Green building practices are more important now than ever due to climate change, natural resource depletion, rising energy costs, pollution and its impacts on health, and overall reduced quality of life. For example:

• The U.S. has only 4.5% of the world’s population but contributes 25% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions – World Resources Institute
• Buildings in the U.S. account for 70% of its total electricity consumption – U.S. Department of Energy
• Buildings in the U.S. consume 15 trillion gallons of water per year – U.S. Geological Service
• Most Americans spend over 90% of their time indoors, but indoor air pollutants are generally two to five times higher than outside air - EPA
• The prevalence of asthma has doubled since 1976 - EPA
• The average U.S. household loses $150 worth of energy in the form of heated or cooled air escaping through holes and cracks every year – American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
• For every $1 reduction in annual utility costs resulting from energy efficiency retrofits, the market value of a home increases by $10-$25 - Appraisal Journal
• 10 million Americans drive more than an hour to work, 50 percent more than in 1990 - The Preservation Institute

Green buildings are sited, designed, constructed, and operated to enhance the well-being of their occupants and support a healthy community and natural environment. They are instrumental in helping society achieve the “triple bottom line” goal of economic, environmental, and social success.

Market growth

The Wall Street Journal recently named green building one of the top 10 trends in architecture. According to a study by the U.S. Green Building Council, the annual market for green building products and services grew 34% from 2003 to 2004, and research led by the Green Building Alliance indicates that “the green building products market will be worth $30-$40 billion annually by 2010” using conservative projections.

Green building is the construction standard for the future and the smart solution for today. No matter where you fit into the market, green building offers numerous benefits for:

• Public agencies
• Builders & developers
• Building professionals
• Affordable housing advocates
• Real estate professionals
• Suppliers
• Homeowners & homebuyers