This article argues for a comprehensive and holistic approach to prepare Australia’s housing for future heatwaves.  It argues that  housing, health and energy issues are all strongly linked. In extreme weather these are also linked to disaster management and emergency services.

“We are using air conditioning as a band-aid instead of identifying the cause and seriousness of the condition. Australia’s continued lack of planning to solve the problem is a risky strategy.”

It argues for better ratings and building requirements to drive smarter design and construction.

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Australia’s recent heat waves have drawn attention to keeping houses cool.  New Zealand might not have reached the same heat extremes but there have been extended hot periods on the east of both islands – it’s an issue we’ll have to face sooner or later.

This article looks at keeping cool through design, construction materials, location and occupant behaviour (should you shut the house up or open it up?)

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Check out Elon Musk’s new solar roof tiles.  This article assesses what they do, their pros and their cons.

Read more http://www.sustainablecitiescollective.com/brookenally/1298678/guide-solar-roof-tiles-next-big-thing

The head of the Resilient Design Institute has built his own house for passive survivability.

“Passive survivability is defined by the Resilient Design Institute as “ensuring that livable conditions will be maintained in a building in the event of an extended power outage or interruption of heating fuel.” It’s achieved via superb energy design”

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