Climate Change: What to Consider When Building a Home
Climate change and its impacts are becoming more and more noticeable. It is clear that these changes are not just a natural occurrence but as a result of humans.
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its 6th assessment report blatantly stating the need for drastic and immediate action to limit global warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees.
CSIRO provides various scenarios with RCP8.5 representing one in which nothing is done to limit emissions. The impacts of this scenario coincide with the findings found in IPCC sixth report.
These changes are likely to impact how we live and where we live. That is why it is an important factor to consider when building a home.
TEMPERATURE AND WEATHER CHANGES
Changes in temperature are likely to have adverse effects on the health and well-being of communities and biodiversity.
Land temperatures to increase relative to other areas which contribute to urban heat island effect (UHI). The UHI impacts directly on the comfortability of homes making thermal optimisation even more important in the future. Trends show that in we are seeing longer summers and shorter winters. Summer is now 38 days longer in Melbourne, 36 days longer in Adelaide, 35 days longer in Hobart and Perth and 118 days longer in Sydney (Source: The Guardian; The Pursuit). Airtightness and adequate ventilation can ensure that homes are maintained at comfortable temperatures. Quality windows such as double or triple glazed windows can prevent heat transfer in hotter months and prevent heat from escaping in cooler months (Source: Laros).
Changes in temperature and weather to impact agriculture and food security. This will have flow on economic effects and greater disparities of socioeconomic inequity. More extreme weather temperatures can increase the need for heating and cooling. Poor airtightness and heating/ventilation system can increases the need for heating and cooling to keep your house at the optimal temperature. Upgrading your system can help keep the costs of your energy bill low.
SOLAR RADIATION
Solar radiation will impact biophysical and physiological effects on human skin causing inflammation, pigmentation, immune-suppression, cancer and aging. This would provide an opportunity to use roof tops and solar panels to reflect and absorb solar radiation and prevent it from contributing to UHI. Additionally, solar panels would contribute to net zero source energy.
WATER CYCLE
Intensified water cycles to cause intense rainfall, flooding and droughts. Installing water tanks can provide a reservoir to provide a reliable source of water to a home during periods of inconsistent rainfall.
Warming oceans causing sea level rises to encroach on coastal areas. Ocean acidification and reduced oxygen levels occurs from changes in marine life respiration (oxygen supplied through air-sea gas exchange and from photosynthesising marine plants). Distribution of oxygen is governed by delicate balance of supply from the surface via circulation and mixing and consumption by marine life through respiration. Installing water tanks in your home can ensure consistent supply of water and cost of water to adapt to the variability changes in rainfall.
It is incredibly important that we act now for the preservation of life for future generations. We aim to become a not only, an environmentally conscious company, but establish ourselves as part of trades network within Australia to promote economic and social sustainability within communities.