[കേ.ശാ.സാ.പ] Re: Economics and Politics of Global Warming Campaign

On Tue, 2007-05-22 at 14:17 +0530, Benny Kuriakose wrote:

> The two areas of imminent resource stress – fossil fuels and climate
> instability – are both directly influenced by decisions made by
> architects. The role of architects and city planners are crucial to
> the survival not just of mankind, but also of natural systems
> generally. Building construction and the designers of the built
> environment have to take a serious look at the buildings they design.
> But unfortunately we design these glass buildings, let in all heat and
> then air-condition the inside. We do not have enough resources to do
> these things. Many of these buildings get green certificates also
> because they still spend more money to make them eco-friendly.

I remember a meeting that was held in the Guest House at Thycaud. The
meeting was to finalise the draft Environment Policy and this was the
last of five meetings held for the purpose. During the meeting, someone
got up and said something like this: "This building is a beautiful old
building with big windows that allow plenty of air and light to enter.
But we have closed all the windows, put thick curtains and switched on
the lights and fans. And then we are discussing the Environment Policy
sitting inside.'

Of course, people were embarrassed, many people nodded their heads and
then went ahead with the meeting. We continue to do that. We observe
Earth Day and Environment Day and serve tea in plastic cups during the
function. Then we publish long reports on the environment, which are
printed on one side of the paper often in 14 point font (so that old
people also can read -- although all of us read the newspaper in 10
point font).

I believe that an environment clause should be built into our building
laws. We should penalise avoidable use of materials including sand,
cement and glass. We should also encourage the use of windows or jalis
that permit light and air to enter the rooms. At the same time, we
should start a publicity campaign that focusses on the environmental
consequences of building design. We once had a strong campaign that
focussed on family planning. Why not on sand mining and building design?

Best

-- 
V. Sasi Kumar <sasi.fsf_at_gmail.com>
Free Software Foundation of India
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