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Sunday, March 29, 2009
Is There a Climate Change Tipping Point? Green Buildings May Provide an Answer
In today’s New York Times, there is a good review article on the debate among climate scientists, about the probability of a climate change tipping point. “Whether the probability is high, medium, or low, I think the response is the same: climate cannot be stabilized without an energy technology revolution,” said Christopher Green, an economist at McGill University in Montreal . “One way or the other, we just need to get busy.” Society in general doesn’t respond well to emergencies, except to rescue and comfort survivors from infrequent natural disasters. But we do need to get busy. That’s why I find it so strange that architects and engineers are so resistant to setting absurdly high goals for energy efficiency in new buildings. Even a 50 percent reduction in current levels of building energy use can be done without sacrificing comfort or health, so why don’t most projects at least aim that high? It’s really because no one wants to leave their (current) comfort zone and try new things. I think the future of building design will belong to the bold, not the timid, so most of my work is aimed at trying to encourage people to set bold “stretch” goals for each new project.
Posted by Jerry on 03/29/2009 at 07:18 AM
This entry has been viewed 224 times.
Green Building News • (0) Comments • PermalinkSunday, March 22, 2009
What Do They Know (about Sustainable Design) That We Don’t (and Should)?
Check out my latest article on this subject in the March issue of Building Design and Construction magazine. Although North American green building practices and technology have come a long way in the past 15 years, it’s my opinion, based on my research in Western Europe and the United Kingdom for my forthcoming book, Green Building Trends: Europe, that Western European architects, engineers, and builders are ahead of us in the widespread use of passive design techniques, integrating solar power into building design, and producing low-energy buildings.
Posted by Jerry on 03/22/2009 at 02:29 PM
This entry has been viewed 220 times.
Green Building News • (0) Comments • PermalinkWednesday, March 11, 2009
How Will Green Building Fare During the Great Recession?
The press release outlines more detail on these projects. We’re likely to see government projects continue to aim at LEED certification. A recent report showed more than 2,000 LEED registered Federal government projects, with more than 150 certified, representing about 10 to 12 percent of all registered projects and about 7 percent of all certified projects. Federal use of the LEED system has accelerated in the past three years. It’s the same in the commercial construction arena. My research indicates there are more than 17,000 green building projects worth an average of $15 million now moving forward in the U.S. One reason is that green is now a key differentiator. Take the new Bank of America Tower opening this year in New York City. It’s expected to be certified LEED Platinum. It’s got two million square feet of space, cost almost $1 billion, and it’s met the highest standards for both environmental construction and commercial development. That indicates you can go green with any type of building.
Posted by Jerry on 03/11/2009 at 08:36 AM
This entry has been viewed 235 times.
Green Building News • (0) Comments • PermalinkSaturday, January 31, 2009
European Green Buildings Have a Lot to Teach Us
Today’s Portland Oregonian newspaper carries a story that reflects my views on European green buildings, things that I learned in preparing my latest book, Green Building Trends: Europe for Island Press, which will be released in May or June. Answering the question, “what do they know that we don’t” (and can really use), the book is a survey of current developments in green building in Europe, especially in the two leading countries, Germany and the UK. Interested readers can pre-order the book from Island Press or Amazon.
Posted by Jerry on 01/31/2009 at 09:18 AM
This entry has been viewed 281 times.
Green Building News • (0) Comments • PermalinkPage 3 of 21 pages < 1 2 3 4 5 > Last »
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