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PostOctober 18, 2017

Climate & Buildings: Where's Your Cutting Edge?

Globally, nearly 20% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions comes from buildings, while In the US, nearly 40% of CO2 emissions comes from buildings. Since the climate clock is ticking ever more loudly we urgently need to know…

What already field-tested innovations have shown their mettle in terms of solving climate problems, while also being affordable globally?

I’m a fan of a number of such cutting-edge innovations, two of which in the residential sector include

  1. Energy-Plus houses in Germany (pictured above) that are so energy efficient that they generate monthly rebate checks for residents from the local utility that buys the surplus electricity that's generated; and
  2. Earthship homes that are off the grid and
  • use primarily recycled (e.g., used tires) and natural materials (e.g., dirt);
  • incorporate passive thermal heating and cooling;
  • get power from the sun and wind;
  • harvest and use rain water;
  • enable growing food inside; and
  • have self-contained sewage treatment.

Earthship homes started in the southwest of the US and have been built in six continents and in many different conditions.

What have you spotted that’s worth a closer look?

by Dave Damm-Luhr
Topics
Buildings
Energy
Finance & Economics

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