Green Buildings Provide Largest Impact on Reducing Climate Change
While worldwide efforts are on to contain global warming, every global
citizen can contribute in their own way in reducing the carbon footprints.
The construction industry, despite its recent slump in the USA owing to the
mortgage market crisis, is nonetheless a buzzing area of growth. If
environmentally-friendly concepts are applied to construction projects, it
could help in developing a greener planet. A recent study by the Tri-national
(US, Canada and Mexico) Commission for Environmental Cooperation has
determined that building greener buildings would do more for the environment
than any other single measure.
Buildings produce 35% of all CO2 emissions, both in the building phase (8% of
CO2 emissions come from the production of concrete) and throughout the
lifetime of the building's operation. This is due to energy consumed for heating,
ventilation and air conditioning, while lighting, water and appliances
produce carbon emissions as well. By constructing new buildings on energy-
efficient concepts and be upgrading the existing ones through better
insulation and windows, 1.7 billion tons volume of greenhouse gas emission
could be reduced. That's roughly the amount of CO2 that was produced by
all cars and planes in North America last year. Green buildings are defined in
the report as 'environmentally preferable practices and materials in the
design, location, construction, operation and disposal of buildings .' Only 3
percent of US buildings are environment friendly and the residential houses
comprise only 0.3 percent of all green buildings. Europe on the other hand
has a greater number of green buildings in place.
Building materials used in typical green buildings are renewable plant
materials, sustainable lumber, dimension stone, recycled stone, recycled
metal and other non-toxic, reusable, renewable and recyclable products.
Insulation is made from low volatile organic compound-emitting materials
such as recycled denim or cellulose insulation. Organic or milk based paints
are used. To minimize energy load the buildings are designed to take
maximum advantage of the wind and sunlight.
The high cost of constructing more energy efficient and water systems
makes the builders reluctant to develop green buildings. With green
construction being only 4 percent of the entire construction sector, future
rise in the market share would help in bringing down the cost of building
green houses. This isn't unproven, still-in-development technology. These
technologies, making climate control, lighting, heating and appliances more
efficient, are available now. But only 3% of buildings in America currently use
these technologies. The study indicates that widespread adoption and
retrofitting of older buildings will be necessary but, in the end, not
prohibitively expensive. There is no other way to decrease our CO2
emissions faster, more significantly, or more inexpensively.Green Buildings For Better Tomorrow
The need to prevent the ill effects of global warming is very necessary to
save us from the worsening condition of our environment. Recently, a call for
industries to use environment friendly concepts has been raised by
environment and other civic organizations to use environment friendly
alternatives to build infrastructures with the use of construction materials.
This is also supported by a recent study conducted by Tri-National
Commission for Environmental Cooperation that building greener buildings has
a very significant effect in the protection of our environment.
The concept of implementing this in the construction industries is an idea to
adapt environment friendly process of constructing materials is a good move
to alleviate the alarming effects of global warming. Construction industries
contribute to around 35% of CO2 emissions making this figure quite alarming
considering how the construction business is faring well. The whole process
includes the energy that is consumed through heating, ventilation, lighting,
air conditioning and energy emitted from appliances too. Green house gas as
a result of these processes is the causes of global warming. In the United
Sates alone only 3% are of the building infrastructures are considered eco
friendly and a rate of 0.3% of residential houses labeled as such.
It is expected that with the adoption of this concept, it can reduce the
amount of gas emissions from the atmosphere. Using environment friendly
materials in the design and structure of which buildings are to be made can
generally be a very good start in making a move towards environment
protection. Green buildings, to which these infrastructures are called will
change the way on how modern technology will not only give advancement
and convenience to our lives but this will also play a vital part in saving and
minimizing damage to our environment.
Green buildings are made from eco friendly materials such as low volatile
organic compounds for insulation, recycled stones, renewable materials made
from plants, organic paints, recycled metal and other such renewable
products. Energy is also consumed in a manner that wind and sunlight are
used for the consumption. These buildings are primarily constructed to
reduce the excessive use of energy. It is geared toward creating a positive
impact on the environment and health of humans as well.
However, the construction of green buildings is not widely accepted by
construction companies in spite of its very promising effect to reduce green
house gas. Companies may find it hard to adapt to these development
changes in spite of the advantages that it can do to help the environment
because of cost issues. It may take quite a while before the rest would
adapt in constructing green buildings but although the situation for now
stands as is, green buildings are still one of the best alternatives in
ensuring an eco friendly environment for all.
