What is Green Building? | LEED Green Associate Exam Prep

Summary

The video introduces green building as a sustainable practice that emphasizes environmentally responsible and resource-efficient design throughout a building's life cycle. Highlighting the importance of integrating natural systems, it contrasts the sustainability of natural waste with the harmful longevity of manmade waste, such as plastic. The narrative suggests that while traditional construction often contributes to resource depletion, green building aims to enhance performance and efficiency, ultimately aspiring to emulate the self-sustaining processes found in nature. This approach not only improves occupant comfort but also promotes environmental health.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Green Building is defined by the EPA as environmentally responsible and resource-efficient practices throughout a building's life cycle.
• 🏗️ The life cycle of Green Buildings includes siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction.
• ♻️ Green Buildings are often referred to as sustainable or high-performance buildings due to their environmental sensitivity.
• 💡 These buildings enhance occupant comfort while maintaining resource efficiency and high performance.
• 🌍 Natural systems do not produce waste; what we call waste is often part of a sustainable cycle, as seen with animal waste as organic fertilizer.
• 🛍️ In contrast, manmade products, like plastic bags, create significant environmental harm and take centuries to decompose.
• 🏙️ The built environment encompasses all human-made structures necessary for activities, consuming a large portion of the world's resources.
• 🔄 The goal of Green Building is to emulate natural systems, which are the most efficient known systems.
• 🚀 Continuous improvement is key in Green Building to enhance its performance and sustainability.
• 🌿 Understanding and applying the principles of Green Building can help mitigate environmental impacts and promote sustainability.

Q & A

What is Green Building according to the US EPA?

Green Building is the practice of creating structures and processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life cycle, from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction.

What are the primary concerns of classical building design that Green Building expands upon?

Green Building complements classical design concerns such as economy, utility, durability, and comfort.

What are some benefits of Green Buildings?

Green Buildings are more environmentally sensitive, provide greater comfort to occupants, and maintain resource efficiency and high performance throughout their entire lifecycle.

How does the natural cycle relate to waste and sustainability?

In the natural cycle, there is no waste; even animal waste serves as a sustainable product, functioning as an organic fertilizer that enhances plant nutrition and growth.

What is a key difference between manmade waste and natural waste?

Manmade waste, such as plastic bags, can take hundreds of years to decompose and causes significant environmental harm, whereas natural waste is continuously reused in a sustainable loop.

What does the term 'built environment' refer to?

The built environment encompasses all manmade surroundings necessary for human activity, including roads, buildings, and neighborhoods.

How much of the world's resources are used in developing the built environment?

Most of the world's resources are utilized to develop the built environment.

What is the ultimate goal of Green Building systems?

The goal of Green Building systems is to continuously enhance their performance to align more closely with the natural system, which is recognized as the most efficient system known.

Why is sustainability important in building practices?

Sustainability is crucial in building practices to minimize environmental impact, conserve resources, and create a healthier living environment for occupants.

What role does animal waste play in agriculture?

Animal waste acts as an organic fertilizer in agriculture, improving plant nutrition and assisting plant growth in a sustainable manner.