n the US building standards, codes, and construction practices are now - and have been for decades - based on a set of assumptions that may no longer be be valid. Those assumptions: that energy is and will always be cheap and readily available, that the climate is, on average, stable and predictable, that the hydrologic cycle is, again on average, consistent and that materials to build with will always be inexpensive and easy to get. All these may prove false under the new changing climate and energy realities.
Eventually, existing homes may need significant modifications to adapt to these global changes.
--- Changes in the hydrologic cycle can change the water table. Homes with basements that have been dry for decades may suddenly be wet, for instance.
--- A rise or fall in the water table, as well, may affect foundation footings. Footings on earth that was once considered dry and stable may fail as the historical water table changes. Failed footings can lead to cracked foundations and settlement of the structure.
--- Little needs to be said about buildings situated near sea level in coastal areas. The oceans are set to rise whether global warming is halted or not. (Sea level rise could be slow and linear - a steady rate of climb - or accelerate, with more rise late in the century. No one is predicting yet.)
--- While the equipment used to heat and cool our homes has become steadily more efficient, the balance of the systems - existing ductwork buried in walls or ceilings - is likely as leaky and inefficient as the day it was installed.
--- Despite upgrades to insulation where accessible, such as attics, the insulation in our walls seems inadequate. (The outside walls in my solid masonry 1950’s row home in Baltimore have no insulation to speak of. The walls have about the same insulating value as a pizza oven - but I’m the pizza.)
The modifications needed to adapt older homes to a changing world will be expensive.
But older existing homes are not the only problem. Most new homes built in this country are using nearly the same set of construction standards and codes as homes have for years. Wall insulation is far too thin (It probably needs a doubling in R-value.) Homes are still being built in low lying areas or on areas that could have unstable ground. Our heating and air conditioning systems are still built for low cost, high profit to the builder, not for energy and cost savings for the eventual home owner.
And the materials used in construction? The cost of cement, for instance - made in an energy intensive process - goes up with the cost of energy. Every material that has a petroleum link will see its cost rise along with oil: paints, plastics, composite materials and others. And wood - the most common home building material in the US - is a special case.
True wood naturally sequesters carbon (that’s what trees do) but just planting new trees to replace those logged doesn’t seem like enough. A newly planted sapling doesn’t absorb anywhere near the same CO2 as a decades-old tree.
Further, trees removed to build new homes and developments need to be rethought. Are there saplings planted somewhere to replace those? And are as many saplings planted for the equivalent carbon absorbtion of each large old tree? Probably no on either account.
Fortunately - on their own - some visionary forward thinking homebuilders are taking greener building into their own hands, not waiting for building practices and green building codes to become law.
One of those forward-thinking home builders is PowerHouse Enterprises of Lawrence, Massacusetts.
The company has taken a big picture view of building greener homes.
--- Make them affordable by making them modular. Homes can be built faster indoors than out. Time is money.
--- Use sustainable, recycled, salvaged materials whereever possible.
--- In design use passive and active solar. Let the Sun heat, power and provide hot water for the house.
--- Use high R-value insulation in roof, walls and foundation to save energy.
--- Incorporate highly efficient appliances, lighting and heating cooling and air conditioning equipment.
The company too has a flagship product, its PowerPod, a small, modular, passive/active solar structure that can be used as a cottage, workshop or office and delivered to the site on the bed of a flatbed truck. It can be delivered as a simple structure or ready to move into and relax.
Kinda fun. Very green.
Green homes need to be affordable to all. This company seems to be taking that approach.
Monday, July 16, 2007
GREEN HOMES FOR ALL IN A CHANGING WORLD.
New WorldGBC Secretariat
The World Green Building Council is thrilled to announce the selection of Toronto as the home of the WorldGBC secretariat.
Housed inside the Living City Campus, the 350 person, 50 year old NGO that is being developed by the Toronto Regional Conservation authority, the WorldGBC will locate staff and direct our efforts from this world class city inside a LEED Gold building.
Chairman Kevin Hydes states "The decision to move our operations to Toronto was made based on working with a world class team that can support our efforts as we rapidly build capacity to meet global demand for green building councils.
This partnership will help accelerate our organization to reach our target of 100 Green Building Councils in three years and help transform local construction marketplaces globally.
We look forward to bringing our existing and emerging councils as well as friends and supporters to Toronto in July.
As a C40 and a Clinton Climate City, Toronto provides critical synergies with this global community for the WorldGBC through our partnership with Clinton Climate Initiative and now the City of Toronto."
Greens win first seat in Northern Ireland Assembly
The Green Party has celebrated an historical political breakthrough in Northern Ireland with the election of the first Green member to the Northern Ireland Assembly at the 7 March elections. Brian Wilson, the chairperson of the Greens in Northern Ireland was victorious in the North Down constituency, finishing third out of six candidates who were elected using the single transferable vote system.
Brian said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity of pushing forward Green Party policy in the Assembly. We are one of the youngest political parties in Northern Ireland but these elections have shown the level of support out there for our policies, and how quickly this support is growing.” Green Party Leader Trevor Sargent TD said: “ Brian’s election, which resulted from extensive cross-community support, means that there is now Green representation at every level of political power on this island. Today’s outcome is further proof of the growing tide of public opinion that is recognising that the existing political parties lack the vision and determination to create and maintain an equal, just and prosperous society for all of the people of this island.”
