Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
‹#›
The larger your home, the more impact your building materials make on their way to your. Also, it takes more energy to heat and cool. If you use primarily solar or wind energy, you reduce this impact and can feel less guilty about your large home.
4
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources  
Commercially available, cost-effective energy technologies could reduce overall energy consumption in the United States by as much as one-third--worth some $343 billion. This link provides information on strategies such as proper siting and airtight construction, as well as installing energy-efficient equipment and appliances and renewable energy systems. Such technologies can reduce the amount of energy your building needs to operate and to keep its occupants comfortable.
Environmental Impact 
The built environment has had a tremendous impact on the environment. However, your building can interact more positively with the environment if you pay special attention to preserving the site’s integrity and natural characteristics, landscaping appropriately, and selecting materials that have lower embodied energy and those that are produced locally. 
Resource Conservation  
Conserving resources is a cornerstone of green building techniques. There are many ways to conserve resources during the building process. For example, selecting materials that have at least some recycled content can conserve natural resources and virgin materials. Minimizing construction waste can ease the impact on landfills and resources. Installing water- and energy-efficient products can conserve resources while reducing operating costs. Choosing a green (plant-covered) roof can reduce energy use, cool urban heat islands, and prevent stormwater runoff, as well as contributing to wildlife habitat and air quality.
Indoor Air Quality  
Energy-efficient buildings are more airtight and therefore hold greater potential for indoor air quality problems, especially if not properly ventilated. Building products can contribute to poor air quality, but these potential problems can be reduced by selecting materials lower in chemicals and toxins, and installing mechanical ventilation systems to ensure an adequate fresh air supply. 
Community Issues  
Placing green building projects within easy access of public transportation, medical facilities, shopping areas, and recreational facilities decreases the need for automobiles and encourages bicycling and walking. In addition, successful green buildings blend into the community, preserving natural and historical characteristics, and will utilize existing infrastructure in order to reduce sprawl. Cohousing represents one approach to creating a community of green buildings.
5
This hybrid straw bale home generates all of its own electricity and incorporates passive solar heating and cooling. The aesthetics are influenced by the green construction materials, the use of natural materials, and basic solar design principles. Aesthetics are an important element of green building as a structure that looks good is more likely to be preserved for years to come.
6
More carbon dioxide is emitted from our homes and offices than our automobiles.
7
8
10
Wear a sweater in winter instead of turning up the heat in your home. Use fans in the summer to circulate the air.
HEPA filters can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers (µm) in diameter. Particles of this size are the most difficult to filter and are thus considered the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). Particles that are larger or smaller are filtered with even higher efficiency.
11
13
Warning: Joining a Freecycle group will create a plethora of emails from people who want to give their stuff away or are looking for something free. 
Manufacturing companies may buy and sell excess materials online: Resource Exchange for Eliminating Waste (RENEW)
14
18
A standard monitor left on overnight uses enough energy to print 5,300 copies, so at the very least, turn off your monitor and CPU when they are not in use.   
Smart power strips that shut down automatically when your electronics are turned off are now available.
20
Energy Star claims that one compact fluorescent bulb, including initial cost, will save you $14 per year and over $50 over the lifetime of the bulb.
Cities, schools and some businesses are now using LED lamps for exit signs, stop lights, and in other places that stay on 24/7.  They are more expensive to start with, but are even more efficient and long lasting than CFLs (also, contain no mercury).
Don’t worry, though. CFLs with no mercury will soon be available.  See EPA’s website for clean-up procedures if one happens to break. You do NOT need a hazmat team!
CF
The Kill-A-Watt meter will also project, in real time, thhe cost of continued use of the appliance in time periods of Hour, Month and Year.
22
24
A gallon of Evian (bottled NYC tap water) typically costs more than the same amount of cola, gasoline or milk
25
16,000 barrels of oil is enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year!
27
Low-flow showerheads cost as little as $10, are easy to install and can reduce your shower flow from as much as seven gallons per minute to as little as two without making your shower less pleasurable.
33
Better yet, do away with your grass and Xeriscape your lawn with native plants for low maintenance.
34
Planting trees strategically around your home could also reduce your energy consumption and save money.
Don’t forget to plant some fruit trees!
If you are not interested in growing food, try landscaping with Oklahoma native plants. A xeriscaped lawn requires very little maintenance or water.
35
36
Organic purchases are best if available locally, as the chemicals used in much of modern agriculture pollute the water supply and require more energy to produce.
38
•By using recycled paper, 60% of the water normally needed in paper manufacturing is saved; by using recycled steel, there is a 40% water savings, and a 50% water savings by using recycled glass.
• Producing aluminum from scrap instead of bauxite ore cuts energy use by 95 percent, yet we still throw away more than a million tons of aluminum per year.
•Manufacturing products from recycled paper reduces water pollution by 35% and air pollutants by 73%.
•
More than 70% of corrugated cardboard is recovered and recycled into new boxes and
paper products.  The fact is, the fibers from one corrugated box can have up to seven or
eight lives.  Breakdown and flatten your boxes for easier transporting before taking them to
your local recycling center.  If you do not have a center available, check with a local grocer or
department store such as Wal-Mart or Target to see if they will bale your cardboard in their
in-house recycling program.
40
More than 70% of corrugated cardboard is recovered and recycled into new boxes and
paper products.  The fact is, the fibers from one corrugated box can have up to seven or
eight lives.  Breakdown and flatten your boxes for easier transporting before taking them to
your local recycling center.  If you do not have
a center available, check with a local grocer or
department store such as Wal-Mart or Target
to see if they will bale your cardboard in their
in-house recycling program.
41
44
Offset global warming impacts of your car and/or airline travel online at terrapass.com.
54
1971 Pogo cartoon