Green Building: The Basics

By: Trev Verte

Given the fact we have been driving functional automobiles for only a little over 100 years, the last century has undoubtedly seen a major advancement in human life. That being said, such a rush of prosperity has come with drawbacks.

Beginning with the industrial revolution, we started to consume massive amounts of natural resources. A byproduct of such consumption, of course, is waste. The more we use, the more we produce.

Ironically, we already know about the impact of the waste we create on our lives. From the smog impacted city of Los Angeles to the toxic rivers in the east, we have seen and at least partially dealt with the problems arising from the waste produced by our society.

Looking around us today, smog seems a rather small problem. Our world is getting hotter. With this will come changes. Weather will become more severe, and water is forecast to become scarce.

In the climate change debate, a key fact is often lost. There is no debate the planet is getting hotter. What is disputed is the cause of this heating up. Is this a natural phenomenon of some sort, perhaps a cyclical event or is it our waste that is the cause?

The consensus seems to be yes. So, what do we do? Well, there are no easy fixes. Many businesses, however, are beginning to consider approaches that are more environmentally friendly. Green building is one of them.

Mention the term green and one tends to get images of people hugging trees and such. In truth, this is not the case. It simply refers to a more efficient way to build and use structures from simple residences to skyscrapers like the Hearst Towers in New York City.

The idea of efficiency is carried throughout green construction. Structures are built using recyclable materials, saving natural resources. The structures themselves also recycle their moving elements such as water.

From a design perspective, green construction philosophy involves incorporating renewable energy platforms. These can include solar panels to provide electricity, strategic plant placement to filter air and the use of opening windows instead of air conditioning.

Green building is ultimately about maturity. As we come to realize our impact on the planet, we must take action to minimize the negative effects. Green building is one method for doing so.

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