Climate change is a reality and we know that it is accelerated by our actions. But humans are by nature innovative and although our industrial revolution may have had huge environmental impacts, it is our technological revolution that might just save the day. Here we look at some of today’s top environmental solutions.
The first 3D printed homes are underway in the Netherlands with the aim of having these modern-day homes habitable by the middle of 2019. The one-to-three story homes are printed from a specially formulated cement that comes out of a 3D printer like whipped cream. This novel method provides such precise measurements that it is said to produce zero waste. An added advantage is that homes can be purpose built and suffer none of the shape restrictions that limit traditional building methods. And if the 3D printer operates on site, then transport costs are minimal, and carbon emissions reduced. This type of construction is predicted to become mainstream within the next decade.
Chicago O'Hare Airport Vertical Farm
The global population is expected to rise from 7.3 billion today to 9.7 billion by 2050 – with the biggest increase concentrated in our cities. The farming and transportation of food to meet the demands of this growing population is a challenge that has not gone unnoticed. Urban farming could be the answer. It refers to the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in or around a town or city. If implemented consistently in cities around the world, 180 million metric tons of food could be produced in cities every year. But food isn’t the only benefit of urban farming. There is storm water runoff retention, pest control, reduction in inner city heat and energy saving through lower transport costs. If all these factors are considered, urban farming could have a global net worth of $160 billion annually.
Envisioned 3D printed homes. Credit: Houben/Van Mierlo architects
Volvo’s EX02 fully electric compact excavator prototype
Zero Carbon Building (ZBC) Hong Kong
Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communication
Regions Asia and China
Volvo Construction Equipment
E-mail: tiffany.cheng@volvo.com
Head of Strategic Communication
Volvo Construction Equipment
Email: asa.alstrom@volvo.com