April 12, 2010
Host: Lauren Meltzer
Producers: Leyna Lightman & Brian Moran
April 22nd was the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and to mark the occasion we look at the green building movement in California.
Inefficient buildings are responsible for 38% of total energy use in the United States as well as almost 40% of the nationÌøåÀå_s carbon dioxide emissions. In San Francisco, almost half of the greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the cityÌøåÀå_s homes and buildings.
The state of California is supporting the green building movement by promising that all new homes built in the state after 2020, and all commercial buildings built after 2030, will be completely energy efficient. And today, the city of San Francisco is addressing the issue by rolling out a financing plan for home and building owners who want to make green improvements to their buildings.
Can California meet the ambitious state goals of being completely energy efficient by 2030? Will there be friction between those who want to make buildings sustainable and those concerned with preserving the traditional look and feel of San Francisco?
?Cal Broomhead, energy and climate programs manager, San Francisco Department of the Environment
?Jonathan Feldman, principal architect, Feldman Architecture; recipient of the San Francisco American Institute of ArchitectÌøåÀå_s Honor Award for Energy and Sustainability and California Home + DesignÌøåÀå_s Eco-Friendly Design Award
?Michael Kanellos, editor in chief/senior analyst, Greentech Media