Friday, 8 February 2008
Our Environmental Partners
At a recent multi-region leadership conference, the question was asked: "What is ASCE doing regarding Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), specifically, are we engaged in LEED activities?" We answered by saying that we have a very strong effort in sustainability and a number of different programs focused on increasing awareness of sustainability. We are developing tools and techniques to help sustainability, particularly in the water resources area. ASCE has also conducted Webinars on sustainability. I recently wrote a column in ASCE News on sustainability that describes much of our ongoing activity. ASCE does not, however, have a direct link to the Green Building Council or other environmental groups such as the Sierra Club, Save our Rivers, etc.
I noticed in a recent news article that a new organization called the Social Economic Environmental Design Network (SEED) held its first meeting in Dallas. Its members are design practitioners, activists and theorists whose mission is to advance the cause of economically and environmentally healthy communities. They hope to affect change by creating design principles for residential and commercial structures that would be beneficial to all, whether developer, tenant, resident or neighbor. They also believe it is every citizen's right to live in a sustainable environment.
Should ASCE form direct linkages to such organizations as SEED, the U.S. Building Green Council and others?