Trend Spotting: Which Sustainable Building Trends are Worth a Closer Look?

By Kirsten Nelson-Johnson

The Earth Advantage Institute recently released its top ten trends in Green Building for 2010. While all the listed trends are great ideas, innovations, and undeniably important to the future of sustainability, it is important to recognize which ones are most easily applied and can make a lasting impact. In addition to the well-thought-out list compiled by Earth Advantage, there are even more great opportunities to remain open to in the following years. There are many shades of green, each with their own opportunities and levels of commitment.

So, let’s discuss a few of these trends and find the ones most applicable and effective in the coming years.

1. Smart Grid and Connected Home: This represents the possibility of powerful change in residential energy habits and overall energy consumption. It focuses on the concept of metering. Web-based displays can allow residents to monitor their energy use in real time. In essence it works on the concept that we conserve what we measure.

   2. Buy-In by Financial Community and Institutions: the financial community’s support for green buildings is on the rise. From a purely up-front financial standpoint, sustainable building and sustainable building practices make sense. Many financiers are leery of the increased initial outlay, but these upfront costs are decreasing everyday. As awareness about eco-conscious building grows, we are seeing more lending institutions embrace the importance of these building practices.

   3. “Rightsizing”: 80% of homeowners with formal living rooms never use those spaces. With energy and water bills on the rise, many homeowners are asking themselves if they really need that extra, unused space, or that expansive lawn to heat, cool, and water year-round. As an alternative some are putting the money saved from not adding additional square footage into amenities and details that give the home a richer feel and increased comfort, while decreasing costs and time associated with larger home upkeep.

   4. Eco-Districting: Creating and enhancing communities to become more walkable and integrated with stores, green spaces, community landmarks, etc. Portland is leading the way in this trend.

   5. Net Zero Buildings: Net zero energy buildings are a very popular and for very good reason.  They generate as much or more energy than they utilize annually. Buildings account for about 40 percent of total U.S. energy use and are responsible for about 50 percent of CO2 emissions; if this energy use is reduced or eliminated the savings would be tremendous.

   6. Energy-Efficiency/ Sustainable Building Education: Education is imperative. There is a lot of confusion around what it means to build sustainable and energy-efficient homes. Terms and practices have been green-washed to the point where those in the building industry/ residential owners have difficulty understanding the issues and their real impact. Most would want a home or office that costs less to heat and cool and that is healthier for its occupants, but it has become increasingly difficult to find the answers on how to accomplish these goals. With the slower economy, people are taking advantage of downtime to learn new skills, trades and become certified as LEED accredited professionals. Increasingly rigorous regulations, growing political support, a variety of incentives, and consumer preferences create opportunities for professionals and companies with demonstrated green building and LEED knowledge and expertise. The LEED certification and professional programs are out and growing by the minute – there is certainly no time to waste when looking into becoming LEED accredited. LEED professionals are distinguished by their breadth and depth of knowledge as well as experience in sustainable building and can facilitate a transition from just awareness to real creation, analysis and execution.

   7. Green remodeling: The greenest way? Retrofit existing buildings if possible.

   8. More “Green” building products, more questions: NextGen predicts that the global market for green building materials will grow 5 percent per year until it reaches global revenue of $571 billion in 2013. That growth will likely trigger vital innovation in green building technology, even if it does lead to products and companies just looking to cash in.  With increased consumer interest, companies won't be hamstrung by finite resources and lack of funds for research and development; new 'green' 'products will  perform better, be better designed, and produced at  lower cost to the consumer.

Building construction spending was up from $10 billion in 2005, to $36-$49 billion in 2008, and could triple by 2013, reaching $96-$140 billion ( McGraw-Hill Construction’s Green Outlook 2009: Trends Driving Change). Why not  take a closer look at what trends most apply to you?  Save money as a home-owner and increase business as a part of the building industry!

Earth Advantage Institute article: To read the full article visit: http://www.earthadvantage.com/top_ten_green_building_trends_2010.pdf

To lean more about Sustainable building education visit our website.

How the USGBC is Helping Haiti Emerge Stronger: Establishing a Sustainable Future

by Kirsten Nelson-Johnson

Since 1994, there have been five major  natural catastrophes that have hit the major population centers in Haiti. Worst of all, these disasters have only punctuated instability and long-term downward drift in the country. The earthquake on January 11^th and subsequent aftershocks have cause devastation on a massive scale. Restoration is the key. No longer will reconstruction and relief alone bring Haitians real hope of change.

In this spirit, the USGBC has pledged to help, and is in a unique position to do so. The reconstruction will encompass the rebuilding of homes, schools, government buildings, homes, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure demolished or rendered unsound due to this recent and intense seismic activity. Last spring, USGBC CEO Rick Fedrizzi traveled to Haiti with a UN Special Envoy lead by former President Bill Clinton and a small UN working group. This group has now begun developing plans that will boost the rebuilding effort and provide immediate as well as long term assistance. The USGBC will be informed by previous reconstruction efforts they have undertaken in both New Orleans and Greensberg following natural disasters, and put that knowlege to work in Haiti.

“We’re beginning to envision government buildings that are more to the scale of the community and more widely distributed throughout Haiti; housing that offers basic human comforts and connects to jobs and resources that build in an infrastructure that is sustainable; support services that are embedded in the community not apart from it.”- www.usgbc.org, January 25^th, 2010

This means creating jobs in urban centers that are less vulnerable to floods, seismic activity, and severe storms. In the past year Haiti has shown real economic potential in the areas of light manufacturing, biodiesel, agriculture, and tourism. Strategic investment in these areas in addition to infrastructure will ensure that Haitians can better help themselves after most humanitarian assistance has left. The key is going to be communication and the involvement of Haitians as well as long-standing commitments and support beyond what has been devoted to past reconstruction efforts. The Haitian government is in need of financial support to build its own capacity to partner with aid and donor groups, instead of international organizations dictating what Haiti needs most.

Currently, efforts are being made to distribute portable solar-LED lanterns, along with drinking water, food, emergency medical supplies. Addressing the issue of electricity access is just one of many technological challenges. The reconstruction must be framed to build a resilient, sustainable environment. There is a chance for long-term changes, one that will make Haiti a model of redevelopment and sustainability.

How can you help to create sustained recovery in Haiti?

• Help reforest Haiti: Help support a number of reforestation programs underway. Operation Green Leaves and Trees for the Future are two organizations to get you started.

• Help rebuild a stronger, sustainable Haiti: Help to ensure the seismic soundness and sustainability of Haiti's reconstruction. Architecture for Humanity is one organization that is going to be there for the long-haul. Another organization with a strong presence is MercyCorps. Their current efforts include hauling away debris, clearing streets, cleaning wells, and  launching a program to help comfort children suffering from trauma.

• Help ring renewable energy to Haiti and end energy poverty to places without any source of energy, renewable or otherwise. The Solar Electric Light Fund has teamed up with Partners in Health and has been working to bring solar power to health centers around Haiti. Help these and other organizations expand access to electricity.

• Help guarantee access to clean drinking water: Clean drinking water was already a scarce resource in Haiti before the earthquake. The need for improved water sanitation has only become that much more urgent because of the disaster. charity:water has begun projects in Haiti as well as Partners in Health and Concern Worldwide. The last two organizations listed are great providers of immediate assistance, but the efforts of charity:water should become increasingly effective, so keep you eye out.