To the editor:

Cities around the world are moving forward to reduce the production of greenhouse gases. Toward this end, many, such as Kansas City, Mo., and Boulder, Colo., are requiring that new construction or major renovations of public buildings achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification standard. They are also incentivizing private development which achieves LEED Silver certification and requiring that nonprofits that receive city funds for building projects meet this standard.

The city, county, Kansas University, the housing authority and the school district should all adopt green building policies. Not only will we be moving toward a more sustainable Earth, but taxpayers will save money over the long run in lower energy and water bills.