The Green Building Challenge « It’s Getting Hot In Here

Buildings demand a lot of energy, emmitting greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, causing global degradation, and inspiring hopelessness. Now, I know that’s a little dramatic but that’s my style and in the essence of everything those things are true. But, another truth is there are things that can be done about this and are being done.

The 2030 Challenge is calling for the global archetecture community to adopt targets, that will result in carbon neutrality by the year 2030. This challenge states that all new buildings and developments consume half of the green house gas emissions that it would normally use, which is one half of that particular country’s average for that building type. Also, an equal amount of existing building area be renovated to use half to the emissions it is using. Archetecture 2030, founded by Edward Mazia, an internationally recognized archetect, is confident that these goals can be met.

Another exciting development is the national report, Greening America’s Schools, generated by Capitol E, a national strategic consulting firm, that conducts technology assessments and advises those in the clean energy industry. This report is an important tool for those interesed in bringing clean energy to their high schools. Breaking down the costs and benefits of what greening your school would look like, Capitol E found that schools could save up to 100,000 dollars annually! So, I don’t know about your high schools but mine definitely could use a little maintenance and some extra change.

Let’s do this. Revolutionize, renovate, and revitilize our schools, our work places, and our lives!

About Shadia

Shadia began at age seven as an advocate for justice and the environment, in an eight year campaign to pass state legislation that, without it, was responsible for cancer clusters and deaths that existed in her community. In response to her efforts she has received the Yoshiyama Award from the Hitachi Foundation, and the Brower Youth Award from the Earth Island Institute. At age fifteen, She attended the World Summit on Sustainable Development, joining the youth energy caucus' efforts to create the Official Global Youth Energy Policy Statement. Months later, Shadia attended the Second National People of Color Summit and there she helped create the Environmental Justice Youth Platform. She is a member of the Environmental Justice Climate Coalition Youth Committee and is on the Kids Against Pollution National Board of Trustees. Shadia graduated from West Canada Valley High School in 2005, where she then took two years off before entering a career in higher education to work as a leader in the Global Youth Climate Movement. She finished working for the EJCC as the youngest Campus Climate Challenge Coordinator in the Energy Action Coalition, in October 2007. She is currently attending American University of Beirut, studying Arabic and Communications.

1 Response to “The Green Building Challenge”

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1 Billy Parish Nov 3rd, 2006 at 8:14 am

Both of these sites are incredible resources that tackle one of the largest areas of emissions. The “Greening America’s Schools” report shows that the direct financial benefits of building green schools outweighs the costs 4-1, and if you take into account indirect benefits to the community, it’s 12-1. The report is a perfect resource for all K-12 schools.