SUBJECT: GREEN BUILDINGS SUBJECT CODE:21CV485

MODULE-3

Global Warming

Global warming is the long-term warming of the planet's overall temperature. Though this
warming trend has been going on for a long time, its pace has significantly increased in the last
hundred years due to the burning of fossil fuels. As the human population has increased, so has
the volume of fossil fuels burned.

Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants collect in the
atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface.
Normally this radiation would escape into space, but these pollutants, which can last for years
to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter. These heat-
trapping pollutants—specifically carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and
synthetic fluorinated gases—are known as greenhouse gases, and their impact is called the
greenhouse effect.

Though natural cycles and fluctuations have caused the earth’s climate to change several times
over the last 800,000 years, our current era of global warming is directly attributable
to human activity—specifically to our burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gasoline, and
natural gas, which results in the greenhouse effect. In the United States, the largest source of
greenhouse gases is transportation (29 percent), followed closely by electricity production (28
percent) and industrial activity (22 percent). Learn about the natural and human causes of
climate change.

Curbing dangerous climate change requires very deep cuts in emissions, as well as the use of
alternatives to fossil fuels worldwide. The good news is that countries around the globe have
formally committed—as part of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement—to lower their emissions
by setting new standards and crafting new policies to meet or even exceed those standards.
The not-so-good news is that we’re not working fast enough. To avoid the worst impacts of
climate change, scientists tell us that we need to reduce global carbon emissions by as much
as 40 percent by 2030. For that to happen, the global community must take immediate,
concrete steps: to decarbonize electricity generation by equitably transitioning from fossil
fuel–based production to renewable energy sources like wind and solar; to electrify our cars
and trucks; and to maximize energy efficiency in our buildings, appliances, and industries.

If we aren’t able to get a handle on our emissions, here’s just a smattering of what we can look
forward to:

 Disappearing glaciers, early snowmelt, and severe droughts will cause more dramatic
water shortages and continue to increase the risk of wildfires in the American West.
 Rising sea levels will lead to even more coastal flooding on the Eastern Seaboard,
especially in Florida, and in other areas such as the Gulf of Mexico.
 Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves, heavy
downpours, and increased flooding. All of these can damage or destroy agriculture and
fisheries.
 Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and alpine meadows could drive many plant
and animal species to extinction.
 Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks will become more common due to
increased growth of pollen-producing ragweed, higher levels of air pollution, and the
spread of conditions favourable to pathogens and mosquitoes.

What is the carbon footprint of a building?

The buildings sector is also one of the largest consumers of natural resources. In the absence
of peremptory energy efficiency improvements and policy measures, the buildings sector is
projected to emit seven times more CO2 by 2050, as compared with 2005 levels.

Buildings and their construction together account for 36 percent of global energy use and 39
percent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to the United Nations
Environment Program. In the United States, residential and commercial buildings account for
40 percent of energy consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Building emissions, as typically measured, are a combination of two things. First is day-to-day
energy use—known as the “operational carbon emissions” that comes from powering lighting,
heating, and cooling. Globally, building operations account for about 28 percent of
emissions annually. Second is the amount of carbon generated through manufacturing building
materials, transporting materials to construction sites, and the actual construction process—
what’s known as the “embodied carbon of a building,” which accounts for about one quarter
of a building’s total lifecycle carbon emissions. Globally, the embodied carbon of a building’s
accounts for about 11 percent of emissions.

How is the building sector already reducing carbon emissions?

Leaders in the architecture and building industry are exploring ways they can make a
difference—work that has been going on for many years through certification programs
like LEED, Energy Star, Passive House, and the Living Building Challenge. But with the
climate crisis coming into sharp relief, it’s taking on more urgency.

Architecture 2030, a group established in 2006, is working toward net-zero emissions in the
building sector by 2050 by publishing educational materials and consulting with architects,
policymakers, financial institutions, and governments. C40, a network of cities committed to
addressing climate change, is pursuing net-zero carbon in all new buildings by 2030 and all
buildings by 2050. Last year, the U.S. Green Building Council launched LEED Zero, a new
program to help designers achieve zero net energy in their structures.

However, this effectiveness of these voluntary pledges is debatable. Of the 252 firms that have
signed a 2030 pledge with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the largest professional
architecture organization in the U.S., only 16 have reached the benchmark goal of reducing
energy consumption by 70 percent, compared to similar conventional buildings, in the projects
they design. The average reduction from firms who signed the pledge is closer to 46 percent.

This week the AIA released a Climate Action Plan that shows how adapting architecture and
design best practices can serve the 2050 goal. The AIA plans to hold more professional
development courses on energy efficient design, increase initiatives to make low-carbon
materials sourcing easier and more readily available, and lobby for building code updates—a
critical measure to scale decarbonization.

A GREEN BUILDING

A green building is basically constructed using a maximum of recycled waste material with
other construction materials to make the building energy-efficient from geothermal heating to
appliance usage.

What is green building?

Green building is a resource-efficient method of construction that produces healthier buildings
which have less impact on the environment and cost less to maintain. This sustainable approach
to construction accounts for a building’s entire life cycle: siting, design, construction,
operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition (read Life Cycle Assessment for more).

Names like sustainable building, high performance building and green construction are used
interchangeably to describe what is essentially the same thing, though there are variations on
the theme that have slightly different meanings. Natural building, for example, is a sustainable
form of building, but with an intent on using only natural building products. Sustainable design
encompasses green building, yet delves into a much broader set of issues from the micro
(sustainable furniture design) to macro (sustainable urban planning).

Comprehensive rating systems that certify green buildings, such as LEED, Living Building
Challenge and Build Green, measure the sustainability of a building according to a number of
criteria. Taken together, these criteria form an accurate picture of what green building is all
about. The common criteria are listed below.

Site
Sprawl is not sustainable. Green builders are encouraged to build on previously developed land
rather than developing new land. It’s also important to build near existing infrastructure, such
as bus routes and libraries, to reduce residents’ dependence on transportation, since the effort
that goes into building a green home is wasted if the occupants have to commute great distances
every day. The smaller the building site the better since there’s less environmental footprint.
Sites that have been sustainably landscaped and don’t suffer from soil erosion or light pollution
are also considered more sustainable.

Water
Water reduction is built in by design, using low-flow toilets, greywater systems and
xeriscaping. The focus is first on reducing the need for water (i.e., low-flow toilets) then on
dealing with water once it has been used (i.e. greywater irrigation). Water collection methods
such as rainwater harvesting are also central to sustainable building.

Energy and Atmosphere

Green buildings are constructed using energy efficient designs (i.e. passive houses are built
with super-insulation and other techniques to ensure a tight building envelope and minimal
energy consumption). Processes that make use of clean energy such as geothermal and solar
PV systems are also widely used in sustainable building.

Materials and Resources

It’s estimated that as much as one-third of Canada’s total waste is building related. To
minimize the impact of this wasteful industry, green builders reduce material usage wherever
possible. They also reuse and recycle materials by salvaging, deconstructing, remanufacturing
and refurbishing. Preference is given to materials that are durable because they don’t need to
be replaced as often. Care is also taken in selecting materials that are sustainably produced,
come from natural, renewable sources, and require minimal transportation (read Green
building materials for more).

Size
Another aspect the relates to materials and resources is building size. Average living space per
Canadian is 700 square feet, a figure that has quadrupled in a generation, according
to Ecohome. As a country we have shrunk our family size, but increased our home size. This
rapid growth in home size is simply not sustainable. According to 100K : “A 100 per cent
increase in home size yields an increase in material usage of 40 to 90 percent… and an increase
in annual energy usage of 15 to 50 per cent.” There’s no specific home or building size that is
considered sustainable, but there are guidelines. The LEED Home Size Threshold sets a neutral
home building threshold that ranges from 900 to 2850 sq. ft. depending on the number of
bedrooms (one to five). Going above the threshold makes it harder to achieve LEED
certification, and below, easier.

BENEFITS OF GREEN BUILDING

The Rising Popularity of Sustainable Architecture

With our society’s increasing concern for the environment, it’s no surprise that green building
continues to grow in popularity and you may be wondering what is green design? From
residential structures to corporate facilities, architects are discovering new sustainable design
processes to preserve our ecosystem while reducing our carbon footprint. Here are ten benefits
of green building and green construction practices and how this architectural trend can
protect the generations of tomorrow:

Improved Indoor Environment: Quality of Life

When it comes to our quality of life, it’s no secret that our surroundings have a major impact
on our health. Over the past several decades, designers around the globe have made massive
progress, developing sustainable architecture that can dramatically affect the inhabitants of
such buildings and drastically reduce the negative environmental impact that buildings may
have. From interior design elements like improved lighting sources, thermal conditions,
ergonomic features and even upgraded air quality, occupants residing or working in green
structures have experienced a marked improvement in their health, stress levels and overall
quality of life.

Saving Water: Reduce, Reuse, Replenish

Another tangible benefit of sustainable building: water efficiency. Research shows that green
architecture can not only reduce water waste through water-efficient plumbing fixtures but also
reduce the strain on shared water resources. By installing specially-engineered systems to
purify water, it enables water recycling and also allows for alternative sources of water (such
as rainwater). These developments not only save this vital natural resource but protect clean
water sources for the future.

Enhanced Health: Eco-Friendly for Life

Living in a sustainable building can save your life – literally. According to studies, people who
reside in green structures experience a myriad of health benefits due to the eco-friendly
materials utilized in construction. For example, green buildings avoid using building materials
that may contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or plastic by-products which
have been known to release toxic fumes and carcinogens into the atmosphere. These dangerous
materials are linked to respiratory disease, allergies, and other health disorders, and in extreme
cases, an increased risk of cancer.

Reducing The Strain: Shared Resources, Increased Efficiency

With our planet’s ever-increasing population (particularly in large cities across the globe), our
local shared resources are being threatened as demands continue to grow. Based on the
advancements and sustainable practices and technologies developed by ingenious architects
worldwide, vital resources such as water and energy are being protected. By increasing
efficiency, green structures are capable of reducing the environmental impact on such
resources, which can potentially be protected and preserved for future generations.

Reduced Operational Cost and Maintenance: Traditional vs. Green

One of the greatest benefits of green buildings are their lower maintenance costs – featuring
specially-engineered design elements to lower energy consumption and help reduce energy
cost and water bills for each occupant. These efficient structures can save corporate and
residential owners a bundle. Although the expense required for building owners to build such
structures may be initially higher than traditional non-green forms of architecture, the cost over
the long term is recovered exponentially.
Energy-Efficient: Non-Renewable vs. Natural Resources

As a green architect, energy efficiency is a primary goal in green building design. Developing
structures that derive their energy from natural sources – such as the sun, wind, and water – is
extremely beneficial to the environment, protecting the ecosystem from pollution associated
with non-renewable sources (such as oil and coal). An added benefit: non-renewable energy
sources are not only toxic but costly, while their energy-efficient counterparts (such as solar
energy vs. traditional electricity) can save thousands over the lifetime costs of the
infrastructure.

Carbon Footprint Reduction: Saving the Planet One Step at A Time

There has been an increase in large corporations opting for green initiatives. According to
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), buildings account for 30% of all greenhouse gas
emissions in the United States. Landlords and large businesses have taken heed, as increasing
sustainability is an opportunity to do something positive for both business and society as a
whole.

Keep It Clean: Protecting Our Ecosystem

Global warming has been a growing concern for a number of years, and it’s no wonder – our
planet has seen a drastic depletion of our natural resources, while pollution and the consequent
climate-change is at an all-time high. Sustainable architecture is not only energy-efficient and
healthier for its inhabitants, but it also benefits the planet. By reducing our reliance on non-
renewable resources (fossil fuels such as coal and oil), green architecture can actually promote
and maintain a cleaner environment.

Efficient & Sustainable Material: Minimal Use For Maximum Impact

Upcycling has taken the architectural world by storm – by using recycled material and reusing
resources (and even repurposing old structures), sustainable architects, engineers, and green
designers are tapping into existing resources to reduce carbon footprints and save natural
resources. By implementing sustainable strategies into the design process, like reducing waste,
preserving natural resources (such as water and wood), protecting our air supply, and limiting
energy use, green building companies can create extremely efficient structures that can
withstand the test of time.

Durability For the Green Homeowner: Built to Last

For educated homeowners, going green is a no-brainer: from energy and water savings and
improved air quality to overall durability, sustainable materials have been proven time and time
again to last longer. Green materials (such as recycled decking and roofing) not only endure
for years exposed to the elements but require much less maintenance. In addition, because
many of them are free from harmful chemical treatments, they are healthier for the environment
(and the inhabitants they serve).

Comparison of Initial cost of Green V/s Conventional Building - Life cycle cost of
Buildings.

A green building is an eco-friendly building that uses mostly natural materials to get
constructed. These buildings use less water, optimise energy efficiency, cater healthier spaces
for the dwellers, and produce less waste and more. But conventional buildings or normal
buildings are just the opposite. They are the standard constructed buildings made with bricks,
concrete blocks, sheet metal and more. To state the difference between green building and
normal building, it can be said that the former is nature-friendly but the latter is not.