The Big Picture

Photo: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. License: CC BY 2.0

It’s easy to get caught up in the details—earning one more LEED point or getting that documentation you need for recycled content.

But it’s a lot easier to achieve all the project goals if the owner and the whole project team are in agreement about why you’re putting in all this work in the first place. Stuff like:

  • slowing down climate change

  • dealing with global water shortages

  • avoiding depletion of nonrenewable resources

  • preventing public health problems associated with manufacturing

  • righting social wrongs

Here we set the scene, providing context that can help get—and keep—everyone on the same page about project goals.

The Big Picture

Deep Dives

Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.

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Quick Takes

Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.

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  • Good Ozone, Bad Ozone

    Primer

    The same ozone that causes air quality problems near Earth's surface protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation high in the atmosphere. This protective ozone layer is thinning due to manufactured chemicals.

Product Guidance

Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.

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In The News

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Perspective

Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.

Learning Resources

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Just For Fun

Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...

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