GC: n
CT: In 1997, scientists and policy makers from around the world met in Kyoto and agreed that by the year 2010, greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced to a level approximately five per cent lower than 1990 levels. Since the Kyoto agreement was signed, many nations around the world have concentrated their efforts on debating the value and responsibilities of sustainable behaviour rather than reducing carbon emissions. Although Canada was signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, Canadians have increased greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 per cent since 1990. Scientists now warn us that 1990 greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 20 to 25 per cent by 2020 if we are to avoid the dangerous effects of climate change. Even if the scientists turn out to be incorrect, the over-consumption of non-renewable resources and the accompanying pollution of water, land and the air we breathe cannot be sustained.
Truly sustainable architecture could be defined as the creation of buildings for which only renewable resources are consumed throughout the process of design, construction and operation. Sustainability status must also include the manufacture and transportation of materials, components and construction equipment. First Nations people were perhaps the last inhabitants of North America to have truly understood the meaning of sustainability and to have lived accordingly. The present day examples of truly sustainable architecture are rare, if not non-existent.
S: https://www.raic.org/raic/sustainable-architecture (last access: 31 December 2014)
N: 1. sustainable (adj): 1610s, “bearable,” from sustain + -able. Attested from 1845 in the sense “defensible;” from 1965 with the meaning “capable of being continued at a certain level.” Sustainable growth is recorded from 1965. Related: Sustainably.
architecture (n): 1560s, from Middle French architecture, from Latin architectura, from architectus “architect” (see architect).
2. Although discussions about oil sands development, “green-washing”, LEED® effectiveness and the Canadian Government’s energy platform are fascinating, the focus should be targeted on actually improving the energy performance of buildings and striving for sustainable architecture. Architects like Buckminster Fuller began discussing and promoting sustainable architecture and renewable energy at about the time the Whole Earth Catalog was published in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Canadians were world leaders in the design and development of “super-insulated” low energy residential buildings.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=sustainable&searchmode=none; http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=architecture&searchmode=none (last access: 31 December 2014). 2. https://www.raic.org/raic/sustainable-architecture (last access: 31 December 2014).
SYN:
S:
