Masonry Magazine November 2007 Page. 6
For the Record
Jennifer Morrell
Editor
jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
Embracing Green
"Green" is everywhere. Green magazines are being published in abundance, you can buy practically anything in its "green" version, and it seems every other story on the "Today Show" is about how to cook, decorate, wear or simply live, green. The green phenomenon has blossomed past a unique and slightly off-putting trend to a common buzzword on the tip of every tongue in America.
But that's my concern: Is "green" the new "organic" of this decade? Remember in the '90s, when everything was organic, from soup to shoelaces? What we're seeing is that in a society that is preaching going green globally, it's probably easier to embrace the concept than try to avoid it.
As we learn more, we realize that the myths about the overwhelming expense of building green just aren't true (average cost increase is 2 percent over a conventional building). The opposite, in fact, is true, when you take into account that greening a project from foundation to roof usually provides long-term cost savings when energy efficiencies and sustainability are considered.
There is promise that the greening of our buildings could be a real standard in America, and here's why: Builders are embracing it. Educators are embracing it. Some politicians are embracing it. And, as time passes, I think encouragements of people to conserve energy in a preventative manner will turn to ordinances and laws.
Meanwhile, "Bravo!" to our building industry for approaching green as though it were a verb, and walking the walk.
Consider these benefits to greener buildings:
* When we use less energy, we'll use less water, because energy conservation measures address the costs of pumping a building's water supply.
* Specific building features are associated with higher occupant performance, as corporate tenants of green buildings have found it easier to attract and retain talent.
* Studies of occupants' work performance in green buildings compared to non-green workspace showed people did better on tasks when their workspaces had features, including comfortable temperatures (better clerical performance and logical thinking), higher ventilation rates (productivity increases and reduced absenteeism and illness) and more daylight (better productivity, retail sales and school test scores).
* Since people costs amount to 88 percent of total costs over a commercial building's lifespan, even a 1 percent increase in productivity can have significant, positive effects on corporate performance. Factor in the lower operating costs and reduced risks associated with greener buildings, and corporate bottom lines look even better.
* Reduced health care costs when fewer people suffer from asthma and sick building syndrome, along with lowered infrastructure requirements, are also beneficial.
The lesson is simple: It might be easier to understand an inevitably greener-by-the-day world by embracing it. I'd love to hear or read your thoughts on the topic of green building. Contact me at 770-431-0867, ext. 225, or jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com.
MASONRY
The Voice of the Masonry Industr
MASONRY Magazine
Official Publication of the
Mason Contractors Association of America and the
Canadian Masonry Contractors Association
MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
President Frank Campitell
Vice President Tan Daniel
Secretary Mackie Bounds
Treasurer John Smith, Jr.
Regional Vice Presidents
Robert E. Barnes, Jr. Douglas Nichols
Ron Bennett Tim Spiker
Edwin Davenport Mike Sutter
Mark Kemp Ray Swindal
Executive Director Jeff Buczkiewicz
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Director of Government Affairs Jessica Johnson E
Membership Director Ayana Loper
Manager of Information Technology Timothy W. O'Tool
Events Coordinator Erin Anderson
Administrative Assistant Ann Trownsell
Consultant Rashod Jobeson
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Robert L. Nelson (Robert L. Nelson & Associates, Inc.), David Julay
Masonry Contractors), John Chrysler (MIA), John Melander (PCA), Da
(Pettit Construction Co.), John Smith (John J. Smith Masonry Co.), Br
(Grant/Jack's Masonry), Jerry Painter (Painter Masonry, Inc.), Doug
(Doug Nichols Enterprises), G. Alan Griffin (Griffin Contracting, Inc.), Tom
(GBC Concrete and Masonry Construction, Inc.).
Executive Office
33 South Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Phone: 847.300.0001 or 800.536.2225
Fax: 847.301.1110
MASONRY is the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association of
America (MCAA) and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association.
The magazine acts as a sounding board without approving, disapproving, or
guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data, claim or opinion appearing
under a byline or obtained or quoted from an acknowledged source. Views
expressed by officers do not necessarily reflect the official views of MCAA or
CMCA. The appearance of advertising or new product information does not con-
stitute an endorsement by MCAA or CMCA of product featured.
MASONRY ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE
Send all advertising and editorial submissions for Mason
Lionheart Publishing, Inc.
506 Roswell Street, Suite 220, Marietta, GA 30060 USA
Tel: 770.431.0867 Fax: 770.432.0909 E-mail:
www.masonrymagazine.com
Publisher John Lewellyn (llewellyn@lionhrtpub.c
Editor Jennifer Morrell (jmorrell@lionhrtpub.c
Assistant Editor Cory Sekine-Petite (corysp@lionhrtpub.c
Contributing Editor Tom Inglesby (tom@editor1.com)
Art Director Alan Brubaker (albrubaker@lionhrtpub.c
Production Designer Christopher Johns (chrisjohns@lionhrtpub.c
Production Assistant Kat Wong (kwong@lionhrtpub.com)
Online Projects Manager Patton McGinley (pattonm@lionhrtpub.c
Advertising Sales Marvin Diamond (marvind@lionhrtpub.c
Reprints Kelly Milwood (kelly@lionhrtpub.com
The Voice of the Masonry Industry