Anticipated Contributions of Modern Building Materials to Sustainability: Climate Change Scenario in Hot and Humid Regions of Nigeria

It is obvious that the generation of carbon dioxide and methane from man’s activities has begun to change the climate. Man’s activities within the built environment causes ripple effects of deforestation, desertification, loss of biodiversity, global warming, ozone layer depletion and climate change with attendant negative impacts on the built environment. This phenomenon can no longer be ignored in any responsible society. This paper discusses the meaning, history, evidences of climate change together with environmental impact of climate change on the built environment. Case studies of innovative building materials and technology effectively utilised on selected buildings in managing the problems of climate change were carefully investigated. Also, the study unfolds appropriate responses of these materials to the challenges of climate change in the studied area. Examples of such buildings that demonstrated the intelligent use of these materials were documented. The paper concluded by recommending continuous regular training of professionals and maximisation of contributions of building materials in projects designs and execution towards achieving sustainability in the built environment in this era of prevalent climatic changes.