The World We Create

Listen to the song “Is This The World We Created...?” by Queen. What feelings does the song convey? What does it say is wrong with the world? What kind of law do you think is referred to in the second verse? What could the devastation in the last verse refer to?

One project which has been instigated in order to find solutions to some of these problems is Masdar City, Abu Dhabi; an experimental city using renewable energy, which has the goal of being a sustainable zero carbon, zero waste ecology.

1. Watch the video tour of Masdar and note down the most important features of the city.

   
   
   Suggested Answers

   Covers 2 sq. miles, to be developed as two large squares
   Should be commercially viable
   Sustainable buildings
   Electric buses and taxis
   Rapid transit system
   Arabian building techniques with narrow streets and courtyards
   Shade, avoids direct sunlight on windows
   High degree of insulation
   Wind tower creates natural current of air
   Water features help to cool the air
   Masdar Institute researches material properties and structures, water and energy
   Solar energy
   
   

2. Use the Internet to find out more about Masdar City – location, start, completion, progress, cost, criticism, etc.

   
   

   Useful links: Masdar City, Masdar, Abu Dhabi

1. Greenpeace has stated that the Masdar City project is all very well, but it would be better to spend more time and money on already existing cities to make them more environmentally friendly. Do you agree? Do you think it would be possible to modify existing cities like Los Angeles or London?
2. Suggest some of the things your town or area could do to improve the environment (waste, pollution of air/water, energy saving, building, transport).

Find out if your town or area has current projects which will lead to a better environment.

Explain the meaning of the following terms: sustainable energy resources, renewable energy, solar energy, wind farm, hydrocarbon, hub for cleantech companies (Masdar is described as such), personal rapid transit, potable water, geothermal energy, waste incinerator, grey water.

Like Queen's "Is This The World We Created...?, "Fragile" by Sting is open to interpretation, and environmental concern is often seen as the bottom line. Look at the digital presentation of "Fragile" by Sting, and then use this as an inspiration to make a similar presentation of "Is This The World We Created", giving your presentation a definite environmental message.