NEW YORK, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- While most people think global warming is primarily caused by traffic, the fact is buildings, from skyscrapers to the family home, are responsible for more CO2 emissions than automobiles -- more than twice as much.
(See video from General Motors at:
http://media.medialink.com/WebNR.aspx?story=33335 )
Buildings need to power lights, power mechanical systems, even what we call "plug loads" for computers, and other various electronic devices. All of that power is being demanded by a power plant that emits CO2 into the atmosphere.
In order to encourage better building design, the Green Building Council now rates construction and land management practices and hands out coveted gold certificates to those buildings that measure up to their global-friendly criteria. One of this year's winners is an automotive assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan. The 6-month old plant also preserves a 75 acre wildlife site across the street; has drought-resistant landscaping to eliminate the need for irrigation; and collects rainwater from its 1.5 million square-foot roof to flush the toilets.
To learn more about green buildings, go USGBC.org.
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