Resources

The Big PictureDevelopment and construction projects are often destructive to local ecology. For example, stormwater runoff from developed areas can impact water quality in receiving waters, hinder navigation and recreation, and disrupt aquatic life. Site clearing and earth moving during construction often results in significant erosion problems because adequate environmental protection strategies are not employed. In addition, development activities may encroach on productive agricultural land areas and open space. Read More

The Big PictureBecause large buildings consume enormous amounts of energy and other natural resources, there's growing interest in increasing efficiency in commercial facilities. By improving and streamlining day-to-day building operations, facility managers can create and maintain better work environments while netting big financial dividends for their company. Read More

New technologies are continually introduced to the marketplace and up-to-date scientific research influences building design strategies. Read More

As water use and allocation becomes a topic of growing concern around the world, companies will be required to pay greater scrutiny to the ways water is used within their operations. Read More

The Big PictureAccording to U.S. Government data, buildings account 60% of the raw materials used in the U.S., and 40% of non-industrial solid waste. Unlike some industries, in which there is a move toward dematerialization, the building industry will always need materials. So the question becomes: what are the best materials and products to use? To address this question one has to consider the overall life cycle of the materials and of the facility and building site as a whole. Read More

Increasingly, land developers are recognizing the long-term financial benefits of selecting sustainable sites for their projects. Read More

Integrated design strategies among architects and roofing contractors generate success in green building. By Michelle Clark Hucal Read More

The Big PictureBuildings produce roughly a third of carbon dioxide emissions and other emissions that harm air quality. Additionally, buildings generate waste during construction and operation; can have poor indoor air quality, affecting worker health; and often don't consider the impact made on the community through increased transportation, sprawl, and cultural and historical impact. Read More

The Big PictureEnergy prices and atmospheric temperatures are rising—putting energy efficiency on everyone’s front burner as a smart environmental and business practice. Reducing energy consumption—particularly from nonrenewable sources—will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operating, manufacturing, and consumption costs. Read More

As energy prices and atmospheric temperatures continue to rise, energy efficiency techniques and green building practices such as daylighting can help reduce operating and consumption costs -- and slash greenhouse gas emissions as well. Read More