Why Green?

In April of 2008, the City of Los Angeles passed an ordinance that required that buildings with more than 50,000 square feet meet LEED certified standards. The City's intent is to not only reduce energy costs—and save money—but also to reduce the effects of global warming from L.A.'s government and businesses.

Residents often question if green construction in Los Angeles can really make a difference. The statistics below from the U.S. Green Building Council shows why all green construction in Los Angeles—or anywhere—can help our environment and make a difference.

• According to Environmental Information Administration's (EIA's) 2008 report, buildings are one of the heaviest consumers of natural resources and account for a significant portion of the greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate change. Buildings in the U.S. account for 38% of all CO2 emissions. More green construction in Los Angeles can help to reduce CO2 emissions and conserver our resources.

• The EIA 2008 report also reveals that buildings represent 72% of U.S. energy consumption. Increasing green construction in Los Angeles can help to reduce that figure through better insulation, Energy Star appliances, and passive solar design that incorporates beautiful, natural lighting and warmth to your home.

• The U.S. Geological Survey of 2000 said that buildings use 13.6% of all potable water, or 15 trillion gallons per year. That figure can only have risen in the pas 9 years. Residents choosing green construction in Los Angeles can help with our water shortage. Green contractors, such as Venice based Green Planet Building, can install grey water systems that allocate waste water to gardens, ultra low flush toilets, and help you to select attractive, drought resistant landscaping.

• An outdated 1995 paper from Worldwatch estimates that buildings use 40% of raw materials globally (3 billion tons annually). With the industrial growth of China and other third world countries, that figure has also increased dramatically, decreasing our natural resources. When you go with green construction in Los Angeles, you'll help conserve and renew those resources by using bamboo flooring and recycled content building materials. These products function just as well as traditional versions, with little extra cost.

• In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 136 million tons of building-related construction and demolition debris was generated in the in a single year. With our local landfills already overflowing, more green construction in Los Angeles can reduce waste by recycling wood and other building materials from the demolition instead sending it all to the landfills.

Adding it all up, making the choice for green construction in Los Angles can improve L.A.'s water and air, reduce tax payer costs for land fills, and conserve the world's natural resources—not to mention save money through energy efficiency.

For more information about the LEED standards, go to www.usgbc.org.

Green Planet Building offers free consultations and estimates on green construction in Los Angles.