Existing buildings consume 40% of the energy and 12% of the potable water used in the United States. As a result, emissions reduction plans and energy use cuts must include a strong component focused on existing buildings if they are to be successful. However, most media and award attention is given to new buildings. The EBies (from "existing buildings") are national, annual awards given in multiple categories for sustainability improvements to existing buildings. As the "Oscars" for existing buildings, they honor the unsung heroes of energy and water efficiency. Focusing well-deserved attention on the people working in this area is a fundamental part of the culture change needed to bring about lasting improvement in energy and water efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.