Challenging Times Present New Opportunities for an eco-friendly environment

Climate change has brought about many challenges that need to be urgently addressed. Looking for new ways to deal with problems of global warning here in Australia has been the subject of much discussion and research in recent times especially as a result of the devastating bushfires of Black Saturday in February of this year.

With temperatures on that day of 46.4C in Victoria 12.1 degrees above normal old ideas about what was acceptable in the building codes of housing of the past needed urgent attention. Regardless of where we live we are being told that we need to meet the challenge now confronting us by recognising that ‘housing is at the front line of dealing with the challenges and looking for new opportunities to make the housing sector as close to zero carbon emission as possible.

It is acknowledged that new and older homes will need substantial improvement to meet the unprecedented heat waves and conditions of changed weather. Unless we as individuals and a community help to reduce emissions we will face higher energy and water costs and our homes will become less liveable.

Experts in the field have established a ‘star rating’ of from ‘2 – Star’ to ‘8 – Star’ to measure the best result possible rating in reducing house emissions. Needless to say researcher have found that a star ratings of 5. 7 or 8 will significantly lower life-time running costs which alone makes it worth doing.

Challenging times present new opportunities for living in an eco-friendly environment and preserving our planet.

To read more about star rating in housing visit:

• In housing 7 stars are cheaper than 6 stars - and sell for more too - In housing 7 stars are cheaper than 6 stars - and sell for more by Professor Ralph Horne, Director of the Centre for Design at RMIT.
• Climate Safe housing is possible and affordable - Climate Safe housing is possible and affordable by Tina Perinotto.