LEED Blogger

Author: LEaD Blogger

  • Occupant Empowerment: Creating a Culture of Sustainability with LEED

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    Less power, more occupant empowerment. Photo credit: Public Domain Photos

    I hear people say it all the time: “Buildings don’t use energy, people do.” So then I ask myself: Why has the idea of engaging with building occupants fallen by the wayside?…Despite the fact that it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to minimize energy consumption and save money? I wish I could provide a simple answer to that question, but the reality is that influencing occupants to modify their behavior to meet the sustainability goals of a building and/or an organization is far from straightforward.

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  • School Sustainability Leaders Summit Kicks Off!

    Yesterday, we kicked off our School Sustainability Leaders Summit, which brought in our two green schools fellows, along with other school district staff from across the country.

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  • Hospitality Development Update: Moving Towards LEED

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    Courtyard Marriott in Portland, Ore.

    Green construction starts have increased by 50% in the past two years, and now represent 25% of all new construction today, according to a study by McGraw Hill. Green and sustainable construction initially had a slow start for the hospitality industry, but now seem to be gaining momentum. Today, there are 141 LEED-certified hotels and nearly 1,200 more that are registered with the intent to certify upon completion.

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  • What Will You Do @ Greenbuild 2012?

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    In 2004 I joined the U.S. Green Building Council and attended my first Greenbuild in Portland. Nine years later, I’m excited to return to the West Coast for Greenbuild 2012, being held in San Francisco from November 14-16.

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  • What Will You Do @ Greenbuild 2012?

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    In 2004 I joined the U.S. Green Building Council and attended my first Greenbuild in Portland. Nine years later, I’m excited to return to the West Coast for Greenbuild 2012, being held in San Francisco from November 14-16.

    read more

  • What Will You Do @ Greenbuild 2012?

    Feature image: 

    In 2004 I joined the U.S. Green Building Council and attended my first Greenbuild in Portland. Nine years later, I’m excited to return to the West Coast for Greenbuild 2012, being held in San Francisco from November 14-16.

    read more

  • USGBC Members and Stakeholders Speak at the GSA Listening Session

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    You know from grade school, college, and maybe even your Ph.D program that an A+ is no easy feat.

    Federal agencies know that, too: GSA recently received an A+ on the OMB scorecard. The statistics speak for themselves.

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  • Tokyo’s Urban Cap and Trade for Commercial Buildings Sees Huge Success in First Year of Operation

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    Me with Yuko Nishida, planner, Bureau of Environment Metropolitan Government of
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    Tens of thousands of delegates from diverse backgrounds and geographical regions convened in Rio to protect the future we want through sustainable development policy. While progress was made on the negotiating text, few are satisfied with the level of commitments and accountability from national governments. However, the news from Rio isn’t entirely bleak. Subnational governments are leap-frogging the unambitious goals of national governments to realize their own goals of urban sustainability.

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  • Existing Buildings = The 99%

    Feature image: 
    National Geographic Headquarters in Washingington, D.C.

    It’s hard to overstate the potential (and necessity) of greening our existing building stock. Buildings account for 73% of electricity consumption in the U.S. and 38% of CO2 emissions. Can you imagine the dent we can make with added efficiency in this sector – environmentally and economically? Plus, existing buildings are all around us. Chances are, you’re inside of a building (an existing one) as you read this blog entry – talk about an accessible opportunity.

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  • We’ve Got the Power – Bummmm…Bumpa…Bumm

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    Mayor of Johannesburg, Mayor Bloomberg, Mayor Paes of Rio and the Mayor of Seoul

    Cities Arrive in Force at Rio+20

    I don’t know if that 1992 pop song “We Got the Power” was meant for cities. But it should have been. It certainly would have been apropos during Rio+20, where cities arrived in force.

    Bumpa…Bumm

    Recognized widely as the driving force behind many of the most significant actions taken to combat climate change, mayors from around the world came to Rio with a simple message: We’ve got the power.

    Bumpa…Bumm

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