The way in which our built environment is designed and functions has a tremendous impact on people and the environment. Buildings account for 38% of the US carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to global climate change. In existing buildings conservation and efficiency can greatly reduce emissions and energy costs. If every US household replaced 3, 60 Watt incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents as much pollution would be reduced as taking 3.5 million cars off the road! Replacing inefficient appliances with new efficient ones is another way to reduce the impact on your wallet and the environment. The pie charts give some information on where efficiency and conservation matter most.

New construction offers the greatest opportunity for reducing the energy intensity of our homes and businesses. Passive solar design is a low-cost design option that allows for tremendous energy and therefore GHG emission reduction. Incorporating passive solar strategies at the beginning of the design process can save hundreds of thousands of dollars and tons of pollution over the life of a building at very little added construction cost. Adding renewable energy options like solar, wind and micro hydro power to your home or business eliminates or further reduces energy use.

The location of a new building is paramount to its environmental impact. Locate buildings near the services you need for daily life. In an age where we need to measure our environmental impact in how much CO2 individual actions add to the atmosphere, walking, biking and public transportation are the preferred means of mobility.

To find out more about what to consider before building, read Guidelines for Sustainable Living.

For more information on Passive solar, please also read the passive solar design manual

Resources on solar, wind and micro hydro will be added soon.