Author: 1stPOSS

We are now in a period where we have both a growing population and a growing change in our climate, so therefore to meet this dual threat we are increasingly relying on this new form of development called, ‘Green Real Estate Development’ to help solve these problems! Since approximately 40% of GHG emissions are attributed to the design, construction, and operation of building, coupled with the fact that the resources to build new building are being removed quicker than they can be replace, the need becomes even clearer.                                                        With such a wide verity of innovative technologies available to ‘Architects and designers’ residents too must begin to lean forward and start to envision the type of sustainable changes; they would like to see in their ‘homes’ and ‘neighborhood.

Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take n idea that seems abstract – sustainable development-and turn it into a reality for all the world’s people. – Kofi Annan, United Nations, Secretary-General 1997-2006

Sustainable development is about meeting human needs and improving their quality of life by minimizing the negative impact on the environment, for now and into the future. So, now, today, addressing the issues of upgrading the life quality and, providing a healthy, socio-economic environment, must be at the ‘top’ of all our agenda.

Green Real Estate Development

When we speak of “Green development” it is the development of Real Estate that reflects the social, economic and environmental impacts of development. Green development manifests itself in various forms, however it is generally based on solution multipliers; features of a project that provide additional benefits, which ultimately reduce the projects’ environmental impacts.

• Environmental responsiveness respects the intrinsic value of nature
• Resource efficiency refers to the use of fewer resources to conserve energy and the environment
• Social or Community sensitivity recognizes the unique cultural values on each and considers them in the real estate development.

Discussions to have!

Today, more than ever the effects of climate change are realigning and changing the strategies on how businesses get done, all over the world. Whether its Floods in China, Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico or wildfires in California or seeing Hoover Dam’s Lake Mead water level at its lowest point on record, we are seeing the effects of Climate Change. There is no ‘single’ reason and there is no “single’ fix, and we all must play a role in this recovery. The United Nations released a report, which 234 of the world’s leading scientists, concluded that the climate crisis is a “code Red” for humanity.”

So, what is a ‘Green Roof’ and what makes it a part of a ‘sustainable plan”? Green roofs are a living system or vegetated surface that covers and provides the structural framework and mechanical strength for your home. Green roofs also play an additional role in sustainability by helping to moderate other environmental problems that exist in our urban areas. Green roofing allows homeowners to drastically reduce carbon emissions, manage stormwater, reduce energy use, provide habitat for biodiversity, mitigate the effects of ‘urban heat islands’ and provide both roof longevity and aesthetics.

“Instead of controlling the environment for the benefit of the population, perhaps we should control the population to ensure the survival of our environment” – Daivd Attenborough

Green roofs can be ‘extensive, semi-intensive or intensive. Your design will depend on its site, climatic conditions, structural capacity, intended usage of the structure it will cover. Extensive, being shallower, weigh less, and requiring less maintenance. And intensive being thicker, supporting a wider plant assortment and requiring more maintenance.

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs also provide excellent ‘acoustics’, controlling and reducing sound reflection. Green roofs absorb shortwave radiation and cooling the atmosphere. In addition:

• Green roofs help trap heavy metal found in city dust.
• Green roofs provide a natural air filtration to help clean the air.
• Green roofs plants have photosynthesis the consumes CO2 emissions and release oxygen.
• Green roofs provide shading, insulation, evapotranspiration and reduce urban heat island

The Roof

The Roof is a vital portion of the structures we live and work in. Having a better understanding of its role functions, systems and materials will prove valuable and useful in reaching your sustainability goals.  Early man had to search and use all different kinds of roof materials that were usually found in the naturally occurring regions of the world they were located. Not everyone lived in ‘caves’ or were ‘sleeping out in the open’, so they had to shelter themselves from the elements just as we do now and it was the roof, that was at the ‘top’ of the list! Visit https:www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-gree-roofs-reduce-heat-islands and contact us here at 1^st POSS for more information.

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If you have any indoor plants, then you already know how they contribute to the freshness of the ‘air’ inside your home or office.But did you know that the maximum or highest amount of ‘air-cleansing’ or ‘air-scrubbing’ is done through plant roots and the soil combined with the microorganisms in the soil, together, provides the greatest amount of ‘air-purification or ‘air-scrubbing’? The plant leaves do provide some air cleansing as well, but the bulk of the work is done by the microorganisms found in the soil and the roots. In order to get the ‘best’ results, you will need to ensure that the roots of your plants and the soil are exposed as much as possible to maximize the air flow.

“No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” – David Attenborough

There are some specialty pot makers as well and you can get a lot more information, from visiting the NASA website at ‘spinoff.nasa.gov! Yes! NASA, the space agency; you see it was NASA that did the initial research because they were putting people together in a closed confined area in a place where you can’t just open the window and get some “fresh Air”, (if you in outer space; right?).

Plants Improve Our Environment

You will need to speak with your nursery or plant specialist on the best way for your own plants, but something as simple as ‘venting’ the pot in such a way that you don’t get water and soil all over the place. More information is available here: So, visit https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2019/cg_7.html and learn more!

• Rooms with plants have less dust and mold than others without plants.
• Spider Plants can add moisture to the air and boost the relative humidity.
• House Plants can soak up VOCs (Volatile organic Compounds) and act as air-scrubbers
• House Plants can improve mental and physical well-being in many ways, research and find out more.

House Plants and Benefits

House plants don’t just help your home more beautiful, but they also have health benefits as well. They have a calming effect and can relieve stress, they can help improve sleep, they can help you feel more energetic, by reducing the carbon dioxide in the air. There are many more ‘benefits’ and you should research for more info. Here are some great picks for the ‘best’ indoor air plants for air cleaning: Starting out with one of most popularize house plant in ‘pothos’ or Epipremnum aureum; the elegant “Hedera helix’ or English Ivy; Chamaedorea seifrizil or Bamboo Palm; Chinese Evergreen or Aglaonema modestum; Nephrolepis cordifolia or Lemon Button Fern; Chrysnthemum morifolium or Pot Mum; Rhapis excelsa or Broad Lady Palm; Anthurium andreaeanum or Flamingo Lily; Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa” or Peace Lily; Ficus elastica or Rubber Tree;  These are some great plants to use, however, we suggest that you ‘study up’ on what suits you, your home and your family best. And don’t forget to perform the other tasks for keeping the air clean such as, not using synthetic air fresheners or cleaners, reduce the humidity in the inside air, replace air filters and increase ventilation and keep the floors and other areas free of dust and contaminates.