Why Build Green?
Helping the environment with solar-powered heat and
bamboo roofs
by Liz Olson
Pollution's devastating effects on the environment have become
more obvious in recent years, sparking a movement to promote energy
efficiency, less reliance on fossil fuels,
and a reduction in air and water pollution. Most scientists agree that such
changes are necessary to protect our environment from further
harm.
The construction industry consumes a large quantity of energy
and resources and creates a huge amount of pollution. In the United States, building and development account for 39%
of the country's total energy use, 12% of total water consumption, 68% of
total electricity consumption, and 38% of carbon dioxide emissions,
according to the Environment Protection Agency.
Benefits of building
green
Green buildings use less energy, water, create less waste, and
are healthier to live, work, or go to school in than standard buildings.
Contractors of green buildings incorporate techniques that use resources
more efficiently during the entire building cycle—construction,
renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition—than builders of
conventional structures.
The environmental benefits of building green
include the protection of ecosystems and
biodiversity, improved air and water quality, less waste flowing into
streams, and the conservation of natural resources. Green buildings can also
result in lower operating costs because they typically use less energy and
materials and improved indoor air quality, which improves the health of
occupants.
How to build green
The process of building green
includes technical and aesthetic planning with nature conservation in mind.
Building designs often reflect the surrounding environment and natural
resources and utilize renewable building materials such as bamboo and straw. In addition, recycled
resources found locally are used for green buildings, diminishing the cost
and air pollution associated with transporting materials long
distances.
Careful site selection is important to minimize human
impact on the surrounding environment. For example, placing a structure in
an area that allows it to take advantage of cool breezes and sunlight can
reduce energy use and expenses. More energy and expense are needed for
larger buildings as well, so it is important to build small.
Green
roofs are another feature of green houses that reduce energy use and cost.
These roofs are partially or completely covered with vegetation, which helps minimize heating and
cooling costs, prevent storm-water runoff, and filter
pollutants.
Other features of green buildings often include energy and
water conservation, recycling, and waste reduction. In addition, renewable
energy sources such as solar power, hydropower, and wind power are used for heat
and electricity, which significantly reduces costs and decreases the impact
on the environment.
A National Effort
Currently, 25 cities in
the United States are working to develop a sustainable city infrastructure
that encourages the use of solar energy by both residents and businesses.
Benefits of solar energy include obtaining power from secure domestic
sources, sustainable urban development, progress toward meeting greenhouse
gas emission reduction goals, and new economic opportunity. On March 28,
2008, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it will give up to $2.4 million to the following 12 U.S.
cities for solar energy advancement.
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Austin, TX
- Berkeley, CA
- Boston, MA
- Madison, WI
- New Orleans,
LA
- New York City, NY
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Tucson, AZ
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