| "Green Building" is a broad term used to describe | | | | projects being built: |
| the design and construction of sustainable and | | | | - Increased demand for green products has lead |
| environmentally conscious buildings. | | | | to long lead times |
| The driving force behind this is to lower our | | | | - New and unspecified materials are labeled |
| negative impact on the environment and, at the | | | | “green” products which are not |
| same time, make the buildings we live and work | | | | necessarily certified |
| in safer and healthier for us. | | | | - Building officials are struggling with a steep |
| According to the United States Green Building | | | | learning curve on how to evaluate these new |
| Council (USGBC) statistics,`buildings are responsible | | | | products and sustainable building techniques |
| for all of the following: | | | | Despite these difficulties, the USGBC, sustainability |
| - 39% of US carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions | | | | advocates, and green building construction |
| - 70% of US electricity consumption | | | | management firms are meeting to overcome |
| - 15 trillion gallons of water consumption | | | | these challenges. |
| Even though there is still some controversy over | | | | The LEED® process is constantly under review |
| the effect of greenhouse gases on the | | | | and continues to adopt the latest codes and |
| environment, the last two statistics are very | | | | products. This includes Standard 189, a new |
| important for those of us living in urban areas | | | | minimum standard for green building. The USGBC |
| experiencing continuous growth, especially the | | | | is currently developing LEED® 3.0 and working |
| American Southwest. With our population | | | | with national code writers to include new products |
| expansion, aging water and electrical | | | | and techniques. |
| infrastructure, and shrinking landfills, designing and | | | | The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has |
| constructing green and sustainable buildings makes | | | | even rolled out a new initiative called "Sustainability |
| practical sense from a utilitarian perspective. | | | | 2030," which at its roots, is looking to design all |
| In fact, USGBC data shows that green buildings | | | | buildings by the year 2030 as carbon neutral. The |
| use 36% less energy, require fewer raw | | | | USGBC has even initiated the Green Advantage |
| materials, and divert less waste to our landfills. | | | | Builders Certification for contractors to certify |
| Furthermore, the "increased" cost of green | | | | their knowledge in green buildingtechniques. |
| building is only one or two percent more | | | | So what does green building mean at the end of |
| expensive than a conventional building. This minute | | | | the day? It's simple yet profound: Do the right |
| difference exemplifies the tangible and long-term | | | | thing for you, the environment, and the next |
| benefits of sustainable design, primarily due to the | | | | generation. While most companies are concerned |
| fact that green buildings conserve water and | | | | with their bottom line, they ought to embrace the |
| electricity. Thus, while they are more expensive | | | | idea that energy and water conservation, green |
| to build, green structures will save money by | | | | building, and the use of "green materials" in |
| conserving more energy over time. | | | | construction stands to increase their savings over |
| Another push towards the green build movement | | | | time while positioning them as a leader in |
| is by local governments. More and more | | | | environmental stewardship. |
| municipalitiesare adopting the USGBC LEED® | | | | According to the USGBC, we spend 90% of our |
| (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) | | | | time indoors. Due to this fact, scientists have |
| guidelines for newand renovated buildings. In 2006, | | | | identified an increase in allergies, asthma, |
| at the USGBC Greenbuild expo, the Mayor of | | | | absenteeism from school, and even work. There |
| Denver challenged other major cities to see who | | | | have been numerous studies done on post |
| can have the most LEED® certified green | | | | occupancy productivity levels, which have |
| buildings. They are accomplishing this by offering | | | | increased within "green" built facilities. Not only |
| tax breaks to private corporations and mandating | | | | doesgreen adaptation result in less sick days |
| sustainable construction for city-financed projects. | | | | taken, but also shows an increase in productivity, |
| This has led to a dramatic increase in the number | | | | jobsatisfaction, and in the case of schools, better |
| of sustainable projects built by LEED® Certified | | | | grades. |
| general contractors. However, this growth has not | | | | So, as we positively affect the environment |
| come without challenges. Currently, the following | | | | around us with sustainable green construction, we |
| issues are restricting the number of green | | | | eventually create better health for ourselves. |