“We must discard our belief in limitlessness…” William Catton To Dell Web:
During a study abroad in Copenhagen, I was given the opportunity to view what is believed to be one of the greatest human achievements: the Copenhill Power Plant by Bjarke Ingels. What makes this so incredible is that this is not simply a power plant but a waste-to-energy plant or in this instance, a waste to ski slope transition. Due to the sheer excellence of this establishment, I believe that it is absolutely pivotal to utilize a waste-to-energy system. There are numerous reasons why this conversion would aid in making a better world but for the sake of this conversation, I will limit my argument to the three factors: environment, community and cost.
As a land development company, there is an ethical responsibility to the land; to use its maximum capacity while maintaining the safety of the environment and the people of the land.
The greatest advantage of the waste-to-energy system, in the context of the environment, is that there are no emissions produced from the burning rubbish. In the reading “Green Cities and Garbage Death Rays”, it is explicitly stated that the average American produces approximately 7.1 pounds a day meaning that there is an estimated 1.3 tons of trash generated per year. With so much waste being created per year, the issue of pollutants from exhaust arises. According to the article, “Environmental Effects of Emissions”, “Air pollutants are responsible for a number of adverse environmental effects, such as photochemical smog, acid rain, death of forests, or reduced atmospheric visibility. Emissions of greenhouse gases from combustion of fossil fuels are associated with the global warming of Earth’s climate”.To state simply, air pollutants create dangerous conditions for both the land and the people. The original alternative to burning trash was the fabrication of landfills but as studies have discovered, landfills are even more toxic than burning detritus. The method of burning trash or maintaining landfills have led to land developers abandoning their ethical duty but with this new waste-to-energy system, the duty of a land developer can be fulfilled because not only are there zero emissions being produced but the ethane emissions from landfills are also eradicated.
With the dangers of landfills and the burning of debris eliminated, a beautiful safe space can be created. If the power plant was to become a park, there would be a free and public space where the members of the community could unite and create memories. Imagine the “ample green space, the largest wilderness park within city limits… walkable neighborhoods and a rich web of local farms” as mentioned in “Green Cities and Garbage Death Rays”. The possibilities of what the “energy” factor in the waste-to-energy equation could be are endless. This place that would have been an eye-sore to the community becomes a place where people could go to receive relief from everyday stressors and have the ability to formulate a sense of belonging.
Although most arguments appear pleasing when considered as a theory, it is important to consider the cost. This projects at first seems costly but when further analyzed, it becomes clear that more money is saved with this method than with the traditional methods. With a space such as this, landfill costs are reduced because there is no longer a need to maintain the upkeep of a landfill. Secondly, if the park was perhaps a botanical garden, revenue would be generated through means such as admission tickets. The looming threat of decreasing tourism is removed because the eyesore that was landfill is removed. Rather, tourism would be increased, not only because of the appeal of a botanical garden but also through visitors from all around the world coming to visit and appreciate the spectacle that is relatively rare waste-to-energy system. Lastly, the cost of burning is significantly higher than the cost of recycling making this project more environmentally friendly as well as budget friendly.
The article “Learn Why Parks Are Important” said it best when it alleged “Parks provide intrinsic environmental, aesthetic, and recreation benefits to our cities. They are also a source of positive economic benefits. They enhance property values, increase municipal revenue, bring in homebuyers and workers, and attract retirees.” The environment is protected from harmful emissions, a new aesthetic cultivates feelings of peace and hope within the community and there is a surge in the value of the land as well as revenue. To better our society, we must become the best versions of ourselves as human beings, which is by reducing our carbon footprint, creating a better environment all the while stimulating our economy.