the 2030 challenge



Ok, I know there's a lot of important stuff concerning global awareness and greenhouse initiatives, but this one surprised me a lot, and it might surprise you too:

40% of all US greenhouse gas emissions come from operating buildings.


Here's the quote from the interview posted on BLDG BLOG :

The number is actually 48% of total US energy consumption that can be attributed to the building sector, most of which – 40% of total consumption – can be attributed just to building operations. That's heating, lighting, cooling, and hot water. There are others – running pumps and things like that. But 40% of total US energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed just to building operations

Think about that. Remembering the terrible conditions regarding air quality and temperature at the last office building I worked at, I doubt that the numbers are any better here in Europe. No matter how many environmental sensitive passive houses our friends build for themselves, they're nothing compared to those huge energy-eating office complexes that we keep planting.

Posted: Mon - January 29, 2007 at 01:30 PM         |

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