How to Prepare for Climate Change Impacts Through Home Repair Programs
01/24/21
“How can we prepare for climate change impacts through home repair programs?”
Homes in disrepair are more prone to be hurt by climate impacts. To prevent against this, repairs and retrofits can be taken out by local governments to strengthen their adaptation capability. Whether it be through updating a building to the latest wildfire codes or elevating it to accommodate for sea-level rise, this is How to Prepare for Climate Change Impacts Through Home Repair Programs.
“How can we combine green and grey infrastructure planning together?”
Green infrastructure and grey infrastructure are often thought of as being in direct conflict with one another. However, given the ferocity of climate change, both will be needed to build disaster-adapted infrastructure. Therefore, Green-Grey Infrastructure Planning will need to be done. One example is restoring a mangrove forest on the outer banks of a delta while building a porous street to flush out extraneous water.
Building-mounted solar panels are one of the hottest topics in the energy world right now. These rectangular panels absorb photons from the sun and convert them to useful electrical energy without directly emitting any greenhouse gases. However, their opaque appearance automatically prevents them from ever being attached in front of windows.
But does it have to be this way?
Researchers at Incheon University have changed the formula for making solar panels. By replacing the typical semiconducting materials used to generate electricity with highly transparent Titanium Dioxide and Nickel Oxide, allowing for photons to pass directly through, making it a material useful for windows! While the efficiency rate is only at 2%, given time and energy research will make these Invisible Solar Panels strong enough to generate electricity at much higher rates!
“How can we protect people and property during and after a disaster event?”
Disaster can destroy entire communities and livelihoods within a matter of moments. For this reason, quick response needs to be deployed. This can take the form of Disaster Response Emergency Services, in which emergency teams go out and help with recovery. Examples of emergency services include firefighters and quick response medical teams.
Why Quicker Construction Methods Could Be an Adaptation Benefit
11/25/20
“How can quicker construction methods be an adaptation benefit?”
With the advent of climate change, much more construction is going to take place. Homes are going to get rebuilt, railways are going to be repaired, and entire towns may have to move! If we can somehow speed up this process, then we can ensure that adaptation capacity gets built more steadily at a cheaper cost. This is Why Quicker Construction Methods Could Be an Adaptation Benefit.
“How can governments institute programs to harden community homes against the effects of climate change?”
Home hardening is one of the most effective ways to adapt to climate change, whether it be for preventing wildfire damage or flooding. However, sometimes leaving everything up to individual mandate won’t solve things by themselves. Home Hardening Adaptation Programs may need to be implemented through mandates and subsidizations. These can ease the stress on people can produce more resilient communities.
How Housing Densification Can Protect Against Sea-Level Rise
11/16/20
“How can housing densification protect against sea-level rise?”
With the advent of climate change, sea-level rise is going to consume more and more land available for people to live. To accommodate the people who will be forced to move, housing densification can occur in safe areas away from flood zones, leading to a more available living space and an adapted, resilient future. This is How Housing Densification Can Protect Against Sea-Level Rise.
Why Recycled Water Could Be Vital for Conflict Zones
10/23/20
“How can recycled water be vital for conflict zones?”
In conflict zones, water can be hard to find. Either infrastructure has been damaged or rationing has been instituted or both. However, if there is local and portable water recycling technology, then water can be supplied and lives saved. This is Why Recycled Water Could Be Vital for Conflict Zones.
Why Water Recycling is Especially Important for California
10/09/20
“Why is water recycling especially important for California?”
California is at crossroads. It’s current climate and population projections shows that the former will become more scarce while the latter will escalate to new proportions. If no change of course is taken, then the State will witness itself tumble into water crisis after water crisis. However, if California instead decides to invest in water recycling programs and technology, then it will have enough water to feed its people. This is Why Water Recycling is Especially Important for California.
