Thestar: By OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT
By ANGIE NG | Mar 20, 2010
THE El Nino phenomenon has been blamed for the current dry spell that has caused dams, rivers and canals to dry up in various parts of the country. While it is common for drier weather to occur during such time, thesoaring temperature has worsened the situation.
Many of us must be really concerned about the drastic climate change happening around us and the hot weather that we have to put up with almost on a daily basis. It has gone to the extent that even a heavy downpour will only provide temporary relief before the sweltering heat is on us again.The heat is evident even at night as it is nolonger as cool as before.
More people are turning on the air conditioner but this will mean higher energy consumption. There are many factors that may have contributed to the situation and it is about time concerted efforts are expended to arrest the situation.
Instead of just blaming it on El Nino or other natural conditions, we all have to take some responsibility for this state of affair. Just look around us and we’ll see why global warming is worsening and the carbon footprint has grown more serious this past decade or so.
Growing consumerism and high consumption for all kinds of goods and services is straining our production lines and the eco-system will be among the first to be hit.
Let’s see how in our own little way we can each take small steps and measures to save the environment from further deterioration. From making do with less, to opting for natural lighting and ventilation in our dwellings, there are a host of things that are within our control to help alleviate the snarling hot spells.
Having a platform where the common folk and corporate institutions can come together to uphold an environment-friendly way of doing things and upholding sustainability as a core value should be a good start.
A rating system to rate businesses and corporations that do not just claim to be “green companies” but actually “walk the talk” and adopt sound green practices in their business ventures and production processes will steer companies onto the green, sustainable path.
If people pay more attention to such companies and support them, it will naturally promote more environmentally-conscious companies.
As one of the frontliners in the country’s development process, the construction and property fraternity has a huge responsibility when it comes to ensuring more care is taken to promote a more sustainable environment. Basically, developers should push for a greater balance in their building methods and development plans.
Instead of just cutting and filling, a construction method that has resulted in many “balding” hillslopes and landslides, the better option will be more eco-friendly and sustainable construction methods that retain the natural terrains.
Wherever possible, healthy mature trees should be retained and not indiscriminately chopped down.
Looking at the few number of eco-friendly projects that truly observe holistic planning, designs and construction practices that promote greater co-existence and harmony between man and nature in the country today, there are still much that can be done by industry players.
Some are still not convinced that the sustainable way of development is a better option as there are more nitty gritty things to look into compared with conventional practices. Although it means having to walk the extra mile and more work for them, earning the reputation as one of the few “green and caring” developers will be worth the effort.
As the green movement gains further momentum, more buyers will opt to buy property from these developers and the accolade will translate into more tangible benefits such as higher sales for the companies.
Besides the landscapings and green lungs, every project, irrespective of whether it is residential or commercial, should give equal emphasis to natural ventilation, lighting and cooling features of buildings.
This is because the working population spend close to or more than a third of their time at the workplace and it will help if they have more natural ambience and an oxygenated environment to work in.
Deputy news editor Angie Ng believes that at the end of the day, there are more to be gained by being green crusaders.
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