U.N. Green Building Study

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U.N.: Green buildings could slow global warming
http://news.com.com/U.N.+Green+buildings+could+slow+global+warming/2100-11392_3-6171717.html

By Reuters
Published: March 29, 2007, 11:52 AM PDT

Better architecture and energy savings in buildings could do more to fight global warming than all curbs on greenhouse gases agreed under the United Nations' Kyoto Protocol, a U.N. study showed on Thursday.

Better use of concrete, metals and timber in construction and less use of energy for everything from air conditioners to lighting in homes and offices could save billions of dollars in a sector accounting for 30 to 40 percent of world energy use.

"Buildings can play a key role in combating climate change," the U.N. Environment Program said in a report issued in Oslo during a conference on ways to promote economic growth without damaging the environment.

Simple measures include more blinds to keep out the sun in hot climates, switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, better insulation and ventilation. "Avoid building a bigger house than you need," was among the tips.

"By some conservative estimates, the building sector worldwide could deliver emission reductions of 1.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide," said Achim Steiner, the head of UNEP. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas.

"A more aggressive energy efficiency policy might deliver over 2 billion tons, or close to three times the amount scheduled to be reduced under the Kyoto Protocol," he said.

The U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol binds 35 industrial nations to cut emissions of greenhouse gases, mainly from burning fossil fuels, by about 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-2012 to slow a warming that may cause more heatwaves, droughts and rising seas.

But Kyoto has few incentives for more-efficient buildings, even though they are a big part of a problem also stoked by sectors such as transport and farming. The report urged global action to promote greener buildings.

"The savings that can be made right now are potentially huge and the costs to implement them relatively low if sufficient numbers of governments, industries, businesses and consumers act," Steiner said.

The report said fast-growing developing nations needed to focus on more-efficient new buildings. China is the world's top builder, adding almost 21.53 billion square feet of new building space every year, it said.

"Typically construction costs increase by 3 to 5 percent due to the introduction of energy-efficient solutions," it said. The UNEP study is part of a project also supported by companies such as Lafarge, Skanska and Arcelor.

The report said most energy used in buildings is during their lifetimes--from heating to lighting--rather than in construction. Overall, most energy is used by homes, ahead of shops, offices and other buildings such as schools or hospitals.

For builders, timber was often a cheaper and lighter-weight alternative for house frames than steel. Energy consumption in making steel was 2 to 3 times higher than in making glulam beams--wood glued together and laminated for more strength.

It also recommended refurbishing old buildings rather than demolishing them and designing new buildings for long use.

[OurTulsa]

According to all information I've seen thus far, Tulsa will have it's own demonstration of a 'Green' home in the North Cherry Street neighborhood in the coming months.  I hear that the two townhomes that will be going up on Rockford Av. just in from the BA will achieve the highest level for LEED certification.  They didn't demolish the old home that was on the lot.  Apparently it is being reused up in Sperry.

Those are just the beginning of sustainable development in Tulsa.

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I am so happy that Tulsa's Green Cherry is getting popped in my hood! Hazaa! Hoopa! Hooray! Mark this on your calendar everyone, I am actively and unabashedly cheer leading for a development.