CLIMATE CHANGE –AN ISSUE & ITS CHALLENGES

WeatherClimate Time ( Atmospheric condition of a place ) {For long period} {For short period} [element :- temperature, pressure, wind, humidity & rain]

Climate Change = climate + change According to IPCC “Climate change refers to change of climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to the human activity that alters the composition of global atmosphere & that is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time period.”

causes Human cause Greenhouse Gases Natural causes Continental drift Volcanoes Ocean current Solar variations

Greenhouse Gases :-

Source: USGCRP (2009) USGCRP (2009)

IMPACTS OF BUILDING ON CLIMATE :- Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) - * quantify the life time environmental impacts of buildings * based on energy consumption

SOURCE -

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE BUILDINGS:- As the climate changes there is a danger that current building designs will not be suitable for the new climate. Climate change can affect buildings – 1- directly (through weather and climate), 2- indirectly(utility and material costs, and legislation) Some of the climate change impacts are following -

RiskPossible Effects Rising temperature Impact on external surfaces; thermal performance of building More intense rainfall Greater intensity of runoff; issues of structural integrity; drainage; opportunities for capturing rainfall More frequent / intense cyclones Greater strain on building material fixtures, claddings and fasteners; greater wind loading requirements More frequent flooding Sea level rise leading to coastal and inland flooding; more coastal salt spray; water damage to building contents; contamination from sewage, soil and mud; undermining of foundations More fire events Total or partial fire damage; smoke and water damage More hail storms Impact damage (mostly roofs, guttering, windows) and subsequent rain/moisture penetration Increased humidity Mould; condensation; decreased thermal performance of building Decreased humidity Higher risk of fire SOURCE - IPCC

Mitigation # it is a process of reducing effect of climate change. Energy Efficient Buildings - “ Energy efficient buildings can be defined as buildings that are designed to provide a significant reduction of the energy need for heating and cooling, independently of the energy and of the equipment that will be chosen to heat or cool the building. ” Energy efficient buildings This can be achieved through the following concept -

The trias Energetica Concept SOURCE -

# Opportunities for energy efficiency in building - 1. Building materials – > Design for long life and adaptability, using durable low maintenance materials; > Avoid building a bigger house than you need. This will save materials; > Modify or refurbish instead of demolishing; >Waste material are re-used or recycled; > Select low embodied energy materials ; > Use locally sourced materials when possible to reduce transport;

2. Envelope - SOURCE -

3. Energy supply - >operational energy normally accounts for the major part of the total energy used in buildings.

Energy Efficiency Models 1.Zero-energy buildings – > These buildings produce as much energy as they consume over a full year. Ie. energy consumption – energy generation = 0 > micro generation technologies can be applied to provide heat and electricity to the building. Ex. - solar cells and small scale wind turbines solar thermal collectors, solar electricity and micro combined heat and power installations

Example - WWF zero-energy housing project :- Source – WWF The houses use passive solar energy, PV systems, co-generation, conservatories, thermal power station, sun rooms, solar collectors, and heat recovery systems.

2. Passive houses - >a comfortable interior climate can be maintained with-out active heating and cooling systems. >The house heats and cools itself, and is therefore ‘passive’. Source -

3. Green building - >a structure that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle. > designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by- 1. Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources 2. Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation Example –Auroville green city –

Sustainable Technology in Auroville - >Solar Technology >Solar Electricity >Solar Water Pumping and Heaters >Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology >Wastewater Technology >Wind Technology

Adaptation for building Design:- # Adaptation is the process to prepare for future impacts. 1. Increasing temperatures – > Thermal mass to reduce the internal temperature variation > Insulation and the use of low emissivity roofing paints >high performance glazing >External shading >Cross ventilation

2. coastal storm – >Retreat from coastal areas >Accommodate surges >Protect land infrastructure and buildings from coastal storm 3. Flooding – > Exceed minimum floor levels >Consider multi-story construction >Use water-resistant materials >Build a flood wall around the building 4. Tropical cyclones – >designing building more aerodynamically >employing curved corners >also additional construction and fixing requirements which are necessary to hold down roofs

Conclusion By using proper mitigation and adaptation for building design,we can reduce the challenges of climate change.

Refrences 1.Adapting to Climate Change New Methods and Estimates, Consultation Draft, World Bank. 2.CIRIA, 2005, Climate Change Risks in Building: An introduction, CIRIA, London 3.Damilola Sobo, Zachary Hoberg (2010) “Sustainable Living in Auroville” 4.UNFCCC (2010) United Nations Framework on Climate Change, 5.Sylvie Lemmet(2009), “Buildings and Climate Change”,Summary for Decision-Makers