&

So dependent on fossil fuels…

•Greenhouse gases are released (Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrogen, Sulfer Dioxide)

•Automobiles

•Factories

•Construction

•Toooooo many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

•Greenhouse effect---- heats Earth at a rate that negatively impacts the world

Amount of greenhouse gases in the

atmosphere has risen 14% from 1960 to

1990.

More and longer droughts have

occured

Hotter summers

Climate in the Northern

Hemisphere has risen .5

degrees Celsius

between 1880 and 1940

• Evidence of global warming

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.vision.ee.ethz.ch/~pmueller/wiki/uploads/CityEngine/pictures/misc/industrial_city.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.vision.ee.ethz.ch/~pmueller/wiki/CityEngine/MiscCities&usg=__URevcirKtfgOPzHF0HhyBUZL9yc=&h=450&w=720&sz=72&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=XXil_aSRlhTLAM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dindustrial%2Bcity%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

A green building is a structure that is energy efficient and has as little harmful impact to the environment as possible.

In the United States alone, buildings account for: •    72% of electricity consumption,•    39% of energy use,•    38% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions,•    40% of raw materials use,•    30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), and•    14% of potable water consumption.

Benefits of Green Building

Environmental benefits: Enhance and protect ecosystems and

biodiversity Improve air and water quality

Reduce solid waste Conserve natural resources

Economic benefits: Reduce operating costs

Improve employee productivity and satisfaction

Health and community benefits: Improve air, thermal, and acoustic

environments Enhance occupant comfort and health Minimize strain on local infrastructure

Contribute to overall quality of life

WOW! Look how cool your house can be!!!!!

Goffman, Ethan. “Green Building: Conserving the Human Habitat.” October 2006. 18 February 2009.

<http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/green/review.php>.

Dick, Gregory. “Green Building.” California Integrated Waste Management. 2007. 18 February 2009. <http://www.cwmb.ca.gov>.

"Green Homes.“ United States Green Building Council. 2008. 17 February 2009. <http://www.usgbc.org>.