Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Speaks at 2009 Built Green Conference
by Lori Brown
Published on March 9th, 2009
3 Comments
The 2009 Built Green Conference, an annual event for building industry professionals focused on sustainable community development and quality green building practices, products and projects, featured keynote speaker Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known environmental defense attorney.
Delivering a speech Friday entitled “How Business Can Utilize Sound Environmental Policies and Procedures Through the Adoption of Green Business Practices,” RFK Jr. spoke about the relationship between good economic and good environmental policy and the need for sustainable energy development.
Robert F Kennedy Jr. is a leading advocate in renewable energy development and sustainable building. Photo: BuiltGreen.net
According to RFK Jr. the economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment and sustainable infrastructure is critical to a strong economy. He highlighted various countries, including Sweden and Iceland, that have prospered as a result of “decarbonizing” their societies. By decreasing reliance on limited resources, notably petroleum and coal, countries attract new business, decrease foreign reliance and strengthen economic conditions.
“The challenge facing us today for the future is how to use energy efficiently,” said RFK Jr. By investing in a $150 billion national smart grid that would reach every American home, and applying the renewable energy sources to that grid, America could generate self-sustaining power.
RFK Jr. also described a viewpoint paradox that many Americans think of environmental protection as a natural resource waste. Rather, he believes, it’s an investment in infrastructure. Pollution, often the result of harnessing carbon-based natural resources, is in and of itself, waste.
The undervaluation of resources causes waste. It is time environmental protection is thought of as more than just saving “the birds and the trees,” but rather, a critical action of economic measure.
The Built Green Conference comes on the heels of the February 13 signing of the American Recovery and Reimbursement Act, which includes a plan to modernize the nation’s infrastructure and enhance America’s energy independence through renewable energy development. The act will likely lead to a significant growth in green building initiatives nationwide.
Conference speakers also touched on the growing green job market, Built Green and USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and sustainable community development, among others.
RFK Jr.: Renewable energy not just future, but growth restarter - The Jersey Journal - NJ.com | Utility Compare . Com
posted on March 10th, 2009 at 12:30 am
[...] Earth911.com [...]
Becky Montena
posted on April 9th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Way to go, Bobby. I wonder what is holding up the EPA post? Bobby should have it. Forget the old stuff, who in that era did not imbide a time or two, or more. So what.
We need people like Bobby Jr to take our side in the battle against big business that want to destroy our environment just because it costs a little money to install devices that keep our air clean, and because not polluting our water is easier than cleaning up and putting measures into effect to save our water. Those businesses not only should be sanctioned but they should be forced to take action. It is time that the EPA step up to the plate, and I know that with President Obama and his administration, they will.
HOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAY, now, let’s get someone who believes in US, not them. My support goes to Robert F Kennedy,jr.
Thanks,Becky
ronald A morgan
posted on November 27th, 2009 at 11:14 am
When will it be possible for such a good and important cause/activity to be open for all people You mention above the Built green conference as well as “other’ gatherings of the kind ,do you have any idea of the kind of fees requested from small minority groups like ours? that makes all of these events “elitist” and descrimitory because it puts out a vast majority of the people in the industry other than the Parsons and Halliburtons that “use” this events to improve their image
Information is essential and when in the hands of a few it only perpetuates the ingnorance and does not advance the ecological purpouse