• How many people does Steffen estimate we will have living in or near cities by mid-century?

Steffen estimated that approximately 8 billion plus living in or near cities by mid-century.

• Explain how you agree or disagree with Steffen’s point that our energy use is “predestined” rather than “behavioral”.

I agree on Steffen’s point that as population is growing, our energy use is predestined. We are so set on the energy we have now that we rely on energy which means we depend on the energy now making it an everyday essential.

• What correlation does Steffen make between a city’s density and its climate emissions?

The more dense a city is, the less emission due to the fact that everything we need to get to is close by. We send out these climate emissions because we make trips outside the close city for unnecessary reasons.

• What are the “eco districts” that Steffen mentions? How you see these as feasible or unfeasible in a city like Norfolk?

Eco districts are places that already exist are put to use to make a more sustainable environment, therefore everything gets brought closer in a sustainable neighborhood. Since Norfolk is already an urban area, the population is likely to keep increasing which would make it a feasible area to project the eco district idea.

• Explain how you agree or disagree with the “threshold effect” that Steffen discusses related to transportation.

I agree with the “threshold effect” provided that everything is close by and would make for an easy walking commute. I think  the more people start walking and less use of cars, the effect will happen.

• What does Steffen mean by the idea that, “…even space itself is turning into a service…”? Can you provide any examples that you see here in Norfolk or elsewhere?

I think Steffen is referring to areas that people rent out for use of multiple things. People rent out homes in other areas for vacation. People rent out convention centers and large venues to hold events and expos, and people also use extra rooms in their home to create and office type area for work related tasks in home.

• Describe your understanding of Steffen’s argument that, “…it’s not about the leaves above, but the systems below…”.

I think it means that the tree may have started out small and the leaves growing off of it may be small, but the end product of the efficiency of the tree or system is what matters.

• Finally, overall in what way(s) do you see Steffen’s ideas working / not working here in Norfolk? Spend time with this question!

I feel that Steffen’s ideas could work in a city like Norfolk because it definitely has potential to change. Changes can always be  made to a city which in turn could better the environment as well as the people living in the environment. I don’t expect to see these changes made though unless every person in the community participates and puts their ideas forward to make the change.