A landscape architect, Mr Amos Alao, has tasked Nigerians on the adoption of green homes to combat the effects of climate change in our environment.
In an interview in Lagos on Monday, Alao said it was pertinent that people reduced their energy consumption to curb depletion of the ozone layer.
“The concept of green homes is in two perspectives. There are two types of green homes, the ones that are technologically driven and the ones that are nature driven.
“When we talk about green homes, we should think about sustainability, reducing the amount of energy, water and heat we release into the atmosphere.
“The concept of green homes is relatively new in Nigeria. We actually call it ‘smart homes’. The concept of smart home technology is basically to make living and working at home stress-free.
“For example, instead of making use of air conditioners, you have houses that are green with bigger windows, high head rooms for fresh natural air as against smaller windows and lower head rooms.
“The less energy a building consumes, the better it is for the atmosphere and the ecosystem,” he said.
The climate change enthusiast said the designs of our houses and residential areas can help reduce the amount of energy consumed and in turn mitigate climate change challenges.
He also harped on the disadvantages of air-conditioning as compared to natural air, which he advised Nigerians to adapt to.
“For our estate development instead of having more vehicles and car parks allotted, we should encourage bicycles, walkways and areas where people can take walks.
“So there is less commuter traffic in estates and less gas released into the atmosphere from automobiles, and for the case of generating sets emitting carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, solar panels should be introduced.
“It costs more to build a greenhouse if it is modular (i.e. a single unit), but if building a green estate, it will cost less, because the more you build, the less it costs.
“The air-conditioners and refrigerators in our homes emit Hydrofluprocarbons into the atmosphere and this is one of the gases that deplete the ozone layer.
“It is worthy to note that homes without air-condition unit are technically green homes because they have less negative impact on the environment.
“These days, it is important to check energy ratings of your appliances to know how much an appliance or equipment consumes.
“Researches have shown that a lot of these air conditioners, imported from developed countries carry expired gases (which are hazardous or have been phased out).
“Using ACs often is not good for our health as well as the environment because of these poisonous gases,” Alao cautioned.
In addition, the expert noted that to curb the effects of climate change in the environment, people must have more greens in our environment, reduce hardscapes like pavers, asphalt and concrete floors.
“Homes where you have solar panels are more environmentally friendly than houses that run on electricity generators. The less carbon footprints we have the healthier and better the environment will be.
“We can also reduce climate change effects by the reduction of energy consumption in the buildings by introducing recycled materials,” the expert said.
NAN
