We do not need to look beyond our own national monuments to comprehend that natural stone stands the test of time. However, despite stone's exceptional durability and unparalleled aesthetics, its impact on the environment is still in question. As such, the Natural Stone Council (NSC) is diligently working to define our place in green building as defined by the American Institute of Architects (AIA): "Reducing building impacts on human health and environment through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance and removal -- the complete building life cycle."