The buildings in which we live, work, and play protect us from
Nature's extremes, yet they also affect our health and environment
in countless ways. The design, construction, operation, maintenance,
and removal of buildings takes enormous amounts of energy, water,
and materials, and generates large quantities of waste, air and
water pollution, as well as creating stormwater runoff and heat
islands. Buildings also develop their own indoor environments, which present
an array of health challenges. Where and how they are built affects wildlife
habitat and corridors and the hydrologic cycle, while influencing the overall
quality of human life.
As the environmental impact of buildings becomes more apparent,
a new field called green building is gaining momentum.
Green or sustainable building is the practice of creating healthier
and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation,
operation, maintenance, and demolition. Research and experience
increasingly demonstrate that when buildings are designed and operated
with their lifecycle impacts in mind, they can provide great environmental,
economic, and social benefits.
Why Build Green?
In the United States,
buildings account for:
39 % of total energy use
12 % of the total water consumption
68 % of total electricity consumption
38 % of the carbon dioxide emissions
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Roy Lee Walker Elementary School, McKinney, Texas, incorporates a number of energy efficient and renewable design features to help lower energy bills, including daylighting, rainwater collection, solar water heating, wind energy, and high efficiency lighting |
The built environment has a vast impact on the environment, human health, and the economy. By adopting green building strategies, we can maximize both economic and environmental performance. Green construction methods can be integrated into buildings at any stage, from design and construction, to renovation and deconstruction. However, the most significant benefits can be obtained if the design and construction team takes an integrated approach from the earliest stages of a building project. Potential benefits of green building can include:
Environmental benefits
- Improve air and water quality
- Reduce waste streams
- Conserve and restore natural resources
Economic
benefits
- Reduce operating costs
- Improve occupant productivity
- Optimize life-cycle economic performance
Social
benefits
- Enhance occupant comfort and health
- Minimize strain on local infrastructure
- Improve overall quality of life
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