Article: Leander Krijnen

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Nowadays it is common knowledge that the earth as we know it is facing some serious climate problems. Carbon emissions are creating serious issues when not being stopped or reduced within a significant period of time. Changes related to this issue can already be found all around the globe, polar caps are losing Millenium-old ice (1), sea levels are rising (2) and endless other negative effects can be found in nature (3). As the built environment creates 28% of total emissions by the daily usage of the building (e.g. power, heat, light) (4) this article will look at unique, more energy-friendly solutions to how people can live their lives, contributing to a cleaner world while still living comfortably.

The first solution that has gained more popularity over the last few years (5) is tiny housing. This housing concept provides on average a living space for two people with around twelve square meters, often with optimal use of space, creating half levels. Most of the time it is easy to move away because of the towing options given by the presence of wheels under the house. Since the house is relatively small, owners claim that it gives more financial freedom as well as fewer maintenance costs and lower monthly costs. Furthermore, it is easy to move and as there is less space, less property can be stored in the house resulting in a more conscious lifestyle. On the downside, it gives an extra challenge to live together with someone else in a limited space and the house can get dirty quicker as all the space is used relatively more compared to a normal-sized house. But above all, it is a great sustainable way as such a tiny house has fewer emissions and a smaller carbon footprint than the average house, on top of it, there are fewer possibilities to buy new things as there is not much room to store it (6).

Secondly, a relatively newer concept can be found on the market. After the construction of a house, no daily energy usage can be found on the monthly bills. The power, light or water bills are never too high as the second concept regards self-sufficient houses. These kinds of dwellings are fully autonomous which

means that they rely solely on their own measurements regarding heating, cooling, electricity and more. Houses like these are fully off the grid. They can be adjusted accordingly to the homeowners’ wishes, the climate and location (7). People who live in such dwellings often like the technical challenge it gives, how can everything be balanced just right? Often too much energy is produced, providing a buffer for days when it is needed the most. The complete technical installation should be seen as an investment, the purchase is quite expensive but once bought, no extra daily costs need to be paid. One risk that is included in this plan is the small chance that if something is broken one day, the house will have no electricity or water. That is why all components need to be chosen wisely, resulting in less stress and giving the dwelling a minimal carbon footprint (8).

In the former concept, only a singular idea was mentioned. Of course there are also bigger examples where a complete community has an off-grid structure, providing energy for a complete set of dwellings. They can be found everywhere in the world, from the jungle in Costa Rica (9) to a floating community on the shores of Freedom Cove in Canada (9). Such forms of providing for an entire community can take the form of all different styles, forms and functions, all dependent on the way people design it. community instead of the individual way of people that can be seen more often nowadays (10). As a result of this way of living, everyone can bring something to the table and all can be shared equally while living a very eco-friendly life.

Looking at all three examples, some overlay can be found. It can often be a challenge to live like this, as the energy income can fluctuate per moment and there is not as much insurance as a “normal” house would provide. However, it proves to be very eco-friendly while it makes residents more conscious of their surroundings and the way they live.

Do not be afraid to look into these varying concepts, would one of it fit you perhaps?

Miriam Pouwels

Sources:

Thompson, H. (2019, September 25). How climate change is already altering oceans and ice, and what’s to come. Retrieved from https:// www.sciencenews.org/article/ipcchow-climate-change-already-altering-oceans-ice-future

Oppenheimer, M., B.C. Glavovic , J. Hinkel, R. van de Wal, A.K. Magnan, A. Abd-Elgawad, R. Cai, M. Cifuentes-Jara, R.M. DeConto, T. Ghosh, J. Hay, F. Isla, B. Marzeion, B. Meyssignac, and Z. Sebesvari, 2019: Sea Level Rise and Implications for Low-Lying Islands, Coasts and Communities. In: IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, V. Masson-Delmotte, P. Zhai, M. Tignor, E. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Nicolai, A. Okem, J. Petzold, B. Rama, N.M. Weyer (eds.)]. In press.

Jackson, R. (n.d.). The Effects of Climate Change. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/#:%7E:text=Increased%20 heat%2C%20drought%20and%20 insect,coastal%20areas%20are%20 additional%20concerns.

Budds, D. (2019, September 19). How buildings contribute to climate change. Retrieved from https://www. curbed.com/2019/9/19/20874234/ buildings-carbon-emissions-climate-change#:%7E:text=Buildings%20and%20their%20construction%20together,the%20United%20 Nations%20Environment%20Program.&text=Globally%2C%20building%20operations%20account%20 for%20about%2028%20percent%20 of%20emissions%20annually.

McNulty, M. (2019, October 2). Tiny house trend: Why so many people are looking to live small. Retrieved from https://www.foxbusiness.com/ real-estate/tiny-home-phenomenathe-pros-and-cons-of-living-in-a-micro-home

De voor- en nadelen van een Tiny House. (2020, April 11). Retrieved from https://tinyhouse-store.nl/ de-voor-en-nadelen-van-een-tinyhouse-2/

Asaff, S. (n.d.). Self Sufficient Homes. Retrieved from https://greenliving. lovetoknow.com/Self_Sufficient_ Homes#:%7E:text=By%20Beth%20 Asaff,cooling%2C%20electricity%2C%20and%20more.

Off-grid gaan: alleen voor durvers. (2018, April 24). Retrieved from https://www.ecobouwers.be/duurzaam-bouwen/artikels/grid-gaanalleen-voor-durvers

Comm, D. (2019, September 26). 5 Most Sustainable Off-grid Communities. Retrieved from https:// iconlifesaver.com/news/5-most-sustainable-off-grid-communi ties/?v=796834e7a283

Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. (2017, December 23). Worden we individualistischer? Retrieved from https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2017/52/worden-we-individualistischer-

Pictures: Capyvara Alec Krivec