We are living in an era where climate change is at the forefront of global concerns and the impacts of housing and construction is becoming increasingly obvious. The more we construct homes and buildings, to meet the populace demands, the carbon footprint left behind is a sight that needs urgent attention.
Buildings contribute to carbon emissions on several levels. How they are built, how they are used and where there are located all contribute to climate change. The US Energy Information Administration, in 2020, published that the residential and commercial sectors accounted for about 22% and 18%, totaling 40% of total U.S. energy consumption.
Data from the Architecture2030 estimated that the transport, assembly, and manufacture of building materials such as steel, concrete, and wood account for 8% of energy use. These stats make sense when you discover that coal-burning power plants generate around 30% of the electricity buildings use, releasing greenhouse gases, consequently causing climate change.
In construction, the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing of construction materials and the whole construction process is a carbon intensive process and it contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Construction process itself consumes large amounts of energy and contributes to pollution. Transporting materials to construction sites requires energy, typically from fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Also, the felling of trees for construction is also a contributing factor. Expanding housing and construction projects can lead to deforestation, which reduces the Earth’s ability to absorb CO2. Most contractors and Planners after these activities refuse to replant the felled trees leading to the destruction of some organism habitats. Urban sprawl can also result in habitat destruction and fragmentation Construction works can lead to waste generation in the community.
Aside the construction sites, urbanization trends are leading densely populated areas and this can result in the increase of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Deforestation due to tree felling for construction is indeed a significant contributor to environmental issues. Expanding housing and construction projects can result in the loss of valuable forests, which play a crucial role in absorbing CO2 and supporting biodiversity.
Housing appliances including residential homes, consume a substantial amount of energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances. Fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources used in buildings contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Joseph Nyanu a civil engineer, at the Azure Residence says “Before any construction will be done , we have to clear the site .In clearing of the site we fell trees and as we all know trees are very good in terms of the water cycle ,so when these trees are no more it makes the land bare and has a great impact on our climate”. He further stated that the kind of chemicals they use at the construction site pollutes the environment which also affects the climate .
The impact of housing and construction on climate change is a multifaceted issue that demands our attention. It is not only about the carbon emissions during the construction phase but also about the long-term energy use and transportation effects associated with housing choices.
Reducing the impact of housing and construction on climate change requires a combination of technological innovation, government support, and individual and industry commitment to sustainability. Land Commissioners and Environmental Protection Agencies also need to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts, motivating individuals and communities to get involved in addressing the issue.
ATWUMAA AGNES
University of Media Arts and Communication- Institute of Journalism
Faculty of Journalism
atwmaah@gmail.com
