Spring Break
Going green good for generations
Guest Column: Brian Dunbar
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Opinion
In a recent column, Seth Anthony questioned CSU's commitment to "going green" and provided good advice to anyone prone to over-publicizing green efforts. Anthony admitted to feeling jaded by boastful green campus press releases about buildings, carbon emissions and technologies and wisely pointed out that it requires less flashy biodegradable packaging, reducing electricity and water use, sealing windows and creating a "green culture" to become a more sustainable campus and planet.
As a member of the University Sustainability Committee, Construction Management faculty and Institute for the Built Environment director, I concur that we must not overstate green accomplishments and demonstrate that our university is sincerely focused on doing little (and big) things that sustain, preserve and restore our planet.
Anthony uses the LEED green building rating system as an example of our campus spending money for "PR hype." I want to clarify his miss-statements about LEED.
LEED is much more than PR hype; it is an internationally trusted system of high standards for building owners, designers, engineers and builders to assure significant energy, water and waste savings . Anthony stated that LEED buildings meet "certain" standards. In truth, any new building "meets" standards; LEED buildings must exceed standards for energy, water conservation, healthy air, recycling, erosion, lighting and comfort.
CSU's Institute for the Built Environment has participated in more than 30 green building projects. Many have attained LEED certification.
Our stance is that a building not measured by a third party might mislead the public about its sustainability. This could be equated to a student reading textbooks, never completing a degree and stating that he essentially earned a diploma.
CSU has two LEED certified buildings -- the CSU Transit Center and Guggenheim Hall -- with several others in the construction and certification process. CSU students from interior design to technical journalism participated in the projects from design to construction to LEED certification work.
As a member of the University Sustainability Committee, Construction Management faculty and Institute for the Built Environment director, I concur that we must not overstate green accomplishments and demonstrate that our university is sincerely focused on doing little (and big) things that sustain, preserve and restore our planet.
Anthony uses the LEED green building rating system as an example of our campus spending money for "PR hype." I want to clarify his miss-statements about LEED.
LEED is much more than PR hype; it is an internationally trusted system of high standards for building owners, designers, engineers and builders to assure significant energy, water and waste savings . Anthony stated that LEED buildings meet "certain" standards. In truth, any new building "meets" standards; LEED buildings must exceed standards for energy, water conservation, healthy air, recycling, erosion, lighting and comfort.
CSU's Institute for the Built Environment has participated in more than 30 green building projects. Many have attained LEED certification.
Our stance is that a building not measured by a third party might mislead the public about its sustainability. This could be equated to a student reading textbooks, never completing a degree and stating that he essentially earned a diploma.
CSU has two LEED certified buildings -- the CSU Transit Center and Guggenheim Hall -- with several others in the construction and certification process. CSU students from interior design to technical journalism participated in the projects from design to construction to LEED certification work.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
jimmy
posted 11/03/09 @ 6:44 AM MST
Excellent column,
doing good for the environment without the brainwashed "global warming" reasoning. Instead, we got tangible solutions to real world issues, such as the over use of our water resources. (Continued…)
Ms. LEED Trainer
posted 11/03/09 @ 5:08 PM MST
I agree with this column. LEED is a internationally trusted rating system that ensures the right procedures and standards are being meet when building green and sustainable. (Continued…)
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