industry, we ask for your support in enacting legislation that provides certainty to the

marketplace and gets our economy back to work.”

That was the opening sentence from a letter that was sent to President Obama and Congressional leaders on December 7 and signed by 45 design and construction industry associations. But it could have been sent to almost every American. (And, for that matter, sent by many Americans as well.)

At a time when unemployment in the design and construction industry is at 13.4 percent, it is no surprise that nearly one in ten American workers is out of a job. The industry accounts for 5.7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employing more than seven million Americans who design, construct and maintain the infrastructure on which our economy depends. When unemployment in this sector is high, the impact is felt in every community across the nation.

For when the design and construction industry slows, the economy worsens. It’s as simple as that.

You can argue, as some experts do, that the industry was artificially inflated by the real estate bubble, and that now the industry is only returning back to normal. However, when a sector determines the economy’s overall health as much as this sector does, that explanation just won’t wash. Most construction projects valued at less than $5 million are stalled due to lack of financing, and more broadly, 21 percent of all construction projects are stalled due to the lack of available financing, according to an analysis by the American Institute of Architects. Total construction spending will be flat to down for the remainder of 2011, and margins will continue to be squeezed as material costs continue to rise at more than five percent into 2012.

This lack of funding deters job growth in a sector that can put the economy back on track and is a

proven accelerator of economic growth. A recent study by Bloomberg Government reports that

for every one job in construction, there are 25 applicants. If the industry gets back to work, then

the national economy will grow. Every additional $1 billion invested in nonresidential design

and construction would add $3.4 billion to GDP, $1.1 billion to personal earnings, create or

sustain 28,500 full-time jobs, and an additional $2.35 billion in indirect benefits to the economy, according to the Associated General Contracts of America.

So, what can you do about this? Despite the inherent challenges in passing legislation

in a divided government, Congress and the Administration have the opportunity to improve the

economy simply through enacting legislation that traditionally has received strong bipartisan

support. And we ask for your support in asking your representatives to work to achieve the following goals:

Ask your Congressman or Congresswoman to pass and the President to sign surface transportation, aviation, water resources, and clean water and drinking water infrastructure authorization bills. Enactment of these authorizations will immediately provide programmatic and fiscal certainty that will help job creators in every state put people back to work. Short-term extensions of laws provide little or no certainty to public agencies or those who perform work for them. In fact, our members say that the failure to pass routine bills undermines business confidence. Our members understand that difficult choices need to be made in order to reduce spending and lower the deficit. However, delaying these choices damages our economy by putting vital building and infrastructure projects on hold indefinitely.

Second, any effort to reinvigorate the design and construction markets must successfully jumpstart new privately-funded construction. The strength of the private sector market is the single largest determining factor in the health of the construction industry. Unfortunately, private sector demand continues to decline at alarming rates. Of course, the private sector will not begin building again until employment expands, retail demand grows and manufacturing increases. That is why the best way to boost private demand for construction is to put in place pro-growth policies that will boost economic expansion.

Our members are ready and willing to get back to work designing and building the infrastructure that will keep America competitive in the 21st Century. They want Congress and the

Administration to perform the fundamental business of governing that will provide the stability

that is needed to get this sector moving and take millions of Americans off the unemployment rolls. Reviving demand for construction, particularly private sector construction activity, is essential to sustaining broader economic growth.

When so many of our fellow Americans are out of work, we urge you to urge your Congressional representative to take action on these critical measures that

will help our economy fully recover. For when architects work, the nation builds.

American Institute of Architects.

Nature is the gold standard against which our built environments should be measured. On its own, Nature has a finely tuned balance, but problems occur for both people and the environment when synthetic or man-made materials are introduced and the essential balance is lost. Ecological, sustainable building means not just sustaining our ecosystems, but human health as well. Mind, body and soul are affected in a myriad of ways by a dwelling. And it is clear that the once finely tuned relationship between humankind and nature is out of balance.

Let’s take a look at the 4 values that William McDonough mentioned in his quote and how they relate to sustainable building.

Economical, Equitable, Ecological, Elegant.

First let’s look at Economical… A quote from local Environmental Inspector & Building Consultant Jon Cotham… “It’s important to remember that with the rising cost of health care and lost productivity from illness, that anything we can do to maintain our good health is financially beneficial”. Our health is priceless and when buying, renovating or building a new home or business, its ability to nurture health should be our top priority. As more consumers look to healthy, sustainable building materials, the costs have come more in line with conventional materials. Contrary to popular belief, often the healthier alternatives are no more expensive, or even more economical in the long run due to a longer lifecycle and greater durability, or by reducing energy costs.

We have the ability to shift industry if we persevere in either buying less of something, or in buying more of the sustainable alternatives. Many of us will spend additional money to buy natural, organic and fair trade food & clothing. Why not take these into consideration when buying building materials? History has shown that consumers’ have great power with their spending habits. Runaway consumerism, has played a significant role in the collapse the economy and of the ecosystem, given the energy, water, land and other resources required to produce all the “stuff” people buy and quickly dispose of. Exciting opportunities for sustainability lie in the beginnings of a revolution that replaces materials made using dirty, wasteful methods with those resulting from clean processes patterned after Nature’s cyclical patterns. Since the 1990s leading manufacturers have adopted sustainability standards that have increased revenue through risk management, increased competitive advantage, cost reduction and product differentiation. They have demonstrated that such sustainable practices not only work but are economically viable.

Equitable. Most of us are all familiar with this term in regards to Fair Trade practices, which is an important consideration in buying practices for building materials. It is important to look to manufacturers who ensure healthy working conditions, fair labor practices and fair compensation. But, do we consider how we can be more equitable to our children, our pets and the elderly that occupy our dwellings? They may not have much voice, if any, in the decisions made concerning building materials, and yet they are the ones whose health is most at risk. Children are more affected by indoor contaminants than adults because their respiratory, immune & neurological systems are still developing. And, their breathing zone is much closer to the ground where most contaminants originate.

The next value is Ecological. When considering materials for your built environment, think about the impact your decision has on the world at large. Fortunately, there is a current awareness that Building Operations… that is heating, cooling and lighting… is having a huge impact on our outside air quality. Surprisingly, when we compare sources of Co2 emissions, we see that the manufacturing of Building Materials alone is actually higher than the levels produced by Automobiles. The manufacturing of Portland Cement used in concrete, and the gypsum used in drywall are among the biggest polluters, but there are alternatives.

The destruction of global health is mirrored by a similar impact on our personal health. Tens of thousands of chemicals being used today in the home and elsewhere are known to be toxic. The alarming growth of diseases such as childhood asthma, autism, and fibromyalgia – have become cause for researchers to look for links between these chemicals and our health, and indeed many have been found. Both the EPA and American Lung Association urge us to not use materials with PVC or formaldehyde added which can include vinyl flooring, carpet pad & backing, plywoods and particleboards found in cabinets and furniture, textiles, paints, stains and sealers. Studies have shown that poor indoor air quality affects attendance and productivity in schools and the workplace.

Elegant and Sustainable go hand in hand. The dictionary defines Elegant as “of a high grade or quality”. With today’s selection of sustainable building materials, elegance does not need to be compromised. There are a wide variety of materials that are truly elegant not only because of their high grade or quality, but also because they are truly pleasing and sophisticated. Sustainable building no longer is limited to a rustic or industrial looks.

Today we are faced with a dazzling array of finishing products. It is a daunting task to make healthy, sustainable choices, especially when considering how little information is revealed on product labels, and how much knowledge is required to decipher them. Fortunately, there is now more information available to the consumer through the internet and television, through books, and through the increasing number of professional consultants available to help with inspections, analysis, design and procurement. When starting any type of building or remodeling project, we need to take time to plan. A hard thing for many of us in this society of immediate gratification, but we need to invest sufficient time into finding healthy, environmentally sound choices.

Our homes and business represent one of the biggest investments we will ever make of our time, energy and money; they are a life long focus of concern and can become a source of well being. The simple steps of creating a healthy home or workplace are some of the easiest ways we can live an ecologic life, doing our part to be stewards for the earth, and helping to create a truly sustainable economy.

Copyright 2009 Cynthia Grier. All rights reserved.

Cynthia Grier has been a proponent of environmental causes for many years, beginning with Environmental Studies courses in college. She received her degree in Interior Environmental Design and has 30 years experience in the design and building industry in a variety of settings. She is a Build It Green Certified Green Building Professional, a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the Natural Building Network, and the Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology. Cynthia is based in Ojai, California where sits on the Ojai Valley Green Coalition – Building and Construction committee where she has helped to design and assemble a mock green home in both the Ojai Valley Museum and the Community Services of Ventura County Green Center.

Cynthia’s passion is to make eco-friendly building materials accessible, and to teach ways of creating beautiful, healthy, affordable environments that promote sustainability and can be a source of well being. She continues to venture forth with this mission through the EcoLogic LifeStyle magazine where she serves as a contributing editor and specializes in sustainability reviews for the travel industry. For more information visit EcoLogic Life – green design build showroom at http://www.ecologiclife.com, and EcoLogic LifeStyle – online magazine at http://www.ecologiclifestyle.com

Author: Cynthia Grier
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The State of Garbage

Business sustainability counteracts the materialistic nature of modern societies that creates an addiction to garbage and waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States department dedicated to municipal waste (MSW) management, businesses generate 45 percent of the total waste in the country. According to data taken from the “State of Garbage in America” survey in 2006, the country generates 413,014,732 tons of garbage per year; however, only 35.5 percent (146,601,768 tons) of the waste is recycled or reused. The remaining 64.5 percent (146, 601,768 tons) can be found in one of 1,800 landfills nationwide, which defeats business sustainability efforts.

Waste in Relation to Business Sustainability

In order to build business sustainability one must plan and allocate resources according to current needs. The type of waste businesses produce depends upon the industry; however, common categories include paper products, electronics and machinery, hazardous waste, non-renewable energy, as well as expired products. According to the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, office workers use 10,000 sheets of paper per year; however, only 66 percent of office paper is recycled and reused. It is pertinent to utilize recycled products within the business to increase resource efficiency.

While recycling rates remain steady for paper products, business sustainability struggles to control electronic waste (otherwise known as eWaste). With the rapid development and innovation of computers, printers, and other office machinery, businesses are constantly replacing outdated, slow, or broken equipment. Due to the chemical composition of the equipment, the items cannot be placed into landfills and require special handling to correctly dispose of the parts. Electronics are by nature nonrenewable investments; however, there are methods by which companies can recycle them.

Managing Business Waste

In an effort to increase business sustainability, businesses utilize a variety of techniques, including source reduction, recycling, composting, waste to energy incineration, and landfills. Most businesses attempt to recycle their materials; however, it requires internal and municipal coordination, which adds administrative costs, and diminishes savings. Businesses can offset the cost and improve sustainability efforts by using recycled products within their organization, such as printer paper.

Internal sustainability efforts are complemented by municipal services, who compost or incinerate materials to offset the expanding landfills. Current business sustainability efforts are band-aids to larger problems. Source reduction prevents waste from entering the ecosystem by reducing the number of resources businesses utilize. Source reduction enables businesses to increase sustainability by changing internal manufacturing and purchasing policies.

Increasing ROI Through Source Reduction

The costs to administer aggressive source reduction campaigns are offset by the long-term savings on operational expenses. Source reduction is based on the principle of a zero-waste ecosystem in which businesses use every resource that is purchased. Companies spend billions of dollars each year on products that are not used, expired, diminished, stolen, or liquidated. Every manufactured good has a set shelf life, including ink cartridges, pens, and paper.

Additionally, discarding empty printer cartridges and broken electronics creates unnecessary hazardous waste. Cost reduction and business sustainability initiatives counteract these issues by obtaining extended warranties for electronics and utilizing printer cartridge refill services.

Reducing Waste in the Workplace

Cost reduction indicates most businesses spend large sums of money to buy office supplies in bulk. It is estimated that businesses waste one-third of these goods due to expiration or loss, which defeats any bulk discounts one would receive from vendors.

Additionally, the supplies take up valuable warehouse space that could otherwise be reallocated. To effectively reduce waste, analyze company purchasing policies and contracts, noting areas of concern. Exceptions apply to these policies, as vendor agreements vary depending on their business sustainability practices.

Review company financial records, inventory databases, and purchase orders to determine the amount and rate of materials consumption. Monitor print and copy logs to verify the average number of pages printed per month and adjust toner and paper orders to reflect usage. Toner cartridges provide an estimated number of copies it can produce. When developing waste reduction plans, inventory the warehouse and sort them based on expiration date, using the oldest supplies first.

Implement Waste Reduction Programs

Cost reduction programs are key to increasing ROI and business sustainability. While every employee will not “go green” willingly, everyone is motivated by “the other” green – revenue. Form a committee at the corporate level and develop a sustainability plan, outlining goals and objectives of the operation while creating deadlines for major milestones. Once a basic plan is established, create a task force at the employee level, appointing two executives as the project managers.

The executive committee oversees the task force and communicates with the project managers, who work directly with business sustainability strategists. The task force will develop a mission statement that is aligned with corporate figures and creates a program outline that addresses the various goals and objectives. Task force members actively survey all of the waste generated by the company. By highlighting the problem employees realize the economic and environmental impact of the waste.

Through aggressive internal ad campaigns and memoranda the entire company will become aware of these issues. Business sustainability and cost reduction efforts increase profitability while positioning the organization as environmentally friendly.

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Author: Thayne Carper
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

A sneak peek back into the past 3 decades of USA; shows the glimmering figures of a pliant economy which was misjudged in contrast with the September 11 terrorist attacks. Despite an estimated $120 billion of damage and a great deal of anxiety, one year following the 9/11 attacks considerable recovery was recorded in U.S economy. If we review the federal budgets between FY 1998 and FY 2001 $ 48.3 billion where available in surplus. Still these figures here are not answering the question about how sustainable economy has been in USA.

Sustainable economy by definition should be able to survive all economical jolts it come across, or at least rejuvenate naturally without any assistance from external control. One should not really be troubled while uttering that Sustainable economy never existed in USA; in fact it’s rather hard to differentiate North American economy from the economy of UAE. It’s about time that Americans should realize that the government can’t go on maintaining social welfare funds while funding war fronts in two different countries.

So who is going to develop a sustainable economy in USA? If Americans are expecting the government and the administration to do so, then it’s not going to happen; simply because governments develop central economies, if not federal then state based economies.

Sustainable economies are town based economies; they do not originate from Manhattan or Boston they are developed in back yards in suburbs. Sustainable economies are not dependent on huge financial centers they need home base local industry and consumer from the neighboring towns to thrive. Central grid stations, fossil fuel costs and energy crises don’t hinder there growth as sustainable economies use simple renewable energy resources to satisfy there energy needs, groceries are picked from local farm markets instead of super market shelves.

Why grow tulips and roses in the back yard and pick cabbage and carrots from the super market, why not pick flowers from the local florist and harvest food from our own gardens. Instead of getting another gas guzzler financed why not get a wind turbine or a photo-voltaic unit leased. Sustainable economies develop through garage sales and local service providers; they depend on surveying local markets instead of flipping the yellow pages.

Times are hard because excess of use is the back bone of AMERICAN economy, swapping plastic money is common and we don’t care about the origination of a product. Sustainable economy is based on human consciousness about the resources locally available waiting to be utilized. Sustainable economy USA, sustainable living, solar energy, wind energy, renewable energy, North American economy.

I’m a student of urban sustainability and permaculture and wish to learn as much as I can about sustainable and eco-friendly development. http://thegreenbend.blogspot.com/

Author: Abdul Hannan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com