Monday, 4 June 2012

June 4th news article for safekeeping and sharing.


Just for my record and sharing to others brainwashed.


六四23周年﹕在哈佛教六四有什麼難


【明報專訊】按:哈佛大學東方語言與文明系何曉清博士自兩年前開設六四課程,去年秋季開始課程加碼,由原來一個學期一科增設至兩科,兩班學生修畢課程後,今年春季共同組織了「天安門運動歷史與記憶」研討會宣讀期末論文,來自哈佛不同學系的資深中國問題研究教授全程參與,普林斯頓大學的國學大師余英時教授為學生寫賀辭。六四課程的課堂照片連續兩年成為哈佛新生課程總目錄的封面,何曉清也連續兩年獲頒哈佛傑出教學獎;一切看似順遂無虞,實則,這第二年裏,她面臨種種挑戰。於今年六四周年前夕,她將經驗整理總結和分享,一次過回答關注這個課程的一些疑問。

問:可否分享一下在哈佛教授六四的心得?有了第一年的經驗,第二年是否教得更得心應手?

答﹕按常理說,應該是這樣的——開新課是最難的,教過一次有經驗就應該相對容易了。不過,因為六四事件的記憶在過去二十多年在國內被有系統地刻意抹殺和篡改,還原這一歷史事件真相總是困難重重。事實上,第二年教學遇到的挑戰比我想像中還要多。

真相與偏見

問﹕為什麼?第二年有什麼變化?

答﹕第一年我教的六四課是新生課程(Freshman Seminar),也就是說只對哈佛新生開放,其他年級的學生無法報讀。但去年秋季哈佛一個學期就開了兩門六四課——一門是新生課程,一門是中國歷史課。這樣一來,哈佛任何學系的本科生研究生都可以報讀。一個學期開同樣題目的兩門課在哈佛是不尋常的,系裏也很支持這門課。一般來說,系裏喜歡開大課,吸引更多學生,不過大家覺得六四這樣的題目需要深入討論,因此決定六四歷史課也應該像之前的六四新生課程那樣以研討課(seminar)的方式進行——與大課(lecture)不一樣,研討課是有名額限制的。我利用暑假對閱讀內容和課程安排作了一些調整,包括安排每堂課開始前先播放一段與該周閱讀主題相關的短片。這些短片多是港人製作,從《自由花》到去年新製作的卡通《寂靜之聲》(Sound of Silence)。萬事俱備,只等開學。

開學第一周,一位學生在臨近下課的時候既慶幸又有點不好意思地說:差點就決定不上這門課了,幸好沒有聽別人的勸告。他接解釋說:負責義務接待他的(host family)一個來自中國大陸的人告訴他不要上哈佛的天安門課,因為這堂課教的是「有偏見的歷史」(biased history),並堅持要幫他填表另選一門課。這位來自歐洲的學生覺得自己意願不被尊重,決定先來聽一下課。話音未落,另外一個中國學生也說他是頂壓力來上課的,他的另一位朋友就因為壓力不來了。另外,聽說一位中國學生也是因為「偏見歷史」杯葛我們的課。她說一看那「坦克人」(Tank Man)的海報,而不是「暴徒」打士兵的照片,就決意不選這門課。這些「偏見歷史」的說法和「頂壓力」的感覺對我來說是不陌生的,但是對於班上其他剛剛從中學考進哈佛的美國孩子來說,這些傳言既充滿神秘感又有點不可思議。

同學們這樣的情緒開學沒多久又加深了。起源是我們班上的一個E同學聽到一個中國學生議論我們的課——該名中國學生在眾人面前宣稱她之前上過我們的天安門課,但覺得教的不是真實的歷史,就把課dropped了。E同學是一位特別有正義感的美國女孩子,她在課堂上問我﹕我們這門課一直是「爆滿」的,是不是?到底去年有沒有人中途dropped課的?我回答說﹕是爆滿的,沒有一個同學中途放棄,而且全班每一個學生都在教學評估裏給了我滿分,不可能有同學對這堂課不滿——這點班上的同學是了解的,因為哈佛學生很看重教學評估,他們決定選修一門課前一定會看前一年學生是怎麼評價一門課的。E同學覺得很困惑。類似的小插曲,在開學初層出不窮,歷史課班上也有。

問﹕這些情對教學有什麼樣的影響?

答﹕這些例子,正好說明八九民運並沒有結束於一九八九年,六四只是一個結束的開始——八九民運與後天安門時代的中國社會密不可分。不過新生同學不一定都明白。為此,我相應調整了教案。按照原來的課程設計,前面幾個星期集中閱讀有關六四歷史的文獻資料,後面再講記憶。可是,因為同學們一開學就要面對關於六四記憶的爭議,因此歷史與記憶的討論無法再分開,而是雙線並行——一方面了解真相,另一方面回顧分析歷史在過去二十多年來如何在官方和非官方的話語裏被記憶和解讀。當然,這個過程並非一帆風順。

公義,愛國與身分認同

問﹕可否具體講一下遇到的困難?

答﹕大概因為想證明我們這門課不是有偏見的歷史,新生課程的部分同學一開始對傾向於中國官方的觀點更為包容而對批評的意見則有更多的質疑。例如,班上一位中國同學反覆強調中國現在很強大、六四已經過去西方嫉妒中國的崛起才糾纏這些問題等等,同學們也是老老實實地聽不大爭辯。這樣的情持續了一段時間,直到有一天我們去燕京圖書館看天安門資料集。面對死難者的血衣,面對那些被坦克壓過連頭、手、身都無法在辨認的血肉模糊的照片,那位中國同學開始解釋中國政府是沒有辦法才鎮壓的,當時沒有更好的裝備。他說為什麼我們就不能相信政府是好意的,是為了經濟繁榮社會穩定才鎮壓等等。那一刻我有一種很強的無力感,半個學期大量的史實閱讀資料分析,加上眼前血淋淋的證物,還有那一箱箱充滿希望的八九學生的照片——那些曾經如同這位哈佛中國學子一樣年輕的臉孔,依然無法讓他理解二十多年來天安門母親的苦苦等待與抗爭。我不記得自己是怎樣把資料集的最後一個箱子交還的。當我走出圖書館的時候,居然看到好幾個同學在雨中等我,陪我走回哈佛園。後來這幾位同學多次要求哈佛圖書館給他們機會不收報酬義務整理天安門資料集的箱子,他們希望六四證物重見天日而不是放在塵封的箱子裏。

問﹕那次經歷對學生有怎樣的影響?

答﹕同學們開始對關於八九後的清算、媒體宣傳、網絡控制、教科書修改、天安門母親等閱讀題目產生濃厚興趣。前面提到的那位因為別人中傷我們的課程而困惑的E同學,在哈佛校報上發表了一篇關於中國新聞和網絡審查的文章,指出言論自由的中國才有希望;班上另一位同學也在校報上發表了一篇關於五毛黨的文章。

當同學們讀到「愛國主義運動」的內容和修改過的教科書主題,發現裏面的論調居然如此熟悉——他們都在不同的中國學生那裏聽說過了,就愈發好奇。我開始引入政治社會化(political socialization)的概念,同學們在這個理論框架下有效地探討教育、傳媒、網絡、同齡人、家庭等社會化的媒介(agents)在民主社會會和非民主社會裏所起的不同作用,從而分析公民教育(citizenship education)與政治灌輸(political indoctrination)對年輕人產生的截然不同的影響。好幾位同學在期末論文裏不同程度地探討對後八九的愛國主義教育對大陸新一代年輕人的價值取向和身分認同的影響,以及掩蓋真相的做法對今天的中國社會意味什麼。其中一位W同學用QQ的社交網絡方式與大陸同齡人探討六四問題的論文在研討會上讓人印象深刻。多位學者表示W同學的論文無論從文獻資料到數據到分析都是研究生水平,無法想像是出自大學新生之手。W同學中學期間在中國生活過三個暑假,與班上其他一些同學在大陸生活過的同學一樣,平時談起中國總是一往情深。在美國長大的孩子都明白批評政府不等於批評國家和人民——相反,監督政府是公民的責任。W同學也是當日雨中在圖書館門口等我的其中一位,我清晰記得他當時問我﹕為什麼他們知道真相還為政府辯護?W同學大概沒有料到:他提出的那個問題,竟然被一位大陸觀眾在我們的研討會以感嘆的方式表達。

問﹕是由學生組織的研討會?

何﹕是。當時的情是這樣的﹕在研討會第一輪小組討論上,W同學宣讀完論文後,歷史課班上一位來自香港的J同學宣讀她的關於港人的六四記憶與身分認同的關係的論文。她用自己的個人經歷說明「為何香港的年輕人會關心六四」,她用維園的燭光來回答「香港人是否愛國」。她從一個八九年後在香港出生長大的年輕人的眼光,講述她小學的歷史老師陳先生明明知道六四不是必教內容,但依然在下課後在黑板上寫上「六四」兩個字,並向當時還是小學生的J和其他小同學講六四是怎麼一回事。後來這位陳先生又帶同班上的十多個同學參加維園紀念活動。

聽完J同學的論文後,一位大陸觀眾在提問時段舉手,並表示他不是要提問,只是想談一下自己的感受。一開始我以為「偏見」大批判又來了。結果,這位朋友說他看到J同學這樣的香港年輕人對六四的關注,看到香港是中國大陸唯一可以紀念六四的地方,再想想大部分大陸年輕人不了解六四真相,非常感慨。雖然這位朋友英文說得十分費力,說話時因情緒激動而聲音一度哽咽,但他表達的擔憂我相信在場的每一個人都聽感受到。值得欣慰的是﹕當天現場觀眾席上就有好幾位來自中國大陸的有批判精神、獨立思考能力、探討真相勇氣的年輕學生。J同學的論文也得到曾在諾貝爾和平獎上為劉曉波演奏《茉莉花》的音樂家張萬鈞先生的共鳴。

對那位大陸觀眾的感嘆,我自己當然也感同身受。正因為那些顛倒是非黑白的挑戰,每一個人對真相的執著、對公義的堅持才顯得更為重要。J同學的小學老師陳先生一定沒有想到:他為同學們講述「六四」的聲音有一天在哈佛燕京禮堂裏迴響。

米蘭昆德拉把人民與強權的抗爭形容為記憶與遺忘的抗爭。一九八九年,北京市民學生用血肉之軀面對機槍坦克;在八九後的二十三年裏,港人用燭光面對強權,點燃真相。維園不滅的燭光,代表不死的民心,無權者的權力,人民的力量就算在漫長的黑夜裏,我們都不言棄。因為,明晚,維園將再次燭光點點。

文、圖 何曉清

編輯 蔡曉彤

Sunday, 3 October 2010

禁絕虛幻世界的實驗報告

轉自明報:

你的心不是公廁

——禁絕虛幻世界的實驗報告


【明報專訊】這次我所挑戰實驗的,是一個由facebook、msn和手提電話構成,半實半虛的國度。

兩個多星期來,我一直嘗試堅持,沒瞥過facebook一眼,也沒在msn露面過一秒,手機也徹底關掉。

我將其視為一種實驗,以自身的感受、思想作記,刻畫這三件「物件」,以至於虛幻世界與我的關係。

過程、結果

兩星期之初,我先把iPod Touch裏面facebook的app刪去,因為這通道的存在標誌那facebook世界的觸手可及。呃,我必須以認罪悔疚的口吻來承認自己的心癮﹕我 以往每天讀news feed不下數十次——未必是真的在讀,但不瞥一下心裏總是有所缺欠,這,為之癮。瀏覽facebook已經變成比喝水更為牢不可破的習慣,或心癮。

沒有facebook,我開始收不到好些約會的通知,也無法得知其他人(容我偏執地以「人」來代替「朋友」)的近況;沒有facebook和 msn,我失去跟好些人——其實是大部分人——的聯絡。嘿,不妨想像一下,如果下一秒鐘,你的facebook、msn、手機的contact都完全蒸 發,你可怎樣做?還有誰的電話、email地址能夠一直留於腦海?你的男女朋友呢?你家的電話呢?)

沒有facebook,最多是把自己的群體性散失,但沒有手機,帶來的不便卻讓我在往後不斷猜想,究竟手機未興起時,日子是怎樣過的?當我出門時決 定把手機獨留家中時,也許出於褲袋裏空無一物,心頭不期然顫動,即使把紙巾等形狀與手機相近的物件塞進褲袋,鬱悶仍揮之不去。這是缺乏安全感的證明。

原來沒有手機,你會被迫準時,再沒有「唔好意思我要遲五至十分鐘」的權利。你要早早跟友人約定集合的具體位置,愈詳盡,愈好。原來是手機,把我們的 決斷力,以及準時美德,一同抹殺,但我們責無旁貸。

這兩星期,不用每天誠惶誠恐不停翻看facebook讓我的工作變得順利,回家後不必亮覑電腦讓我有更多時間跟家人相處傾談,路途中不必提起手機讓 我的腦袋放空,仔細思考從前不會觸及的事情。

限期屆滿,重回facebook世界,我頗有剛去完長旅行回港的錯亂感覺。無法跟上別人的話題,反而輕鬆自在。起初我以為別人定會知道自己消失了一 段長時間,facebook會擠滿notifications; msn會滿是offline message;電話會盡是未覆短訊。但原來不﹕facebook的notifications只有區區幾個;msn的offline msg全是病毒留言;手機短訊倒是有幾個,但錯過了又彷彿無足輕重。原來這些存在感的證明,從來都不能依賴別人賦予,只是自己加諸自己身上。比方說,當你 活躍於facebook世界,不斷在別人相片、note留言,notifications自然就多,你也自然有種濃厚的存在感。

於是我開始對這些事物產生太膩的感覺。我不會從此脫離這個世界,只會任性地維持抽離。同時也逐漸抽離地檢視身邊依舊沉迷虛幻世界的你們。

討論﹕

上下班的路途上你反覆按覑簇新的iPhone4屏幕,咀嚼facebook的每一個字;你跟不相干的路人在msn漫無目的聊天。在公司、學校、餐 廳、客廳、房間,你都嘗試用這些「物件」搪塞生命的每一寸空白。你討厭空白,討厭游手好閒,討厭孤獨,於是裝作色彩斑斕,裝作忙得不可開交,裝作了解身邊 人的一切。

但你忽略了空白的意義。就在你在家用msn跟人搭訕時,你父母的華髮稍稍冒出長成;就在你在餐廳用sms跟別人展開漫漫對話時,你忽略了坐對面那人 的感受。你以為facebook拉近人與人之間的距離,但原來它不過拉近你與某些原來不相干的人之間的距離,並與此同時讓你跟其他原來親密的人漸行漸遠。 你用facebook令自己結交了一百個所謂朋友的同時,你用facebook背棄了好些以前熟悉的舊人。

你在facebook竭力去裝出一個形象,或交遊廣闊,或與眾不同,然後你的一舉一動就是往那終極目標進發。於是你開始為有多少人跟自己說聲生日快 樂而惴惴不安;你開始在網上搜羅文章來突顯自己的形象;你把自己所做的每一件事都在上面跟他人匯報;你以為facebook不過是一個由日常生活延伸的舞 台,但它已然成為你生活舞台的全部。

也許一切都是條件交換。你把自己的一切事情裸裎人前,來換取別人也如此赤裸地展示身體。但為何你要向這些不相干的人赤身露體,而對更多真正關心你的 朋友、家人封閉自己呢?

你的心明明只想充當你的私人廁所,讓你閒時走進去發泄情緒、寧靜獨處,或是汲取靈感,為何你偏偏要犯賤地把它改裝成藍色的流動公廁,中門大開地歡迎 別人侵佔,並放下糞土濃痰呢?他們不過將你的心單純地當作公廁,用作排泄,用作交換是非,完成後便拔足遠離。你卻因應這些公廁旅客的要求而裝修這座私人廁 所,為它塗上你最討厭的顏色,放置最讓你反胃的皂液,以求讓最多的人擠進來,把廁所弄得傷痕累累。

借用卓韻芝的新書書名,你‧的‧心‧不‧是‧公‧廁。

文 阿果

http://news.mingpao.com/20101003/vzb2.htm

========================

好,也讓我來做實驗.

在別人FB上,留下空白的留言,會有甚麼反應?

我們會曉得"留白"嗎????.........

Friday, 15 January 2010

Where is the solution to Global Warming? Science? Are you serious?

Here's the link to my netfriend's blog about Is science the key to global warming?

(I have contacted him and he is OK for me to cut and paste his work.)

Where is the solution to Global Warming? Is Science the key to Global Warming? Or should we ask "Is Global Warming the only issue we are facing?"

Do you think we can sit there, do nothing, (actually complaining the "lack" of air conditioning), and "business as usual"?

Get real!

The world is changing, unfortunately, for worse.

Here are a few points from the linked blog (and my thoughts):
  • Scientific proof is not the key point to the existence or non-existence of Global Warming. By the time we have good understandings of what's happening, the circumstances may have changed to some thing yet different again. And the proposition that we can (completely) understand the science of Global Warming is merely wishful thinking. The nature (or environment, or ecological system (implying a living and ever changing system), or God's creation, whichever way you say it) is beyond science's domain. Science is only part of the nature.
  • We can't see the big picture. But that doesn't mean we only look at ourselves, or worse, nothing. We need to have a variable focus. Look at the big picture and ourselves. But then, this leads to ...
  • What value do we put on oneself and one's surroundings? Do the surroundings exist merely to serve us? This goes particularly to women. I know so many women saying something like "Air conditioning is the greatest invention", "I can't live without air conditioning", "Why is the air conditioning not on?", or merely stare (and grudge) at me when I suggest turning the fan instead of the A/C on. Is human comfort so much more important than the varnishing of the world?
  • "Does human lose connection with the environment?" Actually, this is a variant of the point above. I heard of this when I was in a training course of "Building Thermal Performance". For example, when people come home from work and find that the indoor is "warm", first thing most people do is to flip on the air conditioning switch. -- Coming back to the connection with nature, can human win over nature? Can human ignore nature? ...... We should know the answer but are we doing what we should be doing?
  • Do we know we are doing harm (or good?!) to the environment and ourselves, sooner or later? This may or may not be Global Warming. Things can range from intoxication from chemicals, fertilisers and insecticides used in agricultural and other cases, (e.g. Australia talks about BPA in baby bottles now. BPA had been banned in some other countries.), light pollution (e.g. bird are somehow confused with the night sky during their migration), GM genetically modified food, ..... etc. The list goes on and on.

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

Oh! Almost half a year from my last blog!

I didn't write blog for almost half a year!

What's wrong with me?

Anyway, I haven't put effort in writing blog. As simple as that.

Why? Maybe I haven't found something I want to write about for blog.

In fact, GFC has its effects on me. I am not a 4-day week roster.

That should mean more time for me. But then, if I am at home, I wouldn't bother to write blog.

And because of GFC, it's not good to spend time to write blog in the office. Otherwise, I may be in a real crisis.

Anyway, the office becomes a bit quieter. My workload fluctuates. But for April, I actually didn't take my day-offs as I've got work to do.

Some businesses and the governments are still spending.

The key is how you position yourself in the right place when opportunities comes along.

And I have the abilities and the tools to service clients with NABERS, Green Star, BCA Section J, etc.

So, it appears I am still surviving.

When will I write my next blog?

Any one have any idea they want to share?

Or any one want me to write in Chinese?

P.S. Gundam 00 is over! So, I am on Japdorama now.

Friday, 21 November 2008

Cape No. 7 and memoirs.....

Thanks to

Friday, 17 October 2008

Some new ideas

Instead of staying quiet for a while, I just think of an idea.

This is about posting the links that I read for the day.

So I can keep track of what info and blogs I've gone through.

Today, I skip through the following info:

Magnetic train:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_levitation_train
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A3%81%E6%87%B8%E6%B5%AE%E5%88%97%E8%BB%8A

Lunar space elevator:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_space_elevator

Other house energy rating software - Sustainability Victoria

ZTC Ltd. Tether-Sling Prototype - Page 10 - Orbiter-Forum

What is a well ventilated fridge space?

What is indoor or sheltered clothes drying line?

Energy Labelling - Selecting an efficient appliance Clothes dryer

Energy Labelling - Selecting an efficient appliance dish washer

Here are the url's I've read through yesterday or before, as from my firefox's browsing history:

Raining goals as Cahill and Co make statement - Football - Sport - smh.com.au

We were a circus: Rio praises new England order - Football - Sport - smh.com.au

Australian Building Codes Board: BCA 2008 Volume Two - List of Amendments

[轉貼][科技探討]MK82的衝擊——解析MK82核彈的原理 - 高達專區 - 動畫/漫畫 - 香港討論區 discuss.com.hk - 一個香港只得一個香港討論區

Which Linux makes the best business Windows replacement desktop? | Computerworld Blogs

Shorelink Library Network

Nabers Performance Rating Calculator

Windows Energy Ratings Scheme - WERS

MSI Announces Wind 2, Says Customers Hate Linux | Gadget Lab from Wired.com

Why smart people uses Linux « TransLXP - By Infrasound

Canonical Confirms MSI's Linux Return Rate Statement

Why so stupid?: how the human race has never really learned to think - Google Search

Edward de Bono - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1/144 HG GN-X III A-Laws Type

Sale Items www.hlj.com

Main Page - DramaWiki

Linux Mint 5 "Elyssa" - XFCE Community Edition - Linux Mint

Solar power satellite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

gundam 00 technology - Search results - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Artificial intelligence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

pagetable.com » Blog Archive » Bill Gates’ Personal Easter Eggs in 8 Bit BASIC

Asustek launches new Eee PC laptop - Articles - Laptops - Digital Life

VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Aruto Type (Plastic model) Bandai Macross Frontier 1/72

Space tourism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Spaceflight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Real Cost of Space Exploration - a knol by Edward Isarevich

Moon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Earth Statistics

What is the diameter of the Sun?

Bureau - New South Wales Observations

Australian Water Availability - Solar Exposure

The Gardens of Babylon: Preliminary ideas about my PhD project

HVAC Systems

Hydrogen, H2, Physical properties, safety, MSDS, enthalpy, material compatibility, gas liquid equilibrium, density, viscosity, flammability, transport properties

Hydrogen - Specific Heat Capacity

SE_Ideal_App_for_FEL.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Space Elevator GEO Station on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Music of the Spheres: Popular Space Elevator View

Space maths & physics forum - Orbiter Forums

AttitudeMFD - OrbiterWiki

What is Earth's mean radius? - a definition from Whatis.com

Toshiba takes wraps off netbook | Register Hardware

Berbatov nets twice in United romp - Football - Sport - smh.com.au

The ROI of PC power management |Sustainable IT | Ted Samson | InfoWorld

Chinese Proverbs quotes

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme home page

Where Windows is #2 to Linux | Computerworld Blogs

Full Circle Magazine | Issue 17

ABSA

2008 Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards & Trade Show - Courses & Events - Green Building Council Australia (GBCA)

Leading Green Thinkers Sydney - Courses & Events - Green Building Council Australia (GBCA)

Five Ways To Cut Energy Bills - Forbes.com

Wow, I have been through quite some webpages.

I believe this will be an asset which allows me to trace back information on another day!

Friday, 10 October 2008

Happy Birthday to me!

Another busy month!

Another not so productive month within the blogosphere!

Just to say "Happy Birthday to me!"

Hey, Lo Paul (chinese way of saying "wife"), I haven't received anything yet!

Thursday, 4 September 2008

Unproductive August blogger

Wow, I didn't write blog in August?!

I was busy, I am busy, and I am going to be busy with real energy efficiency and "green(wash)" work.

What I've done in August:

  • Several BCA Section J DTS (Deemed-to-satisfy) assessment reports.
  • Completion inspection for the first Section J Report I've done. The building is at The Entrance (90 km from where I work)
  • A few JV3 Performance Assessments for some proposed buildings. One of them is a big retail chain with specific alternative solution using PMV/PPD and HSI (Heat Stress Index).
  • A number of NatHERS/BASIX assessments orf residential apartments and houses.
  • I've moved house.
  • I had a friend's family visiting me from HK. (Dr. Square Fong) We are both from the same B.Eng. course. We speak the same "green" language. And it might be alien language to our wives and other people (LOL)!
  • Manage issues with the building of my family's new house. Yet more are still to come!
There are signs that the Australian economy is slowing down. When it appeared I might have a little break in my busy work schedule, suddenly some EE and ESD projects rushed in. The clients just liked to have the job done "Yesterday". (Yes, this is the trend. All jobs are already overdue?!!)

Some reasons (excuses) for the silence in the blogosphere!

Now, need to get on with the JV3 energy simulation which will due tomorrow! I will be late! OH, dun!

Thursday, 31 July 2008

Update to "Unofficial ABGR Assessment"

I have an entry about Unofficial ABGR Assessment back in February.

I actually finished the report around June/July.

So, here are the updates from the assessment:

The base building ABGR (now it is NABERS Energy) could achieve 5 stars. The tenancy ratings ranged from 0 star to 2 stars. So there was some disparity here.

To fairly compare this building with other buildings, the whole building rating should be used.

The whole building rating was assessed to be 3 stars. This means "Best Practice" according to the ABGR official definition. This should be considered fair or even good for a building around 20 years of age.

However, in the Australian building market place, knowledgeable tenants will demand 4 or 4.5 stars.

To bring the building to 4 or 4.5 stars, the energy consumption has to be cut down by about 40%!!

For an existing building, this is not easy to achieve this. Some major renovations will be required to cut 40% energy use.

Well, when I talked to the property manager, "cost effectiveness" came before "sustainability"!

You know what that means?

Wednesday, 25 June 2008

June's Update

This month (June) seems not like a good month for me (and my family).

So that's why I have been silent for a while.

I had been quite busy at work.

Just when I had a little bit of breathing space, I fell sick. I (and my wife) contracted flu from my young boy as he got flu from the child care centre. We had two days of sick leave from that.

Just when I return to work (and still a little bit sick), work is pouring ......

Why I can type this now? It's because I am working on BASIX. Takes me five minutes for a recalculation. So I use this time to update my blog.

Well, BASIX again!

Look at here for BASIX: http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au/information/index.jsp

Tuesday, 6 May 2008

ESD AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN AUSTRALIA (4) - BCA SECTION J - ENERGY EFFICIENCY

I think I may move on to BCA Section J.

Some time ago, I read an article in "Ecolibrium" (AIRAH professional journal) about "paradigm shift" in the Australian business sectors towards "Sustainabilty".

It was viewed as a "nice to have" features. But nowadys, the view is that sustainability is essential to the continuing development. And after all, sustainability really bear benefits for the building owners and building users.

And from my personal experience, large developers are really embracing sustainability whole heartly. Smaller ones are not so consistent but the trend is clear that sustainability has its place and is becoming more and more important!

Back to BCA (Building Code of
Australia).

BCA is similar to “Building Ordinance” in HK. For some quick info on HK’s Building Ordinance, see this: http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/services/index_support3.html

However, BCA, starting from 2004, is updated annually.

In 2000, all State and Territory governments had agreed to introduce mandatory energy efficiency standards into the BCA in order to reduce GHG emissions attributable to the operation of buildings.

The first stage was to introduce energy efficiency measures into the BCA Volume Two on
1 January 2003. (BCA Volume Two relates to requirements and regulations for freestanding / detached houses and garages.)

The second stage was to introduce energy measures for multi-residential buildings into BCA Volume One on
1 May 2005.

The final (third) stage for introducing energy efficiency measures is to include energy efficiency measures for all other building classifications in BCA Volume One. (BCA Volume One includes requirements and regulations on all other buildings including commercial, retail, industrial, institutional, recreational, schools, hospitals, aged homes, etc.)

I’ve said it before – the inception of the plan dates back to 2000. The actual “full” implementation date is 2006!

For places that haven’t started, how long will they take to have some proper legislation in place?

You can have some good in-depth understanding on the rationale of Energy Efficiency in BCA by reading these "Handbooks". Mind you one of them is over 150 pages and the other is over 300 pages!

http://www.abcb.gov.au/documents/energy/Handbook_vol1.pdf

http://www.abcb.gov.au/documents/energy/Handbook_vol2.pdf

So how can a building comply with BCA Section J?

Basically, there are two approaches:
1.Deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) method (prescriptive method)
2.Verification method (JV3) (JV2 is superseded from 1 May 2008)

With the DTS method, it is like ticking a checklist to comply with
ALL the requirements.

With the JV’s, the annual energy consumptions of the building under different scenarios are calculated. If they are under a certain benchmark, then they are compliant.

And I list some major categories in the DTS method.

There are eight categories to be checked for Energy Efficiency compliance:

Part J1 – Building Fabric

‧Roof and Ceiling Construction
‧Roof Lights
‧Walls
‧Floors
(In most cases, insulation, esp. roof insulation, is required to keep the temperature in a building less prone to outside temperature fluctuations.)

Part J2 – External Glazing

‧Two methods (spreadsheets) for checking compliance
‧Shading is also important
(Generally, large glass area without shading will fail.)

Part J3 – Building Sealing

‧Chimneys and flues
‧Roof lights
‧Windows and doors
‧Exhaust fans
‧Construction of roofs, walls and floors
(Basically, there should be some things to prevent unwanted air coming in or out of a building)

Part J4 – Air Movement
‧Only applicable for multi-residential buildings
(This part requires that the openable window area equals or exceed a certain % of floor area.)

Part J5 – Air-conditioning and Ventilation Systems
‧Air-conditioning and ventilation systems
‧Time switch
‧Heating and chilling systems
‧Miscellaneous exhaust systems
(Energy efficient air conditioning and ventilation systems with proper controls (like the inexpensive time switches) are required to pass the requirements.)

Part J6 – Artificial lighting and power
‧Interior artificial lighting
‧Interior artificial lighting and power control
‧Interior decorative and display lighting
‧Artificial lighting around the perimeter of a building
‧Boiling water and chilled water storage units
(Simply speaking, you need good energy efficient lightings and control switches to comply. Normal light bulb in most cases will fail.)

Part J7 – Hot water supply
(Need a proper design to comply, i.e. don’t just get a “no-body” to do it.)

Part J8 – Access for Maintenance
(Just allow access to repair and fix equipment and components.)

It may sound simple from the above descriptions. But there are many small details to check.

And I have some insiders' comments to the BCA Section J. .......

Wednesday, 26 March 2008

A little drama of windows

Last week, I was working on NatHERS and BASIX for a residential building in Sydney City.


Well, a little drama with the architect happened.

Here are some emails between us.

I've seen a number of architects. Their most important concern is aesthetics, or in other words, the appearance of "their" building.

"Sustainability"? They don't care!


===============================

From: Dont Sustain
Sent: Thursday, 20 March 2008
To: FireStallion; Loss Energy
Cc: Sudden Jump; Minimum Spend; Go Froth
Subject: RE: BASIX certification on Site X


FS Comments in red

Regards

Dont Sustain

Associate Director | nom. Architect xxxx

0402 xxx xxx


From: FireStallion

Sent: Thursday, 20 March 2008

To: Dont Sustain; Loss Energy
Cc: 'Sudden Jump'; 'Minimum Spend'; 'Go Forth'
Subject: RE: BASIX certification on Site X

Dont and Loss

I’ve worked on some different options to get the north east corner apt of level 12-17 under the cooling allowance 64.7

  • Option A – Louvres to all glazings – 76.8 Failed
  • Option B – As option A but with window height of B2, B3 changed to 1.6m – 66.1 Failed
  • Option C – Double glazing to all glazings with external blinds to Terrace, B2 & B3 – 76.1 Failed
  • Option D – Different double glazing with B2 & B3 external blinds, type 1523 (6mm super grey/6mm air/4mm Energy advantage Low-E, U=2.552, SHGC=0.157) – 27.6 passed What double glazing is proposed for the northern windows….ie the main curtain wall? I would prefer not to commit to external blinds. As this is only morning sun to the east to B2 and B3 I am surprised it makes such a difference.
  • Option E – As option D but using double glazing type 657 (5mm SuperGrey/13mm air/4mm clear, U=4.112, SHGC 0.203) – 44.8 passed Is this just the glass to the B2 and B3 or to the full north?
  • Option F – As option E but with no external blind to B2 & B3 – 47.4 passed

And as a sensitivity comparison, residence 2 is also compared with different options, cooling allowance 64.8:

  • Option A – as SC layout with B1, B2 & B3 external blinds – 59.9 passed
  • Option B – as option A but with no external blinds – 80.1 failed
  • Option C – as option A but with blinds to all glazing – 45.8 passed If we pass without external blinds then that’s great news. Means at least the client does not need to commit as yet on this western terrace

From the above results, I have the following remarks:

  • The SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) of the proposed glass is critical to keep the cooling load down other than shading devices. SHGC should be kept under 0.3 or lower. Double or single glazing, which affects the U-value, is not as critical. However, glazing with low SHGC tends to be dark and may not have good visual effects. Reflectivity and transmission data is not available at the moment to check if they comply with DCP or not. When you meet with Pilkington, check the SHGC’s (under 0.3) and the reflectivities (under 20%) to shortlist eligible glass types. Yes…dark glass is a problem. Will discuss at meeting
  • External blinds, or other forms of shading, have a very significant impact on the cooling. In many cases, the shading can make or break the BASIX allowances. [For comparison, direct solar radiation through reference glass can be up to 550 W/m2* where diffuse (shaded) solar radiation can get down to 40 W/m2*. That’s a 1275% difference. Even very good and sophisticated glazing can’t beat a simple overhang. * From p.43 of Carrier System Design Manual Part 1]

FS – I think you should come to the Pilkington meeting please. Will send the invite

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Regards

FireStallion

Accredited ABGR Assessor, GBCA (Green Star) Accredited Professional

Email: firestallion100@gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Dont Sustain

Sent: Monday, 10 March 2008

To: FireStallion; Loss Energy
Cc: Sudden Jump; Minimum Spend; Go Forth
Subject: RE: BASIX certification on Site X

FireStallion

Comments below.

For the moment, the typical 4 apt floors are modelled as per your proposed glazing allocation. It appears apt 1 has some issues to get pass BASIX as its cooling load is “very” significant. This is because the height of the windows are assumed to be as high as possible and for the Living and Family Rooms glazing, no shading is available.

Windows are typically at 2800 head. Yes there is a lot of glass….but this is the premium view so we will not be reducing extent of glass. The main glazing to the north is double glazed so this reducing cooling load significantly. The remaining glass to the east then is proposed as single glazed. We seek your advice on whether we need to extend extent of double glazing…but would prefer high performance single glass as first port of call.

One point to be bear in mind is that: although the remaining three apts pass the BASIX cooling and heating requirements, it is recommended that each apt should improve its thermal performance to around 5 stars to get better results towards achieving a 5 star Green Star Residential rating. Also note that the weighted average cooling requirement of all apts is 46.4. There is a (remote) possibility that all apts pass their required heating and cooling requirements but the weighted average requirements cannot be met.

Here are some suggestions to improve the apts’ thermal performances:

· Reduce glazing areas, esp. apt 1 will require some rationalising of the glazing areas to get pass BASIX. An empirical value for glazing to floor area ratio is 35% or below (with good shading available), esp. if 5 stars NatHERS is to be achieved. Apt 1 has a glazing to floor area ratio of 52%. Can’t reduce glazing…The amazing view is what is selling these apartments. Northern glass is double glazing. Do we need to extend extent of double glazing.

· Provide shading, set backs and /or light shelves to windows. This is mandatory to claim cross ventilation bonus in BASIX. (Note that the louvred screens are very effective in reducing the solar heat gain for the western façade glazing.) I am confused….how is shading mandatory for cross ventilation bonus…and with high glazing…why are light shelves required….when the higher glazing means more light ingress.

The main western window as per original markup is double glazed with no external shading. Same scenario as the DA.

Likewise the single glass to the terrace stacking is set back within the terrace zone and overhang. Same scenario again as the DA.

We can introduce some external glazed roller blinds or equal to the western windows that are set back from the terrace line if needed…but we are loath to add additional louvred screens. For memory we went through the same debate for the DA.

· Use alternative glazing types. Currently, the selected glazing types have very good thermal performances – single glazing with U = 3.855 and SHGC = 0.466 and double glazing with U=2.255 and SHGC = 0.407.

· We seek your advice here. At DA stage you provided us with a list of glass options with general performance.

I propose a meeting on Thursday afternoon at our office to discuss. Can you confirm your availability.

Sudden- would you be free – say Thurs 4pm on your way home???

Can you send us the proposed elevations for fine tuning the NatHERS calculations?

Loss will send through

Regards

Dont Sustain

Associate Director | nom. Architect xxxx

====================================================

My "philosophy" will be somehow different to the above.

If you have a magnificent view, why don't you be part of it?

It's the connection with the environment that I am speaking of.

Modern life separate us from our environment. If you have a good view, then go to the balcony and be part of it. Fell the breeze, smell the scent, hear the sound! Don't just look at the view!

Well, there is a fundamental difference in philosophy anyway.

With the client on the architects side, it looks like the unsustainable option of providing view with "better" glazing will prevail, rather than a simple sustainable alternative.

What cost is "Sustainability"?




Wednesday, 12 March 2008

ESD AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN AUSTRALIA (3) - ABGR

This is from ABGR's website:
http://www.abgr.com.au/About_ABGR/

QUOTE:

About ABGR

The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) Scheme is a 'world first initiative' to help building owners and tenants across
Australia benchmark their greenhouse performance.
Benefits of ABGR:

* Provides market recognition and a competitive advantage for low greenhouse emitters and energy efficient buildings;
* Encourages best practice in the design, operation and maintenance of commercial buildings to minimise greenhouse emissions

Administered nationally by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) and locally by leading state greenhouse agencies, the ABGR scheme rates buildings from one to five stars with five stars representing exceptional greenhouse performance. Current market best practice in Australia is three stars.

Key features of ABGR:

* It’s voluntary – a rating can be initiated by a building owner, manager or tenant;
* It rates a building according to its actual performance, using 12 months’ energy data;
* It can be used for the base building (central services), whole building or individual tenancies;
* It allows developers to “badge” the greenhouse performance of their new office development from the outset on the proviso that
DECC will rate its actual operational performance and advise the tenants;
* It’s available now for all Australian office buildings.

Now, I would briefly talk about some practical situations of ABGR.

As I mentioned earlier, though officially ABGR is "voluntary", there are other forces that make ABGR "semi-regulation" or "psuedo regulation":

* The NSW state government have a policy that existing offices need an ABGR rating. If it is not 3 star ABGR or above, then it should be retrofit to 4 star or above. (see link below)
* When a state government authroity or office build or rent a new office building or space, the space should achieve 4.5 stars minimum. (See http://www.premiers.nsw.gov.au/pubs_dload_part4/prem_circs_memos/prem_memos/2004/m2004-04.htm )
* Development Control Plans (DCP's) of many local councils also require that new office buildings to have an "Energy Performance Report" (
EPR) or simply have an ABGR committment of at least 4 stars. (Check the DCP link above for Green Star)
* It is also a requirement of Green Star buildings to have a minimum of 4 star ABGR to be eligible for the application of Green Star. (
ENE-1 & ENE-2)

So you can see there are many things that require the use of ABGR. It is actually not "voluntary".

Thursday, 6 March 2008

Oops! Sxxx happens! But ok now!

After I installed the Advanced desktop last night, I brought the eeepc back to the office.


I intend to update the different packages from xepcś repo.

I did it.

It took more than an hour. It worthed more than 130MB.

But then when I got hold of it again and restart it, it prompts me for password.

I typed in the pwd once, twice, three times, ....... NOooooooooo .......

I didn´t know what happened.

I downloaded the xepc CD iso and went home.

I loaded the Eeexubuntu live session to see if I could retrieve any data in /home/user.

No, not successful. The SSD didn't come up.

I just pressed F9 straight afterwards. In less tha one minute, default system restores.

I then burned the xepc iso to a CD, loaded it to the ext. DVD.

Linux kernel not found!

I burnt another CD, but this time the burning s/w verified the CD bad.

Third time lucky(!!!), I put it to the DVD and tried.

OMG, thank you, thank you, thank you.

So, I am typing on the restored eeepc with xepc updated SSD restore partition.

So this xepc includes all I've done before except the Quick input method for TC.

I just cut and paste the command line in my previous blog entry!

Hula! No worries! All this happened within less than an hour.

Now, my wife asked me tonight if I had reinstalled windoze on the desktop ......

Possibly, a dayś time will be gone for nothing for windoze! Oh no!

Friday, 29 February 2008

ESD AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN AUSTRALIA (2) - GREEN STAR

Firstly, Green Star!

To clarify who are "Green Star Accredited Professionals" or "GBCA Accredited Professionals", here is the relevant description from the Green Star - Office Design Manual:


Green Star Accredited Professionals are experienced building industry practitioners who have demonstrated their understanding of the Green Star rating system and the benefits of integrated design.

To become a Green Star Accredited Professional, candidates must attend a GBCA Green Star Accredited Professional course and pass the associated exam.

Green Star is a voluntary scheme for developers to "market" their buildings.

So far, there are only 29 buildings have a formal Green Star certification. (As from GBCA;s website)

The Green Star scale is from one to six.

What is a one star building? And what is a six star building?

Here is a table for the meaning of the “Stars”:

Stars

Score (from eight categories after application of weighting factors)

Outcome / Represents

One star

10-19

Minimum practice

Two stars

20-29

Average practice

Three stars

30-44

Good practice

Four stars

45-59

Best practice; eligible for application of Four Star Green Star Rating certificate

Five stars

60-74

Australian excellence; eligible for application of Five Star Green Star Rating certificate

Six stars

75-100

World Leader; eligible for application of Six Star Green Star Rating certificate

The Green Star assesses eight aspects (categories) of a building. They are:

1. Management
2. IEQ (Indoor Environment Quality)
3. Energy
4. Transport
5. Water
6. Materials
7. Land Use & Ecology
8. Emissions

Plus a special 5 credits points of innovation that cannot be assessed under the 8 categories.

The first category in the rating tool is "Management":

There are 7 items under "Management":

Man-1

Green Star Accredited Professional

To encourage and recognise the adoption of environmentally sustainable principles from the earliest project stages throughout design and construction.

Man-2

Commissioning - Clauses

To encourage and recognise improved building services performance and energy efficiency due to adequate commissioning and hand-over to the building owner.

Man-3

Commissioning - Building Tuning

To encourage and recognise improved energy efficiency and comfort within the building in all seasons due to adequate commissioning.

Man-4

Commissioning - Commissioning Agent

To encourage and recognise the appointment of an independent commissioning agent from design through to handover.

Man-5

Building Users' Guide

To encourage and recognise the provision of guidance material to enable building users to achieve the environmental performance envisaged by the design team, and to manage future changes that promote efficiency and environmental quality.

Man-6

Environmental Management

To encourage and recognise the adoption of a formal environmental management system in line with established guidelines during construction.

Man-7

Waste Management

To encourage and recognise management systems that facilitate the reduction of construction waste going to landfill.

The second, arguably the most important category is the "Indoor Environmental Quality / IEQ":

This category has the most number of items. It is very important to achieve energy efficiency, material safety, etc. but at the same time not sacrificing the indoor environmental quality:

IEQ-1

Ventilation Rates

To encourage and recognise the provision of increased outside air rates, in order to promote a healthy indoor environment.

IEQ-2

Air Change Effectiveness

To encourage and recognise systems that provide for the effective delivery of clean air through reduced mixing with indoor pollutants in order to promote a healthy indoor environment.

IEQ-3

Carbon Dioxide Monitoring and Control

To encourage and recognise the provision of response monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO2) levels to ensure delivery of minimum outside air requirements.

IEQ-4

Daylight

To encourage and recognise designs that provide good levels of daylight for building users.

IEQ-5

Daylight Glare Control

To encourage and recognise buildings that are designed to reduce the discomfort of glare from natural light.

IEQ-6

High Frequency Ballasts

To encourage and recognise the increase in workplace amenity by avoiding low frequency flicker that may be associated with fluorescent lighting.

IEQ-7

Electric Lighting Levels

To encourage and recognise base building provided office lighting that is not over-designed.

IEQ-8

External Views

To encourage and recognise reduced eyestrain for building occupants by allowing long distance views and the provision of visual connection to the outdoors.

IEQ-9

Thermal Comfort

To encourage and recognise the use of thermal comfort assessments to guide design options.

IEQ-10

Individual Comfort Control

To recognise the benefits of individual control to provide good thermal comfort.

IEQ -11

Asbestos

To encourage and recognise actions taken to reduce health risks to occupants from the presence of hazardous materials.

IEQ-12

Internal Noise Levels

To encourage and recognise buildings that are designed to maintain internal noise levels at an appropriate level.

IEQ-13

Volatile Organic Compounds

To encourage and recognise projects that reduce the detrimental impact on occupant health from finishes emitting internal air pollutants.

IEQ-14

Formaldehyde Minimisation

To encourage and recognise projects that reduce the use of formaldehyde composite wood products in order to promote a healthy indoor environment.

IEQ-15

Mould Prevention

To encourage and recognise the design of systems which reduce the risk of mould growth and its associated detrimental impact on occupant health.

IEQ-16

Tenant Exhaust Riser

To encourage and recognise the provision of buildings designed with a general exhaust riser that can be used by tenants to remove indoor pollutants from printing and photocopy areas.

So the third category (IMO, second most important category) is Energy:

Ene-1

Energy

To reduce base building operational energy and greenhouse gas emissions.

Ene-2

Energy Improvement

To encourage and recognise projects that contain design features that help to minimise operational energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of the base building over and above the Conditional Requirement in Ene-1.

Ene-3

Electrical Sub-metering

To encourage and recognise the provision of energy sub-metering to facilitate energy monitoring of base building services.

Ene-4

Tenancy Sub-metering

To encourage and recognise the provision of energy sub-metering to facilitate energy monitoring by tenants or end users.

Ene-5

Office Lighting Power Density

To encourage and recognise lighting design practices which lessen lighting energy consumption while maintaining appropriate lighting levels.

Ene-6

Office Lighting Zoning

To encourage and recognise lighting design practices that offer greater flexibility for light switching, making it easier to light only occupied areas.

Ene-7

Peak Energy Demand Reduction

To encourage and recognise projects that implement systems to reduce peak demand on energy supply infrastructure.

The fourth category is Transport:

Tra-1

Provision of Car Parking

To encourage and recognise building design that promotes the utilisation of alternative modes of transport by limiting available car park spaces.

Tra-2

Small Parking Spaces

To encourage and recognise building design that supports the use of smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles for work commuting.

Tra-3

Cyclist Facilities

To encourage and recognise building design that promotes the use of bicycles by occupant and visitors by ensuring adequate cyclist facilities are provided.

Tra-4

Commuting Public Transport

To encourage and recognise developments with proximity and good access to public transport networks which have frequent services.

The fifth cateogry is Water:

Wat-1

Occupant Amenity Potable Water Efficiency

To encourage and recognise systems which have the potential to reduce the potable water consumption of building occupants.

Wat-2

Water Meters

To encourage and recognise the design of systems that monitor and manage water consumption.

Wat-3

Landscape Irrigation Water Efficiency

To encourage and recognise the design of systems that aim to reduce the consumption of potable water for landscape irrigation.

Wat-4

Cooling Tower Water Consumption

To encourage and recognise building design that reduces the potential demand on potable water supplies and infrastructure due to water-based building cooling systems.

Wat-5

Fire System Water Consumption

To encourage and recognise building design that reduces potable water consumption of the building's fire protection and essential water storage systems.

The sixth category is Materials:

Mat-1

Recycling Waste Storage

To encourage and recognise the inclusion of storage space that facilitates the recycling of resources used within offices to reduce waste going to landfill.

Mat-2

Re-use of Façade

To encourage and recognise the re-use of existing façades to reduce new material consumption.

Mat-3

Re-use of Structure

To encourage and recognise the re use of existing structures to reduce new material consumption.

Mat-4

Shell and Core or Integrated Fitout

To encourage and recognise the reduction of material wastage during tenancy fitouts.

Mat-5

Recycled Content of Concrete

To encourage and recognise the reduction of embodied energy and resource depletion due to the use of concrete.

Mat-6

Recycled Content of Steel

To encourage and recognise the reduction in embodied energy and resource depletion due to the use of recycled steel.

Mat-7

PVC Minimisation

To encourage and recognise the reduction of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) products in Australian buildings.

Mat-8

Sustainable Timber

To encourage and recognise the specification of re-used timber products or timber that has certified environmentally responsible forest management practices.

The seventh category is "Land Use & Ecology":

Eco-1

Ecological Value of Site

To encourage wherever possible development on land that already has a limited ecological value and discourage the development of ecologically valuable sites.

Eco-2

Re-use of Land

To encourage and recognise the re-use of land that has previously been developed.

Eco-3

Reclaimed Contaminated Land

To encourage and recognise positive actions to use contaminated land that otherwise would not have been developed.

Eco-4

Change of Ecological Value

To encourage and recognise the minimisation of ecological impact from a development and maximise the enhancement of a site for both new and existing buildings.

Eco-5

Topsoil and Fill Removal from Site

To encourage and recognise practices that reduce the amount of topsoil and fill removed from development sites.

The eight category is "Emissions":

Emi-1

Refrigerant ODP

To encourage and recognise the reduction of potential long-term damage to the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer through the accidental release of ozone depleting substances to the atmosphere.

Emi-2

Refrigerant GWP

To encourage and recognise the selection of refrigerants that reduce the potential for increased global warming arising from the emission of refrigerants to the Earth's atmosphere in the event of accidental release of intensive greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Emi-3

Refrigerant Leak Detection

To encourage and recognise systems which reduce the release of refrigerants to the atmosphere arising from leakages in a building's cooling plant.

Emi-4

Refrigerant Recovery

To encourage and recognise systems that reduce and prevent unnecessary loss of refrigerants in the event of a leak.

Emi-5

Watercourse Pollution

To encourage and recognise project design that reduces the potential of pollution in water running off from buildings and hard surfaces to natural watercourses.

Emi-6

Reduced Flow to Sewer

To encourage and recognise building design that reduces water flows to the municipal sewerage systems for treatment.

Emi-7

Light Pollution

To encourage and recognise lighting design that reduces pollution from the unnecessary dispersion of light into the night sky and onto neighbouring property.

Emi-8

Cooling Towers

To encourage and recognise building systems design which eliminates the risk of Legionnaire’s Disease from cooling towers.

Emi-9

Insulant ODP

To encourage and recognise designs which reduce the potential for long-term damage to the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer from ozone depleting substances used in the manufacture or composition of thermal insulation.

The last cateogory "Innovation" is not officially a category. But it give credits to innovative ideas that cannot be assessed under other categories or some ideas that exceed the stated requirements.

Inn-1

Innovative Strategies and Technologies

To encourage and recognise the spread of innovative initiatives for commercial building applications that improve a development's environmental impact.

Inn-2

Exceeding Green Star Benchmarks

To encourage and recognise design initiatives which demonstrate additional environmental benefit by exceeding the current benchmarks in Green Star - Office Design.

Inn-3

Environmental Design Initiatives

To encourage and recognise design initiatives which have a significant measurable environmental benefit and which are not awarded points by Green Star – Office Design.

Green Star is voluntary.

Some big developers, however, are using it as a marketing tool.

But if you spend that much to make a building "green", you are actually getting a very good building (supposedly).

Somehow, some councils adopt the Green Star approach to their "Development Control Plans". (DCP's)

DCP's are local requirements imposed by the specific councils
(local government) in the area.

I have seen and used one DCP that uses "Score Cards" to make a building green. See the link:
http://202.148.138.211/downloaddocument.aspx?DocumentID=1157

The score cards are originated from the Green Star Rating Tool.

So, in some way, Green Star is becoming increasingly important. As What I said before for ABGR, Green Star is like a semi-regulation in some areas.