Sustainability

Nearly 80 percent of U.S. residents were living in urban environments in 2000 and that proportion is continuing to grow, according to state and national data on rural and urban population available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Buildings account for more than 40 percent of total energy consumption in the United States. It follows that how and where urban development occurs can affect ecosystem quality and services, habitat protection, water resources, energy consumption, and indoor and outdoor air quality. A National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) report on net-zero, high-performance green buildings sets out a broad agenda for technological research and development to reduce use of natural resources and improve indoor environments while reducing emissions from buildings of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants.

EPA programs and resources are helping states and local communities to promote urban sustainability by supporting smart growth, green communities   and green buildings. Also, check out EPA’s new green homes Web site offers information and practical advice relevant to residential uses.