Air pollution has no long-term benefits. There are short-term economic benefits to some because they have learned to turn a profit from directly or indirectly spewing air pollution into the atmosphere. It is a well-documented fact which no credible person would dispute that air pollution is bad for people and wildlife. What, though, is the effect air pollution has on the Earth’s ecosystem and what can we do about it?
The effect is broad but can be summarized concisely: air pollution, as a component of global warming, disrupts the ability of the atmosphere to regulate itself, leading to erratic weather patterns. In turn, these patterns impinge upon natural systems and we wind up with a big mess, including insect species where they don’t belong, melting glaciers, widespread famines and the list goes on.
As for what we can do, the good news is that the steps we need to take in order to reduce air pollution ALSO help reduce global warming. Erecting green buildings is one key step. Green buildings cost more, though, right? Not necessarily but cost is only one consideration in the larger movement to construct more green buildings. In order to perform a comprehensive and candid examination of the pros and cons of green buildings, we must take into account the role which building design plays in the impact on natural systems and the reliance on community infrastructure.
In modern real estate projects, the impact on natural systems cannot be addressed adequately without including infrastructure considerations because without infrastructure, large subdivisions would be impossible. That’s where the effect air pollution has on the earth’s ecosystem enters the formula. Green buildings are made with cleaner practices but also have healthier occupants because they use fewer volatile organic chemicals and tend to rely on more natural methods for climate control, such as passive solar.
Passive buildings often provide for natural ventilation, giving us a win-win: buildings which consume less energy because they maintain temperature while reducing their reliance on fossil-derived electricity but which also have fresher air inside them because windows can be left open.
Healthier occupants, then, are less costly because they take time off from work for illness less often. So, on balance, when we calculate the pros and cons of green buildings, the additional cost which some green buildings entail (a differential which shrinks year over year) can be offset when we measure all of the impacts fully. Reductions in air pollution are just one of the impacts.
Sustainable Justice For All!
Corbett Kroehler
Ask
a Question or Leave a Comment
(0)
Digg This 
Del.icio.us