Question

Part F: Brainstorm Ideas

Brainstorm ideas for your house. Think about devices, appliances, and building materials you want your house to have. In addition, these computer tools might help you brainstorm some ideas.

This calculator gives you the average energy use of household appliances, so you can research energy-saving alternatives.
This quiz can tell you what your carbon footprint is and how to reduce it in your home. Consider turning some of the questions into energy solutions. For example, one of the questions is, Do you turn off your faucets? If water supply is a concern in your region, perhaps faucets that turn off automatically might be an eco-friendly solution.
This database provides information about air emissions rates in a region. Search the ZIP code for the location you chose and select one of the electrical companies listed. Then scroll down to see how much of the energy in this ZIP code comes from renewable and nuclear energy (a non-renewable, cleaner energy source) compared to fossil fuel sources (oil, coal, and gas). Bar graphs compare the ZIP code's energy profile to the national average.
Write down your ideas for the house you’ll design. Explain how those ideas can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and preserve natural diversity.

Answer 1

Hi!

The carbon emission can be reduced and natural diversity can be preserved by constructing homes as “green buildings”.

A "green building” is one that minimizes or eliminates negative effects on our climate and natural environment all through design, construction, or operation and can create a positive impact. Green buildings protect valuable natural resources and raise our standard of living.

The carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide that is generated by human activity.

Following improvements in house designs can help in reducing the emission of carbon dioxide:

Use of renewable energy resources like solar energy, hydraulic energy, etc because these forms of energy do not emit any greenhouse gases while their production and operation.

Planting indoor plants and creating a garden to absorb the carbon dioxide produced in the house and improve the quality of air.

Installing appliances with more energy stars, these types of appliances have low CFC emissions and hence decrease carbon dioxide trapping in the environment.

Planting a garden with no usage of chemical fertilizers or pesticides to preserve natural diversity.