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Sustainable Homes
The concept of sustainability is aimed at reducing the excessive human exploitation of the earth's natural resources, by imposing limits to our growth, expansion, and development. Most developed countries have sustainable energy building programs. These are in various stages of maturity, and have had varying degrees of success. However, manufacturers and industry leaders are driving progress with innovative new technologies which support more eco-friendly dwellings. Naturally, environmental activists are not happy with the slow progress, claiming that key opportunities are been missed on major issues such as controlling carbon emissions. Much of the global drive has been linked to the Kyoto Protocol. Whilst this has failed to gain support of all the required nations to date, it has successfully sparked the development of regional and sectoral sustainability plans. Most local Councils in the USA, UK, Canada and New Zealand have a local sustainable area plan. Governments are setting country targets, and are accepting overall responsibility for the implementation and policing of environmental targets. Carbon emission targets have become a hotly tradable commodity both within nations and across borders. As an example, the UK Governments plan operates on four principles:
These principles aim to unify the people with the environment. This will require individuals to understand the long term ecological damage our current living practices are causing, and accept responsibilities to their own personal link in the chain of sustainability. Next: Creating Energy Efficient Homes Sustainable Homes Index | Defining Sustainability | Energy Efficient Homes | Zero Energy Buildings | Sustainable Home Design | Energy Efficient Appliances | Heating | Active Solar | Passive Solar | Solar Water Heating | Geothermal | Lighting | Water Management | Updates
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