Asbestos Removal Acceleration for New Jobs and Fossil Fuel Use Reduction for Public Health and Climate Readiness: A Contribution to the Revival of the Italian Economy Post-COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 104829112110526
Author(s):  
Alessia Angelini ◽  
Stefano Silvestri
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Italian Economy ◽  
Transmission Coefficients ◽  
Greenhouse Gasses ◽  
Asbestos Cement ◽  
Alternative Materials ◽  
Consequent Reduction ◽  
New Jobs

The Italian economy has been battered by the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic. European Union and Italian government economic recovery funds will provide special economic recovery loans aimed toward energy saving and the consequent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals. In, Italy, millions of square meters of asbestos cement (AC) roofing cover industrial and civic buildings. Removal of this asbestos containing material (ACM) would contribute to three pandemic and economic recovery objectives: job creation, reduction of greenhouse gasses (thru energy savings), and public health improvements. Though asbestos was used for its excellent thermal insulation properties, we provide calculations that demonstrate that the cement binding in AC roofing negates the asbestos insulation function. Therefore, replacing AC roofing with roofs made with alternative materials with better thermal transmission coefficients can contribute significantly to energy savings, reduce the risk of asbestos-related morbidity and mortality, and establish substantial economic activity.

scholarly journals Review of Economic Stimulus Packages to Fight the Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 124-134
Author(s):  
Waqas Mehmood ◽  
Rasidah Mohd-Rashid ◽  
Attia Aman Ullah ◽  
Owais Shafique
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Mass Scale ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Economic Stimulus ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Malaysian Government

The purpose of this study is to describe the COVID-19 situation in Malaysia and the way the government of Malaysia manages the impact of this pandemic through economic recovery packages such as economic stimulus packages. This study focuses on the effects of the economic stimulus packages released by the government of Malaysia as a response to the economic recession triggered by COVID-19. Malaysia is one of the favourite tourist destinations, and the tourism industry generates about 5.9% of the country’s GDP. However, the lockdown imposed by the Malaysian government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected almost every sector of the economy. The Malaysian government has taken several steps to control the spread of the pandemic, such as declaring hotspots of COVID-19, imposing lockdowns, and creating mass scale awareness through social media and TV channels. The government has also deployed several economic strategies such as economic stimulus packages to help industries and the people. This study concludes that the mitigation techniques, i.e., economic stimulus packages adopted are working properly; however, some improvements are required as these techniques are inadequate to manage the transmission capability and virulence of COVID-19. Thus, more attention is required for the revival of economic activities. This study helps to obtain an insight into the effects of economic packages and how effective these packages have been in managing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and mitigating the economic recession. It also provides an understanding of how these packages will help flatten the pandemic curve in the future. This study provides information on the current COVID-19 situation in Malaysia. It also offers information on the policies and methods used by the government to solve economic and public health issues. Further, this study lays out guidelines for policymakers and government officials for the development of more effective strategies for economic recovery and public health initiatives.

scholarly journals Ummah Business Market (UBM): Mosque-Based MSME Empowerment Application for Optimization of SDGs in the Time of Covid-19

2022 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-194
Author(s):  
Eka Mega Pertiwi ◽  
Abu Dzarin Al Hamidy
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Development Model ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Application Process ◽  
Business Market ◽  
New Jobs

During the covid-19 pandemic, MSME business activities have decreased and have received small profits. Operations of mosques and amil institutions also experienced a decline. So, it needs an innovation that synergizes the community with MSMEs and mosques to increase the profits in economic and social activities that can encourage economic recovery. In this case, the mosque becomes the center of religious, economic, and social activities. The purpose of this study is to identify and produce a development model for the use of the Ummah Business Market (UBM) for mosque-based MSME empowerment applications and support post-Covid-19 economic recovery and poverty reduction as stated in the SDGs in goals 1 and 8. This study uses primary data with the type of action research that raises issues, makes solutions, and compiles a review of solutions from the Ummah Business Market (UBM) application process in empowering MSMEs during the pandemic. The results of this study indicate that the use and innovation of the mosque-based Ummah Business Market (UBM) application can increase operations and income for MSMEs and mosques, as well as create new jobs. In addition, able to optimize funds. Thus, benefits are obtained for economic recovery, poverty alleviation, and decent work. Ummah Business Market (UBM) also fosters a new attitude of society towards the economy and society, namely care, safe, and sharia.

scholarly journals Effect of Existing Façade’s Construction and Orientation on the Performance of Low-E-Based Retrofit Double Glazing in Tropical Climate

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2016
Author(s):  
Sivanand Somasundaram ◽  
Sundar Raj Thangavelu ◽  
Alex Chong
Keyword(s):  
Energy Savings ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Tropical Climate ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
South West ◽  
Energy Modelling ◽  
Clear Glass ◽  
Consequent Reduction ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems ◽  
East West

This paper investigates the effect of an existing façade’s construction (viz. clear/grey/solar film, with and without external shade) and orientation on the performance of low-e (hard coat)-based retrofit double glazing in a tropical climate. The performance of double-glazed façades is characterized by the ability to reduce solar heat gain and the consequent reduction in power consumption of air-conditioning systems. This study involves a real-life test-bedding of a low-e (hard coat)-based retrofit double-glazing façade for a few specific cases—clear glass southeast façade without shade, clear glass southwest façade with external shade, and northwest façade with solar film and external shade. Subsequently, energy modelling simulations were done to analyze other scenarios involving various combinations of façade orientation (north, south, west, and east) and façade material (clear glass, tinted grey glass, clear glass with solar film) with and without external sunshades. The east/west-facing façades had a higher impact on the retrofit solution, and more so when the existing façade was of tinted glass or with solar film. For the case analyzed, with a window-to-wall ratio of 8% (based on overall building envelope), a grey tinted east-facing façade could benefit from annual average HVAC energy savings of up to 5.9%.

Alternative, Environmentally Acceptable Materials in Road Construction

2015 ◽  
pp. 318-348
Author(s):  
Sanja Dimter ◽  
Tatjana Rukavina ◽  
Ivana Barišić
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Waste Materials ◽  
Construction Costs ◽  
Alternative Materials ◽  
Economic Perspectives ◽  
By Products

Environmental conservation and energy savings, as the fundamental assumptions for sustainable development, and financial savings are possible through the use of new, non-standard materials and technologies in the building and maintenance of roads. Different types of waste materials and industrial by-products may be used in road construction as an alternative to standard materials. In order to be applicable, alternative materials must meet certain engineering characteristics, show an acceptable level of execution, and be economical in comparison with traditional materials. The reasons for the use of alternative materials are many and largely outweigh the possible shortcomings. The use of alternative materials is significant from both the ecological and economic perspectives. Ecologically, the use of alternative materials means a lesser need for the exploitation of natural resources and the quantity of waste accumulated in landfills is reduced. Economically, the use of alternative materials reduces total construction costs. This chapter explores the use of alternative materials.

scholarly journals Comment on Pietrapertosa et al. How to Prioritize Energy Efficiency Intervention in Municipal Public Buildings to Decrease CO2 Emissions? A Case Study from Italy. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 4434

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3961
Author(s):  
Miroslav Variny
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Public Buildings ◽  
Public Building ◽  
Simplified Approach ◽  
Heated Area

This paper responds to the article by Pietrapertosa et al., doi:10.3390/ijerph17124434, published previously in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Its aim is to discuss the appropriateness of the studied method, to analyze its weak sides and to propose its robustness improvement. Thus, data presented in the above study were examined and recalculated, yielding, among others, indicators of annual energy savings (in kWh per m2 of total heated area) and specific proposals investment costs (in € per m2 of total heated area). By analyzing the obtained data for all public buildings, a significantly simplified approach to this problematic has been suggested while several other features of the research method and some presented results lack proper reasoning and discussion. Individual approach to each public building has been proposed and discussed point-by-point to enhance the method’s applicability. As a result, more realistic outcomes are obtained, and suitable investment actions can be proposed.

scholarly journals Commentary: The grateful state: The 2020 Queensland election

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-72
Author(s):  
Paul D. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Political Culture ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Labor Economic ◽  
Recovery Plan ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Public Health And Safety

AbstractThis article explores the totemic 2020 Queensland state election, at which a two-term government plagued by a deteriorating economy and widely criticised travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic was returned with an increased majority. The article posits three arguments: that COVID-19 created a new ‘lens’ through which electors evaluated public policy and that allowed voters to frame public health and safety over the more usual measures of economic performance; that Queensland voters drew on their traditional political culture – especially their predilection for strong leadership and state chauvinism – to evaluate the Palaszczuk Labor government’s pandemic management favourably compared with contemporaneous events in Victoria; and that Queensland voters expressed similar confidence in a Labor economic recovery plan that contrasted favourably with the LNP’s economic platform. In sum, this article argues that Queenslanders in 2020 cast a ‘gratitude vote’ for a government they saw as being in control of both public health and economic recovery.

scholarly journals COLLABORATIVE PLANNING FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE HAJJ

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Abonomi ◽  
◽  
Terry De Lacy ◽  
Joanne Pyke ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Liquid Waste ◽  
Services Sector ◽  
Greenhouse Gasses ◽  
Religious Tourism ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Many ◽  
Visitor Numbers ◽  
New Jobs

Every year, millions of Muslim worshippers visit Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj which is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. Mecca hosts more than 2,300,000 people from around 183 different countries and cultures every year. In 2016, these numbers were forecast to grow to 2,500,000 in 2020. This goal, however, has not been achieved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has forced the government to severely reduce the number of pilgrims in 2020 to just 10,000 people. Ultimately, this situation is temporary and visitor numbers should continue to rise. Tourism, especially religious tourism such as the Hajj, is expected to boost the economy and create new jobs for Saudi youth in the services sector. Yet, despite the many benefits of the pilgrimage, the Hajj itself has several severe adverse environmental impacts. The activities of Hajj generate considerable solid and liquid waste, use large quantities of scarce fresh water and produce high levels of greenhouse gasses (GHGs).

scholarly journals Comparing the Environmental Impact of Stabilisers for Unfired Earth Construction

2014 ◽  
Vol 600 ◽  
pp. 132-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Maskell ◽  
Andrew Heath ◽  
Pete Walker
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gasses ◽  
Clay Bricks ◽  
Earth Construction ◽  
Energy Product

Buildings account for approximately one third of the total worldwide energy emissions, of which approximately a quarter can be attributed to the embodied energy of the building. Current UK legislation for low-energy homes is only concerned with operational energy. Embodied energy, and carbon, is not currently considered but over the design life of an average building is expected to make a significant contribution to the total whole life energy used. Earthen building materials contribute to reduce energy consumption in use through their passive regulation of temperature and humidity. In addition, there can also be significant embodied energy savings compared to other materials. Traditional methods of earthen construction, using locally sourced materials and manual labour require minimal energy for the transport and construction. A greater uptake of earth construction is likely to come from modern innovations such as industrialised manufacture. Extruded fired brick manufacturing processes has the potential to produce a high quality, low cost and low energy product suitable for the mainstream construction sector in both developed and developing nations. By not firing the extruded clay bricks, an embodied energy saving of 86% can be achieved, compared to fired clay, and 25% compared to concrete blocks. However, there are limitations to the structural use of unstabilised earth bricks due to the loss of strength under high moisture content conditions. The use of traditional and novel stabilisation methods can be adopted to address the concerns over strength and durability. Cement and lime are widely used in some countries, but both significantly increase material embodied energy and carbon and can inhibit passive humidity regulation. The paper presents results from a study of the embodied energy of various stabilisers used for unfired clay materials. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure of the equivalent carbon dioxide that allows for the relative weightings of damaging greenhouse gasses. Both the embodied energy and the GWP figures of various stabilisers are compared and discussed. The conclusion of the work is that there is a maximum quantity of stabiliser than should be used. Typically the quantities of stabiliser are quoted as the amount that gives the maximum strength, but this should take account of not only strength but the environmental impact of achieving the improvement.

scholarly journals Ethical Implementation of Immunity Passports During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (5) ◽  
pp. 715-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teck Chuan Voo ◽  
Hannah Clapham ◽  
Clarence C Tam
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Public Health Ethics ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Unequal Treatment ◽  
Health Ethics ◽  
Restrictive Measures

Abstract A number of countries are planning the use of “immunity passports” as a way to ease restrictive measures and allow infected and recovered people to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper brings together key scientific uncertainties regarding the use of serological tests to assure immune status and a public health ethics perspective to inform key considerations in the ethical implementation of immunity passport policies. Ill-conceived policies have the potential to cause severe unintended harms that could result in greater inequity, the stigmatization of certain sectors of society, and heightened risks and unequal treatment of individuals due to erroneous test results. Immunity passports could, however, be used to achieve collective benefits and benefits for specific populations besides facilitating economic recovery. We conclude that sector-based policies that prioritize access to testing based on societal need are likely to be fairer and logistically more feasible, while minimizing stigma and reducing incentives for fraud. Clear guidelines need to be set out for which sectors of society should be prioritized for testing, and rigorous mechanisms should be in place to validate test results and identify cases of reinfection.

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