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Read the following text and find out more about “Green Building”. “Green Building” means that we construct houses with regard to the environment and we care about future generations. A green building generates as little waste as possible during its construc- tion, limits water consumption, makes maximum use of recycled, recyclable and non-toxic materials and optimises energy efficiency Electricity consumption has doubled over the last 20 years and this trend is going to continue. This is why the use of solar power should be increased, as well as other forms of renewable energy like wind power, biomass power, geothermal power or hydro-electric power. Furthermore, excellent insulation all over the building is required as well as high quality triple-glazed windows and a ventilation system with a high level of heat recovery to reduce the negative effects of heating. Eco-builders make careful use of natural resources by applying the three Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle). This strategy reduces costs relating to waste as well as those relating to CO 2 emissions. So let’s start to care about our Earth, stop global warming and save the environment. Answer the following questions: 1. Describe the principles of “Green Building”. 2. How did the consumption of energy change over the last 20 years? 3. Can you list five forms of renewable energy? 4. Define the three Rs? Why is this strategy an important one in general and in construction? The ecological footprint gives information about how many “Earths” we need, if all human beings around the world go on living like they do at the moment. It is based on energy consumption, waste production, eating habits etc. It is also possible to calculate your personal ecological footprint. Find out more about your ecological footprint on the internet. Then, search the internet for an appropriate test. 02 A2–B1 Word bank environmental issues Umweltthemen, Umweltfragen residual waste Restmüll bin „Mistkübel“ waste Abfall, Müll waste collector Mitarbeiter der Müllabfuhr separate trennen recyclable wiederverwertbar 01 skip Container 02 green building umweltfreundliches Bauen with regard to im Hinblick auf generate erzeugen non-toxic nicht giftig renewable energy erneuerbare Energie geothermal power Erdwärme hydro-electric power Wasserkraft triple-glazed dreifachverglast ventilation system Belüftungssystem recovery Rückgewinnung global warming globale Erwärmung 03 ecological footprint ökologischer Fußabdruck 03 A2–B1 04 A2–B1 e. g. http://www.earthday.org/take-action/footprint-calculator/  – link may change Mosaic Which environmental organisation do you think of when you see this animal? WWF Do you know other organisations dealing with environmental issues? Global 2000, Greenpeace. 121 Environmental issues 28 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv