Why Green Building?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), buildings in the United States consume more than 30% of the country’s total energy and 60% of the electricity annually. 5 billion gallons of potable water are used to flush toilets daily. A typical North American commercial construction project generates as much as 2.5 pounds of solid waste per square foot of floor space. Buildings are a major source of the pollutants that cause outdoor and indoor air quality problems and contribute to climate change. Green building practices can substantially reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with these buildings.
