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.

Southeast Building Conference

Just got back from the SEBC Conference in Orlando and found several impressive products and vendors. It was especially easy to find Green products because the Conference teamed with Green Trends to highlight venors that offered them. Here are a few I was impressed with:

Green Innovations offers a MODI Porous Paving Grid which allows you to park, drive, and walk on a grass surface. It creates a natural landscape without concrete or asphalt. It's a modular system, made out of 100% recycled and recyclable HDPE. Not only does it have applications for driveways, parking lots, pathways and walkways, they also offer products with vegetative roof applications. I met Walter at the show and he not only knows his stuff, he's a pleasure to chat with (and it's much nicer to buy from people you like than people you don't). :-)

After seeing an episode of Dirty Jobs in which Mike pulls antique wood from rivers to reuse, I've been fascinated with recovered wood. So, when I saw Goodwin Heart Pine Company at SEBC, I was very excited. The nice lady at the Goodwin booth was pleased that I was excited (and probably a little confused by my zeal) but the more we talked, the more she understood. She's just taken a spot on the board for Florida Green Building Coalition, so we spoke a great deal about FGBC and USGBC. Recovered wood is great for green building because the wood is not only super-strong heart pine, but because of the nature of its origin, doesn't require living trees to fall. It's the ultimate in recycle/reduce/reuse. And, you have the benefit of a breathtakingly beautiful antique wood in your space without the guilt. And, they're local. What more could you ask for?

The Zayas booth was one of my first stops and I had a great time chatting with the staff. Not only do they promote alternative energies of all sorts (PV, wind, etc.) but they also have a cool SIP product that offers solutions for energy costs, hurricane winds, moisture and mildew, and fire safety. Not a bad deal, really. And, the time in install is apparently far less than your average walls and trusses. Here's a pretty neat stat: the walls for an 1800 square foot commercial building were set in place and ready for the roof in 4.5 hours. Regarding energy costs, they've got another great stat: a 1200 square foot residence using these SIPs averaged $25 a month in heating andf cooling costs (and, yes... that's in Florida). And, as if it couldn't get any better, they had me construct a wall piece while I was standing there. In the true spirit of "if she can do it, anyone can...."

The guys at Catec had a huge water reclamation system set up, which definitely got my attention. Obviously, water reclamation is one of those "dream points" for LEED when you're working on smaller size projects, but according to these guys, there's a water reclamation system for almost anyone out there. When he started quoting dollar figures, I was surprised to say they weren't as huge as I expected. I would definitely recommend visiting their website to learn more about the options. It's exciting to see some of this technology avilable at a significantly lower cost premium than just a few years ago.

I really fell in love with this product. 90% recycled plastics (80% POST consumer, 10% pre-consumer) mainly polystyrene. Basically, it's your packing material with a bright, shiny new future as interior moldings. Timbron produces this interior molding out of old packing material and it works almost exactly like wood, but it withstands moisture a lot better than wood. You can saw it, nail it, glue it, sand it, putty it, paint it. Or, it's lovely enough to be left in its natural white. From a green point of view, I really think this product impressed me the most.

I'm really interested to see how the Sustainable Forestry Initiative integrates itself into USGBC. According to the representative, they're in communication with USGBC to promote their independent certification for wood as a LEED standard. According to their website, their mission is to protect forests while producing the wood and paper products our economy needs. They integrate the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil, water, and air quality. She also told me that it's one of the most rigorous standards in the world. The Nature Consevancy has praised their work, which should count for something. I like the fact that they implement a training program for the landowners and loggers. Check out their website and let me know wha t you think.

Those are some of the highlights. Let me know if you're interested in any of the other vendors at the show and I'm sure I can provide a little bit of insight.

Visit their website: SEBCShow.com

Sustainable Contractors: Are YOU Green?

Carol Lloyd recently wrote an article for SFGate, the San Fransisco Chronicle's online news source, and she presented some really good points on how to 'green up' your residence without spending a fortune. I was especially interested to read her take on environmental contractors, further confirming my own thoughts on the importance of working with a contractor that understands your goals:

For most of us, our homes (not our cars) are where we use the most energy and therefore create the biggest carbon footprint. If we want to avert climate crisis, our society must mainstream eco-friendly building materials, solar and other alternative energies, and highly efficient prefab construction.

But most of us are renting and buying homes that were built by developers who probably didn't have global warming in mind when they broke ground. And even for those planning a remodel or shopping for a new house today, embracing cutting-edge green building isn't always affordable. Of course, you can choose bamboo over wood, Energy Star appliances and an on-demand water heater, but unless you have a contractor who knows the green building world, you may find yourself working against decades of "we have always done it this way" objections.

If you can afford an environmental contractor, by all means do it. Or, if you have the time, do your own research.

But many contractors still don't know much about green building products and methods, and if you choose to go this route and something goes awry, you will pay the piper. (After salvaging doors and windows and appliances off Craigslist and pushing for green everything on a recent remodel, I finally broke down and bought cheap kitchen cabinets and countertops shipped from China because the costs were pushing double the contractor's estimate.) Basically, anything contractors aren't familiar with is a risk, and most homeowners can afford only so many risks before they run out of money.

She is so right. And, it goes for commercial contracting as well as residential contracting. As I've said before, when your contractor is passionate, your project is successful.

I'm not saying that it can't be done, and I would be thrilled to see more traditional contractors that have stumbled into green building stay for the joy of it. I'm just saying that it's easier. And probably more cost-effective.

Carol Lloyd's saying it. Many clients are saying it. I have a feeling the future is going to be filled with questions like, "Are you green?" You'll be able to tell the difference between those that are, and those that aren't.

Environmental contractors will jump up with excitement and say, "Yes! Yes!". Those that aren't will wonder if they look like they've had a rough night. Until they catch up with the rest of the us, they'll have more than a few rough nights.... wondering why the phone isn't ringing anymore.

How to Grow Fresh Air

There's so much talk about Indoor Environmental Air Quality, and reducing our carbon footprint... Former NASA scientist, BC Wolverton, PhD. reminds us that we have a very simple tool available to us:

Plants.

*insert 'duh' here*

Of course... Plants.

"Plants are the lungs of the earth: they produce the oxygen that makes life possible, add precious moisture, and filter toxins. Houseplants can perform these essential functions in your home wih the same efficiency as a rain forest in our biosphere." -BC Wolverton, PhD "How to Grow Fresh Air - 50 Houseplants that Purify Your Home or Office"

Betsy Robinson recently wrote an article for Spirituality and Health Magazine that focuses on how plants can improve your health, your well-being, and most importantly, your actual indoor air quality. Here's an interesting statistic quote from her January/February 2007 article:

"Since room conditions are unique, it's impossible to prescribe how many plants are needed to clean a given space, but consider this: a 100-square foot room with an 8-foot ceiling contains 22,640 liters of air filled with perhaps 3,917 micrograms of formaldehyde, the predominant indoor pollutant. The common Boston fern removes 1,863 micrograms of formaldehyde per hour."

Makes you want to go buy a plant, doesn't it? Well, if you do, here's a list of plants to consider. Wolverton rates these as the top ten in terms of their pollutant filtering capabilities, ease of growth and maintenance, and resistance to pests:

1. Areca Palm
2. Lady Palm
3. Bamboo Palm
4. Rubber Plant
5. Dracaena "Janet Craig"
6. English Ivy
7. Dwarf Date Palm
8. Ficus Alii
9. Boston Fern
10. Peace Lily

Want to make a difference today? Go to your local nusery, buy one of these for every member of your staff and get one for yourself, too.

Give the gift of fresh air to your staff, your family, your friends and your clients.

Live Earth: Music Brings the Planet Together for Sustainability

Again, Ms. Tappouni is ever-vigilant to sustainable world affairs:

LiveEarth.org

Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07
that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to
trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis.

Live Earth will reach this worldwide audience through an unprecedented
global media architecture covering all media platforms - TV, radio, Internet and
wireless channels.

Live Earth marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign led by the Alliance
for Climate Protection, The Climate Group and other international organizations
to drive individuals, corporations and governments to take action to solve
global warming.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore is the Chair of the Alliance and Partner
of Live Earth.

Live Earth was founded by Kevin Wall, the Worldwide Executive Producer of
Live 8, an event that brought together one of the largest audiences in history
to combat poverty. Wall formed a partnership with Al Gore and the Alliance for
Climate Protection to ensure that Live Earth inspires behavioral changes long
after 7/7/07.

Live Earth will stage official concerts at Giants Stadium in New York;
Wembley Stadium in London; Aussie Stadium in Sydney; Copacabana Beach in Rio de
Janeiro; Maropeng at the Cradle of Humankind in Johannesburg; Makuhari Messe in
Tokyo; the Steps of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai; and HSH Nordbank Arena
in Hamburg.

Live Earth concerts will be broadcast to a live worldwide audience by MSN
at http://www.liveearth.msn.com/. With
support from the U.S. Green Building Council, creators of the LEED Green
Building Rating System, Live Earth will implement new Green Event Guidelines.
All Live Earth venues will be designed and constructed by a team of
sustainability engineers who will address the environmental and energy
management challenges of each concert site, as well as the operations of
sponsors, partners and other Live Earth affiliates.

Each venue will not only be designed to maintain a minimum environmental
impact, but will showcase the latest state-of-the-art energy efficiency, on-site
power generation, and sustainable facilities management practices.

Live Earth is a project of the SOS campaign , which is using
a powerful multimedia platform - films, television, radio, Internet, books,
wireless and others - to move people to combat the climate crisis.

Live Earth will be transmitted worldwide, from EIGHT cities (New York,
London, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney, and Hamburg) by
Intelsat (http://www.intelsat.com/) using its
industry-leading network of Satellite and terrestrial facilities in standard and
high definition, across multiple media channels - TV, radio, Internet and
wireless channels.

On July 7th, Live Earth concerts will be streamed live by MSN at http://www.liveearth.msn.com/.

In honor of the event, get out there and sing a song. Or, for those of us less musically adept, maybe you can just tune in and support the cause.

Cool Globes in Chicago! Cool Globes Jacksonville?

Thanks to Mary, Breaking Ground's passionate-for-sustainability-President, for informing me of the Cool Globes Project happening in Chicago over the next few months. I think Jacksonville is the perfect location for something like this:

• From June-September 2007, the City of Chicago is
  hosting “CoolGlobes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet,” an innovative project that
  uses the medium of public art to inspire individuals and organizations to take
  action against global warming.
  
  The exhibit features over 100 painted
  globes, each five feet in diameter, displayed along
  Chicago’s lakefront from The Field Museum north and at Navy Pier. Artists from
  around the world, including Jim Dine, Yair Engel, Tom Van Sant and Juame Plensa,
  designed the globes, using a variety of materials to transform their plain white
  sphere to create awareness and provoke discussion about potential solutions to
  global warming.
  
  Leading by example, CoolGlobes is a carbon neutral
  project. To offset the carbon emitted from the
  energy needed to create and maintain the exhibit and related events, CoolGlobes
  has developed a diversified strategy that includes donated “green tags”
  (renewable energy certificates), investments to plant trees and foster
  environmentally friendly agricultural practices, and in-kind donations from
  alternative energy companies.
  
  CoolGlobes was launched in Chicago because of the
  City’s leadership and dedication to promoting environmentally sound policies.
  Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s goal is to make our city the greenest in the
  nation through the promotion of environmental programs and practices, including
  a bike initiative, adding hybrid buses to the city’s mass transit system, and
  building “green” libraries, public schools and police stations. Mayor Daley is
  serving as honorary co-chair of the CoolGlobes project.
  
  CoolGlobes also features 200 mini-globes displayed
  around the city throughout the summer; again, each mini-globe depicts a solution
  to global warming. Mini-globes were designed by some of the same artists who are
  working on the full-size globes, as well as by celebrities, including actor
  Chris O’Donnell, U.S. Senator Barack Obama and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.
  Students participating in Chicago’s After School Matters Gallery 37 after-school
  arts program for teens designed 40 of the mini-globes.
  
  The CoolGlobes project has been underwritten by a
  variety of corporate and individual sponsors, including Exelon, Pepsi, Medline, Abbott, Toyota and
  Hyatt.
  
  FOCUSING ON SOLUTIONS
  
  The popularity of Al Gore’s documentary “An
  Inconvenient Truth” has led to growing public concern about the issue of global
  warming. CoolGlobes leverages this heightened awareness by using the medium of
  public art to unite corporate, government and nonprofit organizations in issuing
  a call-to-action to encourage changes in day-to-day lifestyle and business
  operations that will reduce adverse environmental impact.
  
  Throughout the summer, Chicagoans and other exhibit
  visitors will be challenged to implement five changes in their daily lives or
  business operations to combat global warming. Pledges can be made at the CoolGlobes and Chicago
  Sun-Times Web sites. At the end of the summer, a
  raffle will be held to award a Toyota Prius to one of the pledge
  participants.
  

Jacksonville already has so much in place to promote something like this... First Wednesday ArtWalk... Museums like MOCA... Tony? Heather? Any ideas on how we can make this happen?

How about our business owners that promote sustainability? Sponsorship opportunities?

To learn more about it and spark ideas on how we can do it, visit their website at CoolGlobes.org.

Green Flooring Options

I want to send a shout-out to my buddy, Bob Moore, at Work Place Solutions here in Jacksonville. When asked about the state of sustainable (and cost-effective) flooring, here is what he had to say:

Carpet-traditionally it is made nylon fiber(petroleum based). Some mills offer
nylon made with 1 to 100% recycled content. The higher the recycled content the
higher the cost. Recycling fiber is still in it’s infancy but gaining ground
quickly. Shaw has a great carpet tile that is 100% recyclable. On the back of
every carpet tile is an 800 phone number. Call that number and Shaw will take
the carpet back and pay for the freight. In my opinion that is the best program
in the industry. As an alternative to nylon there are mills that offer recycled
polyester fiber. Carpet backings are starting to incorporate soy oil, hemp and a
plethora of recycled petroleum based products. Grass cloth, wool and cotton are
natural alternatives for carpet fiber but are more pricey and less durable.

Commercial wood flooring is easily replaced with natural wood
laminates (only the top laminate is hardwood with the core and bottom of each
board made up of wood pulp or other materials), cork (renewable) or bamboo
(renewable).

Vinyl Tile and Vinyl Sheet Flooring- some tile
manufacturers are using post construction waste (drywall waste) for fillers. The
vct is 85% limestone with the binders being mostly vinyl products. An
alternative to vct or sheet vinyl is linoleum which is limestone, wood pulp and
resin (pine tar).

Vinyl base- Johnsonite makes a snap-on version
of base that allows you to remove it for carpet replacement. If you use toeless
base and install it before the carpet goes in you do not have to replacement it
when the carpet is changed out.

Ceramic is a fairly green product
(basically it is colored dirt) and can be very affordable. Crossville has a
product with post industrial (ceramic tile manufacturing waste) and post
construction waste (drywall waste) as the base material.

For more information, feel free to give Bob a call at 997-8878. Bob and I are both studying to sit for our LEED AP exam, so I can assure you that he has LEED in the forefront of his mind all the time. (Right, Bob? Go get that book and keep studying!) He's a great resource for sustainable flooring options and I encourage you to pick his brain.

Climate Change Action Plan

The USGBC has got it together. I love their Climage Change Action Plan:

1. Require 50% CO2 reduction for all new commercial LEED
projects.

2. Increase energy reduction prerequisites in LEED

3. Initiate CO2 offset program based on LEED performance data.

4. Provide free LEED for Existing Buildings registration for all
projects certified under LEED for New Construction and LEED for Core and
Shell.

5. Eliminate certification fees for all LEED Platinum projects.

6. Make USGBC 100% carbon neutral by end of 2007

7. Offer "portfolio performance" program for large landlords.

8. Provide professional education curriculum on reducing CO2
emissions.

I would encourage any organization focused on sustainability to develop a Climage Change Action Plan of their own. I know that companies like Avid Group (shout out to my buddy, Stacie Green, in their Jacksonville office *waves*!) have developed GREEN programs to change their daily business practice to promote sustainability. Breaking Ground, of course, promotes their Green Philosophy.

What have you done today? What can you do to ensure we have a fruitful, sustainable tomorrow?

Share with us....