Sustainability Program: Green Buildings

In the recent past, the concept of sustainability has become a common interest in various aspects of the society. this newly found interest is in light of the negative effects of the use of fossil fuels on the environment. additionally, the increased popularity of sustainability programs is due to the promotions of sustainable developments. One such sustainability program that is increasing in adoption is the concept of green architecture, also referred to as green building or sustainable architecture. according to green building, the idea behind it is the use of science and styles of buildings that are designed and constructed according to environmentally friendly principles.

According to an article published by Ragheba, El-Shimyb, Raghebb (2016), it emphasizes the need to adopt the use of green architecture in the construction industry. As sustainability is a complex subject due to its comprehensive nature, the use of green building is critical for the survival of the human species and the preservation of the environment. As such, green architecture should be the ultimate models for all building activities. For this reason, the move towards eco-friendly architecture should be a well thought out objective for the present architecture, a point reiterated by the article. Subsequently, the article offers valid arguments in support of adopting and implementing green architecture in the construction of present buildings. For instance, green buildings have environmental, economic and social benefits.

Environmentally, eco-friendly architecture helps in reducing pollution, helps prevent and reduce environmental degradation and helps conserve natural resources. Economically, it helps to reduce the cost associated with construction that building operators spend on energy and water which in turn helps improve productivity of those utilizing the facility. Green buildings also have social benefits in that green buildings are aesthetically appealing while causing minimal strain on the local infrastructure. For these reasons, as stated by Guy (2011), the new field of green building is gradually gaining momentum as the practice of creating and using healthier and resource-efficient models of construction have clear and positive impacts to the environment.

In presenting the argument for the adoption of green architecture, the article is convincing in that it comprehensively lists all the requirements of a green design. A green design in line with eco-friendly design construction models has to implement a ventilation system that is designed for efficient cooling and heating, water saving plumbing and energy efficient appliances and lighting, alternative power sources, non-toxic and non-synthetic building materials that are locally obtainable, the use of recycled architectural salvage and the efficient use of space. These requirements, in addition to others such as minimal harm to the environment and the use of responsibly harvested wood, were also identified by Tasci (2015), as the characteristics of an eco-friendly architecture. However, although not all green building has or can possess all these characteristics, the ultimate goal of environmentally friendly architecture is that the green building is sustainable.

Through the implementation of green building models in the construction of present building and the renovation of old building, there are various benefits to be accrued that will help minimize the impact on the environment through the elimination and reduction of fossil fuels. For instance, the green building sustainability program allows for a well-designed passive solar building that is highly energy efficient. As such, green buildings are free of drafts. In addition, in the winter, extra sunlight from south-facing windows warm the green building eliminating the need for fossil fuel heating application commonly found in conventional buildings. Furthermore, green buildings, if appropriately addressed in the design phase, through passive solar construction saves money on fuel cost as they do not require as much money as conventional buildings. Also, passive solar buildings significantly reduce the use of electricity used in lighting as well as heating fuel thus eliminating the need for fossil fuels in heating as well as cooling.

Furthermore, the use of green building materials has been observed to decrease the reliance on fossil fuels. The use of low carbon materials and low carbon construction techniques associated with the green architecture models is a practice that significantly reduces the use of fossil fuels thus reducing the negative impact of fossil fuels in the environment. various research in the use of stabilized earth bricks in the walling of green buildings has proved to offer low carbon solutions. Stabilized earth bricks have been found to be suitable for various climates and are preferably suited for passive cooling and heating. Consequently, as stated by Olotuah (2015), stabilized earth bricks are warm in cold seasons and cool in hot seasons and require little to no mechanical or auxiliary. As a result, green buildings with stabilized earth bricks need significantly less fossil fuel derived energy to build as compared to traditional concrete buildings. Additionally, on top of reducing reliance on fossil fuels, green architecture ultimately provides a broad range of environmental benefits especially in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that result from fossil fuels.

In understanding the various sustainability programs currently being implemented, the is a need to understand the term sustainable development mostly associated with such programs. Sustainable development is defined as the development that meets the present needs without compromising future generations ability to satisfy their needs. As such, the idea of sustainable development is based on focusing the emphasis on short-term economic gain rather focusing more on long-term gains through longer-term approaches that consider the economic, social and environmental impacts. Furthermore, sustainable development advocates for an integrated decision-making strategy that links the society, the environment, and the economy as opposed to a disconnected decision-making approach (Legrand).

Sustainable development thus requires the fulfillment of some conditions. For starters, it requires the preservation of the balance, the prevention of the exhaustion of natural resources and the respect for the environment. fulfillment of these conditions is only possible through measures such as protecting the quality of the environment, and through the development, restoration and renovation of essential habitats to species through the sustainable management in the utilization of plant and animal population being exploited (Legrand). In this regard, sustainable development is seen as a shift from previous development modes that have led to severe ecological and social damage on a local and global scale.

There are various benefits resulting environmental protection, one of which is enhanced economic well-being. Through environmental protection, the appropriate waste collection, and disposal techniques, powerful greenhouse gasses such as methane can be effectively captured through the improvement of waste collection and disposal facilities. Additionally, such facilities would provide more jobs for the local population. Furthermore, increasing the share of the use of renewable energy sources contributes to a significant reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions, which would also create and increase the number of jobs in the renewable energy sector. Forrest plays a major role in reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. By reducing degradation of forests and deforestation, the risk of losing the forest ecosystem that is necessary for water purification and supply, and source of forest products is significantly reduced thus reducing the economic strain of producing such products and processes (Gorlach, Lago, Stupak, Bar-On, & Moller-Gulland, 2011).

Furthermore, by ensuring the protection of protected terrestrial as well as protected marine areas, ensure the maintenance of ecosystems that are the basis of the economy and the society. finally, the reduction and prevention of extensive land degradation ensure that employment in the agricultural sector is not compromised and through enhanced agricultural land quality by implementing appropriate agricultural and land management techniques, the economy can benefit from higher crop yields (Gorlach, Lago, Stupak, Bar-On, & Moller-Gulland, 2011).

References

Gorlach, B., Lago, M., Stupak, N., Bar-On, H., & Moller-Gulland, J. (2011, June). Social and Economic Benefits of Enhanced Environmental Protection in ENP Countries. Retrieved from Eco Logic: https://www.ecologic.eu/3651

Guy, S. (2011). Designing fluid futures: Hybrid transitions to sustainable architectures. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 140-145.

Legrand. (n.d.). Sustainable Development: Definition, Background, Issues and Objectives. Retrieved from Legrand: http://www.legrand.com/EN/sustainable-development-description_12847.html

Olotuah, A. O. (2015). Climate-Responsive Architecture and Sustainable Housing in Nigeria. Global Journal of Research and Review, 1-6.

Ragheba, A., El-Shimyb, H., & Raghebb, G. (2016). Green architecture: a concept of sustainability. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 778 787.

Tasci, B. G. (2015). Sustainability Education by Sustainable School Design. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 868-873.