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Green Building Archive
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Climate Change and Opportunities for Local Leadership
There are many things that local communities can do to fight climate change, both in municipal operations and throughout the community. In many cases, these actions save energy and money at the same time. From reducing energy use in buildings and improving waste management to enhancing public transportation and employing smart growth, cities have the power to create the necessary change… if they are willing to do so.
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Second Chances for Buildings and People
Second Chance, an organization in Baltimore, MD is aptly named for their faith in second chances for both buildings and people. Second Chance works with local and regional architects, builders and contractors to find old buildings that are facing demolition. Using public and private funds, they rescue wood, metal, marble, plaster, stone and other architectural pieces and give those items new life while diverting them from the landfill.
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Green Building Ordinances on the Rise
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, in 2008 at least eight states and 22 local governments endorsed green building policies. as compared with just one state in 2004. Many of the measures require new government buildings to meet the council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
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Rainwater Catchment Ordinance
In October of 2008, the city of Tucson, Arizona became the first municipality in the country to require developers of commercial properties to harvest rainwater for landscaping. The new measure – approved by a unanimous vote by the City Council – requires that new developments meet 50% of their landscaping water requirements by capturing rainwater.