This article was contributed by Mr. Nagaraj L of M/s.Ellenn Associates that focuses on Green Architecture, Civil Engineering, Interior Designing, Property Valuation, and Consulting.

At the outset I propose, our main aim in this session is to understand the behavior of our nature and the effects of going against it, such as deforestation, mining, pollution, etc. Importance of maintaining a balance amongst all creatures and hence we could possibly regain harmony on our Planet. Also understanding how Green Building concepts and related topics could improve health and comfort levels of occupants. Study the root causes of recession in general. Effectively control Industrial pollution by adapting Green Building Concepts. Adapting our Industrial Engineering and Management in an Eco friendly manner. Governments stand in encouraging positive environmental practices.

In general, most of us aware of my title NATURE – GREEN BUILDING CONCEPTS - QUALITY LIFE. Here I have made efforts to identify the causes and impact of going against nature and find some effective solutions to overcome it. Also, the importance of understanding and maintaining harmony with nature is given an emphasis.

Cycle of life in nature:
Creation and destruction are in the cycle of life.
                                                                             
Nature and Our Planet Earth:
If we go with nature, nature comes with us. If we do not, it waits, tolerates & ultimately it will be destroyed prematurely. For this to happen, we would be mainly responsible. It is time to remember there is only one Earth, now it is in our hands, let us save it.

Need for making Buildings Green:
Green Building practices can substantially reduce negative environmental practices and improve existing unsustainable design, construction and operational practices. As an added benefit, green design measures reduce operating costs, enhance building marketability, increase worker productivity and reduce potential liability resulting from indoor air quality problems.

Negative Environmental Impacts:
Where to dispose this plastic waste, which may not be decomposed for millions of years.
Air pollution due to Industries with poor or no knowledge of its effects.
Air pollution due to smoke emitting Vehicles

Balanced Environment:
Raw Nature
Biodegradable materials
Existence of Plants, Animals, Birds, etc., for Nature’s harmony.

Given a thought, human beings of the Modern Era or Scientific Era (till certain period) are responsible for such an astonishing development of Science and technology.
At the same time some of the technologies, inventions and developments are short term in terms of their effects on nature which results in long term negative environmental impacts – for this, we have to blame none because the need of that hour may be as such, they/we would not have thought about it, as there was no need for it or aware of it at that period.

Some of the features of Green Buildings:
Sustainable Development:
Use of Resources to meet our needs without depriving the resources for Future Generations.
* Efficient use of Water with Rain Water Harvesting and Recycling of waste water
* Use of Renewable Energy
* Use of Recycled / Recyclable Materials
* Orientation of the Buildings or Structures : Varies according to the Climatic, topographical, Regional, Social Conditions of the place.
* Effective use of Landscapes
* Improved Indoor Air Quality for Health and Comfort

Tangible Benefits:
* Reduction in Operating Costs
* Optimization of Performance
* Energy Savings: 40-50 % (As per CII)
* Water Savings: 20-30 % (As per CII)
* Normal Building Energy Consumption:
Break up (subject to variation):
Air Conditioning - 57%, Area Lighting - 22%, Miscellaneous Equipments - 16%, Ventilation Fans - 5%

Intangible Benefits:
* Environmental Benefits: Reduce impact on the Environment
* Health and Safety Benefits: Enhancement of Occupant Comfort Levels
* Improvement in  Efficiency of Occupants

The main types of Pollution are Air, Water, Land, Noise, Radioactive and Thermal. It is very important to understand the nature, its behavior and the effects of going against the nature such as deforestation, mining, polluting atmosphere etc

Study the root causes of recession in General.

I choose to take an interesting example of an animal in particular the Lion for instance. It hunts when it is hungry and only when it (or its family) is hungry. But it is bound to hunt again when it is hungry again. So that this process keeps hunting again, only when required keeps the lion on its toes for the survival, that keeps the lion fit and healthy and also a biological balance in nature is achieved.  (Lion doesn’t know what Recession means but Nature knows it all). Similarly, we can see harmony in nature with some tribals who do not believe in hunting today for tomorrow’s food, they hunt or search for food only when they are required to. This keeps them physically fit and healthy throughout most of their lives. Their unselfishness, peace of mind, has no boundaries I believe. That is the order and beauty of nature.

Quality of Life:
Now, it is our turn and responsibility to reduce, control and ultimately eradicate the negative environmental practices which are mainly accountable for me to use the words Quality of Life. When I say good quality of life it does not mean to me richness in cost of living but it means richness in how well we can balance our life with nature, comfort health levels of living creatures on Earth. In my view, we can lead a better quality of life only if we experience a better environment.

We should make it mandatory that after invention of anything for that matter, we should test it for its adverse effects on nature, whether it is biodegradable/decomposable and so on. Also we should adapt and practice our Industrial Engineering and Management in an Eco friendly manner. Further, it is important to take measures to curb practices that are not suitable to nature or take remedial measures to go with the nature as far as possible in whatever fields we are in.

Otherwise, I regret to state that nature will take it to the limit and ultimately takes its own course, we and our future generations lose our good quality life and eventually the total pre-destruction of our planet ‘Earth’ for that we would be mainly responsible.

Government’s Stand/Role:
Also, Governments and Public organizations should encourage persons, entrepreneurs and Industrialists by honouring, and rewarding those Industries who identify and rectify their own negative environmental practices.

To be practical in future we should follow characteristics of animals or tribals to maintain harmony on our planet.Ultimately, we might even think of reversing our Technology cycle to balance and save our Planet Earth. I repeat, there is only one Earth, it is in our hands, let us join hands to save it.

You can get in touch with Mr. Nagaraj at
2293, 4th Main, Vijayanagar 2nd Stage, Bangalore, PIN-560040.
E mail: [email protected] and [email protected]
Phone: +9180 9980047576

Ref: Knowledge from electronic media, experience with nature and as professional Civil Engineering and Green Architecture Consultant, Knowledge on Green Building Concepts from the Training Programme on Indian Green Building council (IGBC).

NOTE: Images from this presentation are removed as Glazette is unable to ascertain the validity of their source.