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Fundamentals of Building Green. Welcome & Introductions. What is GPRO?. GPRO Certificate Holders. Important Note About the Manual.
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Important Note About the Manual The new manual is under construction. The current version flows differently than the presentation but page numbers are listed on the bottom right hand corner of each slide. Section Page #
Agenda • Part A: 2 Hours • Sustainability & green building • Environmental challenges in the construction industry • Climate change • Large scale policy solutions • Part B: 2 Hours • Green building strategies • Green work practices
Part A Page 4
Sustainability A way of living (and working) that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. -Brundtland Report, United Nations Sustainability is the Key Page 5
Green Building A critical component of green building is its durability and how it performs over its entire life. Green Buildings: Minimize adverse environmental impacts Reduce energy and water consumption Contribute to the health and productivity of both workers during construction and occupants after completion California Academy of Sciences What is a Green Building? Page 39
Why should green building matter to you? Triple Bottom Line Page 10
U.S. Green Building Market Trends Source: Green Market Size: 2011Green Outlook Report, McGraw-Hill Construction It's About Jobs and the Economy Page 6
Green Building and Jobs • A Green Job is: • A blue-collar job, upgraded to improve the environment and fight climate change. • New skills • Local jobs • Manufacturing jobs • Retrofitting jobs Installing a Solar Panel It's About Jobs and the Economy Page 6
Jobs in New Green Construction Affordable Housing, Bronx, NY Office Building, Atlanta, GA Harley Davidson Dealership, O'Fallon, IL New Construction Pages 6-7
Green Jobs in Existing Buildings • Weatherization • Energy efficient building operations & maintenance • Retro-commissioning Retrofitting and Efficient Building Operations Pages 7-8
Green Buildings and Health Green building practices improve worker health. It's Better for Everyone's Health Pages 8-9
How do construction practices affect the environment? Our Natural Resources: Sustainability Challenges Page 17
Use of Natural Resources Raw Materials/Minerals Our Natural Resources: Sustainability Challenges Page 17
Depletion of Forests Forests Pages 21-22
Use of Fresh Water Fresh Water Pages 19-20
Water Pollution Fresh Water Pages 19-20
Waste Accumulation Waste Pages 25-26
Pollutants Clean-up of pollutants, Syracuse, NY Toxins Pages 23-25
Fossil Fuels Truck transporting lumber
Power Plant Emissions Coal-Fired Power Plant, Utah
CLIMATE CHANGE: CAUSES Climate Change: Causes and Impacts Page 11
Weather vs. Climate Weatheris the everyday state of the atmosphere – a combination of temperature, rainfall, humidity, cloudiness, and wind. Climateis the average weather pattern of one place over a period of time. The status of daily or weekly weather does not necessarily reflect climate trends.
The Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect traps heat in the earth's atmosphere. In a greenhouse or a car, sunlight passes through the glass and warms up the inside. The heat can’t get back out through the glass and the greenhouse or car becomes hotter. What is the Greenhouse Effect? Page 11
The Greenhouse Effect What is the Greenhouse Effect? Page 11
The Earth Would Be a Ball of Ice Without the Greenhouse Effect Earth: Average Temp = 56oF Moon: Average Temp = -9oF What is the Greenhouse Effect? Page 11
Earth's Natural Warming Cycles – The Last 400,000 years What Caused This Climate Change? Page 12
Earth's Natural Warming Cycles – The Last 400,000 years What Caused This Climate Change? Page 12
Temperatures are Rising – The Last 1,000 Years What Caused This Climate Change? Page 12
Why did this Warming Trend Start? Earth is getting warmer – at a faster rate since the Industrial Revolution. What Caused this Climate Change? Page 12
How Much Atmopsheric CO2 is Safe? Now: 393 ppm What Caused This Climate Change? Page 12
How Much Fossil Fuels Are We Burning Now? Historical U.S. Energy Use Since 1950 Where Did All This CO2 Come From? Page 13
Challenges of Obtaining More Fossil Fuels Before & After Tar Sands, Canada
CLIMATE CHANGE: IMPACTS Climate Change: Causes and Impacts Page 11
What's Going to Happen? Small temperature changes matter. Business as Usual Controlled Growth Stop All Industry Expected Impacts of Climate Change Page 14
What Does This Mean For Us? • Expected Changes by 2050: • Temperature rise of 3 – 5˚F • Sea level rise of 7 – 12 inches • 29-45 days over 90˚F per year • More heat waves, intense rains, coastal flooding, and severe droughts • -New York City Panel on Climate Change NYC During a Nor’easter
Climate Change Causes More Extreme Weather Hurricane Katrina Expected Impacts of Climate Change Pages 14-15
Shifts in Plant Cycles Drought causes dry crops, Bakersfield, CA Expected Impacts of Climate Change Pages 14-15
Shifts in Animal and Wildlife Cycles Infestation of mountain pine beetles, Colorado Expected Impacts of Climate Change Pages 14-15
Melting Glaciers and Rising Sea Level Louisiana Highway Expected Impacts of Climate Change Pages 14-15
What About the Skeptics? • Over 97% of climate scientists agree climate change is occurring and is caused by humans. • But, millions of dollars have been spent by companies with vested interests to confuse the issue and prevent regulation that would reduce climate change. • Climate change skeptics create a false “controversy” by spreading doubt and confusion. What About the Skeptics? Page 14
What’s the Downside Risk in Each Case? • If the skeptics are right, but we act to alleviate climate change, we get: • Cleaner air and water • More efficient buildings • Less reliance on foreign energy • If the skeptics are wrong, but we follow them and do nothing, we get: • 10°F temperature increase • Many feet of sea level rise • Droughts, floods, and other catastrophes What About the Skeptics? Page 14
We all have a stake in keeping the environment healthy The History of Environmental Protection Page 27
Environmental Protection The first national park was established in 1872 during the beginnings of the preservation movement. How Environmental Protection Started Page 27
Environmental Disasters • Silent Spring (near extinction of bird species): 1962 • Cuyahoga River catches fire: 1969 • Love Canal: Late 1970s Cuyahoga River, Ohio Advocacy and Regulations Take Hold Pages 27-28
Clean Air Act Clean Air Act of 1970 has cleared the smog that once blanketed cities. CO2 Steam Plant Scherer, shown here, is the largest single source for CO2 emissions in the U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plant, Georgia Air Pages 17-18
Environmental Successes: Reduction of Acid Rain U.S. EPA Acid Rain Program: Cost to address acid rain was estimated by industry lobbyists at $1,000 to $1,500/ton. The actual cost, achieved by reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants, was $250/ton! The reduced medical expenses exceed either cost. Acid rain kills trees Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina Advocacy and Regulations Take Hold Pages 27-28