Topic 3 Costs of climate change inaction
Case study: Building ecological houses
Name the Protagonist:
Coliba Verde Association (Romania)
What is their Story?
The purpose of the association is to bring together associate members who, through their joint material contribution, professional knowledge and work, encourage and promote healthy living in harmony with nature, ecologically sound construction and sustainable living.
The aim of the association is to be achieved by carrying out the following activities and objectives:
- to promote healthy living in harmony with nature,
- to educate and inform about environmental protection
- organisation of meetings, camps, seminars, excursions, competitions and fun games, cultural events, refresher courses, exchanges of experience, workshops, festivals, in the field of ecology with domestic and international participation, organisation of symposia and specialist lectures,
- organisation of public education courses in the field of ecological construction, permaculture, natural medicine, non-formal education, vegetarian gastronomy
- helping people who want to build ecological buildings by providing advice and information,
- creating support groups where people interested in healthy living and ecology can get to know each other and share their experiences.
Link to the Case Study:
Why is this a Good Example to Follow?
This project proves that it is possible to build houses relatively cheaply and in an environmentally friendly way, using materials from nature. No need to buy expensive building materials, which are polluting to produce and transport.
How can you use this Case Study to Adapt to Climate Change?
This is a good example of how widespread access to this information can help individuals to build environmentally friendly houses for themselves, using materials that they didn’t even think they could build houses with, as only expensive building materials are offered in advertisements and construction shops.
What impact has this case study example achieved?
The website shows that it is possible to build environmentally friendly houses on a relatively small budget, you just need to lower your expectations and understand that even simple natural materials can be used to build beautiful and habitable houses.
Questions
Self-reflection questions
- Question 1 – What are the main building elements that can be used to build green houses?
- Question 2 – How long does it take to build a straw bales house?
- Question 3 – Are there examples of similar construction projects in your region?
Case study: Video
Debriefing Questions (after the video)
| Q. No | Questions |
|---|---|
| Question 1: | How can human communities be affected by climate change? |
| Question 2: | What measures can be taken to reduce the impacts of climate change on human communities? |
| Question 3: | What actions can you take to implement climate change solutions? |