For Release:
January 31, 2006
Contact: Jodi Dunlop
Public Relations
678-539-1140
1791 Tullie Circle NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
ASHRAE Sets Sustainability Course with New Roadmap
ATLANTA - A new roadmap adopted by ASHRAE will help members lead the
march
toward a sustainable built environment through use of advanced
technologies.
ASHRAE's Sustainability Roadmap was adopted at the Society's
2006
Winter Meeting held Jan. 21-25 in Chicago. The roadmap can be viewed
at
"By implementing the goals in this roadmap, buildings employing
sustainable technologies will flourish, the critical need for
contributions
by ASHRAE members will be better understood and the quality of life will
be
enhanced in the present and long into the future," Lee Burgett, P.E.,
ASHRAE
president, said.
Ron Jarnagin, who chaired the committee that wrote the roadmap,
agreed.
"Implementation of the roadmap will help propel ASHRAE into a
leadership position in sustainability, energize our members, raise
our
spirits, attract and retain young members, and contribute substantially
to
the well being of our world," he said.
Jarnagin noted that sustainabilty has become a strong focus
for
ASHRAE and the industry with the growing realization of the impact on
future
generations.
"Efficient energy use is of prime importance but so are the
materials used, what is emitted and disposed of, and how we impact
existing
ecosystems," he said. "We cannot do these things at the expense of
human
health and well-being. As an organization of professionals responsible
for
the total life cycle cost of the building, ASHRAE has expertise that
impacts
elements related to sustainability."
These elements include energy use, atmospheric emissions,
building
materials, indoor environmental quality, engineering design and
architecture, land use, water use, and waste management and disposal.
As part of the roadmap, ASHRAE will explore making ASHRAE's
meetings
greener, developing a standard for recycling used equipment and funding
more
sustainability- related research projects.
Recommendations in the roadmap include:
.. Develop and maintain productive relationships with other
organizations in the sustainability field;
.. Raise public awareness of ASHRAE's contributions to
sustainability;
.. Aggressively market ASHRAE's sustainability profile in the
industry;
.. "Walk the talk" by practicing what we preach;
.. Develop educational products that assist in sustainable building
design, building operation and evaluation;
.. Implement the sustainability-oriented objectives in the Society's
Research Strategic plan;
.. Accelerate development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide series;
.. Consider sustainability certification programs.
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of
55,000
persons. Its sole objective is to advance through research, standards
writing, publishing and continuing education the arts and sciences of
heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve the
evolving needs of the public.
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