Source: The Bottom Line By Desiree Bullard
Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) in London is the environmentally conscious individual’s dream come true. Both a housing development and a workspace, BedZED contains “plentiful green spaces, recycling facilities, water saving features and a legally binding green transport plan,” according to Inhabitat.com. Completed in 2002, BedZED contains 82 houses and 17 apartments. It uses a wide array of green technologies and innovations, including highly efficient use of solar panels and rooftop gardens. The materials used to build it were all “natural, recycled, or reclaimed.” As noted by National Geographic, BedZED’s colorful rooftop ventilation cowls look like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, adding an air of fun to the development.
While BedZED is extremely impressive, it merely contributes to a trend that is growing rapidly across the globe, and certainly in the U.S. According to PRNewswire, “worldwide market for green construction materials will grow from $116 billion in 2013 to greater than $254 billion in 2020.” There would be no need for green construction materials without growth in the green building market. In fact, the green building materials market fared well during the recession compared to that of traditional building materials, indicating that consumers are becoming highly conscious of the materials and products they use despite difficult economic conditions.
In addition to green materials manufacturers, distributors and builders, green technology development, service and architectural firms, just to name a few, stand to benefit from this growing market. Changes in consumer habits, geared increasingly toward the environmental and cost-saving benefits of sustainable building, as well as new government policies and regulations are contributing to these markets changes. As the nation continues to recover from the recession, these changes could not be more welcome.
Just ask Eric Robison, owner of Eagle Rock Construction in Oakland, Maryland. Robison has seen an increased interest in sustainable building, a strong indication that these trends are not limited to major cities where many innovative sustainable buildings have been built. About two years ago, Robison received a lead from potential customers who hoped to build a “passive” (very low energy consumption) home and barn in the Finzel area, just west of Frostburg. “Their plan was to have a medicinal herb garden/business and have as low a carbon foot print as possible. They wanted to have geothermal, solar and wind generation to assist with decreasing their footprint,” said Robison.
While the customers eventually backed out of the project because neighbors had leased their land for natural gas drilling, Robison and Eagle Rock were up to the challenge. Robison had conducted research on the materials and technology the customer hoped to use and was prepared to move forward with what could have been a great job for Eagle Rock Construction. Though the termination of the project is unfortunate, the interest in it confirms the green building market changes taking place.
These trends in the green building market suggest that there is hope for the future of the environment, even in the face of widespread backlash to the increased use of hydraulic fracturing and tar sands oil development. Many environmental activists exert enormous amounts of energy in battles that are difficult to win, but perhaps that energy would better serve the planet if channeled into efforts to promote new green technologies and green education. Either way, there are more green jobs to come and those who do feel concern for the future of the environment will find that many opportunities await in the green building market.
In addition to green materials manufacturers, distributors and builders, green technology development, service and architectural firms, just to name a few, stand to benefit from this growing market. Changes in consumer habits, geared increasingly toward the environmental and cost-saving benefits of sustainable building, as well as new government policies and regulations are contributing to these markets changes. As the nation continues to recover from the recession, these changes could not be more welcome.
Just ask Eric Robison, owner of Eagle Rock Construction in Oakland, Maryland. Robison has seen an increased interest in sustainable building, a strong indication that these trends are not limited to major cities where many innovative sustainable buildings have been built. About two years ago, Robison received a lead from potential customers who hoped to build a “passive” (very low energy consumption) home and barn in the Finzel area, just west of Frostburg. “Their plan was to have a medicinal herb garden/business and have as low a carbon foot print as possible. They wanted to have geothermal, solar and wind generation to assist with decreasing their footprint,” said Robison.
While the customers eventually backed out of the project because neighbors had leased their land for natural gas drilling, Robison and Eagle Rock were up to the challenge. Robison had conducted research on the materials and technology the customer hoped to use and was prepared to move forward with what could have been a great job for Eagle Rock Construction. Though the termination of the project is unfortunate, the interest in it confirms the green building market changes taking place.
These trends in the green building market suggest that there is hope for the future of the environment, even in the face of widespread backlash to the increased use of hydraulic fracturing and tar sands oil development. Many environmental activists exert enormous amounts of energy in battles that are difficult to win, but perhaps that energy would better serve the planet if channeled into efforts to promote new green technologies and green education. Either way, there are more green jobs to come and those who do feel concern for the future of the environment will find that many opportunities await in the green building market.