Sustainable Development

 In the United States, buildings account for:

•  39% total energy use
•  12% total water consumption		•  68% total electricity consumption
•  38% of carbon dioxide emissions
 

What Makes a Community Green?

•  Reduced exposure to harmful materials 
•  Increased indoor air quality
•  Decreased use of non-renewable energy 
    and materials
•  Increased use of renewable energy and
    sustainably harvested materials
•  Diminished ecological impact of energy 
    and materials
•  Protection and restoration of air, water, 
    soil, flora, and fauna
•  Decreased support of single-occupant
    vehicles 
•  Support of pedestrians, bicycles, mass 
    transit, and other alternatives to fossil-
    fueled vehicles 

Sustainable Development Goals: 
   •  Reduce storm water runoff 
  •  Reduce city heat island effect  
  •  Increase plant mass for carbon sequestration and healthier air
  •  Improve indoor air quality and environment
  •  Increase regional and renewable materials used
  •  Reduce the need for power, improving what power is used
  •  Improve livability locally and globally
  •  Change values and perceptions
  •  Create quality living while reducing our footprint 
  •  Do this with current pricing and incentives that encourage 
      people to make better choices 
  •  Design more livable spaces with fewer materials
  •  Create small, nicer individual spaces with well thought-out
      common spaces
  •  Build people-friendly environments
  •  Build close to basic services and transportation options 
  •  Reduce reliance on personal automobiles

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