Green Ass Kicked

Today is Earth Day. It is a day first designated as an environmental awareness event back in 1970 and is largely the birth of the environmental movement. So we’ve been at this now for almost 40 years as a society.

Hmmm. I’m feeling like we could have done more by now.

I’m not discouraged, however. There are great signs in our world to indicate that a green momentum is taking a stronger foothold. In my line of work, the marketplace shows that not only is green building continuing to thrive, but might hold one of the keys to our economic crisis. It is, in fact, a cornerstone in President Obama’s economic stimulus package by touting current stimulus programs as an opportunity to rebuild the country in ‘Green”.

Two birds, one stone. A green W.P.A. in 2009.

“We know that there are buildings – school buildings, in particular, but I think public buildings generally – that need to be retrofitted to make them more energy-efficient.” ... “We will get that money back so that not only are we creating jobs, but we’re also making those operations more efficient and saving taxpayers money over the long term.” – President Obama

Brilliant. And it’s about time. Our perception of a physical building or a house or a school is about to change. We are about to see public construction go green in an effort to boost our local economies (hopefully sooner rather than later … Do you hear me California State Legislators?).

So, what did I do to celebrate Earth Day 2009? I registered to take my LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) accreditation exam. I have a month to study. The exam is in May.

LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) is a rating system for facilities that has been in the marketplace for around 10 years via the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The expertise is growing. Green construction is thriving. The cost of green building is no longer expensive and rather competitive with “traditional” construction. Case studies and new schools of thought are abundant. So, why not go green!

Saving energy and saving the planet is simply logical. There is no argument to the contrary. Every day is Earth Day. In the booming construction times of just a few years ago, it was the dollar that ruled. Just get it built and flip it was the argument from the era of excess. But a few months ago, that era ended.

We are about to see a change in the way our immediate cultures look at our homes, schools, public buildings, and even retail facilities. We are about to see a push for greater accountability, social realization, and a broadening awareness of our responsibility. For when our built environment consumes more than 30 percent of our total energy and more than 60 percent of the electricity, we need to take stock in our every day practices. When, in the United States alone 5 billion gallons a day of potable water is used just to flush our toilets, it might not be a bad idea to utilize new, highly effective, waterless systems. Don’t get me started.......

The far-reaching influence of our built environment necessitates a universal action to reduce our impact. Period.

Let the 39 year old Earth Day kick your ass in gear. It did mine.