The Environmental Impact of Buildings: An Inconvenient Truth
Architecture is ideally positioned to significantly impact efforts toward sustainable living. Climate change, waste production, resource depletion, and unhealthy environments are all problems we must tackle. It is widely acknowledged that global warming is on the rise, yet few people know that buildings are responsible for 48 percent of all CO2 emissions annually. Similarly, the construction of buildings generates one of the single largest percentages of landfill refuse. And few other industries rely so heavily on products derived from widespread deforestation and the use of harmful chemicals. As public awareness grows, so do the options architects have to combat these problems. But there are some basic strategies that can be implemented to effectively judge what solutions can best help address issues such as energy efficiency, water management and planning, waste reduction, and resource stewardship. Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize the relationship between the built environment and the natural environment. 2. Identify key issues architects must address in order to think sustainably. 3. Explore a framework for vetting products, methods, practices and strategies that contribute to sustainable design and an overall green approach.
- Presenting
- Kevin Foster O’Donnell, AIA, Director of WD Ecologic, WD Partners
- Channel
- Architecture, Construction and Engineering
- Date
- Apr 22 2009
- Duration
- 2705
- Tags
- Green Building, Green, Architecture
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