Ecological construction

1. Ecological construction – is it possible?

2. In order to reduce the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere

3. How to reduce the destructive effect of gases?

4. Harmful building materials

5. Ekologiczne budownictwo – nadrzędne sposoby dbania o środowisko

Ecological construction - is it possible?

First of all, to reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, it is worth using existing buildings and making reconstructions. Such actions, of course, depend on all of us – potential clients of construction companies. “The customer is our master,” says the famous adage. It is therefore known that the owner of a construction company wants to meet the requirements of consumers in the best possible way. Therefore, if Mr. Jones wishes to build a new office and completes the formalities, it is known that the investment will be completed.

What if there are already buildings in the same territory that can be successfully modified and converted into offices or residential houses? Exactly. Here comes a suggestive answer in the context of environmental protection. It should be remembered that renovation of buildings is not always possible, moreover, they are sometimes paradoxically more expensive than putting up new foundations. So let’s use common sense. Ecological construction – this is an indisputable definition of the activities described above that any ecologist would approve of.

In order to reduce the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere

Buildings’ emissions of harmful gases are enormous. Ecologists divide them into those invisible to the eyes and those “embodied”. So let’s introduce the former. Energy emissions – as they relate to them – are responsible for 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions. They include carbon dioxide, which we produce by burning various types of fuel directly in buildings. CO 2 is also produced by burning fossil fuels in power plants. Other harmful gases include methane and fluorinated gases. We emit the latter gases as a result of indoor air conditioning. The emission of harmful gases also covers the operation of all electrical devices, including lighting and water heating.

Emissions of the so-called “embodied” are responsible for another 15% of the gases emitted into the atmosphere. They come from all building materials that we use to make buildings. These are therefore such materials as: construction cement, aluminum, steel and other metals. The production of chemicals for insulation, waterproofing, fire protection and any other elements are also not indifferent to the environment. It accounts for as much as 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

How to reduce the destructive effect of gases?

Something that undoubtedly saves our environment is the reduction of energy consumption. We can act at the source – as we mentioned in the first part of the statement, but it is not entirely possible. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the so-called “the golden mean”. It turns out that renewable energy sources are the salvation, as well as the use of natural gas as a driving force, the least invasive. However, this is a long-term forecast.

Harmful building materials

Building materials, mainly construction materials such as cement and steel, are difficult to replace. First of all, even if an alternative that is healthier for the environment appears, we will remain in tradition for a long time. This is because what is unknown will always give rise to some concerns. We do not know, after all, how such unconventional buildings would behave in fifty years. Would they be as durable as the classic?

 Ekologiczne budownictwo - nadrzędne sposoby dbania o środowisko

• as we have already mentioned, it is worth rebuilding and modifying existing buildings;
• the design of the buildings should accommodate as many people as possible, with the comfort of work or living at the same time;
• let’s use energy that can come from renewable energy sources, i.e. lighting and solar or geothermal heating.