Rapid urbanization is depleting our natural resources. Every minute, forests the size of 20 football fields are cleared to accommodate the urban sprawl. At this rate, we could be left with 10% of our forests by 2030 and they may completely disappear in less than 100 years.
Environmental degradation is not an isolated occurrence but a global malaise. India is the fourth biggest contributor to world greenhouse gas emissions. Pollution is on the rise in our cities. Smoke from motor vehicles, factories, and industries has made our air unbreathable. India ranks third among the most polluted countries in the world, according to the IQAir 2020 ranking. As our country continues its urban expansion, its water bodies are becoming more toxic. The World Economic Forum estimates that over 70% of surface water in India is unfit for consumption.
Life on Earth is precariously poised. An Earth.Org study found that more than 500 species of animals are on the brink of extension and are likely to be lost within 20 years owing to human destruction of nature.
India too is adapting to the change. Green-certified buildings have become prevalent over the last five years, and we are seeing a rise in demand for green homes.
What are Green Homes?
Green homes are dwellings that are designed to be environmentally sustainable. They use less water, energy, and natural resources than conventional homes. Minimizing resource consumption, waste generation and environmental and ecological impact are the cornerstones of these developments.
Green homes are built with eco-friendly and/or recycled building materials and incorporate environmentally friendly practices throughout the construction process.
Green home features include:
- Water-efficient fixtures
- Drought-tolerant landscaping
- Rainwater harvesting
- Compost sites and wastewater treatment
- Natural light and ventilation
- Energy-efficient lighting and appliances
- Solar panels
- Eco-friendly materials
- Roof and wall Insulation
- Water and energy sub-metering
While specific features may vary from home to home, promoting sustainability is the unifying theme across these earth-friendly structures.
A decade ago, the criteria for what constitutes green home buildings were not well- defined. Buildings could get away with being called ‘green’ simply by incorporating water conservation or energy-efficient practices. Today, the bar is set higher and stringent standards apply. A green home must address environmental concerns through every facet of the construction process – site selection, materials sourcing, water conservation, energy efficiency, environmental quality, design process, etc.
Many green certification routes exist, but Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Green Homes is the first rating system exclusively for the residential sector. The rating system is voluntary, yet it has received strong response from developers and home buyers. As of Sept 2019, 1963 projects, with over 1879 million sq.ft. built-up area, were registered as IGBC Green Homes.
The intangible benefits of green homes include:
- Lower maintenance requirements
- Consistent temperature
- Enhanced air quality
- Natural lighting
- Better health and wellbeing
- Resource conservation
The tangible benefits are noteworthy:
IGBC says that green homes result in energy savings up to 30-40% and water savings up to 30-50%. Maintenance costs are lower in the long run as these homes are built using durable materials. Cost-benefit apart, green homes make good investment sense – with the concept gaining traction, the value of these homes is bound to appreciate in time.
Contrary to popular belief, opting for a green home does not mean sacrificing urban conveniences. Sustainability and luxury are not disparate concepts. As more people adopt green lifestyles, eco-friendly design will become the norm for luxury homes.
Looking Ahead
Urbanization is an irreversible trend. We will continue to seek well-designed, sumptuously appointed homes that accommodate luxurious lifestyles. But the onus is on us to curb our consumerist instincts and make responsible choices. We absolutely must reduce our carbon footprint and preserve the planet for future generations.
A green home is a strident step in the right direction. At times, it may be hard to envision the larger impact of our individual actions. But every little bit counts. The global pandemic forced us to slow down and make drastic lifestyle changes, and as a result, we saw a positive impact on the environment. If a few months of restricted travel improved air quality, contained global warming and reduced greenhouse gases, imagine what effect a concreted shift to a greener lifestyle would have?
Our world would be healthier, our air cleaner, wild animals would thrive, and nature would be spared the destructive effects of climate change. A sustainable world is indeed within reach, and it does not need a pandemic to get us there.
Choose a green home and help restore our wondrous Earth.