Halfway around the globe, political leaders are discussing the future of the environment. Global climate change is evident, especially in the Pacific Ocean. The Island nation of Micronesia is threatening to disappear as water levels rise due to global warming. "We don't want to go anywhere, we want to stay on our islands," says one of the island residents.
"We get a lot of people who say that they conserve water now," said Lewis Lively of the residential high-rise Legacy on the Lake. Managers at this high-rise in downtown Austin have taken a leading step in helping to protect the environment. "We are a LEED certified building and of course this being Austin, everyone is on board with it and it's very exciting," Lively said.
They are the first residential multi-family building in Austin to hold this certification. "The LEED building rating system is the most recognized building rating system in the world for sustainability," says Effie Brunson, who works with the Central Texas chapter of the U.S. Green Buildings Council.
The Legacy on the Lake is not afraid to boast about their status. "Our toilets have two buttons on them...full flush and half flush to conserve water," owner of the building Spencer Stuart says. "We also have hybrid spaces...to promote people to use hybrid vehicles," said Lively.
Over three dozen other buildings in the Austin area hold different levels of the LEED Certification. Brunson said, "The main reason is 1.....for the health of the residence in the building..(another reason)...Utility savings....and people who think it's the right thing to do. (Also) there's more and more awareness of our limited resources and some people do it for that reason."
Most importantly companies seek this award as a preventative method. It's a way for their residents and clients to become more aware of their surroundings.. "It's becoming more and more prevalent and it certainly is prestigious," Brunson said.
"It does make a difference and every little bit helps," said Lively.
Some other businesses that hold the LEED certification include Whole Foods Headquarters downtown, Austin City Hall and even a Starbucks off I-35 and 51st Street. Dell Children's Hospital has the highest level of certification and is currently the only hospital of that kind in the country to achieve that distinction.
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