Green building practices incorporate:

• energy efficiency
• water conservation
• waste minimization
• pollution prevention
• resource-efficient materials
• improved indoor air quality

Why Focus on Sustainable Design?

There are a number of economic benefits to green building and low impact development strategies, including reduced operating costs, increased return on investment, increased productivity and human health, enhanced image and marketability, meeting regulatory requirements, and reduced liability.

On the environmental front, development and construction practices are main contributors to the depletion of natural resources and a major cause of unwanted side effects such as air and water pollution, solid waste, deforestation, toxic wastes, health hazards, global warming, and other negative consequences. Buildings use one-quarter of all the world's wood harvest. Buildings consume two-fifths of all material and energy flows. Fifty-four percent of U.S. energy consumption is directly or indirectly related to buildings and their construction. Buildings account for 35% of U.S. CO2 emissions.  In the state of Washington, 55% of all waste going to landfills is construction waste.

Additionally, NW Washington is experiencing high population growth rates that results in demand for increasing our 'built environment', and yet, the things new comers and old timers value most, is our natural environment and strong sense of community.

Local Examples of Green Building

This pdf will give you an idea of what green building projects are being developed around the City of Belliongham.  Thanks to the City for their help in creating this map.

Resources

Download this 2 page sheet that recommends great books, websites and magazines on a wide variety of subjects.