The USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference kicked off bright and early Wednesday morning as several speakers took the stage for the opening plenary. Some were expected, like the USGBC President Rick Fedrizzi. Others, like Ira Magaziner of the Clinton Climate Initiative were a pleasant surprise. But we all know who we were really waiting for: the current sage of global sustainability, Bill McDonough – and he didn’t disappoint.
For a few of the highlights of the opening session, read on…
-The CEO of USGBC, Rick Fedrizzi, made several announcements about the current and future status of the USGBC and its LEED program, including several new partnerships with IESNA, ASHRAE, ASID, and others. Climate change is an omnipresent topic, and possibly the most significant announcement surrounded carbon emissions. Following work done by Architecture 2030, AIA, and EPA, the USGBC intends to integrate 50 percent fossil fuel reductions in all LEED projects. Also, all future LEED platinum projects will have their USGBC fees completely refunded. Fedrizzi also announced a report entitled “Greening America’s Schools: Costs and Benefits,” proving a 20-1 return on these projects.
-Bart Harvey of the Enterprise Community Partners announced a new initiative for green buildings within the affordable housing market. The USGBC also announced a partnership with ECP, which has raised $500,000 and hopes to build 8,500 green homes.
-Phil Bernstein of Autodesk announced new features within the Revit Modeling Program to help implement sustainable design through digital tools.
-Ira Magaziner of the Clinton Climate Initiative spoke on their work to create a sustainable market for all aspects of development, from carbon emissions to light bulbs. Primarily through city partnerships, Magaziner hopes to orchestrate the necessary technical assistance to promote widespread adoption of energy reduction and the reversal of climate change.
-And last but not least, Bill McDonough spoke of his history of working with sustainable projects and the obligation that we have, as designers, owners, and developers. Although much of McDonough’s talk was based on previous projects, he did spare a few minutes to talk about his current work in China developing sustainable cities and their national initiatives for viable future communities.
Be sure and check back for more on Greenbuild Conference highlights, including workshop sessions, the exhibit floor, and more!
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So, from my office window here in Denver, I just saw one of those “mobile billboards” driving around advertising some sort of green building solution firm. Hypocrisy anyone?
I was there, along with 13000 other participants. Truthfully, the majority (myself included) arrived via airplane after receiving months worth of marketing materials in the mail. Tons and tons of printed materials were distributed at the show. To Karl’s point, I think we’re becoming the Unsustainable Sustainability movement.
To your point, PR, you missed the check box not to send paper materials. This was my third year and I was delighted that all correspondence from vendors and the conference was electronic.
I attended the Conference as well – took a junky Miami University van filled with 9 students from Ohio. Flight might have been both safer and possibly more sustainable, but much more expensive (and I would have never experienced the attack of the tumbleweeds in Kansas). I thought that there was a lot of hypocrisy as well, or at least some private agendas that were starting to develop without care to the overall good. But, above all it was a business conference and until we encourage everyone to wear jeans and start composting the meals we eat in the sustainably designed conference centers, there will not be a true revolution.
[...] 10. TRADE SHOWS GO GREEN From the inaugural West Coast Green conference in San Francisco to GreenBuild in Denver, and even smaller exhibition events like HauteGreen, we’re excited to see organized trade shows and industry events turning their focus to green design and technologies. [...]