Given the fact we have been driving functional automobiles for only a little over 100 years, the last century has undoubtedly seen a major advancement in human life. That being said, such a rush of prosperity has come with drawbacks.

The difference between the average persons life in 1907 and 2007 is laughably huge. Frankly, the century has been unlike any other, but so has our consumption of resources. Only now are we starting to realize the impact on the planet.

Ironically, we already know about the impact of the waste we create on our lives. From the smog impacted city of Los Angeles to the toxic rivers in the east, we have seen and at least partially dealt with the problems arising from the waste produced by our society.

The world is currently heating up and we are seeing the results of this in many ways. The reduction of the ice caps is the most obvious. The slowing of the ocean conveyor is the most serious. Together, all of this comes under the mantle of global warming.

In the climate change debate, a key fact is often lost. There is no debate the planet is getting hotter. What is disputed is the cause of this heating up. Is this a natural phenomenon of some sort, perhaps a cyclical event or is it our waste that is the cause?

You may or may not believe emissions from our way of life is the cause of climate change. What is clear is that we not helping the problem at a minimum. This has resulted in many areas with an effort to find solutions to the problem. Green construction is one such solution.

Mention the term green and one tends to get images of people hugging trees and such. In truth, this is not the case. It simply refers to a more efficient way to build and use structures from simple residences to skyscrapers like the Hearst Towers in New York City.

Efficiency is about low energy control. Many green buildings filter their air through plant life. They recycle their water. They use recycled materials for building elements from newspapers for insulation to steel from demolished structures.

From a design perspective, green construction philosophy involves incorporating renewable energy platforms. These can include solar panels to provide electricity, strategic plant placement to filter air and the use of opening windows instead of air conditioning.

Green building is ultimately about maturity. As we come to realize our impact on the planet, we must take action to minimize the negative effects. Green building is one method for doing so.

Article Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

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