GC: n
CT: Buildings constructed today are very different from those built 100 years ago. As interest in protecting the environment grows, “green,” or sustainable, buildings have become more commonplace. At first glance, these buildings might not appear very different from their predecessors, but they feature specialized designs and materials to limit their environmental impact. Creating these new buildings requires skilled workers—such as architects, construction managers, and carpenters—with knowledge of new design and construction techniques.
Green construction is the practice of erecting buildings and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient. Green buildings limit their environmental impact by conserving as much energy and water as possible and are constructed of recycled or renewable materials in order to achieve maximum resource efficiency.
S: http://www.bls.gov/green/construction/ (last access: 13 February 2015)
N: 1. green (adj): Old English grene “green, young, immature, raw,” earlier groeni, from Proto-Germanic gronja-, from PIE root ghre- “grow” (see grass), through sense of “color of living plants.”
tax (n): early 14c., “obligatory contribution levied by a sovereign or government,” from Anglo-French tax, Old French taxe, and directly from Medieval Latin taxa, from Latin taxare (see tax (v.)). Related: Taxes. Tax-deduction is from 1942; tax-shelter is attested from 1961.
construction (n): late 14c., from Old French construction or directly from Latin constructionem (nominative constructio), from construct-, past participle stem of construere “pile up together, accumulate; build, make, erect,” from com- “together” (see com-) + struere “to pile up” (see structure (n.)).
2. Sustainable or “green building” design and construction is the opportunity to use our resources more efficiently, while creating healthier and more energy-efficient homes. Although there is no magic formula, success comes in the form of leaving a lighter footprint on the environment through conservation of resources, while at the same time balancing energy-efficient, cost-effective, low-maintenance products for our construction needs. In other words, green building design involves finding the delicate balance between homebuilding and the sustainable environment. Learn more about reducing global warming.
3. Many people do not know rigid and blown foamed insulation is made of plastics or that the use of plastics in building and construction often uses less energy and creates less greenhouse gas per application than traditional materials. For a free fully documented, peer-reviewed and published “cradle-to-gate” life cycle inventory (LCI) of nine major plastic resins and two polyurethane precursors, click here. For additional LCI information on a particular product to compare environmental impacts, contact the specific product manufacturer.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=green&searchmode=none; http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=construction&searchmode=none (last access: 13 February 2015). 2 & 3. http://www.greenbuildingsolutions.org/Main-Menu/What-is-Green-Construction (last access: 13 February 2015).
SYN: ecological construction, eco-friendly construction.
S: GDT
