Good things happen . . .
Good things happen when natural resources are used sparingly and efficiently - costs are lower and less pollution is produced.
Many business owners, architects and facility managers agree it's a good idea to have a few quick, early greening success.
If you are just starting to green your building or merely looking for a new greening project, here are some proven project ideas you can do.
Make "greening" part of everyone's job by building it into job descriptions, bonuses, and performance evaluations.
Getting started
Keep it simple, look for early success, and build on what others have done.
What is "greening"?
For our purposes, we use "greening" and "sustainability" interchangeably. Here is a classic, broad definition:
"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
And, here is a more detailed definition for those working with the built environment:
Hannover Principles EXPO 2000, Hannover, Germany
Insist on the right of humanity and nature to co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diverse, and sustainable condition.
Recognize Interdependence. The elements of human design interact with and depend on the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design considerations to recognizing even distant effects.
Respect relationships between spirit and matter. Consider all aspects of human settlement including community, dwelling, industry, and trade in terms of existing and evolving connections between spiritual and material consciousness.
Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being, the viability of natural systems, and their right to co-exist.
Create safe objects to long-term value. Do not burden future generations with requirements for maintenance or vigilant administration of potential danger due to the careless creations of products, processes, or standards.
Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluate and optimize the full life-cycle of products and processes, to approach the state of natural systems in which there is no waste.
Rely on natural energy flows. Human designs should, like the living world, derive their creative forces from perpetual solar income. Incorporate this energy efficiently and safely for responsible use.
Understand the limitations of design. No human creation lasts forever and design does not solve all problems. Those who create and plan should practice humility in the face of nature. Treat nature as a model and mentor, not an inconvenience to be evaded or controlled.
Seek constant improvements by sharing knowledge. Encourage direct and open communication between colleagues, patrons, manufacturers, and users to link long-term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility, and reestablish the integral relationship between natural processes and human activity.
For more information on the Hannover Principles, take a look at Bill McDonough.
