Climate change is creating more challenges for the construction industry now more than ever. Fortunately, the construction sector is currently adapting, generating new employment in clean energies and constructing new, efficient infrastructure. This adaptation brings new and exciting opportunities for all people working in the industry.
Read more here: "The Impact of Climate on Construction."
The concrete example of this leaning towards green construction is that more and more companies now put a lot of weight on their LEED ratings. It resulted in many newly built buildings having features that will raise their ratings, such as aluminum weather-resistant exterior access panels that make the maintenance of the building efficient and safe.
Fighting Climate Change Through Green Building
Architects and builders plan new structures to be even more durable and eco-friendly to tackle the global climate crisis. According to the International Energy Agency, buildings contribute to about 40% of all energy-related CO2 emissions, and green building patterns are increasingly rising each year.
Combating climate change aims to keep the economy afloat and expand job possibilities. Private initiatives, such as creating a sustainable garden, will aid in the fight against climate change and are not limited to significant businesses. Anyone can help if they have the proper knowledge.
Extreme Conditions Force the Industry to Adapt
A rise in the strength and duration of extreme temperature conditions is one of the most important and detrimental consequences of climate change. Climate change makes it possible to upgrade and enhance aging facilities to survive the extreme impacts of a changing climate, just as current standards enable structures constructed to be more sustainable.
The following are some of the significant environmental events impacting infrastructure:
Hurricanes
As a result of climate change, hurricanes are becoming even more damaging and extreme. According to the most recent estimates, the 2019 hurricane storm surge cost over $1.8 trillion in damages. As a result, cities are engaging in storm-resistant infrastructure maintenance and construction. Hiring more construction workers will help restore and improve areas destroyed by hurricanes.
Drought
Drought-related effects will affect electricity generation for many power plants as the weather begins to warm. Climate change also impacts power plants that rely on surface water for cooling. Not only would updating and adding new cooling systems in these power plants help to avoid drought, but it would also necessitate the hiring of staff to upgrade and operate these new systems.
Erosion
Coastal hurricanes and high tides have exacerbated the consequences of coastal flooding as sea levels increase. This pattern would have catastrophic implications for the coast, costing an estimated $500 million in damages.
One way counties are combating coastal erosion is by beach replenishment, which involves dredging sand from the ocean floor and replacing it with sand lost to erosion. Beach replenishment would necessitate the hiring of engineers, builders, and maintenance staff.
Excessive Heat
The weather has risen to the point that roads and roofs are melting around the world. In New York alone, extreme heat forced 53,000 residents to lose control this year. Communities are updating their power grids and adding more resilient roofing materials to address this issue, resulting in more professional labor in these fields.
Wildfires
California is no stranger to flames, but the number and intensity of wildfires in the State have increased exponentially in the last thirty years. The California wildfires in 2018 cost over $24 billion in damages, mainly due to damage to homes and utilities.
California is engaging in fire protection through grants and other plans to deter more devastation. Due to the need to avoid more destruction, the state invests in firebreak building and reforestation (to prevent large quantities of barren and flammable land).
Demand for Renewable Energy Is Growing, Which Means More Jobs
The renewable energy industry now employs 700,000 additional individuals, based on the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report. In addition to infrastructure upgrades, many towns are starting to shift from fossil fuels to other energy sources like solar, wind, nuclear, and other clean power sources.
Conclusion
As we progress our ways, we continue to adapt to the newer challenges presented to us by nature. These challenges offer us the opportunity to grow and evolve as a collective. The designs of the future will rely heavily upon the technologies of today as their foundation. Consult a professional for more information about plans and options.
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