We have all seen the numbers.

Buildings account for 40 percent of energy usage, nearly 40 percent of total CO2 output and 12 percent of potable water consumption. When we add to the equation the amount of waste and vehicle transportation that are tied to buildings, we can sense the magnitude of the impact our nation's buildings have on the environment.

We need to change, but it won't happen overnight.

When we survey the green buildings landscape, we still see the majority of LEED certifications are design and construction projects. This makes perfect sense.

From the moment a new green building is conceived, all involved -- from architect and engineers to sub-contractors -- are all working towards meeting specification requirements and materials as well as resource guidelines before the building opens its doors. But that is well before it has to face the greatest challenge to optimal building performance -- the building's occupants.

We are beginning to see change within this context, albeit not as rapidly as needed.

If we're serious about reducing the environmental impact of buildings, addressing energy independence, using renewable energy resources, conserving water and slowing waste streams, we must make greening existing buildings a greater priority.

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