Why morden buildings with Glass and exterior Lights are not eco-friendly and waste energy?

Question

I have been visiting lot of places across the globe and get surprised to see buildings with lot of Glass panes. Good exterior decor with lot of lights.. example recent Effiel Tower Power shutdown for 5 mins to demonstrate conserving energy.

I feel Glass gets heated faster and thus consumes more energy as Airconditioner will consume more energy to keep the same temp.

Exterior lights and decor are superficial. They provide majestic looks to oriental structures but still I feel now a days Architects are not educating their tenants about such things.

Answer 1

Its a shame we don't care enough ,and waste so so much energy and natural resources senseless and we care more about how many times we can start a car(per day) before is broken, or how nicely look a building with lights on it .. I think, as the things are looking now , we don't have a dam* chance to live.
Global warming is a treat big an than WW3 , or anything a sic mind would do to another human being.
If the best topics are about how many flowers give to a girl for Valentine's Day or What do you believe the monster in ‘Lost’ really is ?! ... if that questions are more important than Global warming we don't have a chance and maybe we deserve our verdict , extinction.

I salute France for shutdown Eiffel Tower Power for 5 mins to demonstrate conserving energy but ,5 min ?!! this is a joke?!
And BTW France in 95 tested several nuclear bombs against all warnings.

We need to change our way of life over night because there is no more time for us, humans if we still want to live here, on Earth.

Answer 2

decor are superficial.
Only until you see a building lacking them - a real hulk.
The trade off on windows is light coming in vs paying for lighting. Modern glass walls absorb a high percentage of the heat radiation lowering the air conditioning load. I was in a Wal-Mart in Louisiana the other day (no windows in walls) that had dozens and dozens of skylights with special domes and all of the interior fluorescent lighting was turned off during the day. Still brightly lighted.

Answer 3

Yes, but working in place with no windows is, like, working on a submarine!

Yes, we should emphasize energy efficiency more. I think windows should be minimized, and all light off after hours (including those outside). I'll promise to send to my congressman. You too?