Climate change refers to significant and long-term changes in the average weather conditions on Earth. These changes are not only due to natural causes, but are significantly influenced by human activities. The significance of climate change lies in the multitude of effects it has on the environment, society and the economy.
Climate change is the defining issue of our time.
The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas is the main cause of climate change. The burning of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gas emissions that wrap around the earth like a mantle, trapping the sun's heat and causing temperatures to rise. Greenhouse gases whose emissions contribute to climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. They are produced, for example, when petrol is used as a fuel or buildings are heated with coal. The clearing of land and forests can also release carbon dioxide. Landfill sites are one of the main emitters of methane. The biggest emitters include the energy sector, industry, transportation, buildings, agriculture and land use 1.
The consequences of climate change are diverse and can have different effects in different regions of the world. The consequences of climate change today include severe droughts, water shortages, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, severe weather disasters and species extinction. Climate change can affect health, the ability to produce food, housing, safety and work.
Building in a changing climate is an important aspect of achieving climate targets. Sustainable building planning should be energy-efficient, fit into the decentralized energy system and be operated as climate-neutrally as possible. The production and use of building materials lead to considerable greenhouse gas emissions and a massive consumption of resources. The use of energy-efficient technologies and resource-conserving materials can significantly reduce energy and resource consumption in the construction industry.
