Hello!
I am Dircia Sarmento Belo. I am a fresh graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and Planning, and currently intern at UNDP supports Recycling Pilot Project.
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This Portfolio represents the culmination of three years of studying in regards to the core competencies for environmental practitioners.
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Please feel free to contact me with any questions and comments
Dircia Sarmento Belo
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Phone:
+670 78723477
Email:
Address:
Becora, Dili, Timor-Leste
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Date of Birth:
July 09th, 1994
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WHAT IS MY GOAL?
Make Timor-Leste to be a sustainable, and enjoyable place for all. At the same time, working with Timorese youth to raise awareness and behaviour change towards environmental issues.
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING DEGREE
What is Environmental Management and Planning?
Environmental Management and Planning is the process of facilitating decision-making for land development taking into account environmental, social, political, economic and governance factors, and providing a holistic framework for achieving sustainable outcomes
What are programme outcomes?
This degree has helped me to be able to apply environmental policy and planning theory and methods at different scales, and distinguish between different environmental policy and planning principles, methods and tools, and apply them to a class case study
I am able to describe and explain how societies design social and economic to change human behaviours that impact welfare through natural environmental impacts
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
Environmental Ethics believes that humans are part of society and nature. Hence, it is essential that every human being respects and honours this relationship and uses morals and ethics when dealing with these creatures. In New Zealand, it is crucial to act ethically regarding the management and policy
As an Environmental Management and Planning major, my area of study is multidisciplinary in nature. It offers me with opportunities to look critically at environment related issues and to identify how such problems affect diverse societies; however, it was not until I studied Research Methods and Professional Practice that I realized ethics and environment-related decision-making were tightly bound. It enables me to go beyond data, and look at the long-term outcomes. Both Research Methods and Professional Practice papers have taught me to look at the broader information, as well as considering how to get help if ethical dilemmas arise.
Figure 3. (A) Inputs of direct and diffuse sources of contaminants to pasture streams; (B) implementation of riparian management through fencing allows infiltration, denitrification and filtering of contaminants from flows (except for deep sub-surface flow), and planting provides additional ecological benefits
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
The mission of Lincoln University is to: feed the world, protect the future, and live well. To achieve university goals, LINC 101 (Land, People, and Economies) and LINC 201 (Sustainable Future) have prepared me to understand environmental issues, societal response and opportunities/barriers to implementation. All studying degree, including Environmental Management and Planning related to Land, People, and Economies. Hence, Lincoln University has led to understand common issues or challenges that arise from the interactions between these components.
Fig. 1, since we live in a finite world, global resources are under pressure from growing populations and changes in the way we live. LINC 201 paper enabled me to understand how to improve economic growth while maintaining ecosystem services.
Fig. 2, The planetary boundary framework defines a safe operation space for humanity based on an intrinsic biophysical process that governs the stability of the Earth system. Crossing these boundaries could generate abrupt or irreversible environmental changes. Respecting the boundaries reduces the risks to human society of crossing these thresholds. Understanding this framework means understanding world around us. And several Lincoln University papers have taught me the mitigation methods, avoiding impacts, and reducing adverse effects.
Figure 1
Figure 2
ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Analysis and Assessment are essential aspects of environmental management. I have done a project called Riparian Buffer Zone Monitoring Assessment Task in ERST 203 (Environmental Monitoring and Resource Assessment). The purpose of this report was to see and analyze the difference between streams with riparian buffer and streams without the riparian buffer. This was part of our field trip. We were using Riparian Buffer Zone Assessment Tool to compile relevant information, including reliability and accuracy, quality control and technical awareness. At the same time, we also used Google Maps to explore the riparian margins of the Halswell River along its path to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere beyond field trip sites. Reflecting on what we see on the field trip and what you can see using Google Maps beyond the monitoring sites. This assessment has taught me the ability to analyze data, assess reliability and accuracy data, interpret and present results and provide a balanced opinion
CRITICAL THINKING
Lincoln University has core competencies to protect the future and live well. Hence, LINC 101 (Land, People, and Economy) has given me an ability to understand how specific projects contribute to global/societal goals. A good illustration is, finding a solution to utilize leftover edible food most effectively. In this project, we were required to adopt system thinking (fig. 4) to develop creative/innovative solutions.
A global concern about the future threats posed by the ongoing climate change continues growing due to the release of greenhouse gas (GHS) into the atmosphere. Policies to reduce emissions are critical if we want to avoid the costliest damage associated with a rapid climate change. Thus, in this case, I had an assignment to critically analyse and evaluate problems and solutions in regards to New Zealand Emission Trading Scheme (NZ ETS), in where I would be able to assess this issue in a broader context.
Figure 4
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION & INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCY
These competencies have demonstrated in my group assignment skills. Our task is to find out the difference between working in public organisation and private organisation. We presented this work in the class for about 20 minutes. During the presentation, we talked about the definition and characteristics of both organisations and backed up with the example from New Zealand. We also covered social enterprise and provided range illustrations such as cultivate Christchurch Urban Farm and TOMS (one for one).
I am aware that I might be missing something related to the public organisation as I have not worked in government before, but I will look it up when looking for this kind of job because at the moment I am more interested working in private sector.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
This competency has shown in my student planner and academic diary. Until this time, I still can balance my time between study, a part-time job, and extracurricular activities. I have involved in a range of Lincoln University clubs such as Lincoln University International Club, Lincoln University Pacific Island Student Association, and Lincoln University Tertiary Catholic Chaplaincy, but I can manage my time to submit every university assignment on or before the due date. So, I can plan and manage work and projects effectively.
However, my limitation is lack of utilising information technology as needed to produce work products such as computer applications like modeling and statistical analysis.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
I am an outdoor person who enjoys activities in natural and wilderness areas. My interest associated including walking, hiking, tramping, and camping. I also love doing volunteer program related to conservation such as tree planting. Last month I joined Te Ara Kakariki trust to plant hundreds of trees in Selwyn District. I learned how to plant the tree in a right way.
On the other hand, I enjoy singing and dancing. I have been involved in many different choirs and Lincoln University Dance Club.
That is me digging a hole to plant the tree
Lincoln University Dance Club members
After performed in the front of Library
