News Analysis
A study published in the June 5, 1992, issue of
Science by researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Arizona suggests that smoke emitted into the atmosphere from human activities may be having a significant effect in counteracting... Read more
Explainer
News Analysis
It isn’t just environmental zealots who are up in arms about the U.S. Forest Service’s policies on managing the nation’s timber resources. The Association of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics has jumped into the fray—from the inside. Jeff DeBonis, the Association’s founder and executive director,... Read more
News Brief
At first glance,
An Environmental Handbook for Florida Contractors looks like it deals only with the environmental regulations that Florida contractors must contend with. And, indeed, the Handbook describes in detail the requirements for complying with regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. But the book goes much further,... Read more
News Analysis
The recent ruling to allow logging on several thousand acres of old-growth forest in western Oregon was portrayed in the national media as a blow to environmentalists, but the action may not prove so damaging in the end. While the ruling permits logging on 13 of the 44 sites that were under consideration by the so-... Read more
Product Review
Builders concerned about out-gassing of formaldehyde from medium-density fiberboard (MDF) have long used Medex in cabinets. This exterior-grade product, originally developed for highway signs, is considerably more expensive than conventional MDF or particleboard, however. Now Medite II fills the need for a... Read more
Feature
Carefully stake the building site and driveway, remove trees that are within the excavation area or too close, then erect a fence to keep heavy equipment off fragile soils and away from nearby trees.
Protecting trees and the local ecosystem when building on previously unbuilt land is a vitally important—yet often overlooked—part of environmentally responsible construction. Healthy trees and shrubs can reduce a home’s environmental impact and directly benefit homeowners in a number of ways:
•Enhancing comfort by shielding the house... Read more
Feature
Ozone depletion and global warming are two of our most serious environmental problems—and foam insulation materials containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) contribute significantly to both of these problems. The environmentally concerned builder or designer should make it a highest priority to avoid them. Even many of the non-CFC alternatives... Read more
Op-Ed
Introducing the first issue of our newsletter.
Buildings have a tremendous impact on the environment. In North America, buildings and the building industry account for about 30% of carbon dioxide emissions, 35-40% of ozone depletion, 20-30% of municipal solid waste, vast quantities of natural resource consumption, and dramatic loss of open space each... Read more
Feature
Susan Maxman is the first AIA president to make sustainable design a priority.
Q.Where would you say architects as a group stand on environmental issues?
A.Architects tend to be reactive rather than proactive. It is important that we take the lead on these environmental issues. The architecture schools in particular tend to be conservative. They just aren’t... Read more
News Brief
The American Institute of Architects convention in Boston this past June was the setting for a changing of the guard in the American architectural establishment. The Institute’s first woman president took the reins, the Committee on the Environment became its largest and fastest growing committee, and the first installments of the Environmental... Read more
Forum topic
On behalf of the LFRT IRA working group, I am writing to see if anyone has applied for IRA funding (48E, 45L, 179D) for their project, and is willing to share their experiences and basic project info with us. We can keep the project name confidential if needed.
Thank you!
Forum topic
Has anyone used a commercial heat pump water heater for a large protect? I have found a few manufacturers for this technology, but want to make sure this is a viable and cost approach to electrical eliminate gas on a path to all electric.
Forum topic
Hi: Great to see so many of you at AIA COTE Top Ten last week. I'm forwarding the message below for those of you who know Marsha Maytum and can contribute to this important effort. Deadline is next Friday June 23rd!Thanks.
Mary Ann
Hello, friends,
During A'23, Je’Nen and I discussed our desire to send Marsha photos we have... Read more
Forum topic
On LEEDuser we divide checklists into multiple project phases. Specifically:
Before the performance period Construction Construction documents Design development During the performance period Operations & maintenance Pre-design Schematic designHow many of these phases are relevant for BIT best practices?
Note that we also... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of The Great Eight: High-Impact Material Choices for Green Building.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Specify green building materials in product categories that truly make a difference for human health, the environment, or both.
2. Conduct a... Read more
Forum topic
Happy Friday Everyone!
Hoping to add a bit of excitement to the end of your week:
Here is the Sustainable Construction Leaders 2020 Summit Report.
Enjoy!
RoseAnn for Candace, Nadav, and the BuildingGreen team


