Green Building Quiz

Green Building: Definition, History, Research, and EPA Programs

• Green building is the practice of creating environmentally responsible and resource-efficient structures throughout a building's life-cycle.
• Green building focuses on reducing the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment.
• Green buildings may incorporate sustainable materials, create healthy indoor environments, and feature landscaping that reduces water usage.
• Building green can provide environmental, economic, and social benefits.
• The contemporary green building movement arose out of the need and desire for more energy efficient and environmentally friendly building practices.
• The green building field began to come together more formally in the 1990s, with early milestones including the creation of LEED certification and the EPA's Energy Star program.
• Green building research is being done by national laboratories, private companies, universities, and industry.
• Over 70% of green building research is focused on energy and atmosphere research, with materials and resources being the next largest category.
• The EPA has a number of programs that provide resources to help individuals and organizations learn more about green building concepts and how to incorporate them into different types of buildings.
• The EPA's Green Building Workgroup was formed in 2003 to bring together the many programs across the agency that work with the building and development sectors to improve their environmental performance.
• The Workgroup seeks to build effective EPA leadership in the green building movement by jointly informing, coordinating, and guiding the development of Agency policies, programs, partnerships, communications, and operations that influence building and development.
• EPA facilities are actively pursuing or demonstrating green building principles to reduce the environmental impact of its facilities and operations.