Green Building Primer (A Four Part Series)

Cross-posted from my site. Enjoy.

Part 1 - Laying the groundwork.

Ask ten people their definition of “green building,” and you’re likely to get ten completely different answers. While many perspectives of green building are more personal in nature, the basic concepts remain the same.

Green Building, which has quickly become a buzzword with the media, consumers, and manufacturers of every product under the sun, seems to have reached its tipping point. What was once reserved for the “alternative hippie” crowd, or the rich upper class – has finally found its way into mainstream America. Do a Google search on “green building construction,” and you get over 39 million hits! People are interested!

This interest IMHO stems from several basic realities –
1. Global warming and environmental concern is a very hot topic.
2. Consumers are more aware of the health effects which are associated with poor indoor air and environmental quality. Through the media, personal journeys, and the stories of others; many more people are beginning to “think” about what goes into their homes and bodies.
3. Energy costs. Energy costs continue to climb, our natural resources are being quickly depleted, and big businesses are learning about the large amount of money which can be saved by reducing their energy costs. Regular consumers can reap the rewards as well.
4. Over-development of land. While development is a reality, having a conscience about the impact to that land, and how the land will be used, is becoming a necessity as open spaces dwindle.
5. Incentives. Because of all of the above, many incentives such as tax credits and positive exposure have lured people in.
6. We live in a technological era where there is a mass of information available at our fingertips. Gone are the days of pouring over stacks of books at the library… We are quickly becoming a more self-educated society.
7. It just makes sense – and cents!

As it is with everything, there is never one single “silver bullet” to undo the damage which has already been done, create an instant utopia, and not come with some trials and tribulations. But – green building is surely a step in the right direction.

To be continued...