Building Green Concepts

Today the planet Earth is under unprecedented pressure and strain. Many diverse factors contribute to this pressure; population growth, industrialization, and economic growth are examples. The results of these pressures are just as diverse; climate changes, including global warming, are some of the most notable and well known. The summer of 2007 saw Artic Sea Ice disappear at an alarming and unprecedented rate; prompting predictions that all Sea Ice would be gone by the summer of 2030. Many of our “renewable” resources such as fresh water, food, breathable air and raw materials used in energy production and building are becoming less available. .

No matter where you turn these days, the signs that indicate the need for a fundamental change in the way we live are all around us. Now is the time for action. We, as citizens of the planet, must change the way we live if we expect future generations to have a quality of life that is at least equal to our own.

Buildings in the United States account for 71% of electricity consumption, 36% of green house gas emissions, and 30% of raw materials used. The average American generates about 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year from personal transportation, home energy use and from the energy used to produce all of the products and services we consume.

How we construct our homes and buildings is one of the simpler changes we can make that will have a profound impact on reversing the current trend of environmental deterioration that we currently find ourselves in…“Building Green” is a term that is widely used and has many meanings, but in general there are six widely excepted components of the “Building Green” concept. These six components are;

1. Lot preparation and design
2. Material and product efficiency
3. Energy efficiency
4. Water efficiency
5. Indoor environmental quality
6. Operation and maintenance

There are a number of formal programs currently in place on both a national and local level. These programs offer many benefits such as specific guidelines for building methods and products and third party verification of these methods and products. The use of formal guidelines and programs for Building Green can be extremely beneficial; validating the procedures and products used and documenting the fact that the building was constructed using accepted “Green” techniques and products.

What ever your definition of “Green Building” may be…these facts, combined with the need to provide a healthier interior environment for ourselves and our children presents our generation with the responsibility and the opportunity to make a difference.

For additional information on “Building Green” Programs please see our "Services Page" and for more on Green Spirit Construction’s philosophy see the "Our Company" Page. More about the changes we can make in our lives can be found on the "Building Resources" Page.