When it comes to building zero energy buildings also known as net zero energy building there are still a majority of places that will only build it if you have the funds to pay for the costs of it when building a home or other building. California is providing 3.2 billion dollars in subsidies for residential and commercial green buildings. A place to look for construction companies in your area that would be able to create a green building for you is Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development is partnered with United Technologies and the Chairman of Lafarge for changing construction on a global scale. Under the United States section on wikipedia ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-energy_building ) you should be able to find information that might even help you further.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.