Environmental Design + Construction - November 2008 - (Page 94)

STUDIO By Kath Williams, Ed.D. The Move Toward Sustainability FIVE STEPS ADVOCATE THE PROCESS FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE. “Green is mainstream.” Organizations that led the way are celebrating success. The world has changed to sustainability. If the measure of success is headlines, minutes on the evening news, and column inches in opinion-making magazines and blogs, then success can be declared. The reality is that transforming the world or any part of it requires a process that moves everything and everyone toward sustainability. Yes, it is a process, one with five distinct steps. and the residential market cannot declare “victory” with expectations that green homes will be $12 billion to $20 billion (6 to 10 percent of the market) this year. 3 Adaptation THERE IS NO “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” FORMULA FOR BEING A GREEN PROJECT, SUSTAINABLE COMPANY, OR A FAMILY WHO TREADS LIGHTLY ON THE LAND. 1 Awareness Awareness is the first step and that is the current situation; awareness of green is mainstream. With an almost universal recognition of the need for sustainability, change is a mandate that is an environmental imperative to some, an economic necessity or boon to others, or just common sense to families, friends, colleagues and communities. 2 Trial The next step in the change process is trial. Green building demonstration projects, particularly LEED Platinum facilities, set high goals and are evidence of concepts in diverse challenges of sustainable planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance. Green homebuilder programs across the nation encourage the use and testing of sustainable strategies and technologies while recognizing the successes and building awareness. Less than 5 percent of the commercial construction market has even tried green strategies, Following a trial or two, adaptation of project/company/personal goals and behavior is required if lasting change to sustainability is to be attained. Forced adoption of any change has historically resulted in avoidance, subterfuge and outright revolt. Adaptation, rather than adoption, presents opportunities for personalization, local/regionalization, and prioritization of the three goals of sustainability: environmental, economic and human. Canada and India have led the way with adaptations of the LEED rating system, prioritizing specific environmental challenges and weighting the credits to support and recognize project achievements. There is no “one size fits all” formula for being a green project, sustainable company, or a family who treads lightly on the land. Adaptation is essential because everyone starts from a different point based on values, beliefs, experiences and needs. The current mainstream awareness level has been attained in part because today’s green movement has avoided much of the “judgmental-ism” of many environmental groups of the past. 4 for the public to tell when a governmental body, corporation, institution, firm — or even a person — has switched to sustainability. Outward signs include integration of sustainable principles across all projects, activities, policies and messages. Green becomes standard operating procedure. 5 Sharing Committed green champions become agents of change, reaching the fifth step by sharing valuable resources and lessons learned. This is reflected in the most successful sustainable project plans, policies, designs, construction practices and facility management. The impacts of green building projects extend far beyond the site boundaries as they become demonstrations, motivators and teachers supporting everyone through the five steps in the change process, the goal being sustainability. KATH WILLIAMS, ED.D., IS THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL AND FORMER VICE CHAIR OF THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL. SHE FOUNDED KATH WILLIAMS + ASSOCIATES, A GREEN BUILDING EDUCATION AND CONSULTING FIRM IN BOZEMAN, MONT., IN 1999. SHE HAS SERVED AS A LEED FACULTY MEMBER AND SENIOR LEED AP ON NUMEROUS PROJECTS INCLUDING INDIA’S GREEN BUSINESS CENTRE, LEED PLATINUM, AND THE LEED-GOLD TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING PLANT. Commitment Be sure to check out ED+C’s December 2008 issue that will feature more industry leaders’ “Perspectives” on the past, present and future of green building. Continuous practice of sustainable policies and practices leads to the next step in the change process, commitment. It is easy 94 ed+c N OV E MBE R 08

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Environmental Design + Construction - November 2008

Environmental Design %2B Construction - November 2008 Contents Web TOC Editor's Note Newsline New %2B Notable Green by Nature Award Winner: Juvenile Justice Award Winner: Desert Living FSC Special Section Designing a Greener Building with BIM The Case for Modular Creating a Rustle Lessons Learned The Move Toward Sustainability Lead by Example A%2B Rating Nurture by Nature Commitment to Sustainability Eyeing the Future Work of Art Green has Gone to the Dogs Sensible Upgrade Moisture Issues in Courthouses Green Build - Green Product Buzz Guide Benefi ts of BIM Product Focus Marketplace %2B Classifieds Advertiser's Index Parting Shot

Environmental Design + Construction - November 2008

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