Greenbuild ’09

Opening day of Greenbuild ’09 was full of excitement and anticipation. Crowd control was good as the more than 25,000 attendees processed through registration. I reminded myself several times that everyone working Greenbuild is a volunteer so all minor misunderstandings could be overlooked. The trade show was packed Wednesday morning and the four people in our booth were rarely without someone to talk to. My afternoon was highlighted by meeting “notre dame killer” Anthony Johnson.

We scurried out of the booth to head to Chase Field for the opening session. All the way there were trying to find somewhere to grab a quick bite but can’t seem to. To out surprise Chase Field had been turned into a giant gourmet diner complete with any local organic good we could want. All of the proceedings were great but Sheryl Crow was the best.

Today we’re all set for another session of meeting people and sharing ideas on the green revolution!

USGBC Texas Style

How can you stay on top of local green construction events & information?  There are many fantastic organizations out there to join.  Right here in Texas we have 3 USGBC chapters.  We are members of the Central Balcones chapter which covers a large territory from Midland & San Angelo through Central Texas.  Other chapters are in Houston & Dallas.

Why should you consider joining one of these organizations?  Besides having a lot of fun at chapter events, it gives you the chance to connect with others in the community who are passionate about energy efficient & environmentally friendly construction techniques.  Many of the members are architects & builders.  Its a great chance to network.

So pick the organization closest to you and support green construction in your city!

Are You Going To GreenBuild This Year?

Only 16 days until Greenbuild!  This year we invade Boston, Massachusetts, with the hope of learning, networking, and sharing enthusiasm for greening the world.  Have any opinions on what to do or where to go?  Share here!

How do buildings impact the environment?

Very interesting stats from the USGBC:

“The built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, economy, health, and productivity. In the United States alone, buildings account for:
•    70% of electricity consumption,
•    39% of energy use,
•    39% of all carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions,
•    40% of raw materials use,
•    30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), and
•    12% of potable water consumption