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Environment

esidents in remote areas struggle with access to clean and reliable energy, despite being in areas with abundant sunshine ripe for solar power generation. : Karen and Brad Emerson via Flickr CCBY2.0

People in remote communities have survived thousands of years of weather extremes but need proper housing and clean energy for climate change resilience.

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Danger of poor housing in remote communities

People in remote communities have survived thousands of years of weather extremes but need proper housing and clean energy for climate change resilience.

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Given the history of commercialisation of air-conditioning as a consumer product, it’s unsurprising that people see it as essential. : Zouper Dragon via Pixabay Pixabay Licence

It’s the first thing to be turned on when the weather warms but air-conditioners are not the only answer to cooling our homes.

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Why we can’t rely on air conditioning to keep us cool

It’s the first thing to be turned on when the weather warms but air-conditioners are not the only answer to cooling our homes.

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Implementing Australia’s updated National Construction Code will go some way towards new homes and major renovations being built with efficient thermal shells. : Bob Tan via Flickr CCBY4.0

Energy efficiency for homes is about getting design right and making it airtight. The challenge is making these changes affordable.

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How to cut a home’s energy usage to zero

Energy efficiency for homes is about getting design right and making it airtight. The challenge is making these changes affordable.

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The resilience of our homes will be determined by the extent to which housing regulations are reformed to tackle climate change. : David Jackmanson via Flickr CC BY 2.0

From the south to the tropics, climate resilient housing may protect Australians from the risks of climate change.

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How people can climate-proof their homes

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Homes must be refuges from the impacts of climate change, rather than silent contributors to the climate emergency. : Perthhdproductions via Flickr CCBY2.0

Properly designed and built homes deliver so many ‘win-wins’ that could end our ‘heat pandemic’ it’s a mystery there’s not more of them.

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Lousy buildings and heat pandemic a lethal combination

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Cities are vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, due to the concentration of people and infrastructure. : Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash Unsplash Licence

Cities and their inhabitants are a main driver of climate change and, ironically, potentially the main victims. Here’s how that could be fixed.

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Hot cities and the boomerang effect

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Houses in our cities and suburbs are getting hotter : Michael Joiner (360info) CCBY4.0

A deadly combination of rising summer temperatures and inefficient homes is making life tougher for renters in some of Australia’s biggest cities, data shows.

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Renters in older homes feeling the heat

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Vegetation incorporated into a building’s exterior has two purposes: it lowers the heat transferred inside and improves the building’s look. : Photo provided by the author.

As cities grow and heat up, it’s time to get rid of your air-conditioner and have more plants in your homes.

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The urban jungle needs more trees

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Replacing these housing blocks would be hugely expensive and come at a significant environmental cost. : Yarecki via Pixabay Pixabay Licence

Eastern Europe’s ubiquitous prefab housing blocks have potential for mass climate change adaptation.

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Drab public housing ideal for a climate retrofit

Environment