SourceMap --> Open Supply Chains

In our society, we filter through products like they are going out of style. Do you ever wonder what the environmental impact is of all this stuff that goes from "make to waste" so quickly?  It is more involved than just the products we purchase, each step in the supply chain is a contributer and should be considered.

That is where SourceMap comes into play, "a platform for researching, optimizing and sharing the supply chains behind a number of everyday products."

This tool utilizes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calulator in determining the full impact of products from raw material distraction and manufacturing through product use and end of life disposal. 

Anyone can join and contribute to the rapidly growing database of assessed products. Read more about this tool at TreeHugger.

BioCITY

What is this interesting graphic you ask....BioCity!

"The biocity is an urban planning model arising from landscape architecture and biological theory that proposes cities be reconceptualised as ‘urban biotopes’ that are supported by a myriad of interconnected ecosystems. The model has a purpose to shift critical debate in city planning away from fossil fuel led decision making to secure a better future for urban areas under climate change impacts. It is built upon a collaborative, transparent, open source intelligence across twelve major urban systems into which critical data is progressively captured. The data is available as a comparative metric to highlight strengths and weaknesses of different urban conditions."

"The model adopts a biomimicry agenda that considers the relative equity of the biotope’s twelve constituent systems as paramount. The biocity concept defines twelve interconnected systems that determine the condition of the urban biotope" (as seen in the graphic above).

Window Farms

Hopefully, in the not so distant future, when I finally attain my dream, downtown loft condo, this is the the first thing I am going to invest in!

Window Farms for the urban dweller - grow your own food, eat healthy and rely less on the industrial food system. "Window Farms are vertical, hydroponic, modular, low-energy, high-yield edible window gardens built using low-impact or recycled local materials."

Create some edible window art in your own apartment! Check out some images and a video of an experiment in urban agriculture.

History, Science, Spirituality...

Guy Dauncey speaks of all this and more in his talk 'Spirituality, Hope and the Future'.

He is a strong voice in the Vancouver, British Columbia community and is worth listening to. His unique persepctive on sustainability involves quantum physics and the power of intention, suggesting that we need to visualize the future clearly to make it happen (similar to the concept of backcasting).

Open Sustainability

"Open-sustainability is an approach that applies best practice principles from modern software development and management consulting to drive sustainable development in complex organizations. Using open source software we are creating Sustainability 2.0, or as we call it FISDev, a Framework for Integrated Sustainable Development. FISDev is a tool for a collaborative, open source methodology for Sustainable Development or simply sustainability that anyone can use."

I have not wrapped my head around this yet as it is quite extensive, but the potential is impressive.

GREEN BUILDING Market and Impact Report

The Green Building Market and Impact Report 2009 suggests that green buildings are the only bright spot in the construction industry...green buildings are more profitable, healthier and provide a better ROI.

With over 7 billion square feet of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) space in 2009, LEED has reached target market saturation. Most LEED certified buildings reside in the USA, though this program is gaining momentum on a global scale.

Most public interest in LEED revolves around energy efficiency - a market in which LEED has provided a transformative impact. Almost 60% of credits are related to energy, based on a broadened definition of energy consumption in buildings - beyond just operational energy (embodied energy, transportation, etc).

LEED buildings DO save energy but not enough...and they recognize this. The USGBC (United States Green Building Council) is currenting developing a zero footprint standard, beyond LEED platinum.

To view a previously recorded webinar on this topic click here, and scroll to the bottom of the screen to register.

SOLAR Shingle unveiled

"The Dow Chemical Company unveiled its line of DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle, revolutionary photovoltaic solar panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. The solar shingle systems are expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and projected to be more widely available in 2011, putting the power of solar electricity generation directly and conveniently in the hands of homeowners."

These innovative BIPV's (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) have been long anticipated and are expected to revolutionize the solar industry.

Intro to Green Building

Interested in learing more about Green Building but not sure where to start? Watch this one hour video presented by Green Building Education Services.

Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives

The Green Tax Guide 2009 is your official e-reference for green tax incentives.

There is a fee involved ($29.00), but this small investment will provide a means of big savings for your green-minded business!

It is also worth while to check out DSIRE, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. Established in 1995, "DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency."

Eco SYSTEM Services Review

The World Council for Sustainable Development, with support from Meridian Institute and World Resources Institute has developed the Corporate Ecosystem Services Review (ESR).

"The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - the first global audit of the world’s forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems - found that ecosystems have declined more rapidly and extensively over the past 50 years than at any other comparable time in human history. Left unchecked, this degradation jeopardizes not just the world’s biodiversity, but also its businesses. This is because companies depend on the services healthy ecosystems provide such as freshwater, wood, genetic resources, pollination, climate regulation, and natural hazard protection."

"This publication provides corporate managers with a proactive approach to making the connection between ecosystem change and their business goals. It introduces the Corporate Ecosystem Services Review - a structured methodology to help businesses develop strategies for managing risks and opportunities arising from their dependence and impact on ecosystems."

Moms Against Climate Change

"If our children knew the facts we do they'd take action. Shouldn't you?"

Watch this video and think about not only your future but the future generations of our children.

Why we Need HONEY BEES

Honey bees are rapidly disappearing from nature, a phenomenon known as the Colony Collapse Disorder. Honey bees are one of the most important pollinators of both agricultural crops and natural ecosystems and with their disappearance the effects are widespread.

The reason why this is occuring is unknown but some scientists suggest that pesticides play a role...makes sense, we spray harmful chemicals on plants, bees polinate these plants and the toxins are contracted ultimately leading to death.

Whatever the cause, it is an alarming situation, one which requires more research and attention.

A website offering a comprehensive list of green building materials.

Organized by category,  you can search and compare over 2300 products!

Al Gore's new Plan for the Planet

The long awaited sequel to Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth has finally arrived in the form of a book, "Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis".

An Inconvenient Truth raised global awareness around climate change while his new book provides solutions on how to move forward.

Read this Newsweek article for more in depth information.

Education in Sustainability

Academic programs in sustainability are becoming more common and widespread as interest in the topic soars. The AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education) has defined a list of programs in sustainability that is quite comprehensive and useful for those who are interested in studying this topic.