Then I read on..."70 percent of architects say client demand is the leading driver of green building." Ok, so their clients are environmentalists. That's great. They're demanding that their money is going towards buildings that have lower carbon emissions. So these clients are living conscious lifestyles.
Finally, my naivete was exposed: "The primary reason these owners and developers are demanding greener buildings is for reduced operating costs." The mighty dollar wins again!
Let's be honest, the moral argument doesn't work with everyone. Sometimes you have to get down to the dollars and cents. It's unfortunate, but guess what? It's reality. And the fact that we can say green design (and a host of other things) is not only better for the environment, but also better for the bottom line only strengthens our work.
Social entrepreneurship is all about problem solving. And problem solving requires creativity and flexibility. As we move into a new year, it is important to go back to the drawing board and re-familiarize ourselves with our goals, identify barriers to success, and then design strategies that overcome those obstacles.
Read more about the rise of green design http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/28244
Image from greenbuildingblocks.com.
