Benefits of green buildings Green buildings help reduce negative impacts on the natural environment by using less water, energy and other natural resources; by using renewable energy sources and green materials; and by reducing emissions and other waste. Heat pumps, cold roofs and other green building strategies are solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of a construction project. Buildings should also focus on the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and geothermal, when possible. Using energy-efficient appliances, such as Energy Star appliances, can also substantially reduce a building's carbon footprint, reduce energy bills and generate energy savings.
Optimizing energy consumption by providing adequate comfort and reducing environmental impact is essential for achieving cities with cleaner air and sustainable neighborhoods and green buildings. For example, green buildings avoid the use of construction materials that may contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or plastic by-products that are known to release toxic and carcinogenic fumes into the atmosphere. The benefits of green buildings are not only environmental, but they also make financial sense for their owners and the occupants benefit from an improved indoor environment. The advantages of green construction go far beyond finance and the ecosystem; they benefit people on a social level.
The good news is that operating from a green building is a great way to achieve those sustainability goals. Green construction not only reduces water waste, but it can also contribute to enriching water reserves, conserving natural resources, defending biodiversity and improving air and water quality. The second problem exists both on a commercial and residential level: people simply don't know that they can build in an environmentally friendly way. Part of the goal of this site, and of the network of green activists around the planet, is to raise awareness about green practices.
The United States Green Building Council states that the main reasons for green building in the U.S. The U.S. is the demands of customers and the healthiest buildings, but the economic benefits cannot be overlooked either. While sustainable practices, such as recycling, have become popular around the world, green building remains largely misunderstood and underused globally.
Building in an environmentally friendly way ultimately translates into building energy efficient buildings that save financial costs and, at the same time, protect the environment. Green construction also reduces the carbon footprint by producing less waste and reducing the amount of toxic gases released into the air.
