Thesis Abstract

Global warming is a serious problem facing the world today as well as the world in the future if left unchecked. In order to stop or avert this problem, our today’s society must change her ways, by learning how to alter what they do or use in order to be less harmful to the environment. Making our buildings and general structural facilities “green” would greatly impact this problem. There are many ways for this to be done and more ways are being developed rapidly. As these new developments arise, the cost reward for green building becomes more logical for the consumer/occupant. Thomas Hartman, a heating, piping and air conditioning specialist stated that ‘a worldwide scientific consensus has established some potentially catastrophic changes in climate as a result of human contributions to greenhouse-gas emissions which are likely within the next century if the current growth in emissions is not reversed’ (Hartman). Thus, in order for greenhouse gas emissions as well asp other harmful pollutants to be reduced, a great change must be made in the way structures are constructed. Hence, the need for GREEN or environmentally friendly, building construction is becoming very imperative and should be adopted without delay.

Thesis Overview