Sustainability Memo #2
Memo #2 to: Kim Hughes, Instructor, Sustainable Building Advisors Course
From: Bud Munson
If you look at sustainability as an overall philosophy, you have to notice that there are many important components. In our text Jason McLennon points out some of the facts about the places where we, as human beings, actually consume. About a third of our energy consumption is from the buildings and dwellings in which we live, work and produce products. If a third of our power is used in buildings and maybe a third in planes, trains and automobiles (transportation) and the other third in the production of goods (manufacturing), we are wise to analyze ways to make these three areas more efficient and sustainable. Over the last fifteen years or so computer technology and process improvements have revolutionized production and manufacturing. We have all speculated about the auto industry’s true willingness to make advancements in efficient technologies, but recent advancements seem to be making strong steps in the right direction. The building industry has so many parts that are independent of each other, that changing prescriptive paths is very difficult. With architects, designers, developers, lenders, builders, subcontractors, municipal inspectors, code and inspection standards like (ICBO) and all others involved in the building process, it’s very complex and complicated to try to make advancements in building technology and changes to the existing prescriptive paths.
As I began this class I had no idea how many organizations, programs and processes already existe to advance the green building industry. State governments, the federal government and many private organizations are trying to push this agenda of sustainability. Each of these organizations comes to the game from slightly different places. Some look at the environmental aspects and some focus on issues of consumption and social equity. However, in my opinion, not many are coming at it from an economic perspective. If a person says, “How can we build better houses and buildings and still do it profitably?” the other two groups frown and say the concerns should be about justice and the environment. I believe that until all of the groups realize that something makes economic sense, green building will simply never be implemented in a widespread and significant way.
The existing green building programs seem to try to create standards and criteria, but, for some reason, they all seem to desire some kind of economic gain from their program alone. This is understandable, but a “certification” does not a better building make. LEED, Energy Star and Earth Advantage all seem to have good ideas and are promoting efficiency and higher standards. The problem is that most builders don’t want to spend money on “certification.” If we can begin to make progress toward getting the building industry to realize that it’s not the certification, but more energy efficient building that matters, we will see progress. What really needs to happen are comprehensive changes to our building codes, design criteria and initial development planning for there to be real progress in sustainable building.
I understand that the sustainability picture is about more than just buildings, but I believe it’s the area that has the biggest need for real change, reform and progress. As a developer I have a huge interest in seeing people in my industry come together, as quickly as possible, to set new standards and to make real progress toward making the buildings and dwellings, we all must have for our survival, much more efficient. Social justice (equity) and environmental consciousness are reasons to do these things, but without an economic benefit (profit), it is unlikely that much progress will be made. Many people in this game want to demonize the need for profitable systems and processes. American ingenuity and entrepreneurial innovation, as it always has in the past, will lead this revolution. I, in no way, mean to discount the importance of social justice and environmental consciousness, but I really believe that the people interested in those areas need to more fully understand the importance of economic viability.
Many things about our current social and economic system will be very hard to change. It will take years, and as Jason McLennan tells us in The Philosophy of Sustainable Design, maybe even a full generation must pass for us, as a society, to change the course of this giant ship of consumption and create real change. I have always been the eternal optimist, and I tend to believe human beings will find our way out of the morass.
Bud Munson
Bend, Oregon
541-389-8769 home
541-419-0745 cell
