Whether you’re in the smog-filled streets of Los Angeles or the oil rigs of Texas, people no matter what age or geographic location, dream of living in “green spaces.” Living healthy does not take strict dieting or excessive exercise, just the right place to live. This is why eco-friendly spaces and green building practices are ideal for people who care about quality living.
The poor building quality issue is not just one about climate change — it’s a matter of health. Buildings account for a huge amount of land, water and energy usage and emit large amounts of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide and produce raw building materials which can cause solid waste management problems as well as global climate change. Green building practices tend to decrease the environmental impact of large-scale buildings.
A green building is the result of a design that focuses on conserving energy and has limited impacts on our health and the environment during the structure’s life cycle. Well-designed buildings decrease the waste generated by the occupants as well as offering on-site solutions such as compost bins to reduce matter going to landfills. Green building practices avoid the usual construction pitfalls and provide residents with good, healthy indoor environments. The innovations of green building and “inside-building” are steadily increasing day by day.
Earlier this month, two glitzy new office projects — one a New York high-rise and the other a corporate headquarters near Philadelphia — have earned the government’s “energy star” label for energy-efficient design. These buildings are superior examples of green building. They are organic buildings with natural materials, natural ventilation and light and interior gardens with small waterfalls.
With such a surge of environmentally friendly buildings being constructed, it amazes me that people are still ignorant about green building. Why is green building not discussed and used more often? The answer lies in the fears and assumptions made over time by decision-makers in the building industry. A recent investigation by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development found that green expenses are overestimated by 300 percent. Some property holders don’t take the time to research the benefits of green building, and many lack the knowledge and experience in construction and depend too much on older technologies and regulations, without regard to quality, which it often lacks.
Apparently, it doesn’t matter to the holders that green buildings produce far better benefits in health, well-being and productivity (thanks to day-lighting). Resource consumption is minimized, construction waste is low, resource re-use is maximized and the natural environment is better protected. One may be surprised by the healthier lifestyle that comes from green building. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, reducing the amount of natural resources buildings consume and the amount of pollution caused is crucial for future sustainability.
The recent economic recession provided the ideal stage for a “green” trend that has moved sharply over the last two years and prompted people to change their costly, luxury lives in exchange for adapting a cost-friendly lifestyle.
Not only is this green shift cost effective for average Americans but it is also in the best interests of landlords and developers looking to cut energy costs or increase the market of their properties. McGraw Hill Construction stated in a press release in November 2008 that the value of green construction could triple in the next five years to nearly $150 billion, despite the recession of the present economy.
The new concept of “green lease” has also come onto the scene. A green lease allows tenants and landlords to share the benefits of energy saving.
The nation’s first green building code was adopted in the summer of 2008 by California, a move that could set an important precedent for similar codes being considered in the country and around the world.
The insurance companies are also serious regarding green building. These companies include, Liberty Mutual and the AIG as the major players. With all these benefits and efforts, one can certainly sense the promising environmental future of green building.
— Kaushik Shandilya is a guest columnist and a graduate student majoring in environmental engineering.
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