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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The "New" Path to Green Jobs

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Rich Cartlidge

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, one of the speakers for West Coast Green, wrote an interesting article explaining how LEED, a program of the USGBC, is paving the way to green jobs and green buildings in San Francisco. While the West Coast has always been a hotbed of green building the impact that LEED has had on the economy and environment there is truly astounding. According to Newsom San Francisco currently has 40 municipal projects seeking LEED certification  in the pipeline with more to come. Among these projects are:

  • San Francisco’s Department of Public Works leads the way with 59 design professionals now LEED accredited. DPW projects include 10 libraries, two hospitals, several office buildings and two museums including the LEED Platinum California Academy of Sciences -- the largest and most-visited LEED Platinum building in the world.
  • San Francisco’s Planning Department has 21 LEED Accredited Professionals managing entitlements for both residential and commercial green buildings, now required by our building code.
  • San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission, with 15 LEED APs is creating a new headquarters building slated for LEED Platinum, and the new Tesla Water Treatment Plant is under construction targeting LEED Silver. SFPUC also manages energy retrofits in public buildings.
  • San Francisco Recreation and Parks is renovating multiple recreation centers to be LEED Silver, and the arboretum nursery in Golden Gate Park is slated for a LEED Platinum upgrade.
  • San Francisco’s Redevelopment Agency completed the first LEED Silver certified municipal project, the Plaza Apartments, for the formerly homeless with on-site supportive services.
  • San Francisco International Airport is renovating Terminal 2 to achieve a LEED Silver certification.
  • The Port of San Francisco has two LEED Gold targeted projects underway including the EcoCenter at Heron’s Head Park and the new Exploratorium Museum, plus a new cruise ship terminal is on the drawing boards.

Clearly green building is here to stay! The potential economic gains for those professionals who chose to pursue LEED certification and become the next generation of leaders in the sustainability movement are great. What are you, your firm, or your company doing to position yourself for the increase in green building to come in the years ahead?

Image: www.bilumni.com

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