Greening in the New Year

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

In only a few days, we will ring in 2010.  Many of us will marvel at what we accomplished, but most of us will fret over that which was left on the table.  We will labor over the goals which were set and just narrowly missed, or those that seemed so lofty even eleven months ago that we knew there would be miles to go as the year closed.
 
For those of us that greeted 2009 with the desire to make significant progress towards a more sustainable future, we are now faced with an equally daunting task in 2010.  How do we save the planet this decade?
 
Ouch.  That's a big pie right there.  Pollution.  Carbon emissions.  Energy.  Waste.  Those are big.  Naysayers would pipe up to say that we can't make a big enough impact to cause significant change.
 
Hmmph.  Them thar's challenge words....
 
Let's play a numbers game here.  So, according to Google's data, there were 304,059,724 people in the US in July of 2008.  For ease of crunching, let's assume we're at around 305,000,000 right now. 

• If half of us gave up disposable cups:  Average cup weighs 5g each.  152,500,000 people not using 5g of waste a day.  762,500 kilograms out of the landfill each day.  278,312,500 kg out of the landfill a year.

Hmmmph.  No impact, eh?

• According to the 2007 census, there are 111,162,259 households.  Again, let's round to 112,000,000 for ease of math.  If each household goes to the grocery store once a week and bags their groceries in 6 plastic bags what could we save?  52 weeks x 6 bags = 312 bags per household a year.  In the US alone, we're using around 34,944,000,000 bags a year.  *cringe*  So, if we all brought our six reusable bags to the store each week, we'd divert literally TONS of trash from the landfills.

Seeing a trend here?

Do ONE thing in 2010.  You don't have to change everything about your lifestyle, nor give up some of the luxuries of life.  But you can do just one thing.  Choose one thing and stick to it throughout the year.  Here is a list of suggestions:

• Bring reusable bags to the grocery store every time you shop.
• Say no to bottled water completely.  Carry your reusable bottle and fill up at water fountains.  (Umm, this one saves you money!  Hello!)
• Avoid seafood that is over farmed or unsustainable.
• Use a coffee mug from home every day at work.
• Never put paper in the trash.  Recycle it (or hold onto it until you can get it into a recycle bin).

Make this your New Year's resolution and then make it a habit in your household.  Share the habit with friends and family and impress it upon your children.  Change the next generation and ensure these habits are carried into the future.

That's impact right there, boys and girls.   As was said so beautifully, be the change you wish to see.  Don't wait for someone else to do it first.  And certainly don't use that sad old excuse that one person can't make a difference.  You know it ain't true.  If the numbers don't convince you, let the stories of Ghandi and Dr. King remind you.

Have a wonderful New Year and go out there and make a difference!

Merry Christmas from GBD

Decking the Halls - The Sustainable Way

Here we are again, preparing for the holiday season.  I'm always chuffed to watch the news and read magazines that provide their top ten list of ways to 'go green' at the holidays.  The lists are diverse and thought-provoking.  Some suggestions are costly, some are free.  I'm a big fan of the free options (because there is NO excuse not to implement them), and I love having philosophical debates over the others.  (Are they really green?  What is the synergy with other environmental issues?  What will Grandma think if we do it?)

Also, the economy is in a relatively bad way right now.  (If I could figure out a way, I'd send the economy a Get Well Card.  Maybe with a little kitten 'hanging in there'.)  So, my thoughts this year are of the various shades of green - the green of our planet and the green of those ever-disappearing dollars in my wallet.  Very often, sustainability is good for your budget.  Let's focus on those right now.

Here is a list of some of the things that may work for you this year:

• Virtual Holiday Cards:  I know Miss Manners and Emily Post's descendents are currently engaged in symposiums on the etiquette of virtual holiday cards but I still fully support the sustainability of the option.  One:  I don't spend half a dollar per card to mail them.  Two:  I don't purchase another completely disposable product.  Three:  I save a little piece of my sanity by not stressing over gathering snail mail addresses for every last cousin, colleague, and classmate. 
• Reused Fake Christmas Trees:  OK, stay with me on this one.  I've had the same fake tree for over ten years now.  It was given to me by someone that decided they no longer wanted to 'deal with the trappings of Christmas'.  Instead of driving to a lot of tree lots and spending $50 each year, I go to my garage and pull out my old box and reuse my fake tree.  I save money.  That's green.  I don't drive my car around to numerous tree lots.  That's totally green. Fake trees need no water.  That's super green.
• Just Saying NO to malls:  It's been said over and over and I will say it as well:  WHEN did Christmas become a battle of how much money we can spend on people?  Who purchases a Mercedes for their wife on Christmas morning?  Scale back, people.  Just scale back.  Set a limit and stick to it.  Don't let the ads get to you.  Those marketing people are super clever.  Be wary.
• Walking through the neighborhood to look at lights:  For those of us that live in Florida, there is no reason to get in your car and drive through your own neighborhood to look at holiday lights.  Put on your walking shoes and enjoy a leisurely walk with your family.  Maybe stop and speak with your neighbor.  Crazy?  No, really.  Before parents drove their kids around on Halloween, there was this remarkable trend of walking through your neighborhood.  Save the gas, spend some time with your family, meet your neighbors and go for a walk.
• LED really is a good option:  Yes, they cost more.  But, aren't you the one standing next to me in the aisle at Walgreens buying new lights each year?  Let's buy a higher quality of lights this year and NOT go back each year because the junky lights we bought last year seemed to short out in the box between January and November.  How about this year I meet you in the Walgreens aisle on the day after Christmas, pick them up at 50% off and set a sustainable trend for next year? 
• Reusable bags instead of wrapping paper:  My mother introduced me to the concept of grabbing up all the gift bags after the unwrapping occurs and saving them until the next year.  Buy the pretty ones once and be that 'frugal' person that collects them and stores them until next year.  We have one bag that has been gifted to every person in our family.  It's a topic of conversation and a standing joke.  And a GREAT example of reuse. 
• No disposables:  Isn't this the time of year to pull out the pretty dishes?  If you don't have enough, tell your in-laws they can't come.  (OK, so that's not REALLY an option.  But doesn't it always sound appealing?)  If you absolutely must buy disposables, please buy the ones that are compostable.  Maybe borrow from your neighbor?  We always have one neighbor that goes away for the holiday.  We borrow their pretty dishes and watch their house while they're away.  Win-win. 
• Holiday lights need to be on a timer:  Raise your hand if you sometimes forget to turn off your lights?  Me, too.  Buy a timer.  Preferably on sale the day after Christmas.
• Web cam instead of travel:  This is a tough one, but in today's economy, more people are sacrificing the flights out of town and staying home.  That does not mean you can't have a meaningful, quality conversation with your Grandma in Pennsylvania.  All she needs is someone to show her how to log onto Skype and smile at the little red light on the camera.  When was the last time you sat down for an hour and just talked to your dad in Wisconsin?  A web cam encourages that.  (I know this for a fact.  It's how I met my husband.)  :-)
• Embrace a true, old fashioned Holiday:  Turn off the lights and all the electronic devices.  Sit by a crackling fire (lit by gathered branches from your back garden ), light a candle, and illuminate your tree.  Tell stories.  Sing a song.  Talk to each other.  Enjoy the energy savings, but more importantly, enjoy the time you spend with your family and the memories you'll recall for years.  Recently, my three children, my husband and I organized a campfire in the yard.  $1 on marshmallows.  $0 on gathered firewood.  $0 on blankets from the closet.  Two hours of singing and storytelling:  Priceless.  They're still retelling the stories from that night.

Environmental stewardship builds so much more than energy savings.  It can save money.  It creates memories.  It builds relationships.  It shifts paradigms.  It relives the past. 

Sustainability is about people, planet, and profit.  I encourage you to enjoy a beautifully sustainable holiday season.

EPA and Greenhouse Gases

First:  Did you know that there's a climate summit thing going on?  http://en.cop15.dk/

Second:  Did you know that the EPA has officially stated that Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health and the Environment?  See below...

EPA: Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health and the Environment / Science overwhelmingly shows greenhouse gas concentrations at unprecedented levels due to human activity


Release date: 12/07/2009

Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn, Milbourn.cathy@epa.gov, 202-564-7849, 202-564-4355; En español: Lina Younes, younes.lina@epa.gov, 202-564-9924, 202-564-4355

EPA: Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health and the Environment

Science overwhelmingly shows greenhouse gas concentrations at unprecedented levels due to human activity

WASHINGTON – After a thorough examination of the scientific evidence and careful consideration of public comments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that greenhouse gases (GHGs) threaten the public health and welfare of the American people. EPA also finds that GHG emissions from on-road vehicles contribute to that threat.
GHGs are the primary driver of climate change, which can lead to hotter, longer heat waves that threaten the health of the sick, poor or elderly; increases in ground-level ozone pollution linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses; as well as other threats to the health and welfare of Americans.
“These long-overdue findings cement 2009’s place in history as the year when the United States Government began addressing the challenge of greenhouse-gas pollution and seizing the opportunity of clean-energy reform,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Business leaders, security experts, government officials, concerned citizens and the United States Supreme Court have called for enduring, pragmatic solutions to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution that is causing climate change. This continues our work towards clean energy reform that will cut GHGs and reduce the dependence on foreign oil that threatens our national security and our economy.”
EPA’s final findings respond to the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision that GHGs fit within the Clean Air Act definition of air pollutants. The findings do not in and of themselves impose any emission reduction requirements but rather allow EPA to finalize the GHG standards proposed earlier this year for new light-duty vehicles as part of the joint rulemaking with the Department of Transportation.
On-road vehicles contribute more than 23 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions. EPA’s proposed GHG standards for light-duty vehicles, a subset of on-road vehicles, would reduce GHG emissions by nearly 950 million metric tons and conserve 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of model year 2012-2016 vehicles.
EPA’s endangerment finding covers emissions of six key greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride – that have been the subject of scrutiny and intense analysis for decades by scientists in the United States and around the world.
Scientific consensus shows that as a result of human activities, GHG concentrations in the atmosphere are at record high levels and data shows that the Earth has been warming over the past 100 years, with the steepest increase in warming in recent decades. The evidence of human-induced climate change goes beyond observed increases in average surface temperatures; it includes melting ice in the Arctic, melting glaciers around the world, increasing ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, acidification of the oceans due to excess carbon dioxide, changing precipitation patterns, and changing patterns of ecosystems and wildlife.
President Obama and Administrator Jackson have publicly stated that they support a legislative solution to the problem of climate change and Congress’ efforts to pass comprehensive climate legislation. However, climate change is threatening public health and welfare, and it is critical that EPA fulfill its obligation to respond to the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that determined that greenhouse gases fit within the Clean Air Act definition of air pollutants.

EPA issued the proposed findings in April 2009 and held a 60-day public comment period. The agency received more than 380,000 comments, which were carefully reviewed and considered during the development of the final findings.

Information on EPA’s findings: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html

So, there you go.  I don't like to make environmental responsibility a political thing.  There's enough of a mess out there for it NOT to be a political issue.  As my kids say, "Climate change, blah blah blah...  Pollution's still bad, right?"

Yeah, it's still bad.  So, whatever we can do to decrease our impact on the environment is a good thing.  You can't look out at all the cars on the road and say that's healthy.  Bulldozing trees isn't really a good thing.  More green space is good.  Smart building design and construction is good.  If the EPA studies state that we should be gentler on the planet, I'm a fan of that.

So, read up on it and know what's going on.  Knowledge is always a good thing!

Cha cha cha changes...

As you've probably already noticed, the blog has experienced some significant changes.  First of all, I am no longer with Breaking Ground Contracting Company.  I am now part of an exciting venture called Greener By Design Consulting, LLC, which will assist firms with reaching a deeper shade of green through their marketing, public relations, branding, strategy and business development.  Feel free to contact me for more details...

In the meantime, this blog, Greener By Day, will focus on finding that deeper shade of green for you on a daily basis.  I will still keep an ear to the ground for initiatives and activities around our global community and get that information right to you.

If you find it before I do, shoot it over to me.  Let's make this sustainable conversation interactive, innovative, meaningful and relevant!

Ellen
ellen@greenerbydesignconsulting.com

GreenBuild Tuesday Update...

Quick caveat: The Starbucks in the West Building had no line this morning. Things have changed since this afternoon. I'd like to think it's due to my post alerting our thousands of green building readers to its location. So, there's a line now. I've forewarned you.

The Corporate Sustainability session this morning was great! I will go to any session that has Harvey Bernstein from McGraw Hill Construction speaking. He always rolls out great statistics. This morning he shared with us the 2009 Greening of Corporate America SmartMarket Report and compared the numbers to the 2006 report of the same name. Very exciting stuff...

61% of polled big corporations have staff dedicated to sustainability issues.

In 2006, only 16% of companies considered themselves to be on the cutting edge of corporate sustainability, incorporating green issues into their procurement and annual reports. In 2009, this number had increased to 30%. More importantly, innovative firms that incorporate sustainability into the fiber of their companies increased from 2% to 7% this year. Remember, these are big corporations... Fortune 500s. The firms that can enact positive change on a global level when they make a move.

This year, 50% of polled companies offer green products and cite that resource-saving features of those products.

Energy savings and customer needs are the primary drivers to these initiatives.

In 2006, 31% of CEOs believed that sustainability would provide market differentiation. This year, that number is up to 61%.

Food for thought. It's encouraging to see larger organizations making sweeping change but remember that small business has the power in numbers to enact similar change. When I compared the sustainability initiatives of companies like Siemens, Owens Corning, and CB Richard Ellis with the initiatives of Breaking Ground, I was satisfied to see that our small business is, and had many years ago, incorporated similar initiatives and measurables. Many of our initiatives are loftier and and far more audacious.

My point is that big companies SHOULD be making sweeping change. They have the resources and people to make it happen. What can small business do today to affect change? Think about what Breaking Ground has done.... What can YOU do?

Challenge your people. Challenge yourself.

Greenbuild 2009: Day One

Today is the first official day of Greenbuild 2009. Yesterday was check-in day, expo opening, and chapter events. Today begins the numerous education sessions and activities closing with Al Gore and Sheryl Crow. I expect a long, highly rewarding day.

A few updates to yesterday's comments. The closest Starbucks is actually in the West Building of the Convention Center. :-) Much closer than the location in the sports arena. No line either! Good to know.

The numbers are definitely beginning to swell so we shall see if the planning and coordination meets the needs. It is rumored that attendance is slightly down this year but that is probably to be expected.

The diversity of attendees is gratifying. No longer are we a ground concentrated with architects, engineers and contractors. We have far more policy makers and developers, government entities and financial people, and literally young and old from near and far which represents a goal that extends beyond green building.

In yesterday's chapter forum, the issue of social equity was discussed quite often and really brought to light the need to pursue diversity from all perspectives. I met with the Emerging Green Builders national committee and was very impressed with their passion. They are such wonderful champions of social equity and will inspire us to embrace the knowledge and experience of numerous backgrounds.

The forum closed with Scott Horst, Senior VP of LEED for USGBC, who presented a very inspirational speech on the 'purpose' of USGBC and finding the 'purpose' beyond the organization. He reminded us that the organization, USGBC, is a vehicle to promote a greater message of environmental stewardship and market transformation. Future generations will not remember US Green Building Council, but they will remember what we did to change the planet.

So, with that, I am inspired to jump into the education sessions and learn how we can continue to transform our market and change the planet. Nothing like BHAGs to start your day.

Make it a "green" day!

Welcome to Green Build 2009

Here we are again at Green Build! This year, we're in warm, sunny Phoenix, AZ. Quite a change of pace from the last two years of the bitter cold in Chicago and Boston. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Coming from the swampy heat of Jacksonville, FL, the cold at Green Build is often a welcome change of pace.

I expect in the evening hours, we'll appreciate the brisk of 50F instead of the bite of 20F.

So, a few updates from Day One. The Convention Center is accessible, well-marked, and extremely well organized. Looking back on the dismal days of the Chicago conference, I'm actually grateful for the organizational nightmare that was that convention. It's as if the convention organizers are determined to excel each year beyond our expectations so that the memories of Chicago are blurred by the satisfaction of subsequent years.

They're doing a fine job.

A few things to know (if you are reading this before you arrive):

First, the closest Starbucks is in the United Airlines Center (the sports arena) across from the Hard Rock Cafe. Exit the Convention Center, take a left. Go to the light, take a right. It's in the bottom floor. Can't miss it. Hey, it was important to me.

Second, the light rail system is very nice and easy to navigate. Keep in mind, though, it is not a complex route; therefore it doesn't take you many places. Basically, your options are anything on South Central. If you want to go there, great. If not, take the rail to the closest point on Central and then foot it the rest of the way.

Third, registration is on the lower level. Come in to the North Building and take the escalators downstairs. Not that you'll be hurting to find a "green shirt" to guide you in the right direction. They're eager (nearly aggressive) to assist. If you have already printed out your bar code, registration will take you about 6 seconds. I checked in Monday evening and the entire process from getting on the escalator to receiving my messenger bag was 3 minutes. Granted, it was Monday night and the crowds had not arrived yet. But, still... That's not too bad. Be prepared with your Photo ID and it will progress even faster. I highly encourage you to print out that bar code.

The overall dress code is getting far more casual this year. Many people in tshirts and jeans. A few in business suits and ties are looking disappointed. I'd bet they're going to change at lunch time.

The expo is, again, HUGE. It's in an L-shape so it doesn't appear as overwhelming, but don't be fooled. It is. Plan some time to cover it completely.

The bookstore is AWESOME! Lots of good titles, lots of good merchandise. They were setting it up when I arrived and a quick scan was impressive. Keep an eye out for this cool kids book called "Me and Green". :-) Much better take-home gift for your kids than a Green Build T-shirt that they probably will only wear to do yard work. Pick up the book and transform the next generation.

There's a number of restaurants within walking distance and a small food court in the convention center. I anticipate the food court will be inundated at lunch so it might not hurt to consider venturing out.

That's it for now. More updates to come as we venture forth and hit the education sessions.

Have a "green" day!

Mayor's Environmental Advisory Committee

Did you know...

The City of Jacksonville's Mayor, John Peyton, regularly meets with members of various environmental groups to discuss the needs of the North Florida region in terms of land use, stewardship, smart growth, conservation, green building, and overall sustainability?

I was pleased to learn that this is the case after receiving an invitation from the Mayor's office to participate on behalf of the US Green Building Council's North Florida Chapter. As many of you know, I serve as the current Vice Chair of the chapter, was chair of the Public Advocacy Committee and briefly served as Regional Representative to the Florida/Carribean Council. Needless to say, my passion for green building was tied closely to legislation and municipal ordinances. After nearly two years of committed focus on assisting with the Sustainable Building Ordinance, I am pleased to say it passed and Jacksonville is now among many other cities embracing green building and offering incentives to those pursuing a third-party certification.

Go Jacksonville!

As you can imagine, I was thrilled to receive the invite to participate.

Among those organizations represented:

• US Green Building Council North Florida
• The Jacksonville Arboretum
• Greenscape
• St. Johns Riverkeeper
• North Florida Land Trust
• The Trust for Public Land
• The River Alliance
• Sustainable Jacksonville
• Sierra Club
• Timucuan Preserve
• The Public Trust
• Museum of Science and History

The format was a round table discussion with Mayor Peyton leading the conversation which addressed the master plan for the Riverwalk, the Stormwater Fee program, stimulus money, Reality Check, and the City's commitment to conservation measures on an administrative level. Derek Igou, COJ's Sustainability Officer, and Vince Siebold with the Environmental Quality Division, were also on hand to offer insight.

The bottom line is there's a lot of great things happening in the City yet we still have far to go.

As was stated at the meeting, with so little in the way of budget and available money, the best thing we can do right now is plan for a sustainable future. What should the plan look like for when the cash is flowing again? How do we plan for smart growth and low impact development before development ramps up again?

What do we need to do right NOW to ensure future development is executed responsibly?

The Mayor's Environmental Advisory Committee is meeting again in July to continue this conversation and keep up the momentum.

So, what do we need the City to know and what what we can provide for them so that they can execute our plan for environmental stewardship, smart growth and green building?

Let's start talking!

Ellen

Breaking News: Jacksonville's Sustainable Building Ordinance

It's passed!

The Ordinance was voted on this evening at the City Council meeting and I have it on good authority that it was approved!

*applause*

Thanks to all the hard working people that have dedicated so much time, expertise, passion, and knowledge to this cause.

We also commend the City of Jacksonville, their City Council, and the COJ leadership that had the vision to see how important sustainability is to Jacksonville.

Now, it's time to spread the word about how this ordinance can benefit developers and those considering LEED certification.

THIS is the carrot we've all been hoping for.... This is the incentive we've needed to assist our clients in making the right, green decision on their building projects.

Remember: fast-track permitting is a good thing. Time is money. Saving time means saving money. Help your clients save money by saving time and achieve the added benefit of saving the planet.

It's a good day in J-ville!

Jacksonville Sustainable Building Ordinance

After over a year of hard work by dedicated members of Jacksonville's Environmental Protection Board, the Environmental Quality Division of the COJ, the US Green Building Council of North Florida, and many, many more concerned citizens of our City....

The Sustainable Building Ordinance will be voted on tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14th, by the City Council!

Join us at 5pm for the City Council Meeting and support the City's sustainable efforts.

For more information, www.coj.net