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Buildings fundamentally impact people’s lives and the health of the planet. In the U.S., buildings use one third of our total energy, two-thirds of our electricity, one-eighth of our water, and transform land that may provide a valuable ecological function. In accordance with the definitions of sustainability and green, what society does today impacts what happens to future generations. Efficient energy use is of prime importance but so are the materials used, what is emitted and disposed of, and how we impact existing ecosystems. We cannot do these things at the expense of health and well-being so it is vital to maintain excellent indoor environmental quality.
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