| Green building is the practice of increasing
the efficiency of buildings and their use of energy, water, and
materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and the
environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation,
maintenance, and removal - addressing the complete building life
cycle.
Green building can also known as sustainable design or green architecture.
One estimate suggests that buildings in Canada account
for:
• 1/3 of Canada’s energy production
• 50% of the extracted natural resources
• 25% of our landfill waste
• 10% of our airborne particulates
• 35% of our greenhouse gases
Canada Green Building Council 2005 |
There are several examples of green buildings in Vaughan:
| Spotlight on Green Building
In Vaughan
Earth
Rangers is an environmental charity that is driven by
their mission to inspire children with a lasting passion
to build a better future. With the belief that children
are the key to a sustainable future, Earth Rangers educate
youth across the Greater Toronto Area about living responsibly.
The Earth Rangers building, opened in October of 2004 and
located in at the Kortright Centre, sets a new standard for
technology and environmental design. The Earth Rangers building,
home to staff and non-releasable animals (animals that help
with environmental programming), was completed in 2004 and
received a LEED® Gold designation from the Canada Green
Building Council in recognition of its low environmental impact.It
is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in Canada, using
63 percent less energy than a normal building its size.
Also located in the Kortright Centre, the Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority's Living City Campus will be home to
the World Green Building Council. The 350 person, 50 year
old NGO that is being developed by the Toronto Regional Conservation
Authority, the WorldGBC will locate staff and direct its efforts
from this world class city inside a LEED Gold building. The
World Green Building Council is an international organization
dedicated to creating a sustainable built environment.
For more information, please visit: www.trca.on.ca
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