Five ways architects can fight climate change

With rising temperatures and environmental impacts, signs of climate change are on the rise. Scientists are now warning that global temperatures are accelerating and are expected to climb an average 3.2°C globally by 2100 if unchecked.

But there’s hope. Buildings are a major contributor to global warming, and architects can make a huge impact by changing how they practice.

1.Adapt and retrofit existing buildings

It’s vital to focus on the operating energy of new construction. But the vast majority of the buildings already exists and it needs changes. Deep energy retrofits are a critical need that architects can use.

Before deciding to invest in an existing building,  a vulnerability assessment has to be done to ensure the building is not at high risk.

2.Select carbon-smart materials

Manufacturing steel and concrete results in massive global warming impact. Reducing carbon emission over the next few years is a particularly important strategy because it will help meet large scale reduction targets.

To cut embodied carbon in new construction, reduce the use of the highest-emitting materials like concrete, steel, and aluminum. Make sure to not use more materials than that is needed for the job.

3.Pursue renewable energy

A significant amount of electricity needs of buildings can be effectively covered by using solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic cells. Renewable energy technologies have several benefits such as sustainability and a long lifetime of energy systems.

4. Use locally sourced materials

Transportation of materials determines greenhouse gas emissions as a result of burning fuel. Therefore, by reducing these distances, a project will leave a much smaller carbon footprint. Though sourcing locally has its limitations in terms of reduced price competition for materials and availability, forming a balance between what can be found locally or elsewhere, will remain to have a positive impact on a project’s sustainability.

5.Reuse building materials

Every year, the construction industry sends tons of non-industrial waste to landfills. Much of this waste actually derives from demolition taken before the beginning of new construction projects. Reusing discarded raw material not only cuts down on costs, but it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions when manufacturing new materials.