The Brundtland Report (1987) was written by the World Commission on Environment and Development, and defines sustainable development as, “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Imbedded within the sustainable development paradigm is the notion that interdependencies exist between humans and the environment, and that the current standard of living within developed countries has resulted in some humans living beyond the means of what the biosphere can support. In the United States, in particular, increasing awareness of the finiteness of natural resources is pushing towards more "green" building and development. Some common myths and further explanations of green building are described below:
The Cost of Green Design Technologies Exceeds the Benefits
While it is true that the initial costs of applying green technologies to a new building are likely to be higher than conventional building, the energy and water that are conserved will result in long term savings. Additionally, the current accounting costs do not consider the costs of environmental destruction or the costs of lessening a person’s health or well being, so these “soft costs” must also be considered in green building.
Green Building Initiative and Ordinances are Forms of Local Tyranny
One of the roles of the decision-makers is to ensure the well being and health of all public constituents. For example, most American local governments use land use plans that define allowable uses for a certain plot of land, while disallowing other uses. It is in the best interest of the local population to be surrounded by development that has the least detrimental impact as possible, which is the intention of a land use plan. People need to be aware of where they can benefit the most through implementing green design. A selling point for green design is showing how such development has worked in the community in the past. The public is more likely to respond in favor of green design when they can see numbers that are associated with a project that they are familiar with.
Using Energy and Water Efficient Appliances is Enough to be Environmentally Sensitive
Green building is more than the application of technology. Taking advantage of green designs is using appropriate technologies for the specific project and the location of the project. Additionally, green building practice should consider local and regional impacts of the built environment on resources, ecosystems, habitats, and social environments. There are also small steps that people can take to achieve greater sustainability that do not require new, expensive state-of-the-art technologies. Whether it is by using drip irrigation, turning off light switches when necessary, or by using a screen saver on the computer, sustainability is achieved through changing day-to-day actions.
Dispelling public misconceptions often requires a shift from individual focus to a more altruistic attitude. The Ecology of Place: Planning for Environment, Economy, and Community (Beatly, Thomas and Kristy Manning; Island Press; 1997) eloquently discusses the roles of decision-makers in publicizing the costs and benefits of green building. Decision-makers must wear the hats of educator, facilitator and expert, to name a few, to be a source of information that eases the decision making process, and instills confidence in those being represented in the community.
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