P-1
ISSUE 1 MAY 2018
PAPER GREEN
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR: Welcome to the first issue of Paper Green! A newspaper magazine discussing innovations in cities that help boost the environment, and create a better living space for us all. Paper Green looks into ethical events such as London’s EcoBuild and changes in cities, like the Solistalgia looming over Sheffield. As well as design innovations that are pushing us forward.
I created Paper Green out of a passion for ethical consumption, interest in city innovation and a love of nature and greenery. Whilst travelling last summer around Europe, I became aware of the integration of greenery into built space, through freedom growth as well as applied green walls. Helping to create an aesthetically pleasing environment, whilst also improving the surrounding atmosphere. A system which I believe could help tackle climate change, and push us into a cleaner and better future. I would like to encourage you to become part of this journey to the future. Whether you’re fresh to the idea of eco consumption or already an established waste-free green warrior, get involved by sharing your stories of survivable change.
Either contact us through our Instagram page, via the hashtag #itsgreengrams or through e-mail to be featured in our next issue. Concrete Jungle, 2017
I @itspapergreen M itspapergreen@gmail.com
Fiona Alice Editor of Paper Green Visual communication graduate and passionate ethical consumer
P-2
ECOBUILD, POLLUTION OR SOLUTION? Below: Biotecture Concession. Bottom right: EcoBuild Conference stage, 2018
Diagram: EcoBuild
In March, London’s ExCeL opened its doors to the Future Build conference, EcoBuild. Which has looked at the future of the built environment, from public housing to city climate solutions and innovative building materials, for 14 years. More than 26,000 visitors attended the 2018 conference and had access to over 450 exhibitors and talks from 500 industry experts. The 3-day conference brought together many different ideologies of how the future of our built landscape should look. Adapting in consideration with both the climate and technological innovations, to develop a comfortable and better environment for everyone. The first day started off with the bigger picture, discussing the UN Sustainable Development goals. A group of 17 global targets set by the world leaders in 2015, looking at potentials to improve global citizens wellbeing and lifestyle, the climate and the built environment. EcoBuild are strong supporters of the goals, displaying them around the circumference of the main lecture stage – as a constant reminder for all attendees to support what can ultimately create a better future by 2030. London’s air pollution problem was also highlighted, with Sustainability Consultant Hero Bennett explaining that a large proportion of pollution comes from sources, such as agriculture and transport. Whilst, Associate Director of WSP Glenn Higgs, addressed how transport in the city could adapt, as commuters are often unaware of how their actions are affecting the air. By promoting car free days, it could help increase understanding around the topic of reducing emissions and choosing a more
efficient transport solution, such as walking or cycling. With Mayor Sadiq Khan aiming for 80% of London’s trips to be made using these methods by 2041. Other methods of reducing pollution were considered, such as applying more trees and green space to the built landscape. Helping circulate stagnant air, which can get trapped between high-rise buildings. Dr Catherine Scott, research fellow at the University of Leeds explained how different types of plants and shrubbery can have varying affects. Cities should therefore carefully consider the types of greenery they apply to their spaces, in order to have maximum benefit. Demonstrations of pioneering products were
also taking place, such as Airlite natural paint, that can absorb nearly 90% of surrounding air pollutants. Interactive area, the ‘Natural Building Café’ gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about techniques of building with natural materials, such as hempcrete a potential replacement for standard concrete. Using more water, as the hemp absorbs a greater amount than cement does, but overall creating a more airtight insulation when in combination with a timber frame structure. EcoBuild 2019 is between 05-07 March. Tickets are free through application on www.FutureBuild.co.uk.
TREE LIFE CYCLE
STAG Tree benefit and lifecycle chart NTU City Campus garden, 2018
SOLISTALGIA IN CHELSEA ROAD Sheffield, one of the greenest cities in Europe and nicknamed ‘The Outdoor City’ by it’s own council. It’s a place looked upon for it’s mass of green space, but has recently felt the deep feeling of solistaliga. A feeling known when one is in their home environment but is aware of environmental changes in the surrounding landscape; something very relevant to Sheffield’s current changes. In 2012, a 25-year contact was passed between Sheffield city council and a company called Amey Plc. Amey were put in charge of city maintenance, of roads, pavements, street lamps and trees. Yet, what many of Sheffield’s citizens may not have realised at that time, was that the maintenance of trees seemed to be the last of Amey’s worries. Many trees along paved routes can cause damage to pavements and walkways, with their roots. Making it bumpy and raised, which is possibly just a minor inconvenience to pedestrians and road users. However, any natural specimen can easily outgrow its given space - as a human naturally grows during their lifecycle. But this occurrence of root damage is now being taken as a major Above: Amey Workers Right: 2nd Chelsea Tree, 2018
P-4
Not all of Sheffield’s trees have got off so lightly. Some spectators had previously spent a month sat outside a tree further down the road. To prevent its loss, while Amey kept changing the date on the working sign. Though it was a stall in Amey’s plans, it did prevent further action going ahead against the tree. Leaving it in tact, but still yellow ribboned for now.
safety risk and a nuisance to road maintenance. Due to this, Amey have been felling trees all across Sheffield, instead of working to restore the built space around the roots. Claiming the trees are near the end of their lifecycle, when Elliott Consultancy argued the trees are only ‘mature’. Amey predicted the loss of 6,000 trees by the end of 2017, with a further 200 per year until the end of their contract in 2037. This change has however, caused many residents across Sheffield to protest against the contract. Arguing that Amey are potentially doing their job incorrect. Upon visiting a potential felling site in Chelsea Road, the experience felt like a contradiction to what Sheffield’s Tree Action Group share on their website. This site was home to a 120 year old that was shortlist for the Woodland Trust’s annual ‘tree of the year’ competition in 2016. Due to its rarity in surviving the Dutch elm disease, that’s killed many elms since the 1920’s and this elm breed and has seen a decline of 97% in 40 years. However, this day the rare elm was just being pruned rather than cut, despite its yellow-banded ribbon (the symbol of which trees are the unlucky ones). Spectators were checking the cut branches for white-letter hairstreak butterfly eggs, which lay their eggs in this particular elm. In the hopes to potentially preventing it’s possible felling in the coming summer months. These Amey workers were very approachable and understanding of the situation, and seemed to be cutting very little off the trees. Leaving a pile of branches that felt very small in comparison to the 7 hours of meticulous cutting and pruning.
LONDON NATIONAL PARK CITY London is a capital city, known for its ability to attract creative talent through its window of opportunity. Students, entrepreneurs and tourists are all driven to its diverse, buzzing centre. However, ICON Magazine writer Rohan Silva has recently described London’s landscape as grey and ‘bland’. No longer allowing creative architects to thrive, by instead just churning out soulless design. Along with this, London’s air quality has been over illegal levels since 2010, with high emissions from vehicles driving through
London’s infrastructure. Elected Mayor, Sadiq Khan has noticed these changes, so is working towards becoming London’s ‘greenest mayor ever’. In 2017, Khan supported Daniel RavenEllison’s campaign to develop London into the first National Park City, along with 650 local council teams. Through the addition of more open and green space, to ultimately reconnect 100% of Londoners back with the outdoors and nature. Whilst also decreasing the parking spaces available for cars, increasing cycle lanes
and retrofitting to a more biodiverse landscape. This has come alongside Zaha Hadid Architect’s campaign called Walkable London, with plans to pedestrianise whole districts, to evolve London into the number one walking city in the world. Whilst encouraging more residents to travel through walking or cycling, and get the daily exercise limit. The full plans also target congestion, pollution, social capital and the economy. But what they fail to address that National Park City put at the forefront of their campaign - is the environment. Addressing the need to boost flora and fauna in the city landscape. Raven Ellison’s plan would help lower congestion and emission levels but also restore nature’s balance sheet. London has already been experimenting with living walls and sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) at Edgware Station, underneath the Walkie Talkie building and in Victoria. Providing a habitat for wildlife and creating a visual contrast for commuters around London. Green roofs and facades can be fitted onto existing built space, so there isn’t a need to fully rebuild locations to fit these designs. They can harvest rainwater and help insulate and cool the interior space. Through National Park City’s community campaign coordinator Steve Pocock argues that they can be high maintenance and costly. Green space should not be seen a luxury, or a cost cities cannot afford. As open space and foliage is crucial to our survival and wellbeing. London is set to become to first National Park City in 2019. Celebrate with various outdoor activities across the city, 21-29 July 2018.
WATG, London Fleet Street Visualisation, 2017
WILL OUR ROADS EVER BE SAFE FROM A DIESEL SCANDAL? Many will remember, back in 2015 when German car manufacturer, Volkswagen came under fire. They attempted to convince global car consumers that they had produced a so-called ‘clean diesel’ vehicle - selling 11million units, 1.2million of which were sold in the UK. However, it was then discovered that the vehicles were not in fact more efficient or environmentally friendly, they were just installed with a cheat system. Allowing the full extent of emissions to go undetected. Once the truth broke, it lead to huge loss in VW’s profits, consumers to loose trust in the brand and Switzerland ultimately banning the sales of VW diesel vehicles. Yet this hasn’t prevented people trying to cheat the system. Channel 4’s Dispatches recently looked to lorries. They help transport goods all across the country and there are currently 400,000 on UK roads. Lorries are fitted with two tanks, one for diesel and one for a product called AdBlue. AdBlue helps clean the system, and prevents the vehicle from releasing the full extent of their emissions. Despite this, some companies are choosing to install a device called an emulator. Which essentially shuts off the
AdBlue system, preventing it from doing the job it should. Then creating 3 times more emissions than when the system is working and in place. The devices are no bigger than a portable hard drive and can be hidden within the wiring of the lorry. Costing around £50, the devices can be easily bought online, as they are not illegal to sell – although it is illegal to drive with the device fitted. Yet the UK is the 2nd biggest buyer of these devices, just behind China. These devices however, can be detected through roadside checks. Leading companies to even take it a step further and alter the lorries system with a computer software – which is undetectable through these stop checks. A similar method to what VW used. What can actually be done to prevent vehicle alterations being made? According to the dispatches episode, in May 2018, checking for emulators will become part of MOT tests. Allowing more to be discovered. Yet none visible changes to the vehicle will still remain untraceable. Yet why might companies want to do these adjustments in the first place? Well, if the lorries AdBlue system fails, it can
cost several thousand pounds to get the system working again – and that’s without even considering costs lost having a vehicle out of action. Are costs and profits really more important than the mass of emissions being released into our atmosphere, and the damages they are doing to our health? How can we shift mind-sets to make the planet a priority rather than profit margins? Is this only the tip of the iceberg into the spiral of diesel scandals being discovered? Or are we just too late for change already? VW Clean Diesel Ad, became a court filing by the N.Y. Attorney General, 2016
P-6
P-7
INNOVATION 3 WAYS: AIR PURIFIERS
Photographic artist Tal Shochat was born in Israel in 1974. She has a picturesque collection of work around the artificial beauty of trees. Shochat has captured many different breeds, but her fruit tree series seems the most prominent.
ARTIST REVIEW: TAL SHOCHAT
Using a plain fabric in black or white as a backdrop, she isolates one tree at its prime fruit growth. Pruning the set by brushing the dust and dirt off the trunk, branches, leaves and fruit. Placing the tree into a very obscure and unnatural setting. By then artificially lighting the set, Shochat creates an image of nature that feels familiar but also alien, to how we would usually observe a tree in its ordinary habitat.
Two pieces of Tal Shochat’s work were placed alongside other artists such as Simone Nieweg and Gerhard Stromberg in the V&A’s exhibition, Into the Woods: Trees in Photography. The CityTree by Green City Solutions
A mossy living wall that doubles as a bench. It absorbs air pollutants, and is helping to combat the urban heat island effect. Already installed in London’s Piccadilly Circus as well as Berlin, Paris and Oslo.
Airlite, 100% natural paint.
The paint eliminates odours, kills bacteria, prevents mould and can also reduce air pollutants such as nitrous oxide by 88.8%. With options for both interiors and exteriors, available in 180 shades.
‘THE QUEEN’S GREEN PLANET’
The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy is a forest conservation system, set up by Her Majesty the Queen, to raise awareness of the importance of forest conservation. Discussed in the ITV broadcast The Queen’s Green Planet, in collaboration with Blue Planet narrator, David Attenborough. Where he interviewed her, back in the summer of 2017, regarding her love for trees and the outdoors in the Buckingham Palace gardens where over 1,400 trees reside – many in memory of previous royal family members. Her Majesty’s humour is prominent within the show, finding it amusing that her sundial was in fact in the shade. Though it continually highlights her care for the world, different cultures and trees. Showing nature has been a part of her life, with footage from throughout her childhood and her reign.
Daan Roosegaarde’s Smog Free Tower.
P-8
A 7m tall air purifier that’s breathes in and filters contaminated air, treating 30,000 cubic metres of air per hour. Has already been to Rotterdam and Beijing and will soon move to India.
Tal Shochat, Pomegranate, 2010
Although royals have been planting trees for generations, The Queen’s Canopy is an opt-in system for countries within the commonwealth. Encouraging them to care about the planet, and develop for climate change. Over 40 countries have currently shown their interest, with the Queen intrigued by what their contribution will be in creating a commonwealth for the future.
Within the UK there are currently two areas in the Commonwealth Canopy, Edding Forest – London’s largest open space, along with the National Forest in Derbyshire. However, why is Sheffield not a considered space, especially due to the current felling chaos? Despite this, awareness of climate change issues has grown. With Prince Harry emphasising that within the last 10-15 years, younger generations are ‘understanding the importance of [conservation]’ whereas, previously people had more interest in money. Yet ‘nature is fundamental’ and important to the mental health and wellbeing of people. If all countries continued to plant, together our forests will thrive. In her name, forever. First broadcast on ITV, Monday 16th April 2018. ITV Hub, The Queen’s Green Planet, 2018
All images: Paper Green basement space, 2018
ITSPAPERGREEN GROWING TO A NEW UTOPIA
Paper Green took over the whole basement space, dividing it into two areas. The main green space, promoted the need for more greenery through two highly texturised fauna walls, whilst
the smaller corridor space, displayed roadwork signs and imagery of abandoned and broken construction sites. Creating a contrast between the need for greener living and working environments. And how we still continue to build cities with destructive hardcore materials. Most of the materials used in the exhibition were repurposed waste using free locally sourced rubble, and plants and weeds from her garden. Adding brown furniture to allow a viewer to sit and take in the space, on a chair that was found abandoned on the street a year earlier.
The exhibition also considered alternate senses, than just visuals. Combining the existing musty and damp basement smell with warm comforting incense. Making it feel more appealing and immersive, yet still very unexpected in comparison to the rest of the event set-up. Different Life Collective is a Nottingham group of creatives, musicians and artists creating work individually as well as collectively. @differentlifecollective
P-9
In spirit of the launch of Paper Green, our editor created an immersive exhibition in the basement of her house. Showcased at the first ever Different Life Collective event, a house show and exhibition. Promoting upcoming artists such as session jazz musicians Space Dolphin, and local photographers and creatives like drk__room and Twocan666. Allowing the event to happen in true collaborative style.
WHAT’S COMING UP? 02
02 Delivering Green Care in Woodlands Brown Rock Woodland Project Tickenham, near Bristol Workshop - Tickets: £10 - £15
12 (until 08 July) Robert Callender: Plastic Beach City Arts Centre, Edinburgh Exhibition - Free 12 (until 04 Nov) The Future Starts Here V&A, London Exhibition - Tickets: £15 18-20
21-25
Plastic-free pop-up food shop Cobden Chambers, Nottingham Event - Free
09
09
20
21 EU Green Week 2018 Various events in multiple cities Check www.eugreenweek.eu to find events local to you
JULY 2018
JUNE 2018
MAY 2018
01 2Worlds - The Role of Millennials in the Circular Economy Moorgate, London Event - Donation based 03 The Remarkable Recycling Gala Beeston, Nottingham Event - Free Sustainable Living Hockerton Housing Project Southwell, United Kingdom Tour - Tickets: £5 Tackling the Packaging Challenge The Co-op, Ipswich Business Event - Register for Free Summer Solstice Guided Walk Marsden Moor Estate West Yorkshire Tour - Free
06-07
21-29
Vegan Festival UK The Assembly Rooms Newcastle upon Tyne Event - Tickets: £2 Appreciating the old, incorporating the new RIBA London Seminar - Tickets: up to £110 ECSEE 2018 (The European Conference of Sustainabiility, Energy and the Environment) Brighton Event - Registration from £75
London National Park City Week Various London locations National Park City Week Various locations Ends 29 Monet & Architecture National Gallery Exhibition - Tickets: £20
P-10
THE GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS Following on from the Millennium Development Goals set when we hit the 21st century, the world leaders gathered again in 2015. They set 17 goals that they felt best reflected the targets for the next 15 years. Ranging from human goals such as good health and responsible consumption, to more planet based targets like climate action and life on land. Considering how the world should look and function by 2030. The Sustainable Development Goals are encouraging global citizens to work towards a better future, supported by the EcoBuild conference and the Singapore City Square Mall – the countries first eco shopping centre. That is already working towards a more environmentally friendly shopping experience, with parking spaces for electric vehicles, a green
roof terrace as well as signage and labelling to encourage an eco-learning experience. Singapore is a country embedded with care for ethical consideration, but it takes more than just one place to evolve to a sustainable future. The global leaders have made these goals, but the question is whether they have chosen to promote them to their own citizens, and whether they have really taken the goals in all seriousness. However, is it solely down to the world leaders to promote then? Or should the global inhabitants try and encourage their fellow citizens to adjust their current consumption behaviour to a-line more with the targets? Can big change really happen without the support of everyone? Wesley Morgan, Singapore City Square Mall sign, 2018
GREEN ‘GRAMS
Available for sale in various colours and sizes on Etsy.com/uk
Long shot of The High Line in New York, wedged between two grey high rise tower blocks. The design won the 2017 Veronica Rudge Green Price in Urban Design.
P-11
Handmade leftover food covers made from cotton and beeswax cotton.Reducing the need for non-recyclable food covers such as cling film and kitchen foil.
P-12
When you’re finished with Paper Green, please either pass me on to someone else, or recycle me!