#climatechangeadaptation — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #climatechangeadaptation, aggregated by home.social.
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Research - #RainBarrels and Other Household Stormwater Strategies Are Working — For Now.
May 5, 2026
Excerpt: " 'When we talk about #CircularEconomy, most people think about #recycling waste and materials. But the concept of circular economy also applies to water. Here we're talking about installing #rainwater #cisterns, reusing water from the sink to flush toilets and using water-efficient appliances. While those may seem like small steps at the individual level, we found that if they are widely adopted, they can have a significant collective impact,' said Fernanda Cruz Rios, PhD, an assistant professor in the College of Engineering, who was a co-author of the research. 'They help reduce demand on the municipal supply, and the energy needed to treat and distribute that water. But what we found was that these strategies offer a real double benefit. In areas like #PhiladelphiaPA and #CamdenME, that are particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to large bodies of water, we were able to see a meaningful reduction in flooding volumes when circular water strategies were adopted.'
"Despite the ongoing compliance efforts, the cities of Philadelphia and Camden have around 16 billion gallons of combined #sewer overflow, according to reports from their respective water utilities.
"Over the last two and a half decades, Camden has established a stormwater management plan, including decentralized strategies, an upgrade to #stormwater infrastructure and storm water management modeling. To understand the overall impact of these efforts, in hopes of applying findings to other vulnerable urban areas, the Drexel team created a computer model of stormwater movement using data from Cramer Hill, a neighborhood of Camden in the state’s 'coastal hazard zone' that is highly susceptible to tidal and storm-surge flooding.
"The researchers structured the model so that it could quantify the distinct effects of outdoor strategies (cisterns and rain barrels) and indoor strategies — efficient fixtures and reusing sink wash water (#greywater) for toilet flushing. It simulated and measured the effect of 16 different combinations of strategies, ranging from rain barrels of different sizes, to varying levels of adoption of water-efficient fixtures and greywater reuse."Each scenario was simulated using precipitation and tidal data from 2014 as a baseline and flooding measurements projected at locations across the neighborhood and at five stormwater outfall areas that contribute to combined sewer overflow discharges into the #DelawareRiver.
The results show that the combination of retrofitting homes with #WaterEfficientFixtures as well as installing rain barrels and practicing greywater reuse, when adopted by 75% of households, could reduce the volume of combined sewer overflows by as much as 11% and the volume of #floodwaters by up to 13%.
" 'This finding is an important and encouraging piece of information for municipalities that are facing similar challenges,' Marques said. 'Although broad adoption of these measures can be challenging to achieve, confirmation of its effectiveness may help to make the case.' "
#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeAdaptation #Graywater #StormwaterSeparation #StormwaterReduction #WaterCisterns #UrbanPlanning #WaterUse #WaterIsLife #ClimateChange
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#HarvestingRainwater with Brad Lancaster: How to Create Livable Desert Cities
by Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't
Jun 9, 2026Part 1 of a 3 Video Series
"In this episode we see the incredible work that Brad Lancaster and his community are doing to make the #DunbarSpring Neighborhood in #TucsonAZ a cooler, more pleasant and human-friendly place to live by using plants as infrastructure and creating a #FoodForest using #NativePlants that are adapted to deal with the desert heat perfectly because they evolved there.
"This video shows us how what Brad and his community have done serve as a model as to what could be down to make cities all over the globe more livable, illustrating how human development and nature do not have to be mutually exclusive. Filming this video and seeing that Brad and his people have done made me feel in something I haven't felt in a long time : hope."
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN6t8xwpYZ8#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeAdaptation #Rainwater #GreenerCities #Basins #NativeVegetation #WaterStructures #LocalEcology #HeatIslands
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📣 Join the first webinar in the #DIRECTED Webinar Series exploring how #RealWorldLabs are helping regions turn climate risk analysis into real-world decisions.
27 March 2026 | 11:00 CET
👉 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/directed-webinar1 -
[Academic Paywall] Can Smart #Technology and #TraditionalWisdom Craft Truly #Sustainable Built Environments?
Building and Environment
Volume 267, Part B, 1 January 2025, Christina Priavolou"The built environment significantly impacts global resource consumption and energy usage, accounting for 40 % of annual utilisation. Within this substantial ecological footprint lies the potential for transformation towards sustainability. By channeling insights from traditional practices and synthesising them with academic research, this article presents an innovative approach aiming to create built environments that are both technologically smart and deeply rooted in local wisdom.
Built environment developments often result in structures that stand as isolated entities, disconnected from their surroundings. Instead of endorsing standalone structures, this article advocates for collective actions that respect local elements. At its core, it seeks to leverage the rich insights from traditional knowledge and combine them with academic scholarship, acknowledging the contribution of traditional wisdom in addressing local needs and identities. The primary focus is on exploring how structures within the built environment can be crafted to provide both smart and context-appropriate responses to the imperative of sustainability.
The advent of Industry 4.0 technologies like Building Information Modeling and laser scanning has revolutionised the construction industry by optimising material use, energy consumption and aligning construction processes with sustainable design principles. In response to the impending Industry 4.0 revolution and the advent of such digital technologies, it becomes increasingly evident that addressing environmental concerns requires more than just smart solutions . In that respect, it is acknowledged that the built environment is a complex interplay of aesthetics, technology, environmental considerations, and societal intricacies, necessitating a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to tackle such challenges comprehensively.
Drawing from historical architectural records and built environment planning doctrines, which emphasise the importance of creating meaningful, sustainable spaces in harmony with local contexts, this approach aims to bridge the gap between globalised patterns and traditional wisdom. The #vernacular field, coined by Illich, encapsulates the essence of local wisdom, needs, and identities. The growing interest in vernacular architecture underscores its significant environmental value and ability to foster diversity linked to local climate, landscape, materials, and way of life. Moreover, previous studies have shown that integrating traditional construction techniques can offer unique solutions to contemporary sustainability challenges. For instance, Hamard et al. demonstrated how natural building materials such as cob and straw, when combined with passive design strategies, can reduce building energy consumption by up to 50 % depending on climate conditions and design features. Similarly, Nguyen et al. highlighted the adaptability of vernacular architecture in response to local climate conditions, demonstrating its potential to improve energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling loads by 30–60 %. Ozorhon and Ozorhon [10] have also stressed the importance of actively engaging local communities in preserving cultural heritage, which fosters community ownership and resilience, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and socially cohesive outcomes.
Ιn response to pressing global environmental challenges and events, such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, this article seeks to trigger discussions for timely and holistic solutions to built environment challenges, reflecting local contexts while aligning with global sustainability goals. It seeks to enrich our understanding of how the integration of modern technology with traditional knowledge can lead to more sustainable, resilient, and community-focused built environments. This study delves into three key themes: holistic planning with traditional insights, the role of technology and multidisciplinary approaches, and the need for resilient and community-centric solutions.
Through two exploratory case studies in Greece, the article illustrates how applying these themes can create sustainable and contextually appropriate built environments while discussing the concept of convivial construction and its implications for fostering inclusive and sustainable built environments."
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132324010473
#SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalTechnology #SolarPunk #sustainability #Vernacular #ClimateChangeAdaptation #BuildingForClimateChange #LookToThePast #BuildForTheFuture
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How are natural #DisasterResistant design elements integrated into #Solarpunk buildings?
Publication date: 2023-09-02
"In Solarpunk buildings, #NaturalDisaster-resistant design elements are integrated through a combination of passive and active design strategies. Here are a few ways in which these elements can be incorporated:
1. Site selection and orientation: Solarpunk buildings are typically situated in areas that are less susceptible to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, or tsunamis. Careful evaluation of the site's history and potential risks helps in choosing locations that are more resilient. Additionally, the building orientation can be optimized to maximize natural light and minimize exposure to prevailing winds or storms.
2. Structural reinforcements: Solarpunk buildings embrace resilient construction techniques to withstand natural disasters. This may include reinforced foundations, #earthquake-resistant designs, #hurricane-resistant materials, and robust structural systems that can withstand high winds, seismic activity, or even #ExtremeWeather events.
3. Green roofs and rainwater harvesting: Green roofs, which incorporate vegetation on the rooftop, offer several benefits when it comes to natural disaster resilience. They can help mitigate stormwater runoff, reducing the strain on existing drainage systems during heavy rainfalls or floods. Additionally, rainwater harvesting systems can be implemented to collect and store rainwater for future use, serving as an alternative water source during emergencies.
4. Passive climate control: Solarpunk design emphasizes #PassiveCooling and heating strategies to reduce energy consumption and reliance on mechanical systems. Natural ventilation through well-placed windows, louvers, or roof vents can help regulate indoor temperatures. By not relying heavily on air conditioning units, Solarpunk buildings can maintain habitability even during power outages caused by natural disasters.
5. #Renewable energy systems: Solarpunk buildings integrate renewable energy systems like solar panels or wind turbines to generate electricity on-site. This reduces dependence on centralized energy grids, making the building more self-sufficient and resilient in the face of power disruptions caused by natural disasters. Battery storage systems can also be incorporated to store excess energy and provide backup power during emergencies.
6. Water management and flood-resistance: Solarpunk buildings employ strategies such as permeable paving, #RainGardens, and water retention ponds to manage #stormwater. These features help minimize the risk of #flooding and prevent damage caused by heavy rains or extreme weather events.
"By combining these design elements, Solarpunk buildings aim to create sustainable and resilient structures that can better withstand the challenges posed by natural disasters."
Source:
https://houses-apartments.com/en/architecture/solarpunk-architecture/how-are-natural-disaster-resistant-design-elements-integrated-into-solarpunk-buildings
#BuildingTechniques #BuildingForClimateChange #BuildingDesign #SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeAdaptation -
This was an interesting read. A lot of it could be applied to other places as well!
[PDF] #HistoricScotland - Short Guide: #ClimateChangeAdaptation for Traditional Buildings
"Some traditional buildings may become less able to cope with changing weather patterns caused by #ClimateChange. This Short Guide describes the key aspects of the external envelope of a traditional building that provide protection against the elements, and considers how these can be improved or adapted to increase a building’s resilience to #ExtremeWeather events. It also considers the internal environment within older buildings, and how this can be managed to cope with changing environmental conditions."
Direct Link to PDF:
https://app-hes-pubs-prod-neu-01.azurewebsites.net/api/file/c75d9549-5c17-4c98-97eb-a7ac00ae8d76Link to guide (The Guide to Building Maintenance in a Changing Climate) referenced in the article [broken link in article]:
https://adaptation.scot/app/uploads/2024/08/the-guide-to-building-maintenance-in-a-changing-cli.pdf
#ClimateChange #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingForClimateChange #BuildingMaintenance #DIY #Scotland #HistoricBuildings