Journal 6-LEED - Assignment Example

Journal 6 – LEED The core concept as addressed in this article relates to an aspect of global warming and the measures associated to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as has been adopted by most countries. Particularly, this is in relation to the designing and construction of buildings while ensuring that such buildings are constructed in line with the LEED certification. The article begins by introducing the US Green Building Council which is noted to have released a list of top countries that are ranked for LEED.

The ranking was a reflection of how the LEED technology, being a globally recognized and widely adopted system was being adapted to in relation to the aspects of green building such as designing, construction, maintenance and operations. The most outstanding factor that is recognized by the article is the fast growing recognition by the global community of the imperative measures that can be used to combat the global menace of climate change. According to the USGBC President and CEO, Rick Fedrizzi, the most appropriate way by which climate change can be countered is through the use of LEED technology in the design and construction of buildings.

He applauds the success already attained by LEED global in various spheres and notes that the growing recognition of the same will turn to be more beneficial to human beings, in terms of preserving health, besides helping in saving operational costs. Subsequently, the LEED system is considered to have the potential of providing amicable solutions to the global warming problem that has been coupled by rising sea levels above the normal limits. Rick appreciates that nearly 140 countries in the world have already embraced the aspect of participating in the global certification program of LEED certification.

This takes into consideration the fact that nearly 59,000 building projects currently being undertaken globally are being implemented under LEED program. Subsequently, in ranking the countries, the top ten identified in descending order are Canada, China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Brazil, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Finally Finland. The ranking is based on three aspects: total GSM of LEED certified and registered space, GSM of LEED certified space and the total number of LEED projects that have been certified and registered.

Canada, for instance, was ranked first for having 17.74 million GSM LEED space and a total of 4,068 projects certified and registered under LEED. Its key undergoing projects such as 100 Street Wellington Street West Tower is known to have achieved Platinum certification. China follows by 14.3 million GSM of LEED space with a major project being the Haworth Showroom, Parkview Green.India being among the fastest growing economies follows third by having 11.64 million GSM of certified LEED space.

The main recognizable project is the ITC Maurya Hotel, New Delhi. At the end of the list is Finland that only has 148 projects that have been certified by LEED program.Personal Opinion At a personal level, I would rate the article at 8 out of 10 points for the reason that while it outlines the success that has been achieved by the top ten countries with regard to adopting LEED program, it does not clearly outline the steps that can be taken other countries to enhance green technology in their building projects.

However, the article succeeds in highlighting the major steps that have been attained by the LEED program particularly towards the issue of climate change, to which I agree with as being true, considering the devastating effects of global warming.Work citedUSGBC Names Top 10 Countries for LEED Outside U.S. Green Building News. Published on 07 May 2014, Accessed on 15 May 2014. http://www.greenbuildingnews.com/articles/2014/05/7/usgbc-names-top-10-countries-leed-outside-us