Green Building

The Untied States consumes a huge amount of the overall resources on the planet, and at the same time, produces nearly twice the waste other developed countries do. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), there are more than 76 million residential buildings in the U.S. today and nearly 5 million commercial buildings. These buildings consume two-thirds of all electricity consumed in the country. Buildings contribute significantly to urban air pollution and the pollutants that contribute to climate change. Buildings also consume water. During the summer months, the average home uses nearly half their total water usage on lawn care. This mentality is proving to be seriously detrimental to natural resources and the environment.

It has been estimated that within the next decade, another 38 million buildings will be constructed across the nation. Sustainable land use strategies and environmental design and Green Building are positive and proactive measures that model environmental stewardship and resource conservation. Sustainable strategies are being implemented across America. Green Building is a sustainable design and construction technique that minimizes overall waste, and enhances efficiency and health of the environments and occupants. Green Building offers an alternative development practice that reduces, and in some cases, eliminates environmental impacts. Benefits of building green include:

• Resource Conservation
• Deconstruction
• Habitat Protection
• Occupant Health