June 2012

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...

Let me tell you a story of stone soup. You know, the fable where a drifter shows up with a stone and a pot, fills it with water just outside of town, then sighs and remarks that the soup would be so much better with carrots. A townsperson is gleeful that they have carrots and they go get them and add them to the soup. “Sigh, this would be so...

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....

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...