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USGBC Founding Chair Speaks in Beijing

Fedrizzi praised China’s Minister of Constructing Qiu Baoxing.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 3/29/2007 12:00:00 AM

On Monday, March 26, the founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council made an appeal to building industry leaders in China. “Build only green buildings,” said Rick Fedrizzi, who is also president, CEO of the organization which promotes sustainable construction.

Fedrizzi was speaking at the third International Conference on Intelligent Green and Energy Efficient Building and New Technologies Conference in Beijing. “This is not a ‘nice to do,’ it’s an absolute must,” he added. He gave five key reasons for building green, among them the positive impact of green buildings on the world’s energy and carbon problems, the measurable impacts they have on improving human health and productivity, and the ability of green buildings to foster innovation.

Fedrizzi gave a nod to the efforts of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, which plans to construct a green the Olympic Village. He also praised China’s Minister of Constructing Qiu Baoxing for his green vision. Currently, Baoxing is spearheading one of the largest rebuilding efforts in the history of the world.

In conclusion he asked the audience to take initiative, and educate others: “[G]reen buildings matter, because they have an immediate and measurable impact on saving energy, limiting the natural resources we use, and reducing the carbon emissions that cause climate change.”