There is a great new book from New Society Publishers (I know, because I work here!)  called Green Building A-Z.  It has a description of every green building term you could ever imagine from things like LEEDS to "Question Authority" (did you know that is a green building term?) and Zen.

Throughout their life cycle, buildings consume massive amounts of
natural resources and make a significant impact on the environment.
Green buildings represent the latest technologies and best practices of
high performance, healthy, and low impact development.

The relationship between buildings and the environment is significant
and only now becoming properly understood. In some cities
buildings account for up to 40 percent of the municipal solid waste destined
for our landfills, and 35 percent of our CO2 emissions.

Traditional building development is driven almost exclusively by first
cost economics that do not factor in long term environmental, social,
and occupant impacts. The net result is accelerated ecosystem
degradation, both at the site and in remote places where energy is
generated and where raw materials are extracted. It doesn't end once
the building is built - today, occupants are exposed to increasing
levels of toxins, lack of daylight, and poor indoor air quality.