There is no single architectural technique that can solve the problem of the sweltering heat that has engulfed large parts of Europe this summer. But according to experts, on a continent where air conditioning is relatively limited, sustainable building techniques can go a long way in protecting residents.
Those features, which include courtyards, heavy shutters, mirrored paintings and white-stone façades, can keep homes naturally cool and reduce the need for air conditioning. The problem, especially for Mediterranean cities that have faced scorching temperatures this summer, is because many new buildings have been built using Western styles, said Marialena Nicolopoulou, professor of sustainable architecture at the University of Kent in England. block the heat.
“We have started importing Western architecture and have forgotten local traditions,” Dr Nikolopoulo said, speaking from Athens, the continent’s hottest capital – with an average daily maximum temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33.4 Celsius) in July. ) and one of the most densely populated. Modern, tall buildings and the use of materials such as asphalt for roads trap heat, contributing to the “heat island” effect, in which cities are hotter than surrounding rural areas. A heat wave in Greece has caused tinder-dry conditions that have fueled wildfires in parts of the country.
In the United States, some homeowners and businesses are investing in low-cost technologies to aid in cooling buildings, such as painting roofs white or another reflective color that helps make air-conditioning units more energy efficient. Can do. Miami-Dade County secured millions of dollars in federal funding to help homes and businesses stay cool in the summer.
In Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, traditional homes include features that allow air to move through them. Thick walls help to absorb heat during the day and release it at night, and shade-providing features such as pergolas also help to keep occupants cool and reduce sun exposure, Global Energy at University College London and resources professor Catalina Spataru said. Energy Institute. Narrow avenues and tree-lined streets in some city centers also provide shade for pedestrians.
Europe is experiencing more rapid and more intense heat waves than many other parts of the world, and many homes are not equipped with air conditioning. The governments of Greece, Italy and Spain have taken measures to protect residents from the heat, including directing people to public coolers, relying on warning systems for extreme heat and planning to create small neighborhood parks , which can be several degrees colder than outdoors. ,
Cooling experts say increasing reliance on energy-guzzling air conditioning is not a sustainable solution. According to a World Bank report published in 2019, conventional cooling appliances including air-conditioners and refrigerators are already responsible for up to 10 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions. This amount is twice the emissions produced by aviation and sea travel. found in the report.
Annual sales of air-conditioning units worldwide have tripled since 1990, according to the International Energy Agency, an intergovernmental body that provides policy recommendations on the global energy sector. The IEA found that 89 percent of US homes will have air conditioning in 2022, compared to 19 percent in Europe.
Cooling experts say lifestyle changes are important to adapt to rising temperatures, especially in places where air conditioning is not available. These include avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, checking vulnerable neighbors and adopting quietness – even in northern Europe and places with colder climates where people may stop working or activities in the midday heat. are not accustomed to.
While temperatures in northern Europe are generally cooler than in southern Europe, a major challenge is that many homes are designed to retain heat.
An example of this is Scandinavia, where many homes are built using lightweight building materials such as wood, which is great for cold climates, but can be more challenging to deal with extreme heat, Dr. Spataru said. “There’s a growing awareness that we need to design homes that are more resilient to extreme weather conditions,” he said.
An Oxford University study published this month found that the UK, Norway and Switzerland would see the most dramatic relative increase in uncomfortably hot days if temperatures were to be limited to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) above pre-industrial levels. Global target missed. (The study found that countries in central Africa will see the hottest temperatures overall.)
“Buildings and homes in northern Europe are ill-suited to an increasingly warming climate,” said Radhika Khosla, associate professor focused on cooling and sustainable development at the University of Oxford and co-author of the study.
Without sustainable intervention, the growing reliance on air conditioning will contribute to a cycle of accelerated fossil fuel burning to keep people cool as the world outside warms, he said.
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