WASHINGTON – The U.S. Green Building Council testified today before the U.S. Congress about the importance of green buildings as a solution for global climate change.
Michelle Moore, senior vice president, policy and public affairs for USGBC, spoke before Chairman Edward J. Markety (D-MA) and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Moore detailed the impact the built environment has on the natural environment, economy, and the health and productivity of building users.
“Builders are the single largest contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for 39% of emissions in the U.S. Of those buildings, school buildings represent the largest construction sector in the country and 20% of America goes to school every day,” said Moore. “It’s fundamental to promote the design and construction of green schools, which play a tremendous role in bettering the health and performance of our students and children. Every new building coming out of the ground today should be built green and every existing building should be retrofitted, whether it is an office building, a school or your own home. Buildings offer an immediate, measurable solution for mitigating climate change – and we don’t have time to wait.”
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