What is Green
Building?
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 storm
water 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. Elements of green building include:
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
A
list of additional statistics on
buildings and the environment (PDF)
(5 pp., 66K,
About PDF)
is available.
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
- Enhance and protect
bio diversity and ecosystems
- Improve air and
water quality
- Reduce waste
streams
- Conserve and
restore natural resources
Economic
benefits
- Reduce operating
costs
- Create, expand, and
shape markets for green product and services
- Improve occupant
productivity
- Optimize life-cycle
economic performance
Social benefits
- Enhance occupant
comfort and health
- Heighten aesthetic
qualities
- Minimize strain on
local infrastructure
- Improve overall
quality of life
|
