Architects and engineers draw plans and contractors build buildings, but neither really controls what goes on there. The power of the bank account puts the owner in control of every project. With constantly increasing energy costs, along with many other factors, more owners are investing in green buildings. A recent national survey of the commercial real estate sector revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents allocated funds to green initiatives, while the majority said their sustainability investment would increase in 2008. While the future is definitely looking greener, it is important to take a brief look at how this green initiative started.

September 11, 2009

A new government study is likely to give the Obama administration more fire power when it comes to enacting tougher mercury emission controls. Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey have found the toxic substance in every one of the 291 fish they analyzed with more than a quarter of those having dangerous contamination levels.

The survey, which has been underway for about 10 years and before the Obamas moved to Washington, has been released by the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it would consider enacting mandatory, drastic mercury cuts. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has started the regulatory process whereby mercury releases from some coal-fired power plants would have to be reduced by as much as 90 percent.

September 02, 2009

When it comes to controlling greenhouse gas emissions, China wants in. The bold proclamation comes amidst international discussions that are to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.

Its intentions may be pure. But its motivations are even clearer. If the country is to modernize its generation fleet, it needs investors. As such, China must not only become an active partner in the fight to curb heat trapping emissions but it also needs to attract at least $200 billion in foreign investment over the next decade. Toward that end, it is asking the developed world to share both its money and technology.

August 10, 2009

Climate change policies may be evolving in the United States. But they are they still formulating among developing nations. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton felt the full force of such challenges during a recent visit to India.

In what may be termed as a polite but tense exchange between Clinton and the Indian Environmental Minister, Jairam Ramesh, the two traded barbs and discussed their respective roles in helping to minimize man-made carbon emissions that are considered by United Nations scientists to be the leading cause of global warming.

June 19, 2009

Global warming's disastrous affects loom, says the United Nations. But fixing it remains elusive and expensive, it acknowledges. To do so, the industrialized world must lead by example and help fund efforts taken by poorer countries.

It appears, however, that aggressive and mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions tied to global warming are unrealistic in the short term. Instead, the international community is likely to gravitate toward a gradual and flexible approach -- one that permits the lesser developed regions to grow their economies while they also take steps to reduce emissions. But as new pollution-cutting technologies are commercialized, the policies will become more ambitious.