The effects of climate change are already being felt in the built environment. Buildings are more complex than ever before and must adapt to changing parameters. Here are 3 ways to make buildings more climate-friendly. These measures can save money and reduce energy consumption while keeping you comfortable. But you have to act now before it's too late! Traditional "green" building practices are designed to help reduce the negative impact on the environment. They are similar to conventional structures but use less energy and materials and are environmentally friendly. Green buildings can be a significant investment, as they can reduce energy costs and environmental pollution. They can also help protect the environment from climate change. Typical green building practices include using natural resources, reducing water and energy consumption, and minimizing on-site grading. Additionally, many green buildings use highly-efficient HVAC systems and provide better indoor air quality. And because they use fewer resources, they can be less expensive than conventional buildings. Nevertheless, buildings are one of the significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. Their construction and operations have a significant environmental impact, so the transition to more efficient and renewable building systems is necessary to protect the built environment and the population. Deep energy retrofits can lower energy consumption, give buildings a greener profile, and stimulate the economy. The building industry accounts for 8.2% of GDP and employs 10% of the workforce in the EU. However, the recent COVID-19 crisis has led to a projected 20-25 percent decline in construction activity in the EU, affecting millions of jobs. Deep energy retrofits consider the entire building enclosure, internal structure, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as the site elements and landscaping. This results in more significant energy savings, lower GHG emissions, and lower operating and capital renewal costs. These improvements are also more cost-effective. Deep energy retrofits can reduce energy consumption by 50 percent or more. They can also lower carbon emissions by 30% or more. Registering for deep retrofits is free and will not take more than 60 seconds. Using rainwater harvesting systems for buildings is a great way to combat climate change. In addition, they can be used to reduce potable water demands and stormwater runoff. The average-sized household can save more than 1,000 liters of water each year using a rainwater-capturing system. New York City has already begun testing this technique. In one project, the Department of Sanitation installed a 1.5-acre green roof to reduce the heat island effect and capture rainwater. The water saved is used for flushing toilets and washing sanitation trucks, which enables the city to reduce its water use by up to 77%. Rainwater capture systems are legal in every state, although many restrict how much water can be harvested. Colorado, for example, has limited the amount of water captured by a building to 110 gallons of non-potable water. However, Fouad Jaber, a professor at Texas A& M, recommends collecting up to 1,000 gallons per acre of land. Trees are great for reducing warming and preventing climate change. However, they only help in certain climates. A 2007 study shows that trees are most effective in the tropics because they trap the most CO2 in the atmosphere. While planting a trillion trees in the temperate zones would do little to change the climate, planting a few million trees in the polar regions would likely have a negligible effect. Another benefit of planting trees is that they remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The trees absorb CO2 through their leaves and then convert it to carbohydrates. This carbon is then stored in the tree for decades or centuries. This is how trees act as natural "carbon sinks" that mitigate the effects of climate change. Therefore, increasing the number of trees and planting more forests worldwide is one of the most important actions to combat climate change. Planting trees around buildings can have significant energy efficiency and water conservation benefits. Trees help to filter stormwater and increase the longevity of a building. They can also reduce the need for heating and cooling. They also help reduce noise pollution. Additionally, they are great screens and can block unsightly views.
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