Environment Support

BUILDINGS CAN CAUSE GLOBAL WARMING

What is the primary cause of global warming? Cars are the first thing to pop up from the minds of Americans, which is part of the problem, but not the main problem.

The biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption are buildings. Who would have thought that buildings contribute more to global warming than cars do? Buildings, including our homes, are considered to be the prime source of green house gas emissions in the United States, which account for more than 43% of the total carbon dioxide emissions of the country. Homes take up almost half of this total, or approximately 21% of total carbon dioxide emissions. And, about 60% of total emissions account for electricity purchased from power plants fueled by coal.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 33% of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States comes from burning gasoline in internal-combustion engines of cars and trucks such as sports utility vehicles, jeeps, pick-up trucks, and minivans.

How do these buildings cause global warming? During the operational lifetime of a building, it consumes a great amount of energy. Majority of buildings worldwide use electricity that is sourced mainly from coal power plants; thus, the more we turn on our lights, the more energy is consumed and the more fossil fuels are smoldered, thereby emitting unwanted greenhouse gases. Rather than relying on electricity, it would be better if rooms were designed in a way that light easily enters through, eliminating the need to turn on the lights during the day.

Buildings also produce tremendous high heat that radiates outside into the air. Most buildings are not structured for such high temperature and we cushion this situation with the use of air-conditioning systems which increase energy consumption and the emission of carbon dioxide.

What makes it even more alarming is that although fuel-efficient vehicles may replace our country’s fleet of fossil-fueled cars and light trucks in twelve years time, buildings mostly have a lifespan of fifty to a hundred years and that means fifty to one hundred years of the same trend of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions -- unless the building owners and companies decide to invest money to make their structures energy-efficient. Many governments offer grants and energy efficiency tax incentives to those willing to build or convert their buildings or homes to eco-friendly structures. Moreover, since energy consumption is reduced, operating costs will drop. This results in more savings ever year, especially as electricity rates rise. Saving energy reduces one’s carbon footprint while saving money.

Green Building Resources