Climate change solution in Thailand - 10th September 2021

Thai people are suffering because of high temperatures. They prefer to stay inside where they can stay cool. Air conditioning is the only way to reduce the temperature, but it has a negative impact on the environment. This is because carbon dioxide is produced.

Kotchakorn Voraakhom designs buildings and has tried to add more green spaces to cities, particularly roofs. Voraakhom explains why city planners should consider having more green roofs.

Kotchakorn Voraakhom: "Think about all the wasted space, millions of square meters of wasted rooftops is actually part of our problems can turn into the solution; like this green roof. "

Voraakhom has shared her ideas with a university in Bangkok. Its green roof, which allows students and staff to produce their own food, has a rice field type water system that goes into a lake. The design also protects against flooding and reduces the need for air conditioning. Voraakhom explains.

Kotchakorn Voraakhom: "Green roofs can protect the use of the energy in the building because you reduce heat that is coming into the building but you also reflect heat outside into the environment. So actually it benefits both ways.

A shocking report has been produced by a group of scientists on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). They are warning of a climate disaster. Voraakhom wants more people to contribute to solutions.

Kotchakorn Voraakhom: "I think humans have to adapt rather than thinking about over-consuming to fix the problem. We can fix your own problem but it actually creates a bigger global problem. So I just feel like it's time for us to really change our lifestyle."