Hey guys, my essay does not go beyond the word limit...just let me know how it is ,because i have to submit it within a day!!!!
Man is perhaps the most successful species to have ever wandered on earth.In an attempt to protect themselves from the brutal forces of nature different animal species have modified themselves, thanks to the process of evolution, but man on the contrary, modified his environment to suit his needs, instead of changing himself. Thus, owing to the technological development and the resulting easier life human population grew exponentially! In order to suffice the needs of this ever increasing population, man started gorging every morsel of nature's bounty. Today, right from the transportation sector to the energy sector and even the food sector, all are putting tremendous strain on nature and its resources. One such sector, which is also degrading our environment, is the construction sector.
Around half of all the non-renewable natural resources mankind consumes are used in construction, making it one of the most unsustainable industries in the world. This problem won't seem very concerning to some people, but just try imagining a world full of concrete jungles and no clean air to breathe or a pleasant green landscape around. What a dreary sight it would be, isn't it? We live in houses, travel on roads, work and socialize in buildings of all kinds. Contemporary human civilization depends on buildings and what they contain for its continued existence, and yet our planet cannot support the current level of resource consumption. This is well illustrated by the following example of the USA, one of the most prosperous nations on the earth. In the US, buildings account for:
39 percent of total energy uses
12 percent of the total water consumption
68 percent of total electricity consumption
38 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions.
Apart from these effects, habitats and eco-systems are being destroyed in order to increase the area under construction. Governments, globally, are worrying about the devastating effects this industry is having on our environment. But again, we cannot close down this industry for its adverse effects, because buildings and other infrastructure create wealth for us and are the backbone of the business world. Then what is the solution?
Since, I have a construction background (not that I have built some building or so) because my father has been in this business since long, I have learnt a good deal of basic things associated with construction. My dad used to and still takes me to the construction site once in a while. This stimulated a liking for this field in me and I began to explore any sceneario that I found intriguing on the site. I began to gather information from the internet and bogged down my dad and other site engineers with innumerable questions (some too silly to ask!) which he patiently answered. So when I asked him about the environmental impact of traditional construction practices he said just one word 'green construction'. How can construction be green in color was my first response, to which he smiled and left away leaving the tedious task of understanding green construction all to myself. Then over a period of time I understood what green construction exactly is and according to me green construction and the efficient use of resources is the only solution in sight to protect Mother Nature.
Green construction involves building a structure that is environmentally friendly and makes efficient use of resources throughout the building's life. It also incorporates the reuse and recycling of materials from the site to minimize wastage and optimize resource use. In it the buildings are designed in such a way as to allow maximum light and wind to enter the building to make less use of artificial lighting and cooling systems. As AC's use a lot of energy one marvelous example of use of this eco-friendly technology is the Pearl River Tower, in China. It uses a flow of cold water current through the ceiling to cool the building instead of AC's, thereby saving huge amounts of energy. The boons of green construction don't just end here. Apart from the above mentioned uses, it also incorporates use of grass covers (green roofs) to insulate a building as well as harvest rainwater thus minimizing heating and cooling requirements and avoiding water runoff; it also uses organic materials like green cement to decrease the harmful impact of construction on the environment and also makes use of permeable cement to replenish ground water reserves. These are some of the solutions to the problems we are facing today due to traditional construction practices. But lastly, it's not only about eco-friendliness or efficient energy usage but also about enhancing biodiversity while creating spaces that are healthy, economically viable and sensitive to social needs. Rather than battling against nature we need to respect it and learn from environmental processes: creating a better balance between human need and a wider environment.
Man is perhaps the most successful species to have ever wandered on earth.In an attempt to protect themselves from the brutal forces of nature different animal species have modified themselves, thanks to the process of evolution, but man on the contrary, modified his environment to suit his needs, instead of changing himself. Thus, owing to the technological development and the resulting easier life human population grew exponentially! In order to suffice the needs of this ever increasing population, man started gorging every morsel of nature's bounty. Today, right from the transportation sector to the energy sector and even the food sector, all are putting tremendous strain on nature and its resources. One such sector, which is also degrading our environment, is the construction sector.
Around half of all the non-renewable natural resources mankind consumes are used in construction, making it one of the most unsustainable industries in the world. This problem won't seem very concerning to some people, but just try imagining a world full of concrete jungles and no clean air to breathe or a pleasant green landscape around. What a dreary sight it would be, isn't it? We live in houses, travel on roads, work and socialize in buildings of all kinds. Contemporary human civilization depends on buildings and what they contain for its continued existence, and yet our planet cannot support the current level of resource consumption. This is well illustrated by the following example of the USA, one of the most prosperous nations on the earth. In the US, buildings account for:
39 percent of total energy uses
12 percent of the total water consumption
68 percent of total electricity consumption
38 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions.
Apart from these effects, habitats and eco-systems are being destroyed in order to increase the area under construction. Governments, globally, are worrying about the devastating effects this industry is having on our environment. But again, we cannot close down this industry for its adverse effects, because buildings and other infrastructure create wealth for us and are the backbone of the business world. Then what is the solution?
Since, I have a construction background (not that I have built some building or so) because my father has been in this business since long, I have learnt a good deal of basic things associated with construction. My dad used to and still takes me to the construction site once in a while. This stimulated a liking for this field in me and I began to explore any sceneario that I found intriguing on the site. I began to gather information from the internet and bogged down my dad and other site engineers with innumerable questions (some too silly to ask!) which he patiently answered. So when I asked him about the environmental impact of traditional construction practices he said just one word 'green construction'. How can construction be green in color was my first response, to which he smiled and left away leaving the tedious task of understanding green construction all to myself. Then over a period of time I understood what green construction exactly is and according to me green construction and the efficient use of resources is the only solution in sight to protect Mother Nature.
Green construction involves building a structure that is environmentally friendly and makes efficient use of resources throughout the building's life. It also incorporates the reuse and recycling of materials from the site to minimize wastage and optimize resource use. In it the buildings are designed in such a way as to allow maximum light and wind to enter the building to make less use of artificial lighting and cooling systems. As AC's use a lot of energy one marvelous example of use of this eco-friendly technology is the Pearl River Tower, in China. It uses a flow of cold water current through the ceiling to cool the building instead of AC's, thereby saving huge amounts of energy. The boons of green construction don't just end here. Apart from the above mentioned uses, it also incorporates use of grass covers (green roofs) to insulate a building as well as harvest rainwater thus minimizing heating and cooling requirements and avoiding water runoff; it also uses organic materials like green cement to decrease the harmful impact of construction on the environment and also makes use of permeable cement to replenish ground water reserves. These are some of the solutions to the problems we are facing today due to traditional construction practices. But lastly, it's not only about eco-friendliness or efficient energy usage but also about enhancing biodiversity while creating spaces that are healthy, economically viable and sensitive to social needs. Rather than battling against nature we need to respect it and learn from environmental processes: creating a better balance between human need and a wider environment.
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