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Greenbuild Chicago

Last week in overly chilly Chicago, around 24,000 + devotees of building green gathered for the USGBC's Greenbuild Conference and Expo. I had never attended such a large conference, but will not miss the '08 one in Boston. I met people from Mexico and South America, heard foreign languages and saw diversity among the attendees and speakers, yet we had so much in common. We <strong>spoke the language of green and sustainability</strong>, but most importantly, shared the commitment to heal the planet and try to reverse the damage that we have collectively inflicted on our country, continent, and earth.

The didactic sessions for LEED for Homes, LEED for Contractors, GREEN Specifications and Materials- among the ones I attended- were telling of the place we have come from and the lack of direction that has reigned in the development of cities, communities and housing. It was so clear to me, while much of what I have read and researched was being confirmed by the scientists, the researchers and other panelists, that this information was only coalescing in the year 2007.

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?????Read my in depth view of what happenned in Chicago, and how what we are doing in this very forum, ActiveRain, is the hope for the future.

Posted by Geraldina Wise on 11/15/2007 08:28 PM

Comments (4)

greenbuild conference, green chicago, green architecture, green living, leed for homes, leed

4 Comments on Greenbuild Chicago

Good for you for attending! I attend the local chapter meetings here in Northern Arizona and have learned a great deal. I'm delighted that one of our city council members attended.

11/15/2007 08:56 PM

by Ann Heitland, Associate Broker, CRS, GRI , ABR ~ Flagstaff Real Estate/Community (Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties)

Geraldina! You have provided a nice recap of the professionals and ideas that were presented. I did not attend any of the conferences. I obtained very good information and saw many products that are new to the market. As always, the people who attended were terrific. I am excited for next years GreenBuild when we should have more residential products/vendors available.

You bring up a great point that we have been giving lip service to this for many, many years and not acting. Now is the time! Thank you for a well written article!

11/16/2007 06:41 AM

by Mary Bigelow, Renewing Your Life! (Ma's Marketing)

Ann, I've not attended my local chapter's meetings, but think it's time to do the local thing too. One aspect of Greenbuild that didn't go unnoticed was that the scale is so large that it's carbon footprint is sizeable, and things are going to have to be more local, not unlike materials and services for construction.

11/16/2007 09:48 AM

by Geraldina Wise (Casa Concept inc.)

Mary, it came to me, once there, that were members of ECO-all stars attending, and that we should have put out a call for members to meet. Maybe next time. If you have links of materials you saw there that we should know about, would you be as kind as to post them?

11/16/2007 09:52 AM

by Geraldina Wise (Casa Concept inc.)

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