For the first time in human history, atmospheric CO2 levels surpassed 400ppm, before, two years later, hitting 410ppm, a level that hasn’t occurred for millions of years. Thus, we have increased planetary temperatures 1.5°C (2.7°F) above preindustrial levels as we head toward temperatures that will set off runaway climate destabilization.
The effects are already being felt globally. Countries poor and rich alike have been plagued with hurricanes and other storms exacerbated by excess moisture generated by global warming, causing some island nations to literally drown. Additionally, record droughts, wildfires, snowstorms and cold snaps are affecting the world’s food supplies.
As parts of the global society wake up to the reality of climate change, some in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry are looking to what they can do to make our buildings and infrastructure more ecologically sustainable, thus reducing the greenhouse gases (GHGs) pumped into the air—or more resilient—and thereby protecting the structures against extreme weather.
We spoke to a number of experts in the AEC arena to learn how the industry is adapting to the changing world brought about by climate change.
Around the world, construction accounts for about 25 percent of GHG emissions.In terms of infrastructure, large cities consume two-thirds of the world’s energy, resulting in 70 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions.
There are two major ways that the…