Urban Construction And Planning Measures Can Fight Climate Change. Here's How

Climate change is one of the complex problems facing mankind today. With a current economy that is robust and an ecology that is fragile, India is still looking for ways to achieve sustainable development. The challenge is enormous when one considers that a global cut of 80 per cent in carbon emissions is needed by 2050.

Therefore, the integration of problems of development with those of environment has been in the lead of India's policy-making. The collaborating mission towards dealing with climate change can make things better for Indian citizens. The more developed the country, the more it must fight some of the consequences of climate change. And India is not that far behind. The country has a remarkable role to play in the field of climate change, not only because it is home to almost 17 per cent of the world's population, but because by becoming a champion of green energies, river rejuvenation, sustainable development and clean industries will pay back positively.

India has a unique opportunity to become a leader in this change. Many of these changes are already happening now.

Net positive energy: The good news is that India is well-informed to jump over conventional green building solutions by joining the frontline of designers who are producing 'net positive energy' buildings. These buildings generate more energy than they consume and absorb more carbon dioxide than they emit by acting as 'resource nodes' within a smart energy grid. The possibility of using carbon-absorbing construction materials like timber, straw and other vegetation for both the structure and cladding of buildings in a robust manner: providing the harvested construction materials are suitably replanted, their carbon emissions are effectively 'locked in' for the life of the building, and potentially for longer, if this construction material is re-cycled when replaced or demolished. The moment all these green materials combined with integrated renewable energy technologies as part of the building structure and material, the building is prone to become a mini-power station. A 'net positive' building should also utilise its additional energy and heat within a local smart grid. 

However, it becomes necessary to reduce all the energy demands first and then think of producing energy. The building needs to be ensured with excellent construction finish, good insulation and sound ventilation systems.

There are other methods too which can combat the constant climate change. By putting additional effort to extract energy from urban and industrial waste can be beneficial. Depending upon the location of a building in terms of availability of sun and wind, developers can start using solar photovoltaic (PV) cladding systems that are increasingly flexible, coming in a variety of visually pleasing colours as well as in panel, membrane and tile form. Solar PV panels and tiles can be used to provide much-needed shading systems, which produce energy at the same time.

It is not only India, climate change should be addressed by all countries with a shared perspective, free from narrow and bigoted considerations. With a view of weaker section's needs and optimal harnessing of rare resources of water, air, energy, land and bio-diversity, the sustainable development should be based upon through cooperative endeavours. Through this way, we may be able to make some progression in saving our lone planet from the edge of climate disasters.