<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Are developers making mis-LEED-ing claims?]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Green4Life http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/ Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:07:06 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/1 I have noticed this trend of "LEEDwashing" as well, and, unfortunately, I don't think it's going to stop anytime soon. With the growing popularity of all things "green," businesses are doing anything they can to make a few extra dollars even at the expense of the consumers. Should we just let these fakes continue labeling themselves as LEED certified or should someone do something about it? These fakes are at least trying to be Eco-friendly which is better than nothing I suppose, but still, it leaves the consumers wondering "Who can I trust?"

]]> I have noticed this trend of "LEEDwashing" as well, and, unfortunately, I don't think it's going to stop anytime soon. With the growing popularity of all things "green," businesses are doing anything they can to make a few extra dollars even at the expense of the consumers. Should we just let these fakes continue labeling themselves as LEED certified or should someone do something about it? These fakes are at least trying to be Eco-friendly which is better than nothing I suppose, but still, it leaves the consumers wondering "Who can I trust?"

]]> Comment #2 by Clifford Wells http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/ Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:49:32 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/2 I built homes in my previous lifetime, prior to 1999, and I've watched from the sidelines for a long time.  I never saw any need for such a system as LEEDS.  If our customer wanted energy savings, we got the architects to design it that way, which in the scope of the budget.  If they had money for super-heat pumps and 6-inch stud walls, or stacked recycled masonary block, or even straw bales, no problem.  Some were hyper-allegenic, and not a single allergy-producing thing could be used in the house in any way, form, or fashion.  Others didn't want any toxic stuff or even Sheetrock.  OK, we'll build you a house, big deal.  Remodeling anything was always a pain because you could contol all the design issues but our group of local hippies did a pretty good job and got some awards. 

Now there are "consultants" who will be glad to take moneys to audit anything, I guess even a freaking parking garage.  But fundamentally, structures don't save money -- people do.  The amounts of water and electricity used in the typical American house are shockingly high.  I can never understand the logic, like putting all that money into energy-reducing measures and then installing a sprinker system for carpet grass, almost ludicrous -- but hey, it all pays the same.  I guess being on the other side of the fence gace me a different perspective.

Nowdays there are even companies that will audit your town or city to see how much CO2 you have "saved" in the name of global warming.  I guess it is good PR, but people, you haven't saved a darn thing -- you're just not using as much juice so somebody else can use it, or at a later date.  Over the years I found that investing more and more money to reduce your juice is actually throwing good money after bad.  Can't you just build a smaller unit?  At times our logic defies understanding.  The horror stories abound, such as an audit on a state building during which almost a million dollars was spent, and the air conditioning either fried or froze the workers.  Great going folks!  I think I'll avoid all that LEEDS and auditing and "help." 

At any rate, thanks for exposing the ermeging greenwashing and fraud.  Personally, I never claimed to be a "green builder."  We did recycle and build stuff as efficient as possible, and even put in roof rain collection systems, but I didn't need no stinking Green Stamp of Approval.

]]> I built homes in my previous lifetime, prior to 1999, and I've watched from the sidelines for a long time.  I never saw any need for such a system as LEEDS.  If our customer wanted energy savings, we got the architects to design it that way, which in the scope of the budget.  If they had money for super-heat pumps and 6-inch stud walls, or stacked recycled masonary block, or even straw bales, no problem.  Some were hyper-allegenic, and not a single allergy-producing thing could be used in the house in any way, form, or fashion.  Others didn't want any toxic stuff or even Sheetrock.  OK, we'll build you a house, big deal.  Remodeling anything was always a pain because you could contol all the design issues but our group of local hippies did a pretty good job and got some awards. 

Now there are "consultants" who will be glad to take moneys to audit anything, I guess even a freaking parking garage.  But fundamentally, structures don't save money -- people do.  The amounts of water and electricity used in the typical American house are shockingly high.  I can never understand the logic, like putting all that money into energy-reducing measures and then installing a sprinker system for carpet grass, almost ludicrous -- but hey, it all pays the same.  I guess being on the other side of the fence gace me a different perspective.

Nowdays there are even companies that will audit your town or city to see how much CO2 you have "saved" in the name of global warming.  I guess it is good PR, but people, you haven't saved a darn thing -- you're just not using as much juice so somebody else can use it, or at a later date.  Over the years I found that investing more and more money to reduce your juice is actually throwing good money after bad.  Can't you just build a smaller unit?  At times our logic defies understanding.  The horror stories abound, such as an audit on a state building during which almost a million dollars was spent, and the air conditioning either fried or froze the workers.  Great going folks!  I think I'll avoid all that LEEDS and auditing and "help." 

At any rate, thanks for exposing the ermeging greenwashing and fraud.  Personally, I never claimed to be a "green builder."  We did recycle and build stuff as efficient as possible, and even put in roof rain collection systems, but I didn't need no stinking Green Stamp of Approval.

]]> Comment #3 by Javaman http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:10:13 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/3 I work in the architecture industry Leed-washing has been going on for years. this is nothing new. these developers want the props of the LEED cert but don't want to do the work. Why? because the overhead of actually becoming a real LEED cert would cut into their profits.

there are responcible companies out there, but they are few and far between. even the ones that try to toe the line still cut corners. just the facts people.

we are all just whistling past the graveyard folks. We are heading for a cliff at high speed but instead of slowing down, we are speeding up. It's going to be one truly spectacular crash.

see you all at the bottom.

]]> I work in the architecture industry Leed-washing has been going on for years. this is nothing new. these developers want the props of the LEED cert but don't want to do the work. Why? because the overhead of actually becoming a real LEED cert would cut into their profits.

there are responcible companies out there, but they are few and far between. even the ones that try to toe the line still cut corners. just the facts people.

we are all just whistling past the graveyard folks. We are heading for a cliff at high speed but instead of slowing down, we are speeding up. It's going to be one truly spectacular crash.

see you all at the bottom.

]]> Comment #4 by EMerge Alliance http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/ Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:55:38 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/4 Comment #5 by Suspicious mushroom http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/ Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:02:47 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/5 Leah Boyer is the most amazing Urban Planner. She is very environmental friendly and will always use two scoops of raisins.

]]> Leah Boyer is the most amazing Urban Planner. She is very environmental friendly and will always use two scoops of raisins.

]]> Comment #6 by Username http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:26:44 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/6 Good Article.

]]> Good Article.

]]> Comment #7 by Lyon http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/ Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:33:18 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/7 I live in Northampton and I am always suspicious of companies green-washing and overstating their eco-friendliness. So this story doubly interested me.

But I did my research on the usgbc.org website, and right there under certified projects was the Northampton Taco Bell/KFC. Apparently it WAS gold certified by LEED. Search Northampton, MA here:

http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/Project/CertifiedProjectList.aspx

I too believe these claims are bandied about too much, but do your research.

 

]]> I live in Northampton and I am always suspicious of companies green-washing and overstating their eco-friendliness. So this story doubly interested me.

But I did my research on the usgbc.org website, and right there under certified projects was the Northampton Taco Bell/KFC. Apparently it WAS gold certified by LEED. Search Northampton, MA here:

http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/Project/CertifiedProjectList.aspx

I too believe these claims are bandied about too much, but do your research.

 

]]> Comment #8 by Lyon http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/ Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:35:08 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-01-LEED-greenwashing-lexicon/8 sorry - just saw your correction, it wasn't there when I last read this article and checked into it.

]]> sorry - just saw your correction, it wasn't there when I last read this article and checked into it.

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