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How do You Know a Building is Truly Green?

JUST BECAUSE A BUILDING HAS SOLAR PANELS DOESN’T MEAN IT’S COMPLETELY ECO-FRIENDLY.  SO HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A PLACE IS TRULY GREEN? FIND OUT ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

TO FIND OUT IF A BUILDING’S REALLY SUSTAINABLE, ASK ABOUT ITS LEED CERTIFICATION.  LEED STANDS FOR LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN.  IT’S A NATIONALLY ACCEPTED RATING SYSTEM FOR GREEN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.  

KATZ: IT’S KIND OF LIKE A NUTRITION LABEL FOR A BUILDING.  IT SHOWS HOW MUCH ENERGY AND WATER IS BEING USED, WHAT THE BUILDING IS MADE OUT OF, WHERE THE MATERIALS IN THE BUILDING CAME FROM, AND WHAT THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IS LIKE.

THAT’S ASHLEY KATZ OF THE U-S GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL, THE ORGANIZATION THAT OVERSEES LEED CERTIFICATION.  SHE SAYS THAT THE RATING SYSTEM ISN’T ONLY FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS – IT ALSO EXISTS FOR HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND NEIGHBORHOODS.   TO LEARN MORE, LOG ON TO U-S-G-B-C DOT ORG.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

To learn more, visit the U.S. Green Building Council.