This video by the Washington State Department of Ecology provides a good overview of the effects of green building.
Despite the tough economic times, a 2009 survey conducted by National Real Estate Investor in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council showed that sustainability in commercial real estate grew at a prodigious rate.
More than 88% of developers and 86% of corporate executives say they consider green design to be as or more important than it was before the current economic slump. In fact, LEED certified projects showed an impressive 47% increase over the previous 12 month period.
These buildings represent 273 million square feet of new construction and major renovation on commercial and institutional properties, up from 133 million square feet the previous year. Another 25,608 properties totaling approximately 6.3 billion square feet are currently registered with the LEED, up from 1.3 billion square feet last year.
Green buildings are an increasingly powerful economic driver. By 2013, the green building industry is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product.
Compared to conventional buildings, green buildings involve significant changes in design, construction, operation and maintenance. These changes have far reaching implications that help reduce environmental degradation and provide green jobs.
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