Comments on: How green is too green? http://www.djc.com/blogs/BuildingGreen/2008/09/03/how-green-is-too-green/?&owa_from=feed&owa_sid= Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:34:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Peter Chee http://www.djc.com/blogs/BuildingGreen/2008/09/03/how-green-is-too-green/#comment-632 Peter Chee Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:55:35 +0000 http://www.djc.com/blogs/BuildingGreen/?p=261#comment-632 The world is full of great places to visit, but, there's no better place to live in the world than here in the USA. One of the things that makes this country great is freedom of choice. That being said, I'm happy that we haven't turned into a green dictatorship. It's always more enjoyable to make your own decisions than be told you have to do things. Going green with a building is no different. I love the fact that we decided to go green. Some might find it odd, but I enjoy reviewing my utility operating statements and comparing how the building is now operating more efficiently than in the past. Last week I compared my electricity consumption in the building to the last few years of operating history and saw that our electricity consumption dropped by over 40% for the same period. It is enjoyable to see the benefits of a green building and uncover hidden benefits. If I were forced into doing this, I'm not sure I would feel the same. For me, in order for it to be revolutionary, it would need to change the way people think and feel. It would need to inspire them, not make them angry. I think if there was an HOV lane for electric cars and free electric car parking and charging stations in the city that might inspire people. The world is full of great places to visit, but, there’s no better place to live in the world than here in the USA. One of the things that makes this country great is freedom of choice.

That being said, I’m happy that we haven’t turned into a green dictatorship. It’s always more enjoyable to make your own decisions than be told you have to do things. Going green with a building is no different. I love the fact that we decided to go green. Some might find it odd, but I enjoy reviewing my utility operating statements and comparing how the building is now operating more efficiently than in the past. Last week I compared my electricity consumption in the building to the last few years of operating history and saw that our electricity consumption dropped by over 40% for the same period. It is enjoyable to see the benefits of a green building and uncover hidden benefits.

If I were forced into doing this, I’m not sure I would feel the same.

For me, in order for it to be revolutionary, it would need to change the way people think and feel. It would need to inspire them, not make them angry. I think if there was an HOV lane for electric cars and free electric car parking and charging stations in the city that might inspire people.

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