ASHRAE Standard 189.1 provides the basis for new building codes and makes it easier for cities and counties to adopt an already created green building code. The question now is...who will be the first municipality to put this into law!
28 March 2010
Standard 189.1
Finally....the first commercial green building standard in the United States. It covers key topic areas similar to LEED: site, water use, energy, indoor environmental quality, and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources.
ASHRAE Standard 189.1 provides the basis for new building codes and makes it easier for cities and counties to adopt an already created green building code. The question now is...who will be the first municipality to put this into law!
ASHRAE Standard 189.1 provides the basis for new building codes and makes it easier for cities and counties to adopt an already created green building code. The question now is...who will be the first municipality to put this into law!
14 March 2010
Footsteps into Energy
Can producing energy be as simple as walking? Yes...with the new Pavegen Systems product. 'Paving slabs harvest kinetic energy in high footfall environments converting it into electricity.'
Image: Pavegen Systems
09 February 2010
The Hidden Costs
Before you make your next purchase, try to consider all the costs involved, not just the price.
Our current economic structure does not account for the environmental and social impacts of products and services, rather, these are viewed as externalities. In the new green economy, these externalities will be absorbed, making the manufacturer's of products and suppliers of services accountable.
Read more at Grist...always a noteworthy news source.
Our current economic structure does not account for the environmental and social impacts of products and services, rather, these are viewed as externalities. In the new green economy, these externalities will be absorbed, making the manufacturer's of products and suppliers of services accountable.
Read more at Grist...always a noteworthy news source.
05 February 2010
Save Paper & Save Trees
Image Credit: thinkbefore printing.org
31 January 2010
Whole Building Design Guide...
..."the gateway to up-to-date information on integrated, whole building design techniques and technologies."
Click here to learn more
Click here to learn more
Sustainability Workshops, Webinars and Discussions
Image Credit: The Natural Step USA
The Natural Step - Network USA, has expanded their range of educational opportunities. Whether you are new to the concepts of sustainability and The Natural Step, or you are an experienced leader in this front, there are sessions that apply to you.
Check out the offerings at The Natural Step USA.
19.20.21
19 cities in the world with
20 million people in the
21st century
For the first time in history, more people are dwelling in cities than rural areas. Existing cities are growing rapidly, and new cities will be needed to accommodate the rising global population. How will the rise of 'supercities' affect business and planning in the future....and what can we do to prepare for it now?
Read more at 19.20.21, an interesting collaboration that is looking at just that.
15 January 2010
Trends for 2010
What do BIM (building information modelling), net zero buildings and carbon calulation have in common...they are among the top 10 green building trends for 2010.
Click here for the full list of up and coming trends in the building industry.
Click here for the full list of up and coming trends in the building industry.
13 December 2009
CAP-and-TRADE, is it the way to go?
A Cap-and-Trade program to reduce carbon emissions has been in discussion for many years, and even after the Kyoto Protocol it is still not in place. Simply put, this is a program of 'emissions trading' in which governments set an upper limit on emission permits and allow businesses and other organizations to purchase and trade the permits. Through time, the upper limit is lowered with the long term goal of cutting emissions.
So is cap-and-trade the way to go...I'm not so sure. Essentially, it allows developed countries to purchase emissions credits from developing countries, and as a result, the biggest polluters continue business as usual.
Rather than continuing down this dim path, perhaps we should address the root of the problem and incentivize innovation.
Here is an interesting article that goes further into this discussion.
So is cap-and-trade the way to go...I'm not so sure. Essentially, it allows developed countries to purchase emissions credits from developing countries, and as a result, the biggest polluters continue business as usual.
Rather than continuing down this dim path, perhaps we should address the root of the problem and incentivize innovation.
Here is an interesting article that goes further into this discussion.
Image Credit:http://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/kansas-city-cap-and-tax-protest/
11 December 2009
The Natural Step...what is it?
Looking for a framework to help you, your business, your university, your community move toward sustainability? Watch this video and find out more about The Natural Step.
Image Credit: http://www.naturalstep.org/
02 December 2009
COMPOST for a good cause
Things that I miss about living in Sweden...the Batlic Sea, my stylish commuter bike, the convenient train system, endless hours of dayight in the summer....and....composting!
The Swedes have it easy, they are provided with biodegradable paper bags that they simply fill with food waste and throw into a 'recycle' bin where the city collects it. It is not so easy in the US though, in fact, my current landlord refuses to let me set up a composting system in my building.
And then I learned about counter composting, and am thinking about investing in some worms! It may sound less than attractive at first but it is actually quite simple - the worms eat the food waste, poop it out and you are left with a mineral rich soil for gardening....and hungry worms!
Try it, I will. Here are some resources and a video to help you get started.
http://www.howtocompost.org/cat_generalinfo.asp
http://www.greenyour.com/home/lawn-garden/gardening/tips/make-your-own-compost
http://nymag.com/guides/summer/2009/57476/
Image Credit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/compost/graphics.html
The Swedes have it easy, they are provided with biodegradable paper bags that they simply fill with food waste and throw into a 'recycle' bin where the city collects it. It is not so easy in the US though, in fact, my current landlord refuses to let me set up a composting system in my building.
And then I learned about counter composting, and am thinking about investing in some worms! It may sound less than attractive at first but it is actually quite simple - the worms eat the food waste, poop it out and you are left with a mineral rich soil for gardening....and hungry worms!
Try it, I will. Here are some resources and a video to help you get started.
http://www.howtocompost.org/cat_generalinfo.asp
http://www.greenyour.com/home/lawn-garden/gardening/tips/make-your-own-compost
http://nymag.com/guides/summer/2009/57476/
the story of CAP and TRADE
Annie Leonard, who brought us the amazing animation 'Story of STUFF' has done it again. This time with 'The Story of CAP & TRADE.'
And keep an eye out for upcoming animations on bottled water and electronics, coming soon to The Story of Stuff Project website.
And keep an eye out for upcoming animations on bottled water and electronics, coming soon to The Story of Stuff Project website.
Image Credit: http://groups.gaia.com/ecc/conversations/view/437854
25 November 2009
Take it off for Climate Change
Supermodels did it in this 350.org video - it's one way to get the message across.
Image Credit: http://www.350.org/
And for 24 MORE compelling reasons why you should be concerned about climate change click here.
COP 15...
...is right around the corner. With thousands of world leaders, activists and scientists attending, just who should you keep an eye out for? Grist has conveniently made some suggestions for you. Watch '15 People Worth Watching in Copenhagen' to learn more.
So what is all the hype about anyway? It's not too late to get informed, read 'Copenhagen 101: The Essentials on the Climate Talks.'
So what is all the hype about anyway? It's not too late to get informed, read 'Copenhagen 101: The Essentials on the Climate Talks.'
24 November 2009
Green MBA's
The Green Economy Post has published an interesting article around green MBA's. Within just a few years it seems that sustainability is the trend in education and with so many programs to chose from it is becoming more and more difficult to determine which porgram aligns with your educational and professional goals.
If you are looking to go back to school "discover the 10 most important factors you should be using to select a green MBA program and how to use them to select the right program to put you on a successful career track" here.
If you are looking to go back to school "discover the 10 most important factors you should be using to select a green MBA program and how to use them to select the right program to put you on a successful career track" here.
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