Thursday, September 29, 2011

Sustainability and Green Building

So what is sustainability?

The United Nations defines sustainability as:

“…a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The term “eco-friendly” is often used to reference the indoor environment, with ecologically friendly products considered less likely to create irritations and allergens. Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints are an example of an eco-friendly improvement. Materials which are plentiful are considered a more sustainable alternative as they do not deplete resources in shorts supply. Bamboo has increased in popularity in recent years due to its plentiful supply, and quick growth.

There are certifications for green products which indicate that the process of their creation or delivery to market has been monitored by a third party. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit which monitors forestry.

Green Building is a term which may or may not consider the sustainability of materials. Energy Star homes are green in that they are energy efficient and therefore create fewer carbon emission. However, sustainable green building is development which includes consideration of resources as well as energy efficiency.



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