What is a Green Building?

Builder A

Different Interpretations:

meets legal requirements

+Energy Efficient,Healthy & Safe

Builder B

+Durable,

Water Efficient

Builder C

+Environmentally

Responsive,Sustainable Community

Builder D

~or~Includes one

marketable “green” feature

Builder E

Our Definition:

A Green Building is…a building that has a life-enriching and beautiful impact on all parties involved.

In an ideal world:

Plants & AnimalsLandlife-enriching and

beautiful impact on ALL

Worker Client

Neighbors

Productsquality

satisfiedserved

experience beauty

protected

enriched

cultivated & preserved

Air & Water

Human Work

Who/What is Affected?What are the Effects?

In reality:

me

SomePotential Benefits

In reality:

Human Work Products(Buildings)

ComfortSafety

StabilityEconomic Benefit

CommunityBeauty

ComfortSafety

StabilityEconomic Benefit

CommunityBeauty

SomePotential

Drawbacks

PollutionSoil Erosion

Depletion of ResourcesDestruction of Ecosystem

Economic LossUnfair Treatment of Workers

Ugliness

PollutionSoil Erosion

Depletion of ResourcesDestruction of Ecosystem

Economic LossUnfair Treatment of Workers

Ugliness

Buildings in the US

WaterUse

CO2

Emissions WasteOutput

ElectricityConsumption

12%

39%

60% 70%

Coal Mining for Electricity in TexasCoal Mining for Electricity in Texas

Coal Mining for Electricity in TexasCoal Mining for Electricity in Texas

Coal Mining for Electricity in the AppalachiansCoal Mining for Electricity in the Appalachians

Coal Mining for Electricity in the AppalachiansCoal Mining for Electricity in the Appalachians

Every day our work has consequences that are not beneficial to our environment.

IndustrialTechnologicalEra

How do we respond?

Various Perceptions of the Problem.

Various Reactions & Strategies.

Husbandryvs.

Consumption

2 Philosophies of Land UseA. Husbandry• this land is entrusted to me as if

on loan.• to use for the benefit of current

& future inhabitants & neighbors.• we have the responsibility to

preserve this land in production.

A.undeveloped = part of the natural life of the earth. Therefore, it is already inherently good.

B.governing standard = fertility

B. Consumption• this land is mine.

• whatever is profitable to me and my immediate loved ones is good.• I have the right to use this land

up to depletion; and then move on to consume elsewhere.• undeveloped = blank slate.

Therefore, if unused, it is being wasted.• governing standard = profit

honest, healthy response:all we can do is our best, given

the current conditions.

But, in order to set goals for moving forward that are shared and within reach,

we need to understand what the current conditions really are; and what really is the best we can do.

So, we need to talk about…

Discussion Points1. the facts 2. our needs

3. our resources4. our beliefs and assumptions

5. potential ways to do things better

What are some contexts for that conversation?

• The LEED System• Austin Energy Green

Building Program• meetings like this one

thank you for your time. Happy Arguing.