Vertical Gardens

Kevin Songer at Avid Group introduced me to this incredible concept. Living walls, vertical gardens, vegetative roofs... All support a sustainable lifestyle. Regarding indoor air quality, vertical gardens greatly improve the air you breathe and enhances the beauty of otherwise stark, commercial interiors.

For examples of some beautifully done vertical gardens, visit Patrick Blanc's website and click through to "Walls" for a detailed slide show of his work.

Studies have shown that people are happier when they have a connection to nature, whether or not it's a window allowing an outside view, or the cubicle farm with a plant in every cube. Humans thrive on that connection.

Along with that, any school kid can tell you that plants feed oxygen back into the atmosphere, while we feed carbon dioxide back. It's that circle of life thing. We also know that a number of plants actually clean the air, removing harmful off-gassing from formaldehyes and other VOC's.

Now, imagine a living garden in your office. Or in your hospital. Imagine the walls thriving with life. Imagine balconies with drought-resistant succulents of varying shades of greens, reds, oranges, browns. Imagine our downtown buildings sprinkled with vegetation on the roofs to combat heat island effects and reduce carbon footprints... and on walls to aesthetically enhance the structure and pump oxygen back into the air.

There's a lot we can learn about living walls and vegetative roofs, and I know there's a number of questions in need of answering (Won't it die? Doesn't it take a lot of irrigation? Won't it be riddled with bugs?). Valid questions... but questions with positive answers.

Let's get a conversation started, as I know our experts will chime in.

Habitat for Humanity: Feeling the Pinch

Anyone in the construction industry is feeling the pain of increased costs. Nowhere is that pain more agonizing than for those that give the gift of a new home to those in need. From Habitat for Humanity's most recent newsletter, we found the following information:

"In just the last three years, the cost of the materials that go into a
single family home in the United States has increased a whopping 17 percent
overall. Here is a closer look at why:"

• Sand and gravel: 10% increase since last year, 27% versus three years
  ago


• Cement: 5% increase since last year, 34% versus three years ago


• Asphalt: 19% increase since last year, 50% versus three years ago


• Asphalt Roofing: 4% increase since last year, 31% versus three years
  ago


• Brick: 4% increase since last year, 19% versus three years ago


• Diesel: 7% increase since last year, 101% versus three years ago


• Paint: 5% increase since last year, 26% versus three years ago


• Metal Plumbing Fixtures: 10% increase since last year, 19% versus three years ago


• Steel Pipe and Tube: 3% increase since last year, 48% versus three years
  ago


• Furnaces: 8% increase since last year, 12% versus three years ago

Take a moment to consider that our charitable dollars are being stretched further due to these increases. Take a moment to consider how much further you can stretch.

Take a moment to visit: http://www.habitat.org/

How to get through to Mushy Green clients?

Joel Makower, renowned author, consultant, and environmentalist, has a great article at his website, Two Steps Forward, about a recent study conducted by the data analysts at Yankelovich on how conscious the population really is on the environment.

Many of those involved in green industries will tell you they are excited to hear so many talking about the environment. They feel the movement is reaching the mainstream. But is it?

According to the Yankelovich study, it might not be. Their recent study, "Going Green", which is based on attitudes AND actual behaviors, states that there's something missing between belief and action.

Here's some uncomfortable statistics, especially for those of us that thought this was in the spotlight:

• Only 37% of consumers feel "highly concerned" about environmental issues.


• 25% of consumers feel "highly knowledgeable" about environmental issues.


• And, a meanger 22% of those feel they can make any difference at all in the environment.

The Yanelovich study also segments their consumers into categories, (which you can probably figure out their mindset based on the name):

• 13% are considered Greenthusiasts


• 14% Greenspeaks


• 25% Greensteps


• 19% Greenbits


• 29% Greenless

Ouch. The largest group of consumers have either no interest in Green, no knowledge, or no desire.

According to Walker Smith from Yanelovich, Green attitudes don't always predict green behaviors. For example, Greenbits SAY they are likely to pay more for green products than Greenspeaks, but they rarely do.

Yankelovich uses the Mushiness Index to determine the firmness of an opinion. Using a system they developed, the index measures how sure a consumer is about their own opinion.

Consumers are very mushy on this subject.

Smith goes on to say that when it comes to getting through to the Greenless and the Greenbits, education is NOT the key. They way to get through to them is to make it personally relevant.

All the studies in the world about raging weather, rising shorelines, global warming, and carbon emissions mean nothing to them... Unless all those things affect them directly.

As we continue to promote sustainable behaviors, it helps to understand that our clients may be vacillating over environmental subject matter. If we can approach their concerns in a way that is relevant to them, we have a better shot at success.

I encourage you to visit Joel Makower's website and read his article.

Seo Addresses Congress on behalf of Green Small Biz

I became a fan of Danny Seo at the ULI conference on sustainability in Pittsburgh earlier this year. He spoke during one of our luncheons and I give the man so much credit for addressing a highly conservative group using Paris Hilton references and photos of a t-shirt that read "Club Sandwiches, not Seals". No one at my table got it. At all.

But, Danny pressed forward.... the ultimate professional.

And, the ultimate environmental lifestyle expert. Since he was young, he pursued a simply green lifestyle and made it his mission to promote this to the public. He turned this into a multimedia business venture including books, television, and articles. Thanks to his calling, he was invited to address Congress and share some of his solutions on how small businesses can continue to lead the way in sustainability. Here's a sample of his comments (as quoted from his wonderful blog, Simply Green):

My testimony today will address several points:
(1) how the Green
Revolution is more than just a trend;
(2) how small businesses can compete
with major corporations; and
(3) what needs to be done to help small business
in their quest to go green.

First, there are two movements going on in consumer taste and
interests. What I believe we are seeing in the consumer marketplace is a
major shift---a cultural one---where consumers are looking for products and
services that gives value to their lives, homes, families and communities.
It’s about quality, not quantity.

What we are seeing is what I’ve been calling The Meaningful Life.
If our lives, home, family and the community we live in aren’t disposable,
then the products we use in our everyday lives shouldn’t be either.

And as we see this rejection of cheap goods and services and the
emergence of green and sustainable living at the crossroads, what we have here
is something very interesting. Going green is more than just better
for the planet, it represents good quality and value.

Now, there has been much attention in the media lately about major
corporations and manufacturers going green and how it might affect small
business. Small business should welcome the Green Revolution.

Here’s why: going green is not like adapting quickly to consumer tastes
and fashion trends; it’s a philosophy rooted in the very big idea of saving the
planet. So as consumers seek out green products, they’ll want
what’s really, truly the real deal. They want authenticity. A
smaller business can create a corporate DNA that has sustainability through and
through, while a larger corporation will struggle because of their
size.

He goes on to suggest specific solutions and I encourage you to visit his blog and read the testimony in its entirety.

He's absolutely right in his assessment: Small businesses are in a key position to embrace the Green Philosophy. The decision-makers are on the front lines in the organization, not in some 25th-floor corner office... detached from the everyday business. If the small business owner makes the decision to ban disposables in the breakroom, they are there rinsing out their coffee cup with everyone else. If they implement a green philosophy, they're right there living it.

That's authentic. That's in the corporate DNA. That's also very powerful.

I know it's possible because I'm living it every day. I work for a small business that implements a green philosophy. The president of our company is the 'recycling queen'. Her recycling bin overflows while her regular bin sits empty. She inspires us to live greener. That's as authentic as you get.

I would also question which makes a greater impact? One large corporation that goes carbon neutral? or 1,000 small businesses that do it?

Maybe we need to meet with the wonderful non-profit organizations that support small businesses and offer lunch and learns? Or offer to speak at their events? Let's get the word out that they can do it, too!

Thanks Danny for inspire us to be simply green.

Jacksonville Mayor Signs it!

Wow! This is a bigger wow than the Governor's Wow!

Copied directly from Flog, Folio Weekly's blog. Kudos to them for getting the information so quickly:

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton has signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement, in which cities commit to scaling back their greenhouse-gas
emissions in accordance with the international Kyoto Protocol’s
target for the U.S.: to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. Peyton’s prior and
conspicuous lack of participation in the initiative has been covered
continuously by Folio Weekly.

Peyton spokesperson Susie Wiles tells Folio Weekly that until recently,
all conversation about committing to greenhouse-gas reductions had been related
to The Sierra Club’s Cool Cities
program, which the Mayor’s Office and The Sierra Club discussed about a year
ago. Peyton promised to consider joining the program, but after JEA urged him
not to, he “somewhat reluctantly” decided to back away, says Wiles, rather than
commit to something unattainable.
“We were persuaded we could not meet [the
goals of Cool Cities],” says Wiles. Nonetheless, Peyton remained interested in
making efforts to fight global warming, she says.

More recently, and after learning more about the USMCPA from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Peyton was
formally asked to join the agreement by Miami Mayor Manny Diaz. Perhaps
anticipating federally mandated greenhouse-gas cuts (post-2008, obviously), the
city of Jacksonville’s lobbyists in Washington also advised Peyton to do so. JCCI’s
recently released report on local air quality was also a factor, says
Wiles.

In fact, Peyton signed the agreement six or seven weeks ago, Wiles
estimates. Because the city is still mapping out the plan it will implement to
meet USMCPA goals, Wiles declined to talk about specific measures. What with all
this budget business, the Mayor’s Office isn’t planning to announce the decision
until late this summer, she says.
Sorry to spoil it, guys.

Philip Ramsey of the Jacksonville
Carbon Neutral Initiative, a group that was founded chiefly to lobby the
mayor to join the USMCPA but has since expanded its mission, reacted to the news
with a bit of skepticism. The schedule for reducing greenhouse gases laid out in Gov.
Crist’s recently issued executive orders — to 2000 levels by 2017, to
1990 levels by 2025, and to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050 — is superior to
and more realistic than that of the USMCPA, he says.

Even if only symbolic, Peyton’s decision to commit to specific
climate-protection goals is exciting news for local environmentalists. Now comes
the hard part — Wiles says Peyton will soon have to begin persuading his city
“partners” to get onboard the effort to fight global warming.

Again. Wow. I'm really blown away by this. We had just recently discussed how to get the mayor to sign off of the agreement. And now it's done. More to follow....

Blessed Sustainability

The Vatican has made the decision to become carbon neutral by planting a forest in Hungary that will offset the carbon emissions of the sovereign state:

The Holy See has accepted an offer from a climate solutions company to
plant a forest in Hungary which will offset the Vatican's carbon dioxide
emissions and make it the "first entirely carbon neutral sovereign
state".The
Vatican is pushing its green agenda, joining a reforestation
project aimed at
offsetting its CO2 emissions for this year, PR Inside
reports.

Cardinal Paul Poupard of the Pontifical Council for Culture accepted a
certificate from Hungarian-based firm Planktos/KlimaFa stating that the
reforestation of a large area of the Bukk national park in Hungary would
compensate for all its emissions this year."This donation means an entire
section of a national park in central Europe will be reforested," Cardinal
Poupard said. "In this way, the Vatican will do its small part in contributing
to the elimination of polluting emissions from CO2 which is threatening the
survival of this planet."

As the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, had recently stated, the international
community needs to respect and encourage a 'Green Culture,' characterized by
ethical values. The Book of Genesis tells us of a beginning in which God placed
man as guardian over the earth to make it fruitful. When man forgets that he is
a faithful servant of this earth, it becomes a desert that threatens the
survival of all creation…"

Monsignor Melchor Sanchez de Toca, the undersecretary for the Pontifical
Council of Culture, told The Associated Press that polluting emissions from the
Vatican would be offset by the reforestation. "To eliminate emissions, there are
two ways: either you reduce them by renouncing the use of cars or heating
systems, for example, or you do something good to compensate them, such as
planting trees," he said.The company is planting the trees and the Vatican's
acceptance of the move is purely symbolic."These are small initiatives that try
to send a signal," Monsignor Sanchez de Toca said. "We hope that other churches
contribute with small gestures to spread the concern for the protection of the
environment.

Just how much of the national park will undergo the reforestation project
will be determined by this year's energy usage in the Vatican and its other
emission reduction efforts, the Planktos/Klimfa statement said.

The reforestation project is part of a broader effort by the Vatican to go
green.Some of the Holy See buildings will start using solar energy next year,
with photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity being placed on the
roof of the Paul VI auditorium, which is used for the pontiff's general
audiences.Last summer, Pope Benedict XVI called on Christians to unite to take
"care of creation without squandering its resources and (share) them in a
convivial manner". He said lifestyle choices were damaging the environment and
making «the lives of poor people on Earth especially unbearable.

The Vatican is also considering solar energy for other Holy See buildings,
though historic landmarks like St Peter's Basilica will not be touched.

According to Planktos CEO and KlimaFa Managing Director, Russ George, "the
Holy See's increasingly creative environmental leadership is both insightful and
profound. Not only is the Vatican steadily reducing its carbon footprint with
energy efficiency and solar power, its choice of new mixed growth forests to
offset the balance of its
emissions shows a deep commitment to planetary
stewardship as well. It eloquently makes the point that ecorestoration is a
fitting climate change solution for a culture of life."

Source: http://www.cathnews.com/news/707/76.php

There have been many reasons presented to embrace sustainability. Some want to reduce our carbon emissions. Some want to preserve our resources. Some want to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Some want to save the planet. Some believe humans were appointed to steward the planet.

Whatever your reasons, it's one common goal that can bring us all together.

Charlie Crist signs off on Sustainability

Thanks to Jennifer McCharen with the Jacksonville Carbon Neutral Initiative for sending me copies of the executive orders signed by Charlie Crist this week in Miami.

Wow.

It's impressive. It's exciting. It makes one wonder how they're going to actually do it. It also makes one wonder how many lobbyists are going to fight against them.

Here's the skinny:

The State of Florida Partners with the United Kingdom:

1. We will partner in discussing and promoting concepts for a post 2012 climate
   regime that builds upon and broadens Kyoto Protocol in order to protect the
   planet's climate systems by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.


2. We will aim to increase climate-friendly commerce between the United Kingdom
   and Florida to bolster our respective economic positions while mutually
   benefitting each partner. Areas of particular emphasis will include trade
   opportunities in renewable and other advanced energy technologies, products that
   promote increased energy efficiency throughout the economy, and renewable energy
   feedstocks.


3. We will aim to improve our public policies that reduce global emissions of
   greenhouse gases. Our policy focus will include market-based incentives
   that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase our respective reliance on
   renewable energy sources, and increase the energy security of each
   partner. We will explore possible linkages between carbon markets in
   Florida and the United Kingdom.


4. We will aim to improve our science in understanding how climate change is
   affecting our respective economies, our agriculture, our natural resources, our
   environmental quality, and our public health. Our science partnership will
   include exchange of knowledge, expertise, and data that mutually benefit our
   respective scientific communities.


5. We will work to improve our technologies for reducing greenhouse gas
   emissions with a particular emphasis on technologies associated with renewable
   energy generation and storage, energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage,
   and other advanced energy technologies that may benefit our respective energy
   sectors.

The State of Florida partners with Germany:

(Pretty much identical agreements, but instead of
British "We will aim...", the Germans prefer the "We will partner..."
approach. Re-read the above, replacing phrases accordingly.)

Executive Order 07-126: Establishing Climage Change Leadership by
Example: Immediate Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Florida
State Government

(Instead of re-typing 8 pages, I'll paraphrase)

1. Section 1 establishes greenhouse gas emissions for state agencies and
   government departments by 10% from current levels by 2012, 25% by 2017, and 40%
   by 2025.


2. The Governor's office will track and report resulting financial savings and
   emissions reductions on the Florida Governmental Carbon Scorecard.


3. Section 2 directs improved climate performance of state government
   facilities. Each state agency must conduct an immediate assessment of
   energy use by their facilities during FY 2006-2007 and quantify associated
   greenhouse gas emissions for posting on the Governmental Carbon Scorecard.
   Must be completed by October 1st 2007. The Department of Management
   Services must adop[t LEED-NC standards for all new buildings. They must
   strive for Platinum level for any new building constructed for or by the State
   of Florida. The Department must immediately implement LEED-EB for all
   buildings currently owned and operated by the Department. The
   Department cannot enter into any new lease agreements for office space that
   doesn't meet Energy Star building standards. They have to develop energy
   conservation measures and guidelines for new and existing ofice space over
   20,000 square feet. This also directs development and implementation of a model
   solar project for state-owned office buildings.


4. Section 4 directs improvement of the climate performance of state government
   procurement practices: The Council for Efficient Goverment will consider
   energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions before oursourcing
   projects. The Department of Management Services will develop a "Florida
   Climate Friendly Preferred Products List" to assess products available provided by vendors that have clear energy efficience or other environmental benefits over competing products. Must be completed by October 1, 2007. As of January 2008, state agencies may no longer use meeting or conference space with hotels that have not received the DEP "Green Lodging" certification. The Department will develop bid criteria for the 2009 State Term Contract for Rental Vehicles that incorporate best practices for energy efficiency and environmental performance.


5. Section 5 directs improvement of state government fleets: All state
   agencies must conduct an assessment of transportation related energy and
   greenhouse gas emissions, to include fuel efficience and MPG. They must
   prove within 30 days that all vehicles are meeting minimum maintenance to ensure efficient fuel consumption. All state agencies will only have approval on
   new vehicles with the greatest fuel efficiency in a given class. All state
   agencies under the direction of the Governon shall use enthanol and biodiesel
   when locally available. The Department will assess and document the need
   for alternative fueling facilities to be used by state government vehicles, to
   increase public access to alternative fuel.


6. Section 6 encourages other departments not under the jurisdiction of the
   Governor's Office (ex.: Florida Senate, the State University and Community
   College Sytems, the Dept. of Agricultre) to implement these actions.

Executive Order 07-127: Establishing Immediate Actions to Reduce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions within Florida:

1. Section 1 targets greenhouse gas emissions: by 2017 reduce to 2000
   levels, by 2025 reduce to 1990 levels, by 2040 reduce to 80% of 1990
   levels.


2. Section 2 directs members of the governor's administration to produce
   immediate reductions: Secy. of Environmental Protection must immediately
   develop rules to adopt a maximum allowable emissions level for electric
   utilities (similar to the Section 1 targets). Must adopt the California
   motor vehicle emission standards. Must adopt a statewide diesel engine
   idle reduction standard. The Secy. of Community Affairs must convene the
   Fl. Building Commission to revise the Energy Building Code to inease energy
   performance by at least 15% from the 2007 code. Must imitiate
   rulemaking of Fl. Energy Conservation standards to increase efficiency of
   applicable consumer products.


3. Section 3 request the Fl. Public Service Commission to take action to
   promote an open market for clean, renewable enegy technologies. Must
   initiate rulemaking to require utilities produce at least 20% of their
   electricity fom renewable sources. Must initiate rulemaking to reduce the
   cost of connecting solar and other renewables to the grid, and to authorize a
   uniform method to enable residential and commercial customers that produce a certain level of renwable energy to offset their consumption by allowing their
   meters to run in reverse.

Lastly, Executive Order 07-128: Establishing the Florida Governor's
Action Team on Energy and Climate Change

To grossly paraphrase, this order establishes the team as gubernatorial
appointees representing consumers, environment, business, industry, energy,
state, local goverment, and academia. They shall meet and make policy
recommendations based on their findings. These will address:

1. Strategies for consolidation of energy policy.


2. Greenhouse gas reduction strategies and blueprint for actions.


3. Policies to enhance energy efficiency and conservation, along with
   targets.


4. Cap and Trade programs.


5. Diversification of electric generation fuels.


6. Emissions reporting and registry


7. Reduction of greenhouse gases from vehicles.


8. Increasing renewable transportation fuels.


9. Reduction of greenhouse gases from state and local governments.


10. Rewards for early emission reductions in advance of statewide
    programs.

The will also issue recommendations on the following:

1. Adaption strategies to combat adverse impacts to society, public health, and
   the economy.


2. Policies to reduce increases in greenhouse gas emissions from new
   growth.


3. Carbon capture and storage techniques.


4. Land use and management policies.


5. Strategic investments and public-private partnerships to spur economic
   development.


6. University based research, economic development, growth management,
   transportation, natural resource management.

The order goes on to note that the Team will not be compensated for their
services,that public access to records is governed by the Public records Law,
and meetings will be governed by the Open Meetings Law.

Admittedly, that was a pretty fat "skinny", but I hope it brought you, the reader, up to speed on what our Governor is doing to make things happen. Environmentally speaking anyway.

So, what do you think? How are they doing to do it? LEED Platinum for New Construction? LEED EB for all existing structures?

Your comments are vital.