Green Building Benefits
MEMORANDUM
TO: Harry Chapman (CEO, Vandelay Industries)
FROM: Dave Wildman (Enviromental Business Inc.)
DATE: November 17, 2006
SUBJECT: Green Building Benefits
INTRODUCTION
There is a problem with the buildings created today because they are not environmentally-friendly. The solution to this problem is green buildings. Green building is the term used to describe the selection of environmentally-friendly building materials, as well as an environmentally-conscious building design. There are many kinds of available building materials on the market today that are less-toxic, create less waste and take less energy to create. Many green building techniques and products are also beneficial for improving a building 's energy performance, thereby decreasing energy bills. Indoor pollution can also be reduced drastically. This report will take an in-depth look into the benefits of green buildings:
Environmental Benefits
Monetary Benefits
Health Benefits
These benefits will answer the question, why should we look for green as a solution?
Environmental Benefits
Monetary Benefits
The development of "sustainable" or "green" buildings has proven itself to be a solid investment economically. Unlike other buildings green buildings use key resources such as water, material and land much more efficiently then other buildings. These buildings are cost effective saving tax payer 's money by reducing operations and maintenance. Development of green buildings has many monetary benefits such as lower energy, waste disposal, water costs, and lower environmental and emission costs (Kats, 2003).
The benefits of these buildings are spread out over the life span of the buildings and should be looked at in the long run and not in upfront costs. Although these buildings are cost effective they may incur a cost that is exclusive to green buildings known as the "green premium". The upfront costs of a green building can be up to 2% greater than conventional buildings.
TO: Harry Chapman (CEO, Vandelay Industries)
FROM: Dave Wildman (Enviromental Business Inc.)
DATE: November 17, 2006
SUBJECT: Green Building Benefits
INTRODUCTION
There is a problem with the buildings created today because they are not environmentally-friendly. The solution to this problem is green buildings. Green building is the term used to describe the selection of environmentally-friendly building materials, as well as an environmentally-conscious building design. There are many kinds of available building materials on the market today that are less-toxic, create less waste and take less energy to create. Many green building techniques and products are also beneficial for improving a building 's energy performance, thereby decreasing energy bills. Indoor pollution can also be reduced drastically. This report will take an in-depth look into the benefits of green buildings:
Environmental Benefits
Monetary Benefits
Health Benefits
These benefits will answer the question, why should we look for green as a solution?
Environmental Benefits
Monetary Benefits
The development of "sustainable" or "green" buildings has proven itself to be a solid investment economically. Unlike other buildings green buildings use key resources such as water, material and land much more efficiently then other buildings. These buildings are cost effective saving tax payer 's money by reducing operations and maintenance. Development of green buildings has many monetary benefits such as lower energy, waste disposal, water costs, and lower environmental and emission costs (Kats, 2003).
The benefits of these buildings are spread out over the life span of the buildings and should be looked at in the long run and not in upfront costs. Although these buildings are cost effective they may incur a cost that is exclusive to green buildings known as the "green premium". The upfront costs of a green building can be up to 2% greater than conventional buildings.
Bibliography: Ezzati, M., & Kammen, D. M. (2002). The Health Impacts of Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution from Solid Fuels. Environmental Health Perspectives,110,1057-1068. Hubbard, H., Pearce, T.A., Poppendieck, D., Wells, J.R., & Weschler, C.J.(2006). Indoor Chemistry and Health. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114, 442-446. Kats, G. (2003). The Cost and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings. Environmental business journal, 126, 910-924.