Fast population growth and rapid development of our communities have exerted a huge impact on our natural environment. The design, fabrication, construction and operation of buildings in which we live and work are responsible for significant consumption of our natural resources. Taking the United States as an example, buildings account for 39% of total energy use, 68% of total electricity consumption, 30% of landfill waste, 38% of carbon dioxide emissions and 12% of total water consumption [1] and China is catching up.
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