Note that Aspen has the first LEED Certified ski lodge (Skico’s Sundeck), the highest carbon tax in the world, an extensive climate change initiative, land use preservation efforts, 56% renewable power, and a citizenry that “gets it.” And the other valley communities are not far behind.

 

 

Note that nature is a primary asset that pays massive dividends on a continual basis.  This is especially true for The Roaring Fork Valley. In spite of ongoing development the area is relatively pristine. 

And those involved with green building are finding a niche in supporting the environmental health of their projects, their communities and their planet.  Take advantage of this growth industry and green the earth while improving your bottom line.

 

Who Else is Advocating Green Building?

 

Aspen has one of the most progressive building codes in the United States in terms of green design and construction.  Boulder, Vail and other municipalities are considering the use of similar standards.

 

The National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) is making green development a top priority and has instituted green design awards at the national level. Some regional branches are also promoting green awards.

 

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Public Policy on World Issues states:

·”The creation and operation of the built environment require an

investment of the earth’s resources. Architects must be environmentally responsible and advocate for the sustainable use of those resources.”

 

In the U.S., buildings account for approximately one-third of annual energy usage totals. Although many refrigerants are more potent GHGs than CO₂ (on a per molecule basis), the GHG contributions resulting from the emission of HFCs are a few percent.

However, ASHRAE's energy efficiency activities have a significant bearing on GHG emissions. ASHRAE and its 50,000 members have the opportunity to make a marked contribution to reducing GHG emissions. [click here to read the full statement]

 

4.0 ASHRAE's ROLE AND ACTIVITIES

A significant portion of energy consumed is utilized in buildings, resulting in substantial contributions to CO₂ emissions. In the U.S., buildings account for approximately one-third of annual energy usage totals. Although many refrigerants are more potent GHGs than CO₂ (on a per molecule basis), the GHG contributions resulting from the emission of HFCs are a few percent.

However, ASHRAE's energy efficiency activities have a significant bearing on GHG emissions. ASHRAE and its 50,000 members have the opportunity to make a marked contribution to reducing GHG emissions. (Revised July 15th, 2004).

 

ASHRAE Building Sustainability Statement: June 23, 2002 ASHRAE supports building sustainability as a means to provide a safe, healthy, comfortable indoor environment while simultaneously limiting the impact on the Earth’s natural resources.

ASHRAE will use its position as the technical society recognized as the global leader in HVAC&R technologies and applications to develop and disseminate technical information, standards, educational programs and research on issues of social importance to promote building sustainability.

Further, ASHRAE will:

1. consider integrating building sustainability principles, effective practices and emerging concepts into all appropriate ASHRAE standards, guidelines, Handbook chapters and Society publications; 2. actively participate with internationally recognized building sustainability groups where deemed appropriate; 3. promote and provide education on building sustainability to its members and society through the ASHRAE Learning Institute and grassroots chapter activities.

 

 

The American Society of Landscape Architects believes that human civilization is an integral part of the natural world and must be preserved and perpetuated if the human community is to sustain itself on earth. [click here to read the full statement]

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

(B205, 206, R2001)

Policy Statement

The American Society of Landscape Architects believes that human civilization is an integral part of the natural world and must be preserved and perpetuated if the human community is to sustain itself on earth. The Society urges the employment of sustainable design practices that balance stewardship to minimize environmental degradation and consumption with the need to provide a healthy, productive and meaningful life for all community residents such that the needs of future generations are not compromised.

Rationale

Sustainability is the capability of natural and cultural systems to maintain themselves over time and is supported by individual and collective motivations to use low impact and less consumptive approaches in our interactions with other people and the environment. Sustainable methods must account for global interdependence, environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic viability. Sustainable design employs appropriate methods to address these factors with each design choice accounting for economic, social and environmental concerns at the local, regional, national and global levels.

Sustainability should be an integral part of the design process. The goals associated with creating a sustainable built environment include: avoiding or otherwise minimizing the impacts on resources; conserving ecosystems (the source of all resources); using renewable resources; avoiding waste via re-use, recycling and recovery; supporting the realization of human potential and happiness; and creating healthy built environments and landscapes for present and future generations.

Communities should accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well being, the viability of natural systems and their right to co-exist. Designs should be of long-term value and should not burden future generations with intensive maintenance regimes. All products and processes should be evaluated and optimized for the full life cycle, thus minimizing waste and consumption.

Sustainable design should meet the requirements of and respond directly to its context. Sustainable design should account for the following:

1. Ecological: The natural forces that shape landscape, including climate, geology, hydrology, soils, elevation/landform, vegetation, wildlife and other living organisms.

2. Socio/Cultural: The human forces that shape landscape including history, communities and customs, development patterns, agriculture, and social behavior and uses.

3. Economic: The budget realities and cost-saving considerations that shape the built environment and the fiscal requirements necessary to support livable places and communities.

 

Planners, designers and managers should share knowledge and encourage communication between colleagues, professionals from other disciplines, decision makers and community leaders, clients, developers, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers to:

1. Enhance the understanding of and strengthen the integral relationship between natural processes and human activity and how sustainable design fits into everyday life.

2. Improve practices, processes, procedures, products, and services that link long-term sustainable considerations and stewardship.

3. Examine policies, regulations, and standards in industry and government to identify barriers to the implementation of the principles of sustainable design.

4. Encourage community and business leaders to bring the existing built environment up to sustainable design standards and to reflect the philosophy of sustainability in the design and management of their communities.

 

American Society of Landscape Architects, 636 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-898-2444, www.asla.org