As the world climate changes and the people of earth continue to deplete the resources of our
planet, it is becoming essential that we change our previous views on community development. We
need to dismiss wasteful uses of energy that pollute the environment and develop cleaner
alternatives to begin to heal all the damage our species has done to the earth. One significant
way to begin to eliminate the carbon footprint is to begin to design and develop green technology
that can be used in every new building project.
The Green Building Council of South Africa has manifested a considerable effort to making sure
that new construction projects incorporate this technology.
A 'green' building has architectural
facets that allow it to use resources like water, material and energy is a way that is not
wasteful. These building require environmentally focused self-sustainability to be addressed both
in the construction of the building and in the life of the building.
By using the green model the structure will reduce emissions which leave less of an impact on the
earth, use resources more efficiently and in turn reduce the cost by not wasting excessive
resources, and provide a healthier environment for the individuals living within the confines of
the habitat.
In 2009, Green Building Media created the Green Building Handbook in order to provide a sound and
articulate guide for the creation of environmentally friendly construction. The handbook
identifies the ideal materials, designs, new and essential technologies, and South African
relevant solutions to roadblocks that may inhibit green building production.
Some material used to build houses and other edifices require small amounts of processing like
stone, mud, thatch, and wood. Technology has allowed for the processing of these materials to
become more efficient and less wasteful. There are a variety of sources of clean energy that can
be used to reduce emissions. Solar power and natural day lighting top the list as a renewable
clean energy source. By choosing a location that limits heat loss and unfavorable climate
conditions, the project can benefit from the renewable energy sources that are available to them.
Environmentally friendly water technology can rely on dual-flush toilets and water-efficient dual
taps. There are also a variety of different rain water collection techniques that can be utilized,
seeing as the frequency of rainfall in South Africa can be used to the advantage of the populace
if the water is collected and recycled through shower uses and toilet use.
The Green Building Council of South Africa as set up a series of rating systems that measure the
environmental friendliness of a new project. They are awarded a star rating based on which
criteria the building meets based on clean and renewable energy use, efficient design, and self-
sustainability. The development of 'green' structures through out South Africa will have numerous
long term benefits for the people that live there.