Green Buildings
Many people are becoming more interested in creating buildings that are environmentally responsible, efficient, and healthy places to live and work. The following websites show you ways in which this can be done.
- www.toolbase.org/secondaryT.asp?TrackID=&CategoryID=1 - A great list of resources for anyone who wants to learn about green buildings.
- www.greenseal.org - Reviews commonly used products (carpeting, air conditioners, lights, etc.) to identify those that are healthiest to use and the least damaging to the environment.
- www.usgbc.org - The U.S. Green Building Council promotes green building. Their rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, www.usgbc.org/leed) helps builders meet established standards for high performance buildings. A project that obtains LEED certification can qualify for government tax breaks and rebates.
- www.globallearningnj.org/- A local organization that "translates the world's growing interdependence into educational activities for teachers, students, librarians, and educational systems." It advocates and supports sustainable development, with a focus on high performance schools. The website includes a list of resources for those interested in the sustainable buildings.
- www.yourhomeplanet.com - The Environmental Building Design website contains links on a wide array of topics (e.g., alternative design, indoor air quality, lighting, composting, water safety) as well as lists of books, organizations, services and products.
- www.neep.org - The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership "promotes energy efficiency in homes, buildings and industry in the northeast U. S. through regionally coordinated programs and policies that increase the use of energy efficient products, services and practices, and that help achieve a cleaner environment and a more reliable and affordable energy system."
