Helpful Links

• In our opinion, Environmental Building News is the premier publication for sustainable design and construction. So rather than try to reinvent the wheel here, we suggest you head straight to the masters at EBN for building materials, land use, indoor environment, energy, site and water, and general links.
  
  
• The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.  Earthly Ideas LLC has been a member since 2001.
  
  
• The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
  
  
• LEED Professional Accreditation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the integrated design and LEED certification process. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and familiarity with LEED requirements, resources, and processes. Michelle Reott earned this professional credential in 2001 and is one of the first 400 LEED APs.
  
  
• Check out the USGBC - Colorado Chapter to learn about its vision of promoting responsibility for Colorado's environmental legacy. Chapter members are striving to energetically communicate their knowledge, practices and values with others and boldly question processes, methods, and products towards sustaining solutions. Michelle Reott has been a member since 2004.
  
  
• To learn about saving energy, reducing waste, and a whole lot more "Colorado style," visit the Governor's Energy Office.
  
  
• Built Green Colorado brought to you by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver is the largest residential green building program in the nation.
  
  
• And not to forget the oldest green building program in the United States, visit Austin (Texas, that is) Energy's Green Building Program for information on residential, commercial, and multi-family green building.
  
  
• For environmental information related to the southwest Colorado area, visit the Environmental Center of Fort Lewis College, which is a resource for social and ecological awareness, dialogue, and activism in the college, community, and surrounding region.
  
  
• Think Globally, Act Locally! Rapidly accelerating climate change (global warming), which is caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is now fueling dangerous regional and global environmental events. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration illustrates that buildings are responsible for almost half (48%) of all GHG emissions annually. Seventy-six percent of all electricity generated by U.S. power plants goes to supply the “Building Sector.” Therefore, immediate action in the Building Sector is essential if we are to avoid hazardous climate change. Visit Architecture 2030 to learn about its 2030 °Challenge to the global architecture and building community.