Environmentally friendly is defined as anything that does not harm the environment (Cambridge Dictionary). We depend on our environment's resources and must protect them. It's critical that we not only live an environmentally friendly lifestyle but one that contributes to sustainability. To live sustainably, we must adapt our way of life to meet the limits of our planet's resources. The EPA stated, "sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations" (EPA).
There is a growing awareness of how buildings affect the environment, which is why the practice of green building has increased in popularity. Sustainable building refers to designing, renovating, operating, maintaining and tearing down buildings in a more resource-efficient and healthier manner. It has many benefits, including improving air and water quality, reducing waste and operating costs, enhancing occupant health, increasing aesthetics, minimizing strain on local infrastructure and improving the overall quality of life (EPA). With so many benefits, sustainability should be the goal in building design and maintenance; to achieve energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.
The Alliance to Save Energy estimates that buildings consume approximately 40% of U.S. energy and emit similar amounts of greenhouse gases. That’s compared to 32% for industry and 28% for transportation (The Conversation). In discussing sustainable living, addressing the problem of underutilized and energy-inefficient buildings is essential. As a first step towards tackling the issue of inefficiency, new buildings should be designed with energy-saving technology and energy-efficiency retrofitting efforts should be prioritized by stakeholders to ensure existing buildings are sustainable (World Economic Forum). The role of buildings in the transformation to a sustainable future is significant.
Greenwich Energy Solutions (GES) is one of the premier providers of independent energy solutions in the Northeast. They work with top facility operators and stakeholders to add value, improve efficiency, drive down operating costs, and ensure compliance with the ever-changing environmental and energy regulations. GES can tailor energy audits to determine your building's energy usage, whether to target a complex building system or plan for an overhaul of the mechanical equipment. They can also provide project management solutions, including coordinating with local utilities and state energy authorities, contracting vendors and municipal authorities. Click to find out more about their services.
In August, WT Group and Greenwich Energy Solutions announced a regional joint venture to provide clients with a comprehensive range of cost-effective energy solutions from education, assessment and engineering design to construction management and high-performance monitoring. This partnership will create a scalable footprint to provide single-source energy services that will help building owners and tenants upgrade their systems, capitalize on the need to view their buildings as opportunities to be more energy and carbon efficient and join the fight against climate change. Together, WT Group's multi-discipline engineering capabilities and Greenwich Energy Solutions' renewable energy solutions will provide clients with a unique, comprehensive solution.
The WT Group provides clients with a single-source engineering solution to help maintain the integrity of all projects from start to finish. With nearly 50 years of experience, WT Group's highly skilled engineering, design, and consulting teams ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy in the most cost and time-efficient manner. Contact us today!
