Just a few years ago, green, or sustainable, building projects were viewed either as expensive curiosities or diversions of environmental groups. Some aspects of green building make economic sense since new, innovative cost-saving products emerged, larger consumer demand improved economies of scale and construction practices improved.
In addition, changes in the political, economic and social climates create a new dynamic that mandate sustainable development in some parts of the world and increasingly encourage sustainability throughout North America. Full article.
The small, common stones used as roof ballast possess few individual attributes worthy of extensive examination. But the combined effect of these small stones within the roofing industry has been gigantic.
Ballast enables roofing crews to install large sheets of roof membrane quickly and efficiently in a wide range of weather and temperature conditions. Ballast enables underlying roof membranes to accommodate structural building movement and allows for the direct application of highly efficient thermal insulation boards that might otherwise need to be protected from roofing asphalt or adhesives. Full article.
For years, proponents and detractors of climate change legislation have traded rhetorical volleys to draw the initial battle lines for the day when Congress finally would consider the issue. That day came on June 2, when the Senate commenced business for the week with a motion to proceed to S. 3036, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008.
The bill was ambitious; by 2050, it sought to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions almost 70 percent from 2005 levels.
By June 6, the first significant congressional showdown on climate change legislation concluded abruptly when the chamber fell 12 votes short of the 60 needed to prevent a Republican filibuster and move to final consideration of the bill. Full article.
Those involved in building design and construction generally acknowledge the U.S. Green Building Councils
(USGBCs) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System has become a prominent benchmark for achieving sustainable construction. And because roof systems can play an important role in achieving building sustainability, roof system design and selection for new and existing buildings are critical for meeting requirements to obtain LEED certification.
However, the last thing you need is another summary of how to earn LEED points. Many articles about LEEDs Green Building Rating System have been published, and, unfortunately, they generally provide little useful guidance for roofing contractors seeking long-term business opportunities. Full article.
You're as likely to hear the word sustainable around the office water cooler these days as you are to hear time sheets or return on investment. Something has occurred in the business world: Companies are becoming attuned to the notion of sustainability.
Whether it is for public relations or because of concerns about energy management or supply chain reliability, businesses are paying attention to their effects on the environment. And with this new dynamic in mind, Professional Roofing and the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing introduce Environment Matters, a new bimonthly column focusing on how the roofing industry intersects with the environment and energy consumption. Full article.
1962 was a pivotal year in the history of environmental politics. That year, biologist Rachel Carsons landmark work Silent Spring which highlighted the alleged evils of chemical pesticides was published to widespread acclaim. The narrative proved so influential that Carson is frequently credited with spawning the modern environmental movement and spurring the U.S. government to sign dozens of environmental policies into law during the 1970s.
With the benefit of the passage of time, 2007 also may be perceived as a watershed year. Notably, former Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change won the Nobel Peace Prize, and Gores film An Inconvenient Truth was named Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards. The film, based on the book of the same name penned by Gore, continues along a well-trodden path of environmental narrative. Full article.