic increase over the last several years and the future of sustainable real estate in India remains bright.

“It is our social responsibility to work towards the betterment of our fellow citizens who still lack access to very basic needs like affordable energy, clean water and air, basic sanitation and access to healthcare. We can go a long way towards raising quality of life for all by ensuring our development efforts incorporate sustainable design. If the real estate and construction industries were to embrace and invest in sustainability more, it would greatly help in catalyzing the transformation in both our new and existing building sectors – through education, awareness, evolution of the supply chain and mainstreaming of green investments” adds Mr. Vijay Dixit, CMD, Senior Builders Ltd.

We need to reimagine how to scale and grow buildings, communities and cities to meet the needs of our growing population, while ensuring that in meeting this new demand, we create better, healthier, more inclusive experiences around them.

At Senior Builders Ltd, we make constant efforts to ensure construction that not only does less harm but also help in creating a better quality of life for all. Hence, we ensure to take care of the local community of the respective areas where our projects are constructed. This is done by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to the local people during the construction of our projects. We at Senior Builders Ltd pride ourselves in taking exceptional measures to ensure local community’s development and enhancement.

[alapporte19ahs]

The 3 Ps Assessment: Parties, Political Interest Groups, and PACs

1a. Republican: Restrictions on energy is taking thousands of jobs and hurting the American economy. We nee to use our own oil, “clean coal”, natural gas, solar, geothermal, and nuclear energy to relieve our dependence on Middle east oil.

Democrat: America should be running on clean energy by the mid-centry. American states are already seeing an increase in hurricanes, droughts, and flooding. The need for clean energy means there’s a need for new jobs to work for clean energy companies instead of big oil.

Libertarian: Governments shouldn’t be subsidizing any form of energy and they have a terrible track record with the environment, so they aren’t responsible for it. We shouldn’t trust governments with out environment and energy resources.

Green: Climate change is the largest threat facing America and the world today. They want to cut 95% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. They want to encourage and create clean energy jobs. They want a strong international climate treaty. They want an economic policy for a safer climate treaty. They want clean agriculture.

Peace and freedom:They believe that socialism is necessary to end the destructiveness of capitalism on our environment. They want to out-law unsustainable practices such as clear cutting and fracking. They want free public transportation, and to eliminate nuclear power plants. They want to restore the damage in our air and water systems. They also want to end environmental racism.

1b. Republican: I agree that we need to relieve our dependence on oil from the Middle East, but we don’t have the same reserves as them. We don’t have enough oil in the U.S to support how much we use. We need to be relieving dependence on all oil, natural gas, and coal. And focus on solar energy.

Democrat: I agree with almost everything the democratic party said about climate change. But their predictions aren’t realistic. Scientists say we’re not doing nearly enough to keep “global temperature increases to “well below” two degrees Celsius and to pursue efforts to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius.”(as agreed in the Paris agreement). To do this we need to lower our meat consumption greatly, but it doesn’t state that as ways we can lower our CO2 and methane emissions.

Libertarian:I agree the the government has a bad tech record with the environment, but in dire times the government should take control and restrict certain things to ensure public safety and health for generations to come.

Green: I agree with all of the libertarians points. I don’t know that they’re reachable, but they do include the effects of animal agriculture. they want to encourage less meat consumption, and promote organic and local food production and distribution.

Peace and freedom: I agree with everything that peace and freedom says. Sadly, this is the only way we can really stop climate change, and ensure life on earth for the human race.

1c. I agreed most with the Peace and Freedom’s platform. This doesn’t surprise me too much because although they're views are extreme, we need an extreme and radical change to combat climate change.

2a. Sierra Club

2b. "The purposes of the Sierra Club are to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives."

2c. 1. Protect wild places and endangered species

      2. Keep our air and water clean

      3. Ensure a clean energy future

      4. Curb climate change

      5. Keep the pressure on politicians and corporations to ensure safe and healthy communities

2d. The Sierra Club endorses the legislation 1631 that “holds polluters accountable by investing in projects that will lead to cleaner air, cleaner water, and a healthier future for Washington.”

2e. There are Sierra Clubs located around the nation, but there are local ones in Oakland and Berkely. On October 27, there’s a “ walk through the city of the dead” at the Colma BART station. On October 29 there’s a “speak up for SF’s resolution supporting the bay-delta protection plan” in San Francisco city hall. There’s the “West Contra Costa monthly group meeting” on November 3 in Berkely.

2f. Yes there are volunteer opportunities including planting trees, canvassing, and attending hikes.

3a. California Environmental Justice Alliance 

3b.  "The California Environmental Justice Alliance is a statewide, community-led alliance that works to achieve environmental justice by advancing policy solutions. We unite the powerful local organizing of our members in the communities most impacted by environmental hazards- low-income communities and communities of color- to create comprehensive opportunities for change at a statewide level. We build the power of communities across California to create policies that will alleviate poverty and pollution. Together, we are growing the statewide movement for environmental health and social justice."

3c.1. Replacing big polluting industries with a green, locally based and sustainable economy 

     2. People’s lives and health are more important than big business profit

     3. Working to have no barriers to opportunity for low-income communities and communities of color.

     4. Working to have no discrimination in state policies and practices.

     5. Working to relay only on clean energy and eliminate toxic industries that pollute our water, land, and health.

3d. The CEJA endorses AB 523  by Assemblymember Reyes to expand access to clean energy in California.This will help break down barriers that don’t allow low income  communities to have affordable access to clean energy.

3e. They’re located on Oakland. I did not find any local meeting I could attend.

3f. Yes you can volunteer to send a pre-written email to governor Brown asking him sign AB 523.

4. Both the Sierra Club and the CEJA seemed pretty organized, but the Sierra club had more opportunities to get involved and just generally more to explore on their site. The sierra Club seems more successful, partially because they have more ways to get involved on their website. The Sierra Club targets people around the nation that are concerned about the environment and want to get involved, while the CEJA is geared toward Californian’s who are concerned about the environment. The CEJA seemed to project more concern for the health of low-income areas, and people of color that are often not represented in environmental justice, and are at the highest health risks because of where they live and the amount of money the have (environmental racism). The CEJA’s supporters include APEN (Asian Pacific Environmental Network), CBE (Communities for a better Environment), CCAEJ ( Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice), and CAUSE ( Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy).

5a. Koch Industries

5b. “We challenge ourselves to improve people’s lives by creating better products using fewer resources. At the same time, we challenge barriers that hinder competition, opportunity, innovation and progress.”

5c. Total receipt: $3,767,334

     Spent: $3,754,267

     cash on hand: $1,602,378

5d. they have given a total of $1,488,000 to candidates. 2% went to democrats, and 98% went to republicans.

5e. Some of their donors include Koch Industries, Invista Sarl, and Molex LLC. Invista makes chemicals, polymers, fabrics and fibers for clothing, carpets, and car parts. Molex LLC is a technology company that makes products such as lighting, and cables. Most of their donations come from their own company.