The Modi Research Group at Columbia University have published a heat map of New York City's power use, using a predictive computer model. Residents, workers and engineers alike can check how buildings compare to the neighbours. Can we make any comparisons between power use in New York and in Sydney? Is this a mark of a worldwide trend into online sharing of environmental data?

Building occupancy rates and electricity use should in theory be closely linked if buildings are well managed. In practice they may not be. We look at energy data for a selection of buildings that experienced periods of substantial vacancy. One explanation: it's easier to run a full building efficiently. What do you think?

If you use less air-conditioning you don’t need as much electricity, but you also don’t need as much water to circulate through the cooling towers, see the proof from 55 Market Street Sydney.

Around the world, organisations are launching projects that share real measurements to verify and improve what it means to be ‘green’. Here are two new overseas initiatives that have caught our eye. Is transparency part of the Zeitgeist?

Welcome to Green Buildings Alive! **EDIT** The team were online on Wednesday 22nd September. Read the archive of our posts here. We've had a great response so far to our call for more transparency about the environmental performance of buildings.

Attractive young office buildings with green 'bling' get lots of attention, but what about a graceful old dame, maintained with love? Let's see what the data says...