Written by: Rita Banyameen
“Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good. –Jochen Zeitz”
Sustainability is typically defined as the processes and actions by which humanity avoids depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance that does not allow the quality of life in modern societies to deteriorate. Sustainability entails addressing our own demands without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to meet their own. We require social and economic resources in addition to natural resources. Environmentalism isn’t the only aspect of sustainability. Concerns for social fairness and economic development are found in most definitions of sustainability. One of the biggest issues in the home and design world right now are sustainable buildings. But, exactly what does it mean to construct sustainably, and how does it benefit the environment?
Buildings in Canada emit 17 percent of the country’s greenhouse gases and 40 percent of the country’s electricity-related emissions. Sustainable structures are built to have a lower overall impact on the environment and human health both during and after construction, this is done through:
- The natural resources that surround the project site will be preserved and protected.
- Reducing trash, pollution, and environmental degradation while the building is being built.
- Using resources such as Energy, water, etc, more efficiently.
- Protecting the health of the homeowner.
- Building to Passive House standards is a good idea.
The environment 3rd building at the University of Waterloo is an excellent example of a sustainable structure. The structure has received LEED Platinum certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). It’s a grading system that expresses how well a structure is planned and maintained. Each structure is awarded a set amount of points based on its environmental impact in order to score and rank a site. Each structure is given points in each category and is compared to other structures that serve as reference points for the projects. The environment 3 building on the University of Waterloo campus was constructed with sustainable wood and recycled steel. Natural light is provided via a glass atrium, and the air is filtered by a living wall connected to the ventilation system.
Here are some things to think about when you’re building or renovating a new home:
- Improve the insulation in your walls, ceilings, and under floors to help keep the heat in and save money on electricity.
- Install a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) system, which will help to enhance the indoor environment by providing controlled ventilation and continuous fresh air into the home while trapping heat from stale exhaust air.
- To eliminate cold and drafty places in your home, invest in higher-quality windows.
- With good windows and a continuous air barrier, you can keep warm air inside and cold air outside, and vice versa.
- Take advantage of the sun’s location throughout the day and seasons by positioning your windows to get sunlight. This will assist in keeping the house warm during the winter. Install solar water heating to create heat for baths, showers, radiant floor heating, and other applications.
Citation:
20 of the Greenest buildings ACROSS Canada – HGTV.CA. (n.d.).
https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/20-of-the-greenest-buildings-across-canada-1901584/
Benefits. Nedlaw Living Walls. (2020, November 4).
http://nedlawlivingwalls.com/benefits-2/
Products, L. D. (n.d.). LEED platinum certification – Ld products. LD Products – Printer & Office Supplies.
https://www.ldproducts.com/aboutus/leed
Sustainability – what is it? Definition, principles and Examples [2021]. Youmatter. (2021, June 18).
https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-sustainability-definition-examples-principles/
What is sustainable building & why is it important? Kingdom Builders. (n.d.).
https://www.kingdombuilders.ca/news/story/7/What-Is-Sustainable-Building-Why-Is-It-Impo%20rtant/