What a difference a year makes.
No lines. Well, no unreasonable or infuriating lines.
Check in was uneventful (therefore brilliant)!
There hasn't been any seating issues.... yet. (The breakout sessions begin this afternoon.)
The expo is huge and roomy.
And the opening plenary was inspirational.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Wow. Just wow. He is the type of person that reminds you that simplicity is genius. That we cannot get bogged down in the weeds of doing right. That tinkering with the process and logistics of social responsibility should not be the focus. That simply making the decision to change is enough. Yesterday, I may not have believed that. Today, I think I do.
And, like all people of greatness, he ended with one simple action - help. Help change the world. Just help. That's simple, right?
I swear, I really believe it is.
So that was our action item from the most reverend Archbishop. And I pass that along to you. Please help. Find your passion, whatever it is and help make the change.
OK, to change gears for a brief moment. I would be remiss if I painted the rosiest picture of Greenbuild so I will mention a few little details that have caused some frustration.
Dear USGBC Planning Committee: If you're going to start a whisper campaign of LEED 2009 changes and LEED v.3 and what's going to happen, and how it's going to change, and when it will all come together, can you PLEASE not schedule an 8-hour course for $500 called "LEED 2009 Technical Review"? One might think, at a session such as that, you would be releasing all the super-secret-squirrell information on what is happening with LEED 2009. Wouldn't you?
We did.
Let's just say that it wasn't. So, you have to imagine that the room was full of people a little disgruntled over the misperception.
Now, the good news from that bit is that they are doing a specialty update session to cover both LEED v.3 and GBCI's plan for the AP exam. Which is great. And, I'll be there.
But it would have been REALLLLLY nice to know this before we came to Boston (and saved the $500 on the LEED 2009 Technical Review).
So, on the whole, good. With little bits of 'eh'. I'm optimistic about the remainder of the week.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
GreenBuild 2008
We're off to Boston, MA!This week, Mary, Catherine, and I will be in Boston for the USGBC Greenbuild International Conference and Expo to gather up as much green building information as we can possibly stuff into three minds.
As always, Sustainabuild will keep you up to date on what's going on, what good info there is, what innovations, updates, announcements there are, and we will make sure to pass it along to you, our faithful readers.
We expect to learn more about the LEED v.3 (or LEED 2009) updates. We plan on learning the fate of the LEED AP exam. We will be scouring the expo floor for innovations in materials and technology to enhance our green building efforts. We will hear about USGBC's Strategic Plan for the next 5 years and where the organization's focus will be.
Keep an eye out throughout the week for updates!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Green Overload
I read the following Editor's Note today in ED+C Magazine (Environmental Design + Construction) and was so relieved to see Michelle Hucal, editor of the magazine, voicing the concerns that so many of us in the sustainable design and construction industry struggle with every day.
How do we look ourselves in the mirror every day, doing what we do, and then purchase a bag of Funions?
In other words, we embrace sustainability; we recycle, reduce, and reuse; we shop local; we eat organic; we encourage fair trade. We live the lifestyle we teach. But, sometimes.... just sometimes.... we buy the irresponsible product. Oh, the guilt.
Here's some wonderful insight from a woman, as she says, "with an extensive social network of green-minded professionals" that still buys artificial snack foods because they taste so good. Thanks, Michelle, for reminding us that we're all still human and doing the best we can:
We’re all consumers. And while ED+C doesn’t target the mainstream consumer, we’re happy to see that the environmental industry is progressing rapidly into the mainstream. Green building has started — though only slightly — to penetrate the entire consumer market. More and more people are being encouraged, or even coerced, to go green because of environmental concerns. And, many consumers have chosen to do the right thing for the right reasons.
But I worry about information overload. And greenwashing. It’s a good thing that consumers are being targeted by the mainstream media. (I’m excited to catch the first episode of the new Planet Green from Discovery, a 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network.) And, I look forward to reading some the green magazines on my nightstand, like Green Guide from National Geographic.
But when I view this information, even I have questions. I wonder what the average consumer must think. How do they determine the best avenues for truly going green? For example, I have switched to mostly compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), but was freaked out as a parent when my local news station broadcasted a scare about toxic mercury exposure should one break. And though I buy organic groceries as much as possible, I can’t help but sometimes choose on-sale and great-tasting artificial snack foods.
Sometimes it’s knowledge, other times it is convenience (i.e., availability and cost) that persuades me to purchase the environmentally friendly choice. I also have to constantly weigh my options, do more research and ask questions. And as the editor of ED+C with an extensive social network of green-minded professionals, I have the opportunity to ask experts. But it often comes down to a personal decision. For example, should I install certified carpet in my dining room, or a hard-surface floor? And if I select hard surface, do I choose a certified wood, linoleum or cork?
I will likely base my decision on comfort and practicality (including durability and maintenance), aesthetics (of course it has to look good!), cost, and “greenness,” probably in that order. Fortunately for all of us, many green products fall into the conventional product price category. I can find certified products at my local home improvement stores because many of the products that are often considered traditional — like hardwoods — are attractive, and affordable and green.
This growing demand for green products on the shelves of big box retailers and home improvement stores, in grocery stores, and on the Internet, has resulted in greater availability at less cost. Manufacturers are seeking to capitalize on the market, which increases variety and drives down prices.
However, we still have a long way to go toward fully educating the public. A recent study reported that “when it comes to making their homes green, consumers are paralyzing themselves to inaction based on overwhelming notions of what is required and what it costs,” according to Eco Pulse, a national study produced by Shelton Group.
Today, I encourage you to spread the good green word among consumers. Do your homework. Weed out the greenwash. Share your knowledge! Inspire others to go green through documented experiences, personally and professionally. Tell your neighbors, your family, your friends and your coworkers why and HOW to go green. Share this information with me, too, so I can pass it along to our readers, at hucalm@bnpmedia.
Until next time,
Michelle
How do we look ourselves in the mirror every day, doing what we do, and then purchase a bag of Funions?
In other words, we embrace sustainability; we recycle, reduce, and reuse; we shop local; we eat organic; we encourage fair trade. We live the lifestyle we teach. But, sometimes.... just sometimes.... we buy the irresponsible product. Oh, the guilt.
Here's some wonderful insight from a woman, as she says, "with an extensive social network of green-minded professionals" that still buys artificial snack foods because they taste so good. Thanks, Michelle, for reminding us that we're all still human and doing the best we can:
We’re all consumers. And while ED+C doesn’t target the mainstream consumer, we’re happy to see that the environmental industry is progressing rapidly into the mainstream. Green building has started — though only slightly — to penetrate the entire consumer market. More and more people are being encouraged, or even coerced, to go green because of environmental concerns. And, many consumers have chosen to do the right thing for the right reasons.
But I worry about information overload. And greenwashing. It’s a good thing that consumers are being targeted by the mainstream media. (I’m excited to catch the first episode of the new Planet Green from Discovery, a 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network.) And, I look forward to reading some the green magazines on my nightstand, like Green Guide from National Geographic.
But when I view this information, even I have questions. I wonder what the average consumer must think. How do they determine the best avenues for truly going green? For example, I have switched to mostly compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), but was freaked out as a parent when my local news station broadcasted a scare about toxic mercury exposure should one break. And though I buy organic groceries as much as possible, I can’t help but sometimes choose on-sale and great-tasting artificial snack foods.
Sometimes it’s knowledge, other times it is convenience (i.e., availability and cost) that persuades me to purchase the environmentally friendly choice. I also have to constantly weigh my options, do more research and ask questions. And as the editor of ED+C with an extensive social network of green-minded professionals, I have the opportunity to ask experts. But it often comes down to a personal decision. For example, should I install certified carpet in my dining room, or a hard-surface floor? And if I select hard surface, do I choose a certified wood, linoleum or cork?
I will likely base my decision on comfort and practicality (including durability and maintenance), aesthetics (of course it has to look good!), cost, and “greenness,” probably in that order. Fortunately for all of us, many green products fall into the conventional product price category. I can find certified products at my local home improvement stores because many of the products that are often considered traditional — like hardwoods — are attractive, and affordable and green.
This growing demand for green products on the shelves of big box retailers and home improvement stores, in grocery stores, and on the Internet, has resulted in greater availability at less cost. Manufacturers are seeking to capitalize on the market, which increases variety and drives down prices.
However, we still have a long way to go toward fully educating the public. A recent study reported that “when it comes to making their homes green, consumers are paralyzing themselves to inaction based on overwhelming notions of what is required and what it costs,” according to Eco Pulse, a national study produced by Shelton Group.
Today, I encourage you to spread the good green word among consumers. Do your homework. Weed out the greenwash. Share your knowledge! Inspire others to go green through documented experiences, personally and professionally. Tell your neighbors, your family, your friends and your coworkers why and HOW to go green. Share this information with me, too, so I can pass it along to our readers, at hucalm@bnpmedia.
Until next time,
Michelle
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Advanced Sustainability
This article is not for those newly initiated into green building. It's not for the faint-at-heart, nor is it for those just learning about sustainability.
Why? Because this article pushes our view of 'green' into the next phase.
So you've wrapped your mind around the idea of recycled and renewable, life cycle costs, carbon footprint, and energy savings. Now, let's talk about embodied energy.
Embodied energy refers to the energy required to extract, manufacture, transport, install, assemble and supply to the point of use a product, service, or material.
On the surface, a product may appear 'green', but what happens when we take into account the full, embodied energy?
The following is an article from Forbes Magazine:
When Building Green Harms The Environment
Matt Woolsey, 07.15.08, 6:15 PM ET
Gay Browne and her husband Tony have set out to build the greenest house in Montecito, Calif., in a small gated community near the ocean. They'll find the task much simpler than when they pursued the same green goal, in 1994, in Pacific Palisades, outside of Los Angeles.
Back then, builders had no idea about which materials were truly sustainable or were start-to-finish green, as opposed to being "greenwashed"--materials and appliances that might purport environmental friendliness through advertising or a fancy seal, but are environmentally detrimental. When Gay needed counter tops, she took a Geiger counter to a rock quarry to find the stones with the lowest radiation levels; she even found the one insulation maker in the country that used cotton batting instead of environmentally harmful fiberglass. In other words, she had to do everything herself.
Today, Browne, as the founder of greenopia.com, a site that helps consumers distinguish between those products that are highly efficient and have a low footprint from those that are masquerading as environmentally conscious (likely to take advantage of the growing green-materials market), has a much better idea as to what home-building materials and procedures are the greenest. The site is now a go-to resource for truly green construction, as buying greenwashed materials isn't just the slightly less environmentally friendly alternative; these products can increase your carbon footprint significantly.
Enthusiasm Despite The Downturn The remodeling market has slid with the housing market. Starting at the end of 2005, activity in remodeling has been decreasing steadily, according to the National Association of Homebuilders' Remodeling Market Index. David Seiders, the NAHB's chief economist, estimates that the market will further weaken through 2008. However, research from the NAHB and the American Institute of Architects indicate that green building is a growing component of the overall sector, and that green contractors have longer backlogs.
As a result, an increasing number of products are being positioned as green to take advantage of one of the few growing segments of housing. The most common false claim involves hidden trade-offs, according to research from TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, an Ottawa-based firm that, in November 2007, tested 1,000 household products making green claims. A good example of a hidden trade-off is concrete, which seems green once you own it, but is environmentally harmful to produce.
"Concrete is very durable, all natural and technically recyclable," says Eric Corey Freed, the principal of organicARCHITECT, a green architecture firm in San Francisco. "But its chief ingredient is Portland cement, which is heated to 5,000 degrees during manufacturing and lets off high carbon emissions."
How a product uses energy over its life makes a big difference as well. Carpets, for instance, might be made from sustainable fibers or recycled soda bottles. Assuming it's not backed with vinyl, which some are, think about the idea of the carpet itself. It requires cleaning, vacuuming and collects dust and pollen more than hardwood does. You need to amortize every extra watt it will require--and sneeze it will cause--over its life.
Supply-Chain Uncertainties. Another problem stems from how global supply chains work. Very few green operations are completely vertically integrated, meaning that it's rare for a company to own and operate every phase of the manufacturing process. From the time a piece of bamboo is harvested in China to the time it's installed as flooring in an Omaha living room, it's often gone through the hands of multiple companies--some green, some not so much.
While the flooring company in Omaha can truthfully say that it's using sustainably harvested wood (though bamboo is technically a grass), the shipping and trucking companies used to get the materials from China might not be green-oriented, and the factory where the bamboo is pressed might bond it with formaldehyde, or use a toxic finishing product.
"Consumers are looking for easy answers, and when I shop I prefer to see a logo on something and just buy it," says Scot Case, vice president of TerraChoice. "But the biggest piece of advice I have is don't buy a product because it has some green dot on it unless you understand exactly what that green dot means."
If a company doesn't chart all the materials used, makes claims on only one component of its sustainability, or makes no mention of manufacturing techniques, it's important for consumers to call companies and demand a material safety data sheet, which details every material used in the product, its disposal instructions, what sorts of gasses it emits, its level of toxicity and disposal instructions.
But another important tactic is conservation. For example, PaperStone and Richlite make high-end, recycled countertops that will more than likely outlive you, but so will your current granite countertops. Another good example is linoleum floors, which don't off-gas anything harmful, are easy to clean, aren't toxic and will last 25 to 50 years. Neither granite nor linoleum is as green as post-consumer compressed paper countertops or bamboo floors, but if you throw away the old floor and counter top in a landfill just for the sake of switching to a greener material, you're not doing a lot to reduce your footprint.
When a remodel is absolutely necessary, however, take the phone book out from under the short leg of the table, and look up salvage yards. In many cases, older is greener.
"Salvage companies are inherently green," says Freed. "We have clients who buy a new house and want to remodel it, and will throw away a perfectly good toilet and bathtub because it's the wrong color. If we can't change their mind, we try to salvage it."
Though if you've got a flair for design and carpentry, you might want to refashion what wood or metals you're throwing away. As anyone who's ever been to an artisanal furniture store can attest, old barn doors and rafters are converted into high-cost furniture.
"I really like the antique look of reclaimed stuff," says Browne. "But they really do mark it up."
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2008/07/15/green-home-decisions-forbeslife-cx_mw_0715realestate.html
Why? Because this article pushes our view of 'green' into the next phase.
So you've wrapped your mind around the idea of recycled and renewable, life cycle costs, carbon footprint, and energy savings. Now, let's talk about embodied energy.
Embodied energy refers to the energy required to extract, manufacture, transport, install, assemble and supply to the point of use a product, service, or material.
On the surface, a product may appear 'green', but what happens when we take into account the full, embodied energy?
The following is an article from Forbes Magazine:
When Building Green Harms The Environment
Matt Woolsey, 07.15.08, 6:15 PM ET
Gay Browne and her husband Tony have set out to build the greenest house in Montecito, Calif., in a small gated community near the ocean. They'll find the task much simpler than when they pursued the same green goal, in 1994, in Pacific Palisades, outside of Los Angeles.
Back then, builders had no idea about which materials were truly sustainable or were start-to-finish green, as opposed to being "greenwashed"--materials and appliances that might purport environmental friendliness through advertising or a fancy seal, but are environmentally detrimental. When Gay needed counter tops, she took a Geiger counter to a rock quarry to find the stones with the lowest radiation levels; she even found the one insulation maker in the country that used cotton batting instead of environmentally harmful fiberglass. In other words, she had to do everything herself.
Today, Browne, as the founder of greenopia.com, a site that helps consumers distinguish between those products that are highly efficient and have a low footprint from those that are masquerading as environmentally conscious (likely to take advantage of the growing green-materials market), has a much better idea as to what home-building materials and procedures are the greenest. The site is now a go-to resource for truly green construction, as buying greenwashed materials isn't just the slightly less environmentally friendly alternative; these products can increase your carbon footprint significantly.
Enthusiasm Despite The Downturn The remodeling market has slid with the housing market. Starting at the end of 2005, activity in remodeling has been decreasing steadily, according to the National Association of Homebuilders' Remodeling Market Index. David Seiders, the NAHB's chief economist, estimates that the market will further weaken through 2008. However, research from the NAHB and the American Institute of Architects indicate that green building is a growing component of the overall sector, and that green contractors have longer backlogs.
As a result, an increasing number of products are being positioned as green to take advantage of one of the few growing segments of housing. The most common false claim involves hidden trade-offs, according to research from TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, an Ottawa-based firm that, in November 2007, tested 1,000 household products making green claims. A good example of a hidden trade-off is concrete, which seems green once you own it, but is environmentally harmful to produce.
"Concrete is very durable, all natural and technically recyclable," says Eric Corey Freed, the principal of organicARCHITECT, a green architecture firm in San Francisco. "But its chief ingredient is Portland cement, which is heated to 5,000 degrees during manufacturing and lets off high carbon emissions."
How a product uses energy over its life makes a big difference as well. Carpets, for instance, might be made from sustainable fibers or recycled soda bottles. Assuming it's not backed with vinyl, which some are, think about the idea of the carpet itself. It requires cleaning, vacuuming and collects dust and pollen more than hardwood does. You need to amortize every extra watt it will require--and sneeze it will cause--over its life.
Supply-Chain Uncertainties. Another problem stems from how global supply chains work. Very few green operations are completely vertically integrated, meaning that it's rare for a company to own and operate every phase of the manufacturing process. From the time a piece of bamboo is harvested in China to the time it's installed as flooring in an Omaha living room, it's often gone through the hands of multiple companies--some green, some not so much.
While the flooring company in Omaha can truthfully say that it's using sustainably harvested wood (though bamboo is technically a grass), the shipping and trucking companies used to get the materials from China might not be green-oriented, and the factory where the bamboo is pressed might bond it with formaldehyde, or use a toxic finishing product.
"Consumers are looking for easy answers, and when I shop I prefer to see a logo on something and just buy it," says Scot Case, vice president of TerraChoice. "But the biggest piece of advice I have is don't buy a product because it has some green dot on it unless you understand exactly what that green dot means."
If a company doesn't chart all the materials used, makes claims on only one component of its sustainability, or makes no mention of manufacturing techniques, it's important for consumers to call companies and demand a material safety data sheet, which details every material used in the product, its disposal instructions, what sorts of gasses it emits, its level of toxicity and disposal instructions.
But another important tactic is conservation. For example, PaperStone and Richlite make high-end, recycled countertops that will more than likely outlive you, but so will your current granite countertops. Another good example is linoleum floors, which don't off-gas anything harmful, are easy to clean, aren't toxic and will last 25 to 50 years. Neither granite nor linoleum is as green as post-consumer compressed paper countertops or bamboo floors, but if you throw away the old floor and counter top in a landfill just for the sake of switching to a greener material, you're not doing a lot to reduce your footprint.
When a remodel is absolutely necessary, however, take the phone book out from under the short leg of the table, and look up salvage yards. In many cases, older is greener.
"Salvage companies are inherently green," says Freed. "We have clients who buy a new house and want to remodel it, and will throw away a perfectly good toilet and bathtub because it's the wrong color. If we can't change their mind, we try to salvage it."
Though if you've got a flair for design and carpentry, you might want to refashion what wood or metals you're throwing away. As anyone who's ever been to an artisanal furniture store can attest, old barn doors and rafters are converted into high-cost furniture.
"I really like the antique look of reclaimed stuff," says Browne. "But they really do mark it up."
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2008/07/15/green-home-decisions-forbeslife-cx_mw_0715realestate.html
Friday, June 20, 2008
Can't we all just conserve?
My top ten list of things we, as a nation, try to ignore but can't:
10. Brittany Spears
9. Our mothers
8. Spam
7. Politicians
6. Radios playing too loudly in cars
5. Complaining teenagers
4. Bad news
3. Climate change
2. Water shortages
1. Gas prices
OK, maybe we can't ignore many of those, especially items 1-4, but we sure do have our heads in the sand about them. In the last two days, I've read very enlightening articles by two Jacksonville citizens on the impact of ignoring critical issues, both of which relate to the biggies on the list.
First, from Professor Al Tilley at the University of North Florida. Professor Tilley has arguably done more to educate North Florida on the challenges of climate change than anyone else in this area. One of the many actions he takes is to coordinate information and articles for dissemination to his e-mail list. Today I received the following commentary from him:
"The Bush-McCain proposal to open new areas for oil exploration and to process oil shale is not at base wrong because it won't drop the price of gas much or soon (though it won't), or because it panders to public ignorance (though it does), or because it is a giveaway to oil companies who are already exploiting little of the resources now available (though it is). It is fundamentally wrong because it attacks the wrong problem. Our concern now is to move towards zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and it trumps all other concerns. I have not seen that obvious point made, even in the following prominent discussions. We should not speak as if the problem were to end dependence on foreign oil. Our own is as bad. "
That last line was an eye-opener. He's absolutely right. Should we take aggressive measures to fuel our consumptive way of life? Or should we (and I know this is utterly outre') just use less?
I know. It's sadly laughable, isn't it?
He added the following weblink with an article from the LA Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign18-2008jun18,0,7455120.story
The next eye-opener I received is from Rob Overly, architect, and world-changer. :-) He made the following point:
"Abu Dhabi and Dubai, two regions in the United Arab Emirates that are “floating in oil”, are also in the news. Both are building cities that are striving for a zero carbon footprint: Masdar City in Abu Dhabi and EcoStar in Dubai. Having a “zero carbon footprint” implies that among other things fossil fuels such as oil will not be used to provide energy, including transportation.
Interesting contrast: a region that sits on one of the world’s largest oil reserves is investing in a future without oil while a country that relies mainly on foreign oil to run its petroleum-based economy is turning to drilling off the coast of Florida to gain two and a half more years of oil consumption at current rates."
You can read more of his thoughts in Tuesday's Times Union who immediately picked up this Op Ed piece and will be leading with it. Thank goodness.
So, what's your breaking point? How high will gas prices need to be before you will consider public transportation? How much will a gallon of milk run before you consider growing a vegetable in your own backyard? What will your electricity bill be before you hang some clothes out to dry?
When you set your own "That's it, I need to cut back" goal, remember that there's already someone out there that hit their threshold a while back and has jumped on the conservation track. (They've been crossing their fingers for you).
But, remember there's also someone else willing to wait it out a little longer. And they will readily vote to eke a little more oil out of a precious natural resource to get it.
Don't be that person.
As they say over at Despair.com, None of us is as dumb as all of us. When we all collectively get together and pursue a bad idea, there's no end to what we can't do. If we all hang on to hope that we can sustain a wasteful lifestyle, we will find ourselves coming up with irrational idea after irrational idea to maintain it. Conversely, if we gather our forces, and our intellect, to embrace conservation and true sustainability, we can make it happen.
So, conserve. Cut back. Sacrifice a bit. Let's not ignore the problem, but embrace the obvious solution.
10. Brittany Spears
9. Our mothers
8. Spam
7. Politicians
6. Radios playing too loudly in cars
5. Complaining teenagers
4. Bad news
3. Climate change
2. Water shortages
1. Gas prices
OK, maybe we can't ignore many of those, especially items 1-4, but we sure do have our heads in the sand about them. In the last two days, I've read very enlightening articles by two Jacksonville citizens on the impact of ignoring critical issues, both of which relate to the biggies on the list.
First, from Professor Al Tilley at the University of North Florida. Professor Tilley has arguably done more to educate North Florida on the challenges of climate change than anyone else in this area. One of the many actions he takes is to coordinate information and articles for dissemination to his e-mail list. Today I received the following commentary from him:
"The Bush-McCain proposal to open new areas for oil exploration and to process oil shale is not at base wrong because it won't drop the price of gas much or soon (though it won't), or because it panders to public ignorance (though it does), or because it is a giveaway to oil companies who are already exploiting little of the resources now available (though it is). It is fundamentally wrong because it attacks the wrong problem. Our concern now is to move towards zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and it trumps all other concerns. I have not seen that obvious point made, even in the following prominent discussions. We should not speak as if the problem were to end dependence on foreign oil. Our own is as bad. "
That last line was an eye-opener. He's absolutely right. Should we take aggressive measures to fuel our consumptive way of life? Or should we (and I know this is utterly outre') just use less?
I know. It's sadly laughable, isn't it?
He added the following weblink with an article from the LA Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign18-2008jun18,0,7455120.story
The next eye-opener I received is from Rob Overly, architect, and world-changer. :-) He made the following point:
"Abu Dhabi and Dubai, two regions in the United Arab Emirates that are “floating in oil”, are also in the news. Both are building cities that are striving for a zero carbon footprint: Masdar City in Abu Dhabi and EcoStar in Dubai. Having a “zero carbon footprint” implies that among other things fossil fuels such as oil will not be used to provide energy, including transportation.
Interesting contrast: a region that sits on one of the world’s largest oil reserves is investing in a future without oil while a country that relies mainly on foreign oil to run its petroleum-based economy is turning to drilling off the coast of Florida to gain two and a half more years of oil consumption at current rates."
You can read more of his thoughts in Tuesday's Times Union who immediately picked up this Op Ed piece and will be leading with it. Thank goodness.
So, what's your breaking point? How high will gas prices need to be before you will consider public transportation? How much will a gallon of milk run before you consider growing a vegetable in your own backyard? What will your electricity bill be before you hang some clothes out to dry?
When you set your own "That's it, I need to cut back" goal, remember that there's already someone out there that hit their threshold a while back and has jumped on the conservation track. (They've been crossing their fingers for you).
But, remember there's also someone else willing to wait it out a little longer. And they will readily vote to eke a little more oil out of a precious natural resource to get it.
Don't be that person.
As they say over at Despair.com, None of us is as dumb as all of us. When we all collectively get together and pursue a bad idea, there's no end to what we can't do. If we all hang on to hope that we can sustain a wasteful lifestyle, we will find ourselves coming up with irrational idea after irrational idea to maintain it. Conversely, if we gather our forces, and our intellect, to embrace conservation and true sustainability, we can make it happen.
So, conserve. Cut back. Sacrifice a bit. Let's not ignore the problem, but embrace the obvious solution.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Living Buildings
Green roofs. Living buildings. It seems like vegetated roofs are the smartest, yet most underutilized, idea out there in terms of maximizing our buildings' efficiency.Some of the statistics below are really interesting, specifically the data on Chicago's energy reduction. (I've bolded the items for a quick browse-through). If all of Chicago's roofs were green, they could cut energy consumption by 720 megawatts. To quote the great Keaneau Reeves: "Whoa".
Thanks to George Hyatt at Delta Roofing for passing this along.
Green roofs popping up in big cities
Environmentally friendly industry rapidly coming into its own
By Bryn Nelson
MSNBC contributor
updated 8:43 p.m. ET, Tues., April. 15, 2008
The Washington Nationals’ new baseball stadium opened the 2008 season with one. Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics will feature many more. And earlier this year Minneapolis decreed that the city’s voluminous Target Center arena will have one too.
Environmentally friendly industry rapidly coming into its own
By Bryn Nelson
MSNBC contributor
updated 8:43 p.m. ET, Tues., April. 15, 2008
The Washington Nationals’ new baseball stadium opened the 2008 season with one. Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics will feature many more. And earlier this year Minneapolis decreed that the city’s voluminous Target Center arena will have one too.
Suddenly, green roofs are sprouting across North America. Designed to curb air pollution, decrease energy expenses and reduce storm runoff, the environmentally friendly assemblies are adding a decidedly earthy element to urban skylines — a sign that the green roof industry is rapidly coming into its own.
Particularly in cities, the rise of roof-topping grasses, succulents and other vegetation is fueling a boom for landscape architects, growers, builders and consultants in the know. As the roofs bloom in size and number, cities are weighing new incentives to developers and owners to install the admittedly costly growing medium and plant life as a long-term investment that could benefit both businesses and surrounding communities. And with a strengthening infrastructure to support them, designers are branching out in new directions.
Steven Peck, founder and president of the Toronto-based industry association Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, said the industry’s “mother ship” hails from Europe, particularly Germany. Research there in the 1970s on lightweight, low-maintenance green roof systems dominated by hardy sedum grasses, he said, “opened up thousands of miles of roofscapes that had been unavailable to any sort of greenery.”
German policymakers quickly took notice of the advantages, including the potential to reduce both stormwater runoff and the urban heat island effect associated with asphalt, concrete and metal surfaces. In response, they created dozens of incentives and regulations encouraging more green roof construction. In the mid-'90s, a European industry mostly dominated by French and German firms began expanding into North America and introducing the basic concepts to a new generation of specialists.
Peck, himself introduced to the idea in 1997, was tasked with leading a federal study on its benefits and barriers in Canada, only to find that there was little scientific information available for North America. “There was no proof, it was all in German academic studies,” he said.
One of his committee member spent hours translating many of the studies into English. And even those reports sidestepped analysis of big-picture benefits that had been largely taken for granted.
One of his committee member spent hours translating many of the studies into English. And even those reports sidestepped analysis of big-picture benefits that had been largely taken for granted.
A decade later, the industry has been buttressed by research and case studies detailing both individual benefits like savings on cooling costs and enhanced commercial values, and bigger-picture pluses like reduced air pollution and storm water overflows.
Another essential element has been building expertise across a talent pool that remains unevenly distributed. Peck’s group has been working for five years on an accreditation program modeled in part on LEED certification (Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design). The new Green Roof Professional, or GRP system, should roll out sometime next year, he said. In the meantime, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has grown to include more than 80 corporate members and has trained more than 4,500 individuals. “You can’t have an industry unless you can have people who can design and deliver,” he said.
Most green roofs still feature sedum and ice plant succulents, which can tolerate harsh growing conditions and are ideally suited for low-maintenance rooftops. These “extensive” roofs, as they’re known, require only a few inches of growing medium, reducing overall weight and cost.
John Shepley, co-owner of Maryland’s Emory Knoll Farms with industry leader Ed Snodgrass, said business is booming at their green roof plant nursery, based on a former dairy farm. “We’re probably growing 50 percent annually without trying,” Shepley said. Although Washington, D.C., and New York City remain big markets, he said, the federal government has been coming on strong with new mandates for green buildings.
John Shepley, co-owner of Maryland’s Emory Knoll Farms with industry leader Ed Snodgrass, said business is booming at their green roof plant nursery, based on a former dairy farm. “We’re probably growing 50 percent annually without trying,” Shepley said. Although Washington, D.C., and New York City remain big markets, he said, the federal government has been coming on strong with new mandates for green buildings.
In mid-March, Shepley delivered pregrown sedum plugs to cover a concessions area at the new Washington Nationals baseball stadium. Two years ago, the business helped install thousands more grass plugs on a massive green roof for a Library of Congress facility in Culpepper, Va.
As green roof technology matures, new projects have begun unveiling increasingly varied designs, including “intensive” roofs that require deeper growing depths and considerably more investment but can deliver more aesthetic, conservation and other benefits. Chicago’s $480 million Millennium Park, a 24.5-acre cap over rail yards and a parking garage, is one of the world’s largest intensive green roofs to date. An award winner from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the project has all the advantages of a major urban park, Peck maintains.
As green roof technology matures, new projects have begun unveiling increasingly varied designs, including “intensive” roofs that require deeper growing depths and considerably more investment but can deliver more aesthetic, conservation and other benefits. Chicago’s $480 million Millennium Park, a 24.5-acre cap over rail yards and a parking garage, is one of the world’s largest intensive green roofs to date. An award winner from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the project has all the advantages of a major urban park, Peck maintains.
Considered the industry frontrunner among North American cities, Chicago used a mix of intensive and extensive vegetation to cover 20,000 square feet atop its City Hall in 2001. In August of that year, researchers recorded a rooftop temperature of 119 degrees in the planted area, compared with a blistering 169 degrees on an adjoining black tar roof. Since then, the green roof has saved the city an estimated $3,600 in annual cooling and heating costs. If all Chicago roofs were similarly clad, city officials believe peak energy demand could be cut by 720 megawatts, or enough electricity for 750,000 consumers. Similarly, the load on the city’s storm sewer system could be slashed by roughly 70 percent.
Chicago is now adding green roofs to everything from office buildings to fire stations, and city governments in Toronto, Minneapolis and Seattle are following suit.
Other city-based incentives, popular in Chicago and Portland, give developers extra floor space if they add green roofs, and fast-track programs are rewarding environmentally conscious projects with a front-of-the-line approval process.
Washington, D.C., which has long struggled to control storm-water overflows into the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, is moving toward a system that will account for impervious building surfaces that increase runoff when assessing water consumption fees. Adding more water-retaining surfaces, including green roofs, will effectively lower a building owner's city fees. Beyond relieving the impact of development, the measure is designed to encourage both public and private-sector investment into runoff-reduction technology.
Nevertheless, Mark Thomann, design director at the New York landscape design firm Balmori Associates, said high construction costs, a lack of government support, and limited expert availability are still combining to thwart many ambitious green roof plans. “We imagined doing 50 of these a year, and the reality is we do one to two a year,” he said. In cities like New York, zoning laws haven’t yet accounted for green roofs, relegating them to awkward spaces between traditional buildings and landscaping. Plant specialists, Thomann said, often don’t have the equipment for roof access, whereas contractors often don’t know enough about plant-friendly construction practices.
Even so, his firm has been trying to push the envelope on design. “Most of the green roofs have been flat green surfaces, which are great, but we’ve been looking at different ways of making those roofs three-dimensional,” Thomann said. One of his company’s completed projects, the roof of New York’s Earth Pledge Foundation, features a vegetable garden.
Other design firms are teaming up with ecologists to build roofs that incorporate hollows, small cliffs, scattered rocks, dead wood and varied vegetation to mimic everything from riverbanks to high mountain meadows. The result has been a surprising burst in habitat for urban wildlife —and more aesthetically interesting roofscapes that building owners can use to attract human tenants as well.
Endangered beetles and spiders have found refuges in Basel, Switzerland, where a city mandate requires green roofs to accompany all new flat-roofed buildings. Endangered rooftop orchids thrive in nearby Zurich, while London has created new habitats for its small population of black redstart birds with crushed-brick “brown roofs” that mimic the derelict urban sites they favor. And in San Francisco, several acres' worth of dramatically sloping rooftop on the California Academy of Sciences have been designed as native habitat for the threatened bay checkerspot butterfly.
In New York, a planned visitors’ center at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is allowing staff to likewise experiment with a wide range of vegetation that might work as “living roof” plantings to fit the building’s sinuous profile. Patrick Cullina, the garden’s vice president of horticulture and science research, pointed out that green roofs need not be monolithic, especially ones that are meant to be seen.
The rooftop garden on Bill Clinton’s Presidential Library in Little Rock, Ark., includes yellow roses, a sentimental favorite. Cullina hopes the more publicly accessible Brooklyn rooftop will include visually interesting colors all year long. He also hopes to challenge the paradigm of which plants can be used in a living roof system, using nearby seashore and pine barren environments as inspiration.
Moving beyond simple cost-benefit calculations can pay particular dividends for an institution hoping to marry aesthetics, research and community leadership. It helps when a chartreuse rooftop grass turns a particularly vivid shade of reddish-orange during an otherwise dreary New York winter.
© 2008 MSNBC Interactive
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Florida's Water Problem
Being in Jacksonville, our view of the 'water problem' tends to focus on the St. Johns River mostly because it runs right through our city. As I was recently reminded by Neil Armingeon, the St. Johns Riverkeeper, the water problem is a state-wide concern and should be treated as such.The point was driven home this weekend on my camping trip to O'Leno State Park, where the Santa Fe river sinks below the ground and later reappears at the aptly-named River Rise Scenic Preserve three miles away. As we walked along the river, we could clearly see it was significantly lower than it should be. We guessed, based on the vegetation near the riverbank and past trips, that it was a least 6 feet lower than last year.
As you can imagine, much of our conversation along the walk surrounded plans to withdraw over 150 million gallons of water per day from the St. Johns and guessed that someone, somewhere, was suggesting the same plans for the Santa Fe, despite it's visibly low water levels.
Guess what? Two minutes worth of research on the 'net and we found that, indeed, someone is trying to withdraw water from the Santa Fe.
"Our Santa Fe River, Inc." is a grassroots organization dedicated to educating their community on potential water withdrawls. From their website:
Our Santa Fe River, Inc. has been sharing information with you for nearly a year regarding 4 more water bottling facilities coming to the Santa Fe River within a 3-mile stretch of riverfront. They would withdraw a combined total (with the one already operating, CCDA or Coca-Cola/Danone), of 1.3 billion gallons annually. We have been sending you this information so when the time came, you would be ready to come to government meetings and voice your concerns or simply come as a warm body in protest of this outrageous business… the business of bottling your public natural resource, WATER, for huge corporate profits.
WE NEED YOUR HELP now to show your support for the health of the river, springs and aquifer. Voice your opinion on the future of water use. Let your public officials know how you feel about businesses depleting more water than any one of our towns use in one day. We urge you to mark your calendar, save the date, and be there to make your statement a part of our history.
It only takes one visit to the Santa Fe, or the St. Johns, or the Ichetucknee, or the Withlacoochee, or the Suwanee to understand that the health of these rivers are at stake. And once you marvel at their beauty, you will want to protect them.
I've posted a few photos I took of the Santa Fe this past weekend. I hope you are inspired to take a weekend to visit one of these amazing natural beauties and teach your friends and family that they must be protected.
And, for those that doubt I'm the 'roughing it' type of camper, I've included a proof-of-camping shot, too. (Note the LEED-EB Reference Guide. 
Just shows that I never fully leave work behind.) :-)
Just shows that I never fully leave work behind.) :-)Saturday, February 16, 2008
Why do I need the LEED Plaque?
That's a fair question. If you build responsibly, follow LEED guidelines, incorporate best practices and focus on sustainability, why do you need the added expense of certification?
How about this... According to a recent article in Urban Land Magazine, ULI's periodical, not having the third-party certification may hurt future sales opportunies. Charles Lockwood, a green real estate authority and consultant in southern California, had some interesting things to say about green real estate space:
"Green is now becoming the rule - not the exception - in some office markets. Expect other building types - retail, industrial, warehouse and hotels - to go green shortly.
This past May, a top New York real estate broker, in a conversation at a conference with ULI president, worldwide, Richard M. Rosan, told him: 'You won't believe what's happened. Today, none of the leading companies will look at office space in New York unless it's green. They won't look at it.'
Companies are not restricting their green demands to New York. Brokers in Washington, DC, report that Class A buildings without a LEED plaque are at a disadvantage.
Around the world, companies are insisting on green workplaces. In Australia, for example, 'Every commercial tenant seeking more than 10,000 square meters requires five- or six-star Green Star space, the equivalent of LEED-Gold or Platinum,' says Che Wall, chair of the World Green Building Council.
Driving the green juggernaut are all the familiar benefits of green: lower operating costs, improved workforce productivity, reduced employee absenteeism, lower health care costs, greater drawing power to attract and retain skilled workers, higher property values, and increased profit for building owners and investors. More recently, green also is being driven by a greater awareness of how buildings contribute to global climate change, by a major shift in how many corporations view the environment, and by worker and shareholder demand for green workplaces.
How does the green juggernaut affect tenants? Green development results in healthier workplaces that are most competitive in terms of attracting desirable skilled workers, lowering operation costs, and providing a green image that will gratify shareholders and lore clients.
How does the green juggernaut affect building owners and investors? They will need to prepare for the looming obselescence of their existing conventional buildings. But, that massive obsolescence will, in turn, create a major new profit center for owners and investors and the entire real estate industry - the green renovations of existing convential buildings."
This market transformation has well-surpassed the "this is just another trend" stage. It will take a special kind of traditionalist to continue to say this is another passing phase. Green's here to stay and will only continue to transform real estate, development, design, and construction. The question then becomes: Are you going to be part of the transformation? Or are you going to be the one running from behind the industry to catch up?
Part of the transformation, then? Great choice!
So, back to our initial question: Why do I need the LEED Plaque? Not only does the third-party certification ensure sales and occupancy opportunity in future transactions, but it also affirms that the building meets or exceeds certain standards. It's your report card. It's something you can bring to the table and say, "Look what we did!"
And, most importantly, it is your Statement of Authenticity. When faced with the choice between purchasing the LEED-Silver Building A and 'green' Building B, what are you going to choose? There is simply too much greenwashing out there to risk Building B, no matter how much the agent tells you. I want to see the Report Card and the LEED-Silver Building has one.
An important note on the cost of certification: In a 50,000 square foot building, the cost for certification (for a USGBC member) is $1750.
Is that report card worth $1750? Absolutely.
How about this... According to a recent article in Urban Land Magazine, ULI's periodical, not having the third-party certification may hurt future sales opportunies. Charles Lockwood, a green real estate authority and consultant in southern California, had some interesting things to say about green real estate space:
"Green is now becoming the rule - not the exception - in some office markets. Expect other building types - retail, industrial, warehouse and hotels - to go green shortly.
This past May, a top New York real estate broker, in a conversation at a conference with ULI president, worldwide, Richard M. Rosan, told him: 'You won't believe what's happened. Today, none of the leading companies will look at office space in New York unless it's green. They won't look at it.'
Companies are not restricting their green demands to New York. Brokers in Washington, DC, report that Class A buildings without a LEED plaque are at a disadvantage.
Around the world, companies are insisting on green workplaces. In Australia, for example, 'Every commercial tenant seeking more than 10,000 square meters requires five- or six-star Green Star space, the equivalent of LEED-Gold or Platinum,' says Che Wall, chair of the World Green Building Council.
Driving the green juggernaut are all the familiar benefits of green: lower operating costs, improved workforce productivity, reduced employee absenteeism, lower health care costs, greater drawing power to attract and retain skilled workers, higher property values, and increased profit for building owners and investors. More recently, green also is being driven by a greater awareness of how buildings contribute to global climate change, by a major shift in how many corporations view the environment, and by worker and shareholder demand for green workplaces.
How does the green juggernaut affect tenants? Green development results in healthier workplaces that are most competitive in terms of attracting desirable skilled workers, lowering operation costs, and providing a green image that will gratify shareholders and lore clients.
How does the green juggernaut affect building owners and investors? They will need to prepare for the looming obselescence of their existing conventional buildings. But, that massive obsolescence will, in turn, create a major new profit center for owners and investors and the entire real estate industry - the green renovations of existing convential buildings."
This market transformation has well-surpassed the "this is just another trend" stage. It will take a special kind of traditionalist to continue to say this is another passing phase. Green's here to stay and will only continue to transform real estate, development, design, and construction. The question then becomes: Are you going to be part of the transformation? Or are you going to be the one running from behind the industry to catch up?
Part of the transformation, then? Great choice!
So, back to our initial question: Why do I need the LEED Plaque? Not only does the third-party certification ensure sales and occupancy opportunity in future transactions, but it also affirms that the building meets or exceeds certain standards. It's your report card. It's something you can bring to the table and say, "Look what we did!"
And, most importantly, it is your Statement of Authenticity. When faced with the choice between purchasing the LEED-Silver Building A and 'green' Building B, what are you going to choose? There is simply too much greenwashing out there to risk Building B, no matter how much the agent tells you. I want to see the Report Card and the LEED-Silver Building has one.
An important note on the cost of certification: In a 50,000 square foot building, the cost for certification (for a USGBC member) is $1750.
Is that report card worth $1750? Absolutely.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Are you a Keeper? We are...
A Riverkeeper, that is. If you are passionate about green building, then you're probably passionate about water conservation and quality. If you're passionate about water conservation and quality, then you probably look at the St. Johns River and worry about what will happen to that incredible natural resource in light of the 'water wars' occuring in both Florida and Georgia. If you worry about the St. Johns, then you probably should be part of Riverkeeper.Jimmy Orth, Executive Director of St. Johns Riverkeeper, recently wrote a back page article for Folio Weekly and, as always, articulated the need for water conservation so much better than I can. With that, his words:
After reading my last Backpage article, a friend sent an e-mail to me bemoaning the fact that I had made her feel hopeless and helpless thanks to my pessimistic forecast for Florida’s environmental future. Despite my sincere regret for leaving her feeling this way, I realized just how important the point that I was trying to make really is. There are still reasons to be optimistic, but we can’t expect to just make small changes, if we are to create a sustainable future for Florida. How many times have you heard that “every little bit helps”? Do a Blackle (more energy-efficient Google page) search for this phrase, and you will see what I mean. Community leaders, politicians, and environmentalists (including me) have been baited into the trap of telling people what they want to hear and avoiding the harsh reality that doing only a little bit may only be buying us a little bit of time. In my opinion, this is one of the reasons that “going green” is now trendy. If I can be "green", cool, and clear my conscience by simply buying a hip organic t-shirt or taking a cloth bag to the grocery store, then I am all over it. Yes, the small things are important, but only if they are a part of sweeping lifestyle and cultural changes. The time for a paradigm shift is now. We have to reestablish our relationship with the natural world and fully integrate an environmental consciousness and ethic into every aspect of our lives and the decisions that we make. If we don’t, the bulk of the decisions we make will continue to be contrary to our own best long-term interests and those of the planet.
Even though this may sound daunting and leave readers feeling overwhelmed, there is still hope and good reason to pull our selves up by the boot straps and get to work. Now, is the time and the opportunity to rev up that ol’ American can-do attitude, celebrate our entrepreneurial spirit, and embrace our American ingenuity and eagerness to take on and overcome challenges. This is our chance to forge a new future for our state that will result in a healthier environment, more stable economy and a better quality of life. This is the time to reconnect with Mother Nature and the environment upon which we depend for our own survival and quality of life. This is our opportunity to celebrate and preserve the natural history, beauty, and richness of the great state of Florida.
First of all, as I mentioned before, we must reconnect with the natural world. We must understand and accept our role in this complex global system and start listening for and recognizing the heartbeat of our planet, once again. We can do this by learning, exploring and getting to know our surroundings – the flora, fauna, waters, lands, and of course, our fellow human beings. Develop and cultivate your sense of place. Rekindle and nurture the relationship with the natural world around you. What we don’t know we won’t love, we won’t respect, and we won’t feel a sense of responsibility to care for. We have to understand the interdependence of all living things and the importance of maintaining the ecological balance of the world in which we live. The best way to do this is by experiencing and learning about it firsthand. Get in that canoe or kayak. Get on that bicycle. Go for a hike. Sign up for an educational Riverkeeper boat trip.
Secondly, simply be conscious. The outdoor clothing company, Patagonia, calls it leading an examined life. So often, we just don’t think about the consequences of our actions. What is the impact of the fertilizers that run off of my lawn? Where did my food come from and how was it produced? By simply being more conscious, observant, and aware, you will inevitably make more responsible decisions. To get you started, I would suggest that you visit the American Public Media website (http://sustainability.publicradio.org ) and play the Consumer Consequences game. It’s pretty cool and will at least get you thinking about whether or not you are living a sustainable lifestyle. Once you are more aware, you will then recognize the chain of events and ripples that emanate from our actions and will be more prepared to minimize your ecological footprint.
Next, we have to be open to new and old ideas. We must be willing to embrace those concepts and technologies that will enable us to plan our communities, build our homes and office buildings, restructure our organizations, and live our lives in a much more sustainable manner. For instance, New Urbanism planning principles, Low Impact Development techniques, and LEED certified buildings provide opportunities for us to dramatically reduce the impact of our built environment. The technologies and know-how are there that will allow us to create more efficient, more resourceful, and more earth-compatible communities. The only thing missing is the will to do so.
Get involved. Use your voice and your vote. We all need to become more engaged in our communities. Attend public meetings where decisions are made that have an impact on environmental policy and regulations. Elect candidates who support the environment. Communicate frequently with your elected officials and let them know what is important to you. Help start a community garden in your neighborhood or recycling program at your office.
Make more informed decisions. Information is one of the most critical components to an effective democracy and free market system. There are a number of great resources available online that can help you make greener choices. Consumer Reports has a site about “products for a better planet,” www.Greenerchoices.org. Co-op America (www.coopamerica.org ) has a Green Business Directory and information about social investing and green energy. St. Johns Riverkeeper (www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org) provides tips for protecting the river, information about Low Impact Development techniques, and “river friendly” yard practices. The local nonprofit, Green Team Project (www.greenteamproject.org), helps individuals and businesses “save money by becoming environmentally-friendly in their everyday practices.” The League of Conservation Voters (www.lcv.org) is an independent nonprofit organization that provides environmental scorecards for national and state legislators. After all, if we want to go green, we will have to vote green.
Finally, we must be willing to walk the walk. Follow-through is essential. It may be difficult at times to find environmentally-friendly products, services, or even political candidates, but we must attempt to, and we must demand that those choices are available. Start out by reaching for the low-hanging fruit (such as installing a low-flow showerhead or compact fluorescent light bulb or using a cloth shopping bag). Then, work on further greening up your everyday life by identifying ways to minimize your ecological footprint and establishing a plan for achieving your goals. What is it going to take to make your home more energy efficient? Could you better plan your shopping for the week so that it requires fewer trips by car? Can you fix that old appliance or could you get a used one on craigslist.com? Plan ahead, think through your options and the environmental impacts of each, and make wise decisions. Hey, you might just find that you’ll also save some money, and you will be helping to create a more sustainable Florida in the process.
If you have come to the conclusion that this is just some idealistic tree-hugger rant, consider that much of what I am proposing may actually be just old-fashioned conservative American values. This is about conserving resources, being frugal and not wasteful, prudently preparing and planning for the future, having a deep-rooted connection to the land, using only what you need, and respecting and being good stewards of God’s creation. This is about recognizing that we have gotten off track and need to get back to the basics, back to our roots. This is baseball and apple pie. The New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman, refers to it as “green patriotism” and proclaims green to be “the new red, white, and blue.” However, he also recognizes that while “green has hit Main Street….it’s still less than a new way of life.” As Friedman says, “Green has to become part of America’s DNA.” Well, what are we waiting for? Yes, we may have our work cut out for us. However, our sustainable future is within our grasp if everyone will just get started by doing a little bit, with the willingness and commitment to do a whole lot more.
-Jimmy Orth, Executive Director St. John's Riverkeeper
Thanks to Folio Weekly for providing Jimmy the opportunity to share this vital message.Lastly, we at Breaking Ground are proud to be Keepers and hope to expand our own water conservation initiatives to complement what the Riverkeeper is doing. Keep an eye out for news of our most recent incentive for our employees to conserve water... I may be hitting you up for suggestions and out-of-the-box ideas on how I can take advantage of this incentive AND make a huge dent in our potable water use.
Until then, visit the Riverkeeper's webpage and blog, and consider including them in your annual contributions.
They need you and the river needs you!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Where is GREEN taking you this year?
So, did you think I was going to discuss strategic planning? Or corporate sustainability plans? Or future trends?
How about conferences? Let's talk about conferences! Who's incorporating green into their expos and conferences, where they're happening, how much is it going to cost you to get there?
Here's the scoop:
International Council of Shopping Centers
www.icsc.org
"Idea Exchange"
Clearwater, FL
February 6-7, 2008
Cost: $180-$225
(Point to note: Kevin "The Green Man" Songer will be a featured speaker!)
UF/TREEO
www.treeo.ufl.edu/conferences/air/
Air Contaminates Conference
Daytona, FL
February 28-29, 2008
Cost: $295
NESEA: Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
www.buildingenergy.nesea.org
"Building Energy '08"
Boston, MA
March 11-13, 2008
Cost: $465-$565
NAIOP
www.naiop.org
"Develop Green"
Glendale, AZ
March 12-13, 2008
Cost: $595-$795
GreenPrints
www.greenprints.org
"GreenPrints Conference and Trade Show"
Atlanta, GA
March 13-14, 2008
Cost: $375-$425
Aspen Institute
www.aspeninstitute.org
"The Aspen Environment Forum"
Aspen, CO
March 26-30, 2008
Cost: $1700-$3000
Gulf Coast Green
www.gulfcoastgreen.org
"Gulf Coast Green Symposium"
Houston, TX
April 3-6, 2008
Cost: $250-$300
ULI: Urban Land Institute
www.uli.org
"Developing and Investing Green"
Charlotte, NC
April 7-8, 2008
Cost: $995-$1095
ACEEE
www.frallc.com
"2nd Annual Energy Efficiency Finance Forum"
Arlington, VA
April 10-11, 2008
Cost: $1695
American Business Conferences
www.cost-efficient-sustainable-buildings.com
"Cost-Efficient Sustainable Buildings"
Philadelphia, PA
April 14-15, 2008
Cost: $2000-$3000 (Includes hotel stay)
Please feel free to add additional conference information and keep an eye out for future events.
See you 'round the conference scene!
How about conferences? Let's talk about conferences! Who's incorporating green into their expos and conferences, where they're happening, how much is it going to cost you to get there?
Here's the scoop:
International Council of Shopping Centers
www.icsc.org
"Idea Exchange"
Clearwater, FL
February 6-7, 2008
Cost: $180-$225
(Point to note: Kevin "The Green Man" Songer will be a featured speaker!)
UF/TREEO
www.treeo.ufl.edu/conferences/air/
Air Contaminates Conference
Daytona, FL
February 28-29, 2008
Cost: $295
NESEA: Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
www.buildingenergy.nesea.org
"Building Energy '08"
Boston, MA
March 11-13, 2008
Cost: $465-$565
NAIOP
www.naiop.org
"Develop Green"
Glendale, AZ
March 12-13, 2008
Cost: $595-$795
GreenPrints
www.greenprints.org
"GreenPrints Conference and Trade Show"
Atlanta, GA
March 13-14, 2008
Cost: $375-$425
Aspen Institute
www.aspeninstitute.org
"The Aspen Environment Forum"
Aspen, CO
March 26-30, 2008
Cost: $1700-$3000
Gulf Coast Green
www.gulfcoastgreen.org
"Gulf Coast Green Symposium"
Houston, TX
April 3-6, 2008
Cost: $250-$300
ULI: Urban Land Institute
www.uli.org
"Developing and Investing Green"
Charlotte, NC
April 7-8, 2008
Cost: $995-$1095
ACEEE
www.frallc.com
"2nd Annual Energy Efficiency Finance Forum"
Arlington, VA
April 10-11, 2008
Cost: $1695
American Business Conferences
www.cost-efficient-sustainable-buildings.com
"Cost-Efficient Sustainable Buildings"
Philadelphia, PA
April 14-15, 2008
Cost: $2000-$3000 (Includes hotel stay)
Please feel free to add additional conference information and keep an eye out for future events.
See you 'round the conference scene!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Women Build for HabiJax: What does THAT cost?
Do you know that HabiJax pre-cuts all their materials to minimize waste?
Do you know that HabiJax recycles and reuses so much material that they rarely need to have trash hauled away?
Do you know that HabiJax installs Energy Star appliances in all their homes?
Do you know that HabiJax was green before green was cool?
We do, which is why we're so proud to support the 2008 Women Build project.
We also know that HabiJax is already doing so much to reduce the cost of their homes to bare minimum and still provide a welcoming, healthy home for their deserving families.
Now, for the big "Do you know"... Do you know that, after all those cost-saving measures, and sweat-equity, a HabiJax project must still raise $65,000 to bring the project together?
We definitely do. Which is why we need help! To raise the roof, we need to raise $65K!
Please spread the word, incorporate this worthwhile project into your yearly charitable budgets, and find a spot in your own wallet for HabiJax this year.
Pass it along and help us make Women Build a roof-raising success!
E-mail me at ellen@breakinggroundcontracting.com to learn how you can help.
Do you know that HabiJax recycles and reuses so much material that they rarely need to have trash hauled away?
Do you know that HabiJax installs Energy Star appliances in all their homes?
Do you know that HabiJax was green before green was cool?
We do, which is why we're so proud to support the 2008 Women Build project.
We also know that HabiJax is already doing so much to reduce the cost of their homes to bare minimum and still provide a welcoming, healthy home for their deserving families.
Now, for the big "Do you know"... Do you know that, after all those cost-saving measures, and sweat-equity, a HabiJax project must still raise $65,000 to bring the project together?
We definitely do. Which is why we need help! To raise the roof, we need to raise $65K!
Please spread the word, incorporate this worthwhile project into your yearly charitable budgets, and find a spot in your own wallet for HabiJax this year.
Pass it along and help us make Women Build a roof-raising success!
E-mail me at ellen@breakinggroundcontracting.com to learn how you can help.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
LEED ROI and Payback
Here we are again, speaking on the cost of going green. I find it remarkable that there are those that still question the value and benefits of going green even when faced with strong Return-on-Investment numbers that confirm that high-performance building is the right way to go. Is it so difficult to believe there's some good deals out there?
I'm currently attending the FEFPA (Florida Education Facilities Planners Association) in Fernandina Beach and this morning's speaker, Alan Whitson, spoke about money and green building: It's the Money: Separating Green Fact from Fiction. (For more information on Alan Whitson, visit www.squarefootage.net) He provides some excellent numbers to share with clients when discussing green building options.
As mentioned before, the first question asked when discussing a LEED project is "How much more is it going to cost?" Or, "What is the payback on this?" If you had to convince an owner that the payback period was 5 years, would you receive a favorable response?
How about if you said the return on investment was 20%?
20% sounds mighty good.
In his example, the 5 year payback earned a 20% return on investment. I think we should start talking in terms of ROI instead of payback. Whitson does, too. He shared some excellent suggestions on why to use ROI instead of simple payback:
Simple payback focuses on how fast capital is returned, not on maximizing the return on capital. Simple payback doesn't consider post payback period cash flows, the time value of money and the risks to the cash flow.
Acceptable time periods are arbitrary and do not reflect market rates of return.
He also suggests that we include ALL financial benefits that can be generated including increases in building value and shareholder value. Your assumptions should include a realistic time horizon, inflation, and reinvestment of savings. Also, consider the financial impact of depreciation and income taxes.
Here's a great example Whitson provided:
Let's look at the impact of a $0.40sf. annual energy savings on a 130000sf school.
With no inflation and no reinvestment: $2,600,000 savings
With 2.5% inflation rate and 5% reinvestment: $22,260,535 savings
With 2.5% inflation rate and 8% reinvestment: $41, 093,713 savings
If you could incorporate energy saving measures that would equal $0.40sf on a 130k sf. project, you could reasonably earn back $41M dollars?
Let me guess... "That couldn't POSSIBLY be correct. There must be faulty numbers or everyone would be doing this."
Mmm hmm. Exactly.
As the green building champions that we are, we should be providing our clients the tools they need to make the right decisions. It's up to us to get this information into their hands so that they can move forward with sustainable projects. This is what they need to present their shareholders, or their boards, or their owners, so that they can feel strongly about making the right decision.
Most owners already have the desire to build an environmentally responsible, healthy place to work and live. Let's show them that it can be profitable, too.
I'm currently attending the FEFPA (Florida Education Facilities Planners Association) in Fernandina Beach and this morning's speaker, Alan Whitson, spoke about money and green building: It's the Money: Separating Green Fact from Fiction. (For more information on Alan Whitson, visit www.squarefootage.net) He provides some excellent numbers to share with clients when discussing green building options.
As mentioned before, the first question asked when discussing a LEED project is "How much more is it going to cost?" Or, "What is the payback on this?" If you had to convince an owner that the payback period was 5 years, would you receive a favorable response?
How about if you said the return on investment was 20%?
20% sounds mighty good.
In his example, the 5 year payback earned a 20% return on investment. I think we should start talking in terms of ROI instead of payback. Whitson does, too. He shared some excellent suggestions on why to use ROI instead of simple payback:
Simple payback focuses on how fast capital is returned, not on maximizing the return on capital. Simple payback doesn't consider post payback period cash flows, the time value of money and the risks to the cash flow.
Acceptable time periods are arbitrary and do not reflect market rates of return.
He also suggests that we include ALL financial benefits that can be generated including increases in building value and shareholder value. Your assumptions should include a realistic time horizon, inflation, and reinvestment of savings. Also, consider the financial impact of depreciation and income taxes.
Here's a great example Whitson provided:
Let's look at the impact of a $0.40sf. annual energy savings on a 130000sf school.
With no inflation and no reinvestment: $2,600,000 savings
With 2.5% inflation rate and 5% reinvestment: $22,260,535 savings
With 2.5% inflation rate and 8% reinvestment: $41, 093,713 savings
If you could incorporate energy saving measures that would equal $0.40sf on a 130k sf. project, you could reasonably earn back $41M dollars?
Let me guess... "That couldn't POSSIBLY be correct. There must be faulty numbers or everyone would be doing this."
Mmm hmm. Exactly.
As the green building champions that we are, we should be providing our clients the tools they need to make the right decisions. It's up to us to get this information into their hands so that they can move forward with sustainable projects. This is what they need to present their shareholders, or their boards, or their owners, so that they can feel strongly about making the right decision.
Most owners already have the desire to build an environmentally responsible, healthy place to work and live. Let's show them that it can be profitable, too.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Green Building Ordinance Update
A reminder to my fellow Jacksonville-ians:
The City of Jacksonville's Environmental Protection Board is drafting a Sustainable Building Ordinance which will require COJ new construction and major renovations to achieve LEED certification and incentivize private development for achieving LEED certification.
This draft needs your support to ensure it has the best possible chance before City Council. Here's what you can do:
Attend the Public Forum: The Public Forum for the proposed ordinance will be held Tuesday, January 22nd at 430pm in Conference Room 3C, City Hall - St. James 117 West Duval Street.
Provide a Written Comment: For those unable to attend, send your thoughts to Mr. Robert Schuster, Environmental Protection Board, 117 West Duval Street, Suite 225, Jacksonville, FL 32202, no later than January 29, 2008.
Notify your City Council Representative: Remind your city council representative that your future votes depend on their current votes. Send an e-mail stressing that this issue is critical to Jacksonville's future. Here are a few statistics that your city council representative may not know:
The City of Jacksonville's Environmental Protection Board is drafting a Sustainable Building Ordinance which will require COJ new construction and major renovations to achieve LEED certification and incentivize private development for achieving LEED certification.
This draft needs your support to ensure it has the best possible chance before City Council. Here's what you can do:
Attend the Public Forum: The Public Forum for the proposed ordinance will be held Tuesday, January 22nd at 430pm in Conference Room 3C, City Hall - St. James 117 West Duval Street.
Provide a Written Comment: For those unable to attend, send your thoughts to Mr. Robert Schuster, Environmental Protection Board, 117 West Duval Street, Suite 225, Jacksonville, FL 32202, no later than January 29, 2008.
Notify your City Council Representative: Remind your city council representative that your future votes depend on their current votes. Send an e-mail stressing that this issue is critical to Jacksonville's future. Here are a few statistics that your city council representative may not know:
- USGBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is dues-based representing over 10,000 companies from 12 membership categories.
- With more than 1000 certified buildings and over 7300 registered buildings, USGBC has extensive experience in assessing, documenting, and administering what has become the leading green building rating system in the United States.
- As a third-party certification system, LEED validates achievement and establishes leadership in the green building sector. LEED provides a clear roadmap for sustainable design and then ensures its performance by documenting that the building is constructed as designed.
- More than 90 local governments have adopted LEED.
- 24 states have adopted LEED.
- 41 countries have LEED projects.
- According to the US EPA research, by cutting energy use by 30% tenants can save 50 cents per square foot per year.
- LEED Green Building Rating Sytem is available for New Construction, Existing Buildings, Commercial Interiors, Core & Shell, Homes, Schools, and Neighborhood Development.
To e-mail your city council representative: http://www.coj.net/City+Council/City+Council+members.htm
Take the time to raise your voice for sustainability! How often do we have the chance to truly make a difference in our city? Make it your priority to support this draft and attend the Public Forum on Tuesday.
We need YOU!
Friday, January 4, 2008
2008 Women Build: HabiJax and Breaking Ground
Breaking Ground Contracting Company, in partnership with HabiJax, is pleased to announce the 2008 Women Build!This innovative initiative was introduced in order to encourage women to participate in the construction process in a less intimidating environment and, at the same time, enrich the life of a deserving family through the rewards and responsibilities of home ownership.
We are especially proud that Mary Tappouni, President of Breaking Ground Contracting, is leading this effort as Project Manager and will bring her years of construction expertise and commitment to the community through this worthwhile project. As many of you already know, Mary’s dedication is evidenced by the time and resources she and her employees give the community through organizations such as Child Guidance Center, YMCA, ACE Mentoring, Junior Achievement, JaxPride, St. John’s Riverkeeper and professional organizations such as Associated Builders and Contractors, ABC Women’s Council, US Green Building Council, SMPS, CREW, Urban Land Institute and NAIOP. HabiJax and Breaking Ground will be reaching out to the many women’s associations and groups, as well as women business owners to act as construction volunteers and supporters.
What will make this year’s Women Build especially noteworthy is that we (of course) will be focusing on “building green”. We are excited to learn that HabiJax has used green practices in the construction of their homes for years. For example, HabiJax uses Energy Star appliances, eliminates waste through pre-planning and measuring of building components, and recycles and reuses construction debris when possible. Also, their revitalization of urban neighborhoods supports green efforts to develop sites appropriately. We will highlight and share those green practices during the build, but also seek to attain LEED for Homes certification on the Women Build house. Having a LEED-certified home ensures that we will exceed certain thresholds for energy efficiency, water conservation, responsible use of materials and resources, and high standards for indoor air quality.
If you are a local reader, then you are probably very familiar with HabiJax. For those that are unfamiliar, HabiJax was founded locally in 1988 and is the largest Habitat for Humanity affiliate in North America. In June of 2007, they celebrated the construction of their 1500th house and each week construction begins on two new HabiJax homes. It takes approximately 3-4 months to build a home and volunteers are typically working on houses Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00am to 3:30pm. The average HabiJax home is 1100-1200 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths (but they have floor plans to meet the needs of all their families!). Since its creation in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built or rehabilitated more than 225,000 homes worldwide and Breaking Ground is thrilled to do their part on this one in Jacksonville.
Breaking Ground Contracting Company is a commercial and institutional general contractor with an award-winning, ten-year history in North Florida. Founded by company president, Mary Tappouni in 1997, Breaking Ground has been redefining construction on a diverse portfolio of projects such as new construction, tenant build outs, renovations and additions. By incorporating sustainable building practices into our business philosophy, we are proud to say we are providing an environmentally responsible, economically profitable, and healthy place to work with each project.Keep an eye out for updates and more details on the 2008 Women Build. We are proud and honored to lead this effort and look forward to working with many of you to make this the most successful Women Build ever!
Please contact me at 904.388.1350 or e-mail to learn how you or your company can become a sponsor, provide in-kind donations, or volunteer and keep an eye here for updates on our progress.
-Ellen Reed
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy Green Year!
Florida's Department of Environmental Protection offers a good bit of advice:DEP is encouraging Floridians to make a “green” resolution for the New Year. "Even small things like changing one incandescent light bulb to an ENERGY STAR® qualified bulb can have a big impact,” said DEP Secretary Sole. “For example, if all the households in Florida changed just one light bulb to a compact fluorescent bulb, the combined effort would save enough energy to light all the households in Tallahassee for more than two and a half years.” For more information on Green Tips for the New Year visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2007/12/1226_02.htm.
Here area few ideas from The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen (which is a great book for those that want to know how to make a difference and WHY it makes the difference) to get you started this year:
1. Take a shorter shower. Every two minutes you save on your shower can conserve more than ten gallons of water. And that can add up: If everyone in the country saved just one gallon from their daily shower, over the course of a year it would equal twice the amount of freshwaster withdrawn from the Great Lakes every day. The Great Lakes are the world's largest source of freshwater.
2. Set your thermostat a degree higher for air-conditioning and a degree lower for heating, and you could save $100 per year on your utility bill. Keep adjusting and you'll save even more. If every home in America turned the dial, we could save more than $10 billion per year on energy costs, enough to provide a year's worth of gasoline, electricity, and natural gas to every person in Iowa.
3. Recycle. If everyone in America simply separated the paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum products from the trash and tossed them into a recycling bin, we could decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills by 75 percent. Currently, it takes an area the size of Pennsylvania to dump all our waste each year.
4. Use fewer paper napkins - everywhere. There's no need to grab a huge stack of napkins from the concession stand when you know you'll use only one or two. Each American consumes an average of 2200 standard two-ply napkins per year, or the equivalent of just over six of these napkins per day. If everyone in the United States used an average of one fewer nakpin per day, more than a billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year. A stack of napkins this size could fill the entire Empire State Building.
5. Buy rechargable batteries, and you'll save money over the long term. A single rechargable battery can replace up to one thousand single-use alkaline batteries over its lifetime. Americans throw out approximately 179,000 tons of batteries per year.
6. Drink tap water when dining out. You can save as much as $7 for a bottle of water, and it may be safer to drink. Tap water is more strictly regulated than bottled water. If everyone drank tap instead of bottled water in the United States, it would save about $8 billion - about as much as the US spends each year in drought response. It also would help prevent plastic waste: Sixty million water bottles are tossed each day in the United States.
7. Pack a waste-free lunch. Eliminate plastic bags, plastic utensils, disposable containers, paper napkins, and those brown paper bags. Instead use a reusable lunchbox, reusable drink containers, cloth napkins, and silverware. You could save $250 a year and as much weight in waste as the average nine-year-old!
8. Walk to school. Only 31 percent of children who live less than one mile from school walk there. Half of all students go to school by car. If just 6 percent of those students who go by car walked, it would save 1.5 million dropoffs and pickups - and sixty thousand gallons of gasoline - a day!
9. Use both sides of your plain paper, and recycle. Paper is the biggest form of waste that comes from schools. Every ton, or 220,000 sheets, of paper that is recycled saves approximately seventeen trees. The average school tosses thirty-eight tons of paper per year, or more than 8 million sheets.
10. Double-side your copies. Whether printing or copying, use both sides of a piece of paper. If just one in four office workers made all of their copies double-sided, the annual savings would equal 130 billion sheets of paper - a stack thicker than the diameter of the earth!
11. Carpool. If the average commuter carpooled every day, he or she would save five hundred galls of gasoline, and 550 pounds of poisonous exhaust emissions every year. Commuters sharing a ride to work would be the equivalent of taking 67.5 million cars off the road - four times the number of new cars sold in the United States per year.
12. Use a ceramic mug for your coffee. Americans use more than fourteen billion paper cups every year, enough to circle the world fifty-five times. The Styrofoam kind will stay on the plaet for nine generations, enough time for your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandkids to be born.
13. Don't take ATM reciepts. ATM receipts are one of the top sources of litter on the planet. If everyone in the United States left their receipt in the machine, it would save a roll of paper more than two billion feet long, or enough to circle the equator fifteen times.
14. Request automatic deposits for your paycheck. Not only will you get your money faster, but you'll reduce the time and fuel you spend to go to the bank. More than seven billion checks are written annually that could be replaced by automated deposits. If everyone who was eligible for an automated deposit opted for it, it would save about $65 billion in fuel costs and lost time expenses - and enough paper checks for everyone in the world.
15. Get paperless bank statements. Some banks will pay you a dollar or donate the money or your behalf when you cancel the monthly paper statements you get in the mail. If every household took advantage of online bank statements, the money saved could send more than seventeen thousand recent high school graduates to a public university for a year.
There are 15 actions you can take today to make 2008 a greener year. On this first day of the year, I've already seen at least 10 people walking, riding, or jogging in the neighborhood. They've made a new year's resolution to be healthier. Let's see how many of us can incorporate one green practice into our new year's resolutions and make the planet a little healthier, too.
Happy New (Green) Year!
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