The Use of Wood in Ecological Architecture: Impacts on Environment and Economy
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Authors
Curry, Joshua
Issue Date
2007
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
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Abstract
In our search to end global warming, the forests of earth remain an important resource
to understand. If we are to exploit them at an optimum level then we will need to cut
them down at the same rate we grow them back. Since trees can be renewed within our
lifetime properly exploiting our forests could provide a good example towards long-term
strategies for protecting all the resources of earth. Although the majority of earth's forests
are being rapidly cut down, especially in many underdeveloped or developing countries,
reevaluating our current process for obtaining wood and properly and efficiently
exploiting these resources could drastically improve our effect on global warming.
Trees provide many benefits to society as well as the individual. In the construction of
individual houses, in particular, wood provides an efficient and aesthetic structure, and
also requires much less energy to produce and transport than many other materials. Wood
allows for better insulation leading to lower heating bills in the future and wood used in
the structure of houses can be fairly resistant to fire. Along with having the capability to
process C02 into oxygen, trees are also able to keep the C02 inside of them when they
are cut down, thus allowing us to use the trees in our houses as storage sites for C02.
The majority of these benefits provided by the proper exploitation of our forests cannot
be quantified in monetary terms and are therefore often not taken into consideration.
Also, since the cost to utilize wood is higher than other materials, many people do not
recognize the long-term benefits. Cost-Benefit Analysis is the best available method to
calculate the effects of exploiting the forests for building, as this paper will demonstrate.
Description
iii, 68 p.
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U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.