HOW THE BUILD ENVIRONMENT FUELS CLIMATE CHANGE

The construction and use of the built environment currently account for half of the carbon emissions. There is a direct connection between urban construction and climate change. There are carbon emissions through burning fuels for vehicles and cooking, more people migrating to urban areas cities are the biggest consumers of natural resources. However, it is in construction where the immediate effects of climate are being felt. Our buildings are occupying more footprint and we are paving the remaining surfaces leaving no space to absorb excess runoff water and as such we end up with floods in low lying areas. While the increase in urban population is a major factor in climate change poorly designed building, failure to use available sustainable materials has not helped the cause to climate change.

A sustainable building is one whose construction and lifetime operation assures the healthiest environment and represents the most efficient and least disruptive use of land, water, energy and resources. Buildings that are not environmentally friendly produce carbon dioxide and other green house gases that contribute towards climate change. These gases allow shortwave radiation to strike earth without escape thus warming the climate and contributing to global warming affecting traditional weather patterns globally. Building environment friendly buildings that have no negative impact on the environment is the solution.

The resolution is acknowledging the role that local communities play in conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; they should be involved engaged taking into account their importance for climate change adaptation. As our urban areas expand and wipe out all traces of open ground, we will continue to watch as rivers continue to wreak havoc through floods or change course and leave former wetlands bare.

BY: AGNES KIBUCHI