Let us LEED the Way!

      Through our conversations and readings on LEED buildings and communities, I've been struck with how systemic and holistic LEED is. Prior to studying it, I'd always perceived LEED as a system focused only on environmental preservation. Now, however, I see it as a system that yes, champions the environment, but also champions human health, community vibrancy, and equity. It's extremely impressive. I went through the link from the Green Building Council and picked out several criteria that resonated with me. For each criteria, I've detailed the widespread effects which follow, to demonstrate the holistic nature of LEED.


-"Many small parts working together can have big impacts."- Green Building Council


1. Building Near Public Transit
-Saves residents money on purchasing a car, gas, and vehicle repairs.
-Allows residents consistent, easy access to employment, healthcare appointments, and social events.
-Contributes to clean air via lower fossil fuel emissions from carpooling reducing the amount of individual drivers.

2. Preserving Biotic Communities (Wetlands, Imperiled Species, etc.)
-Contributes to the health of non-human species as their habitats remain intact.
-Creates a space of discovery and education for community members.
-Increased biodiversity creates more resilient ecosystems. More resilient ecosystems result in more reliable food production and disaster mitigation.

3. Preserving Agricultural Land
-Saving farm land creates much needed jobs for farmers.
-Nearby food production eliminates the need for hefty transportation emissions and costs.
-A greater familiarity with food creates a strong sense of place for citizens.
-Nearby food production eliminates non-seasonal growing which demands greater pesticide use.

4. Floodplain Avoidance
-Enhances water quality
-Preserves habitats for humans and non-humans.
-Protects human and non human lives through flood mitigation
-Promotes open space, a valuable and oft overlooked resource

5. Bicycle Facilities
-Bike resources promote biking, which increases public health through physical activity.
-Reduction of emissions through human-powered transit.
-Support for local industries like bike shops, rather than massive corporations like oil and gas.
-Support for the economy as bikers are more apt to stop and spend money at shops than those speeding by in cars.


I'm all for LEED certification to become a requirement for all new buildings, and potentially even for retrofitting old buildings. And I do believe that even as a requirement, LEED could still be popular with the populace. I think that the way to sell LEED communities is to frame it not as controlling regulation, but as an opportunity for citizens to demand the rights they deserve-- affordable, healthy, vibrant communities. I think if it's framed as a program that provides rather than deprives,  it would have more success, especially in today's political climate. Let's market LEED as a program which champions greater freedom-- freedom to commute easily, to breathe clean air, to save much needed money, and to experience beauty around us.