Housing

What factors make up sustainable housing?

Sustainable housing is a key element in mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects. It contributes to lower emissions, energy savings, and resilience to a changing climate while offering more comfortable and efficient living spaces. Housing and climate sustainability are closely intertwined. According to the UN Report- The Right to Housing, housing makes a significant contribution to climate change challenges. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development also reports that changes in construction and energy efficiency can lessen negative environmental consequences. Most of the following resources, unless otherwise noted, are aimed at adult students enrolled in university or ESP English courses.

Green Building Practices

Sustainable construction methods, such as using eco-friendly materials and optimizing insulation, result in homes with lower carbon footprints.

Source: Green Building Insider

Three Pillars of Sustainable Design

Source: Acciona-Sustainability for All

Eco Co-Housing- A Collective Solution to Conscious Living

Source: A Fairer Society

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home. ADUs are being promoted by climate activists. All About Accessory Dwelling Units

Source: AARP

Tiny Houses for small eco-footprint design and living):

Source: Never Too Small

Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs) allow cities to plan for growth and prevent urban sprawl, which safeguards farms, open spaces, and forests.

Source: Greenbelt Alliance

Sustainable Green Construction- Sustainable Green Construction

Source: Heritage Foundation of Pakistan

Do It Yourself guides to building homes with mud and other natural materials

Source: The Mud Home

Photographs of Mud Homes

Source: Pinterest

Energy Efficiency

Sustainable housing involves energy-efficient design, materials, and appliances to reduce energy consumption. This not only lowers greenhouse gas emissions but also reduces utility costs for homeowners.

Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) are buildings which produce enough renewable energy to meet their own annual energy consumption requirements. The US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency, offers these resources:

Zero Energy Building Basics

Audience: Teen, adult

Source: US National Renewable Energy Lab

Format: Informative text and embedded vide

The Role of Housing in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Audience: Adult

Source: US Department of Housing and Urban Development-Policy Development

Format: Policy article with photographs

Renewable Energy Integration

Incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines can help homes generate clean energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

Source: IPCC

Resilience & Adaptation

Designing homes to withstand extreme weather events, such as hurricanes or wildfires, is critical in the face of climate change's increasing impact on housing.

Resilient Cities Index

Source: Economist Impact

Format: Animated infographic, data story, and video

Climate Lessons From the Floating Villages of Cambodia

Source: Common Edge

Format: Photo essay

Affordability & Equity

Making sustainable housing affordable and accessible to all income groups is essential to address climate change equitably.

The Barefoot Architect - Pakistan's first female architect's quest for equitable housing design.

Source: The Guardian

Format: News interview

Yasmeen Lari Sets Out to Build One Million Flood-Resistant Homes in Pakistan by 2024

Source: ArchDaily

Format: Article with photo essay

Community Land Trusts, the most cost-effective way of ensuring permanent affordability of housing.

The Land Conservation Network connects private and civic land conservation efforts across six continents.
The Yale University School of Management offers New Tools for Fighting the Climate Crisis
Georgetown Climate Center provides the Equitable Adaptation Legal and Policy Toolkit
Center for Community Land Trust Innovation offers a resource library on land trusts.

How to fight the affordable housing and climate crises at once

Audience: Adult

Source: Vox-Climate

Format: News article

Embrace Eco Housing: A Collective Solution to Rising Costs and Conscious Living

Audience: Teen, adult

Source: A Fairer Society

Format: Expository text with pictures about the benefits of cohousing.

Waste Reduction & Water Efficiency

Waste Reduction: Sustainable housing minimizes waste by using recyclable materials and reducing construction and demolition waste.

The Impact of Affordable Housing on Sustainable Development

Source: Utilities One

Format: Blog article

Water Efficiency: Water-saving fixtures and practices can reduce water consumption and help homeowners adapt to changing water availability. 45+ Ways to Conserve Water in the Home

Source: Earth Easy

Format: Online guide with photographs