Buildings in Toronto may soon be rated for their bird-friendliness. Lights from buildings are a dangerous attraction to birds at night. Such a rating system will help alleviate bird injuries and energy demands.

The Canadian real estate industry is aiming to decrease its environmental footprint. Buildings consume huge amounts of energy and thus contributing to the emission of greenhouse gases. In an effort to “green” these buildings, the real estate sector is looking into more energy efficient ways of conducting business.

Santa Monica opens a “sustainable” parking lot, powered by solar energy, marking another first for the United States. However, some argue if this is really sustainable:

“North Americans still believe in the myth of endless wide-open spaces; perhaps that’s why things like the Santa Monica garage make sense here. If we can’t be pried out of vehicles, at least we can park them in environmentally decent buildings.”

“The Redmond, Washington, branch of Seattle-based PCC Natural Markets became the first grocery store to achieve a Gold certification in any of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating systems.”

“Two Seattle architecture and design firms have been recognized by the American Institute of Architects with a “Show You’re Green” excellence award for work on affordable green housing.

Runberg Architecture Group received the award for its Denny Park Apartments, in Seattle, while Mithun was lauded for an urban community in north Portland, New Columbia.”

The Seattle Times new Green Living section will provide you with information on green building, green homes and more.

“Builders in Seattle would be required to identify the impact of large projects on climate change if legislation by City Council member Peter Steinbrueck wins approval.”

Source: Greenwire

The Commercial Buildings Initiative in the United States has been formed by an alliance of energy and building organizations in the industry. The aim of this initiative is to help the “federal government zero-out the net energy use of commercial buildings.”

Dr. Dave Worsley from Swansea University’s School of Engineering is researching ways to create solar cells by painting on “flexible steel surfaces commonly used for cladding buildings.”

A report for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, created under the North American Free Trade Agreement suggests that the easiest way for North America to combat climate change is to move towards more energy efficient homes, offices and buildings.