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 & Animals Land life-enriching and beautiful impact on ALL Worker Client Neighbors Products quality satisfied served experience beauty protected enriched cultivated & preserved Air & Water Human Work Who/What is Affected? What are the Effects?

In reality: me

Some Potential Benefits In reality: Human Work Products (Buildings) Comfort Safety Stability Economic Benefit Community Beauty Comfort Safety Stability Economic Benefit Community Beauty Some Potential Drawbacks Pollution Soil Erosion Depletion of Resources Destruction of Ecosystem Economic Loss Unfair Treatment of Workers Ugliness Pollution Soil Erosion Depletion of Resources Destruction of Ecosystem Economic Loss Unfair Treatment of Workers Ugliness

Buildings in the US Water Use CO 2 Emissions Waste Output Electricity Consumption 12% 39% 60% 70%

Coal Mining for Electricity in Texas Coal Mining for Electricity in Texas

Coal Mining for Electricity in Texas Coal Mining for Electricity in Texas

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

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

Every day our work has consequences that are not beneficial to our environment. Industrial Technological Era How do we respond?

Various Perceptions of the Problem. Various Reactions & Strategies.

Husbandry vs. Consumption

2 Philosophies of Land Use A. 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. undeveloped = part of the natural life of the earth. Therefore, it is already inherently good. 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 Points the facts 1. our needs 2. our resources 3. our beliefs and assumptions 4. 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.