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The advantages of building green
Building green aims to maximize the efficiency with which buildings use resources such as
energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment.
More than just a fad, building green has rapidly become an industry trend. In 2005, $10 billion
was spent on green building. By the year 2010, that amount is expected to be over $60 billion.
In the United States, buildings consume:
37% of all energy used in the United States
68% of all electricity
12% of fresh water supplies and
88% of potable water supplies
40% of raw materials
In the United States, buildings generate:
36% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions
46% of sulfur dioxide emissions
19% of nitrogen oxide emissions
10% of fine particulate emissions
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