Green Building and Sustainability 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 BuildingGreen, Inc. for building materials, land use, indoor environment, energy, site and water, and general links.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Since 1982, Green America (formerly known as Co-op America) has been working to harness economic power – the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace – to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. Earthly Ideas has been a member of its Green Business Network™ since 1999.
  
  
• The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC committed to prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. It welcomes any organization that shares its goal of a more sustainable built environment. Earthly Ideas LLC has been a member since 2001.
  
  
• USGBC’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program is an internationally-recognized green building certification system. It provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
  
  
• LEED Professional Credentials demonstrate current knowledge of green building technologies, best practices, and the rapidly evolving LEED Rating Systems. The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) provides third party administration and verification of the LEED Professional Credentials through its credentialing program. Michelle Reott earned the LEED AP BD+C (LEED AP Building Design & Construction) credential in 2009. Prior to the development of GBCI in 2008, USGBC managed LEED Professional Accreditation. Michelle Reott earned this professional credential in 2001 and was one of the first 400 original LEED APs.
  
  
• Check out the USGBC Colorado Chapter to learn about its vision of promoting responsibility for Colorado’s environmental legacy. Its mission is to advance and promote sustainable planning, design, construction and operation of the built environment through education, improving industry guidelines, policy, advocacy, and information and resource sharing. Michelle Reott has been a member since 2004.
  
  
• To learn about advancing sustainable economic development opportunities “Colorado style,” visit the Governor’s Energy Office.
  
  
• For environmental information related to the southwest Colorado area, visit the Environmental Center of Fort Lewis College, which strives to strengthen students’ commitment to a socially and ecologically-responsible world by connecting them with opportunities to create change on campus and in the community.
  
  
• The City of Austin created the nation’s first green building program in 1990. Austin Energy’s Green Building program is the nation’s most successful sustainable building program and has programs for residential, commercial, and multi-family green building.