Name: __________________________________ Class Period: __________

What is Green Building? Worldgbc.com, 2022

A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design, construction or
operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create
positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. Green
buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality
of life. There are a number of features which can make a building
‘green’. These include:

● Efficient use of energy, water and other resources

● Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy
● Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling
● Good indoor environmental air quality
● Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
● Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation
● Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation
● A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment

Any building can be a green building, whether it’s a

home, an office, a school, a hospital, a community
center, or any other type of structure, provided it
includes features listed above. However, it is worth
noting that not all green buildings are – and need to
be - the same. Different countries and regions have a
variety of characteristics such as distinctive climatic
conditions, unique cultures and traditions, diverse
building types and ages, or wide-ranging
environmental, economic and social priorities – all of
which shape their approach to green building.
Taking an intelligent approach to energy Minimizing
energy use in all stages of a building’s life-cycle,
making new and renovated buildings more comfortable and less expensive to run, and helping building
users learn to be efficient too.

Safeguarding water resources: Exploring ways to improve drinking and waste water efficiency and
management, harvesting water for safe indoor use in innovative ways, and generally minimizing water
use in buildings.

Promoting health and wellbeing Incorporating natural light and views to ensure building users’ comfort
and enjoyment of their surroundings, and reducing lighting energy needs in the process.

Keeping our environment green Recognising that our urban environment should preserve nature, and
ensuring diverse wildlife and land quality are protected or enhanced, by, for example, remediating and
building on polluted land or creating new green spaces
Answer the following questions using full sentences using the article as a reference:

1. Summarize this article in your own words using complete sentences.

2. Which features of a green building do you think is the most important and why?

3. How do these advancements in green architecture/building help us?

4. How can you be more environmentally conscious at home?