nt that California has for funding of public housing projects. California has a number of counties that have incorporated the need to address climate change in their master plans.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather Trends
Planning for the future demographic changes also requires recognizing the changing climate and severe weather trends that are happening worldwide and in the U.S. According to a report from The Lancet, “Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. Effects of climate change on health will affect most populations in the next decades and put the lives and well-being of billions of people at increased risk.” Greenhouse gases are the primary driver of climate change. Greenhouse gases can lead to more frequent and severe heat waves as well as increases in ground-level ozone pollution, threatening the health and well-being of persons of all ages, especially the young and the old. Do Universal design and visitability reduce construction waste and help save energy by requiring less retro-fitting of inaccessible buildings?
In January 2013, the Global Climate Change Research program released its draft for public comment, The National Climate Assessment, which described that climate change is already happening and that the intensity and frequency of a number of weather events such as heat waves, heavy rains, floods or droughts are already occurring. The draft report also states, “Planning and managing based on the climate of the last century means that tolerances of some infrastructure and species will be exceeded. For example, building codes and landscaping ordinances will likely need to be updated not only for energy efficiency, but also to conserve water supplies, protect against insects that spread disease, reduce susceptibility to heat stress, and improve protection against extreme events.”
The worst natural disasters in the U.S., with respect to deaths and destruction, were caused by hurricanes Sandy (2012), Katrina (2005), and Rita (2005). “In 2011 and 2012 alone, the United States experienced 25 floods, storms, droughts, heat waves, and wildfires that each caused at least $1 billion in damages. Combined these extreme weather events were responsible for 1,107 fatalities and up to $188 billion in economic damages. This adds up to $400 per household per year.”
In each of these disasters elders suffered greatly. The important question to ask ourselves now is if there are better ways to plan, which will enable us to be prepared for what our country will be facing with the aging of our population and need to better adapt to climate change?
Sustainable by Design
Building construction activities account for 60% of the raw materials (natural resources) used in the entire U.S. economy, with food and fuel making up the other 40%. Each year, nearly 170 million tons of building construction, renovation, and demolition wastes account for nearly 60% of the nation’s non-industrial, non-hazardous solid waste generation. Furthermore, 20% of all energy used in the U.S is from residential buildings. The good news is that we can take steps to reduce our housing ecological footprint by reducing our energy use and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. We can also reduce our water use and better manage our water resources.
Between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population nearly doubled and during that same period, demand for water more than tripled. Household members use more water than occupants of other types of buildings. Simple strategies such as upgrading faucets and fixtures as well as changing landscaping and maintenance routines can reduce and preserve our water resources. There are many opportunities to incorporate green practices into building and construction— from the materials used to water and energy conservation—which if incorporated during initial building construction, in addition to the inclusion of visitability features, will result in energy-efficient, elder-friendly homes. Knowing these needs and realities ahead of time and addressing them at the planning and implementation phases will make du