Sustainability was defined nearly thirty years ago as ‘progress that serves the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. Today, population growth, finite resources and recognition of climate pattern anomalies possibly resultant from resource depletion and fossil fuel combustion gases are motivating architects, builders, designers and owners to demand products that use resources wisely. This social consciousness and the financial reality of increasing energy costs has dramatically shortened payback periods for investment in sustainable alternatives, so that, put simply, it pays to be green ... |