'Almost every way we make electricity today puts out CO2. And so, what we're going to have to do at a global scale, is create a new system. And so, we need energy miracles'. Bill Gates
What is CO2 and what does it mean to us?
CO2 is Carbon Dioxide, a chemical compound emitted as a gas, amongst other things, by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Human activities such as the combustion offossil fuels and deforestation have caused the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide to increase by about 35% since the beginning of the age of industrialization.
Carbon Dioxide is a greenhouse gas and one of the fundamental causes of the greenhouse effect. Global warming, the recent warming of the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, is believed to be the result of a strengthening of the greenhouse effect mostly due to human-produced increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
As global warming continues the effects are expected to be devestating, including the extinction of some plants and animals due to ecological changes, the melting of snow and ice resulting in the threat of rising sea levels and the loss of habitat for those who rely on these glaciers, and problems caused to societies without the capability to deal with the future increase in temperatures.
How do we stop this happening?
To stop the advancement of these effects we need to adapt. We need to make changes to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using cleaner, less polluting, technologies which emit less CO2. One big factor in this effort will be the increased use of renewable energy, and increased energy efficiency.
Why Sustainable Buildings?
Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physic -s Waterloo Canada
Buildings are a huge part of society, but they are also account for lots of the worlds pollution: 39 percent of total energy use 12 percent of the total water consumption 68 percent of total electricity consumption 38 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions
To preserve our world we need to think ahead and look at the cause of pollution and work out how to cut our admissions. Sustainable, green buildings, is one way to save our planet.
Building green can not only maximise both the environmental and economical performance but also improve the experience of those using the buildings.
Looking into the future of how we construct and renovate buildings, it is necessary to consider climate changes, resource supply and human health. The future of construction is facing serious challenges – resource supply, energy efficiency and unhealthy buildings to name but three. The real challenge facing us is essentially a dual challenge – energy and liveability.
Environmental benefits:
Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
Improve air and water quality
Reduce waste streams
Conserve and restore natural resources
Economic benefits:
Reduce operating costs
Create, expand, and shape markets for green product and services
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: The Kyoto Protocol http://unfccc.int/2860.php
By Elliot Denby, Jenna Baker, Meera Chauhan, Xin Lui, Rob Miller, James Gibbins, Alexander Hodge, Mark Wadsworth, Tom Bulter-Weeks, Daniel Thompson, Tendai Taruvinga, Michael McGinty