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A few months back, as I was researching the green data center/urban farm project I’ve blogged about in the past, it occurred to me that it might be useful to become accredited as a LEED Green Associate. I thought the title could provide external verification that I was competent to talk about CrossRealms’ involvement in urban development projects. When I actually started going through the process of studying for the exam, I (prematurely) decided that the focus of the LEED system was distant enough from the technology field that I should cut my lost time and not pursue the title for the sake of a title.
But then my boss made a bet with me about earning the accreditation within a month. Competitive by nature and not unwilling to start collecting titles, I accepted the challenge. During the past month, I’ve studied for the Green Associate exam and officially earned the title last week. Having gone through the process of studying for, passing, and being asked to reflect upon my experiences with the test, I see way past the title.
LEED certification provides acknowledgment of a building’s effort to minimize its negative impact on the environment. Points are awarded for implementing what the United States Green Building Council has deemed best practices for sustainable building. Based on the number of points earned, a building will be designated as LEED certified, silver, gold, or platinum. Professionals with LEED accreditation have proven a level of understanding and dedication to the principles behind and process of LEED certification.
Though CrossRealms is not in the business of green building, we strive to be a socially and environmentally responsible business. Drawing the connections between physical infrastructure and technology infrastructure was not a long stretch. Information technology is in just about everything; the better we as a company know how to prioritize energy-efficiency and low-impact design, the better we as a community will be at creating more sustainable environments. Technology evolves to make our lives better, so it makes sense that technology solutions should co-evolve with better building and design practices.
For me, the exam came to mean more than memorization of codes and regulations; it was a step in understanding how to improve sustainability across different realms by continuously working to improve the metrics for sustainability. Healthier ways of building, operating an office, and designing infrastructure create a healthier society.
So, as CrossRealms’ in-house Green Associate, I’m excited to get more deeply involved in Chicago’s sustainable development efforts and help define the role a technology company can play in greening the city.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]