Page 10 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2019 Issue

Climate Change Viewed as Huge Problem

by Apartment Dwellers

Millennials and Gen Z multifamily building

residents show greatest concern over
environmental issues.

PARTMENT RESIDENTS ARE INCREASINGLY interested in finding
ways to combat climate change and other environmental issues,
according to a report by sustainable multi-family properties
A developer AMLI Residential. The company’s third annual Sustainable
Living Index projects how apartment dwellers’ opinions on environmentalism
and green initiatives impact their choices on where to live.
The 2019 survey results revealed nearly 89 percent of AMLI residents are
concerned about climate change. More than 70 percent said their desire to
find solutions to environmental issues has increased over the last five years.
More millennials reported feeling particularly concerned about climate change CREDIT: TAKVER/FLICKR
and expressed a heightened desire for solutions to environmental issues,
followed by Gen X, Gen Z and lastly, Baby Boomers.
Millennials were the generation most inclined to pay more for green features, Coming of age. The millennial generation has its eyes on the environment
again followed by Gen X, Gen Z, then Baby Boomers. Overall, more than more than any other group—and it also has the loosest pockets when it
61 percent of residents responded they would be willing to pay more to live comes to supporting green causes.
in a sustainable community. of how their lifestyle at our communities affects the environment and their health.”
“This year’s survey demonstrates that AMLI’s residents are increasingly The survey was conducted in July at properties in AMLI’s nine markets—
concerned about climate change and the long-term effects of environmental Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Seattle, Southern California
issues,” says AMLI Residential President Phil Tague. “Our residents are conscious and Southeast Florida. More information can be found at www.amli.org.

LEED’s Future Looks Bright

California, Texas lead nation in number of certified, energy-saving homes.

EADERSHIP IN ENERGY Protection Agency (EPA) estimates
and Environmental Design Americans spend about 90 percent of
(LEED)-certified homes are their time indoors, where pollutants can
L at an all-time high, growing be two to five times more concentrated
19 percent since 2017 to reach nearly COURTESY OF GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK than outdoors. There’s also an energy-
500,000 single-family, multifamily and saving component: On average, LEED-
affordable housing units globally and certified homes use 20 percent to
more than 400,000 units in the U.S. 30 percent less energy than a
The organization’s new report, LEED traditional home, with some
in Motion: Residential, also outlines A ‘Grand’ certification. The Grand Canyon National Park apartment homeowners reporting up to 60 percent
the top 10 states for LEED-certified project is the National Park Service’s first multi-family housing to receive savings annually.
platinum LEED certification, and the first in Arizona.
homes in the U.S., with California at “It can be difficult to see why
No. 1. The Golden State is home to nearly 40,000 certified residential units, prioritizing a green home is important, but the environmental and personal
followed by Texas, with more than 24,500, and New York, with nearly 10,900. health outcomes are very real,” says USGBC President and CEO Mahesh
LEED, a product of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), encourages design Ramanujam. “By building and buying green homes, we make those actions
that maximizes indoor fresh air and uses materials that reduce exposure to toxins easier to do, while also creating a healthier, more sustainable environment
and pollutants connected to various respiratory issues. The U.S. Environmental for ourselves and future generations.”

8 GREEN BUILDER September/October 2019 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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