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Why Build Green?
Environmental damage also results from the land
filling and improper disposal of construction and demolition waste
materials. Further harm is caused
through the production and delivery of energy and water to supply
buildings.
The
recognition that buildings can have such a serious impact on the natural
environment and on our own health has led to the green building movement.
Many of the movement’s new ideas have come from the building industry
itself, as designers, builders and manufacturers have developed better
ways of building. Local
government is also playing an important role, as communities around the
country develop programs to encourage building green and promote
sustainable development. As part of preparing local policies and programs,
these communities have developed their own local definitions of green
building. Many of the definitions include references to global, “big
picture” environmental concerns; others focus on more specific local
environmental issues such as energy and water use, and to the need for
waste reduction. Many definitions also include references to minimizing
possible negative health impacts on the occupants of buildings. While
the local priorities around the country may vary, all the programs have
some basic themes in common. Underlying them all is a concern to minimize
negative impacts on the environment and on human health that may result
from the construction and operation of buildings. Text-Only Sidebar / City of Berkeley Home / Departments / Housing Department Home / Energy and Sustainable Development
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Harmful
human health impacts can result from poor air quality inside buildings,
often the result of emissions from construction materials like glues,
paints and other finishes. Poor maintenance and the use of certain
cleaning materials can also cause air quality difficulties. Poorly
designed and maintained lighting systems can result in glare and flicker
that may cause vision problems. Most of people now spend more than 80% of
their lives living, working and sleeping inside buildings, so people have
more exposure to these problems than in the past.