If you google search the term “embodied energy” will find references to the embodied energy of buildings.
Yes, eco-architects are on to it. Buildings have life cycles and the energy involved in the extraction, transport, manufacture, assembly and end-of-life phases adds up. All this energy becomes “embodied” in a product.
So when we engage in discussions of our renewable energy future we can say much more about it than what energy source we will use. Mostly the discussion is about moving to renewable energy sources from fossil fuels. Continue reading “A Successful New Zealand’s Zero Carbon Act will mean declining economic growth”