The one thing that has been talked about over the internet, that has been covering the news lately, is our planet, the earth. World Environment Day 2019 is a constant reminder that our planet is in an urgent need of solid attention and isn’t getting any. Recently, in the first week of May 2019, news broke about the rising levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. It has been the highest in the last 400,000 years. This begs a question not only from the governments, authorities, and corporations but also from mere individuals, the common people like us. Are we doing enough?
Turns out, no, we aren’t. Even with several European countries meeting their ambitious Paris Agreement goals and vehicle, plastic ban in several others, it seems we are not doing enough for the planet to cool down. Especially on an individual level, closing taps, fixing leaks, switching off electronic devices is not cutting it and we need to do more. Doing more begins at home.
Though not made mandatory, sustainable buildings, infrastructure, and homes have proven to reduce individual carbon footprints by a lot. Today, only a few corporations and a handful number of individuals run their infrastructures and homes respectively with a 100% sustainability. One of the major reasons is attributed to lack of knowledge of several sustainable options. Here we share in brief, ways to make your house a sustainable one.
Maximize Solar Energy
One of the most popular choices of green equipment is solar panels that turn solar energy into electricity. The infrastructure that runs 100% on solar is way ahead in sustainability goals than other houses and buildings. Passive solar especially is very helpful equipment for houses that are colder in winters. The windows, in this case, let some energy in, heating the wall and one does not need extra equipment to keep the house warm.
Also, in case you are building a new home, you could design it in such a way that lets natural light cover most of the area during the day. There is no need for electricity bulbs inside the house if it is naturally lit, thanks to the design. Special solar operated equipment are also available to save as much energy as possible like the Solar Reverse Osmosis System that purifies water by using the sun as the power source.
Harvesting Water
An important resource especially today, harvesting water keeps you in control of your personal water usage and decreases dependence on outer sources. An efficient system can help you save water when it rains and building a tank that will keep the water fresh all year long is all you need. This water can be used for washing, cleaning, watering plants, cooking as well as drinking. The tank can be fixed with a pipe that leads to your Whole House Reverse Osmosis System which then distributes the water all around the house via pipes. Water harvesting techniques are even more efficient when consulted for with an expert. They know how well you can use the water to your benefit and be a helpful individual.
Build An Environment
A building looks beautiful instantly with the addition of natural living beings. Plants inside the house not only add to the character of the space but help keep the room cool. Having a garden where you grow either flowers or organic vegetables helps keep the surroundings fresh and cool. A small ecosystem like a garden in the backyard, the lawn in the front and potted plants in the house automatically increase the quality of the air you breathe thus increasing the quality of life. Try to install plants that require less water, especially inside the house. Use organic and biodegradable materials in the house which can later be created as compost and use to enhance the quality of plants. Create an irrigation system for the garden and lawn to facilitate optimized watering and less wastage.
Other ways to make your house environment-friendly, especially when you are building a new home are:
- Insulating the walls and floors for less energy exchange in the building. Double glazed windows can be very helpful to keep the building cooler in summers and warmer in winters. Use sustainable floorings like bamboo that requires less space and grows fast.
- Choose energy efficient appliances, bulbs that do not require much power. You can install a small scale wind turbine or micro-hydro system for a sustainable electricity choice. Using multi-socket extensions can reduce power consumption by almost 15 %. Make use of motor sensing lights to avoid wastage.
- While building a house, use nontoxic materials and try ordering from the local seller so that the transport pollution is less.
- Try to design a house that heats up and cools down naturally when needed. Create proper insulations and regulatory systems to monitor changes. The design must allow easy flow of air and ventilation. A programmable thermostat is a good option.
- Install low flush toilets for less wastage of water. Seal the leaks in the pipes and try to get lockable taps with zero leakage.
A sustainable house with practically zero wastage can be a long term and impactful solution to the problems of global warming. Imagine if the surroundings of one house are pleasant with the execution of the above pointers, the kind of impact a thousand houses will have is tremendous. Now is the time to turn organic, natural and sustainable. Let us hope, we have more positive stories and news for many more Environment Days to come!
