Sustainability Stamps
There are four components to our Regional Sustainability Stamp which include: 1) Reducing air pollution due to demands on the transportation of goods, 2) Reducing non point source pollution in our soil and water, 3) Declining the destruction of scarce natural resources including ecosystems, and 4) Increasing localized economic prosperity. To break it all down for you in simple terms, you may have heard the phrase: 'think global, act local', which has become the catch-phrase for people interested in combating global environmental concerns through local action? If so, emphasizing a call for action through localized or regional programs is what this component of sustainability can best speak to. Common issues that require solutions include air, water and soil pollution, species extinction, as well as localized economic hardships. Let’s think about it for a moment -- if most people did act in ways that are good for the local community, then everyone (and every living thing) essentially wins!
When analyzing the Regional component of environmental sustainability, it is important to implement the capping in the release of air pollutants including greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) caused primarily from transportation and industrial manufacturing processes. GHG emissions typically include pollutants like Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Oxide (NO) and even Methane (CH4). These chemical compounds are all common air pollutants that can trap heat and/or harm the Ozone layer, ultimately leading to rapid climate change.
Another component to Regional sustainability is controlling non-point source pollution, which leads to soil and water contamination. Examples of non-point source pollution that can ultimately lead to the degradation of our local streams, rivers, lakes and oceans include: Increased demands on transportation without regulating air emissions; farming with large amounts of chemical treatments; and even the use of some household and corporate cleaning supplies. Most can agree that improving soil and water quality are of great importance to society, both now and in the future.
Species extinction or the preservation of biodiversity can also be analyzed through the lens of the Regional component to sustainability. If every human acted in ways as not to spoil, plumage, or take from the Earth’s scarce natural resources, then our complex and dynamic ecosystems could continually thrive. Solutions in green building and sustainability planning include proper site selection and natural resource conservation. Smart growth is of great importance to maintain our unique natural resources for a healthy society.
Many businesses, business owners as well as a growing number of consumers, understand the local economic prosperity theory very well. Enhancing the support of the local green economy will will lead to the growth and expansion of more businesses leading to more jobs and an increase our quality of life. For businesses who act in ways that offer solutions -- business owners, employees, and consumers win. Simply stated, participating in the growth of the green economy, contributes to economic prosperity.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Commercial Interiors (CI) v 2.0 program, you are indeed making a conscience effort to alleviate the strain on environmental issues like air, water and soil pollution from non-point source pollution streams such as roads and farm fields and supporting the growth of the local green economy when a product is manufactured within a 500 +/- mile radius. However, it should be noted that some new LEED programs have expanded upon provisions for that achievable point, to include that manufacturers must also source their materials, supplies, or ingredients from other local providers within that 500 +/- mile radius to fully meet the criteria for the standard.
To learn more about how you can best support the Regional or local economy through sustainable initiatives, contact a professional today by calling (651) 603-1326!