The Greenhouse effect in a nutshell
Sunlight passes through the atmosphere and warms up the earth. This solar energy cause the Earth to heat up. Some of this heated energy from the Earth (infrared radiation) escapes back out of the Earth passing through the present greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Other energy is kept inside the earth keeping it warm. This natural process is what enables natural life to exist on Earth. The type of gases in the atmosphere are shown in the graph below.
However, human activities such as deforestation of trees, production of coal, increased solid waste, increased agricultural and industrial activities increases the levels of these naturally occurring greenhouse gases. This enhances the greenhouse effect resulting in global warming (so the earth becomes warmer). Refer to the diagram below for a simplified view.
The greenhouse effect is one of the major component contributing to climate change on Earth. Other components such as the shape of the earth and the strength of the radiation from the sun may also have some effect. This increase in greenhouse gases has seen the rising of sea levels on Earth, reduction of fresh water as flooding occurs, some of the worlds endangered species become extinct as rising temperatures change their habitat, poor people living on the outskirts of land, and increased widespread of diseases.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a group of scientists that monitor, assess and believe in the impacts of global warming. As a result of these findings, Australia ratified the 2007 Kyoto Agreement and introduced the Carbon Tax in 2012 to show their part in reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The Kyoto agreement is an International Treaty consisting of 192 countries that have committed their countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon tax is like a pollution tax on carbon emissions produced from activities that increase these quantities like burning of fossil fuels and car manufacturing.
Sustainability in a Nutshell
As quoted by Brundtland (1987), ‘Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs’. In a nutshell sustainability is understanding the interconnections between economics, society and the environment. It is a concept of living within our limits and providing just distribution of resources and opportunities. The three pillars of sustainability are shown in the diagram below.
So sustainable living is being able to work with these pillars with minimal adverse effects to the current and future generations. So the overall effect is a reduction in a person’s carbon footprint and thus better for the environment. There are many ways to sustain our environment. One such way could be not owning a car, thus using no fuel, thus no negative impact on the environment. Water conservation is another way to sustain the environment, or using of renewable energy sources etc. Sustainable homes can be built by using efficient sustainable methods (less damage to the environment), environmentally friendly materials and green building homes. Green buildings significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact on the environment and its occupants from design, building materials, construction and right through to the operational stages and final deconstruction. So the whole life cycle of the building. Example of a green building is shown below, please note the building doesn’t necessarily have to be ‘green’
Green buildings are designed by efficiently using energy, water and other resources, reducing waste, pollution, environmental degradation, and increasing occupant health. For example, the building materials may be from renewable or recycled resources, the building may be built using passive solar design to minimise energy and heating consumption.
I’m fascinated by a green building that has deciduous vines on the outside. It’s such a simple and easily applied idea. The plant leaves fall off in the colder months and thus allow solar radiation into building, thus minimising heating consumption. During the hotter months, the leaves grow and form a natural shading covering the building. Thus, minimising air conditioning and cooling consumption. Hence, one of its aspects that’s contributing to a zero carbon footprint
