It never ceases to amaze when, instead of treating the real core issue of global warming and green house gas effects on our continent, there are always experts at hand to shift blame. Experts have now come up with new figures that show that 50% of all energy produced in developing country is used in urban building “consuming more energy than the transport or the industrial sectors. They add that the buildings contribute 38% of global green house gases ( and here by the way, we are talking about DEVELOPING countries) It is difficult to comprehend how countries with no big energy consuming and polluting industries, where there air is still breathable without gas masks are most responsible for the climate time bomb. But if that is the case, then something needs to be done, as suggested by the Rwanda Housing Authority, to build more energy efficient buildings. But it seems most building designers do not take into account the environment, climate circles and patterns. It is not uncommon to see residential buildings that have extremely slopping roofs more suitable to deal with heavy snowfall in a country that has no snow. But that could be addressed if Rwanda association of Architects invested more in skills development so that we no longer see buildings with poor lighting that one has to switch on the lights in the middle of the day. Not taking advantage of our surroundings is our most serious setback in building energy efficient buildings, and that is not complicated at all, it just needs mindset change.
