Redefining Green Building

Posted on November 11, 2009 by Rich Cartlidge

We are all well aware there is an ongoing identity crisis in the green building world. What does it mean to be green? Does it require certification? How will it perform? Blah blah blah. Well today a report (PDF) prepared by the USGBC and Booz Allen Hamilton completely redefined how many will think of green building! All too often when speaking about green buildings and economics we focus on the additional cost to the developer and the environmental benefits rather than the benefits to the overall economy. This study provides some staggering statistics which we here at GBET believe will change the way you think of green....can you say show me the money? According to the study from 2009-2013 green building will:

 

  • Support 7.9 Million jobs
  • Pump 554 Billion dollars into the economy
  • Provide 396 Billion dollars in wages
  • Contribution to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)
    • 2000-2008: $173 billion
    •  2009-2013 forecast: $554 billion
  •  Jobs created or saved (includes direct, indirect and induced jobs)
    • 2000-2008: 2.4 million
    • 2009-2013 forecast: 7.9 million
  • Wages
    • 2000-2008: $123 billion
    • 2009-2013 forecast: $396 billion
  • Energy savings
    • 2000-2008: $1.3 billion saved
    • 2009-2013 forecast: $6 billion saved

 

 

 

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Comments (1) Read through and enter the discussion with the form at the end
Christopher G. Hill - November 12, 2009 8:49 AM

Thanks for pointing out the good stuff in green building. It helps keep us skeptics from going off the cliff!

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