Must watch - fully scientific based solution for transition to 100 percent clean energy!
June 23, 2015
March 30, 2015
Norwalk Fire Station LEED Gold Certified Presentation & Tour
What: Tour the LEED Gold certified New Fire Station at 121 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk
When: April 9, 2015 @ 5 pm
Presented by: The Connecticut Green Building Council, The B.E.S.T. Program at Norwalk Community College and the Mayor's Office Energy and Environment Task Force
Presentation of project:
David Pacheco, Principal, Pacheco Ross Architects, Voorheesville, NY
Peter Etzel, V.P. of Operations, Newfield Construction, Hartford, CT
September 20, 2014
June 18, 2014
Tonight! June 18th - “What is Passive House Design?” by Tomas O’Leary
WHAT: “What is Passive House Design?” by Tomas O’Leary
WHERE: The Mercy Center, 167 Neck Rd., Madison, Ct 06443
WHEN: Wednesday, June 18th, 5:30 -7:30 pm
HOW: Register by contacting: [email protected]
FOR: For those interested in learning more about high performance buildings and homes, including architects, designers, contractors & building tradespersons and anyone in the general community with a passion for energy responsible design and building.
The presentation is also accredited by the American Institute of Architects and offers attending AIA members (1) continuing education unit (CEU).
Photo caption/credit/copyright is: P. Campus AIA
June 09, 2014
June 14th - Spring 2014 Green Homes Tour
Who: The Connecticut Green Building Council
What: The CTGBC Green Homes Committee has selected multiple homes open for the Spring 2014 Green Homes Tours. The selection of homes on tour includes substantial renovations, new construction homes, and homes under construction or renovation. A homeowner or representative from the design or installation team will be on hand at each home to explain the design and operations of the home.
When: Saturday, June 14th from 12:00 noon til 3:00 pm
Where: Click here to see a complete listing of all homes on the tour.
Register for FREE here.
Questions? Contact Joanna Grab at [email protected]
May 27, 2014
July 12th - Eco-Solar House Tour
Who: People's Action for Clean Energy (PACE)
What: The 2700 square foot passive solar house includes a 5.5 kW solar electric system, solar hot water panels and tank, radiant floor heating and hydronic baseboards, a stunning Tulikivi masonry stove and energy recovery ventilator, LED lighting, Energy Star appliances with condensing clothes dryer, Mitsubishi air to air heat pumps and triple pane windows.
Great care was taken in the construction using prefabricated wall panels, double stud wall construction, insulated concrete form foundation, salvaged stone for outside walls, concrete floors with acid-free eco-stain and water-based sealer, and natural materials are used throughout the house.
When: July 12th, any time between 12 noon and 3pm
Where: Sandisfield, MA
For tour information, call 860 693 4813
For tickets ($15), call 860 623 5487
After the tour visitors are invited to swim in a nearby freshwater lake or bring their canoe or kayak to another uninhabited beautiful lake and/or take a guided hike to a secret small uninhabited lake.
At 7 PM that evening the Sandisfield Arts Center will be the site of a gourmet dinner including wine and prepared by a well-known chef. It will be followed by a concert showcasing magnificent music and professional voices singing arias, duets and trios from well-known operas.
Non-refundable tickets and maps for the tour and outdoor activities can be purchased by going online to www.pace-cleanenergy.org and click on Events. Tour tickets may also be ordered by sending $15 per person to PACE, Donna Grant, 128 Melrose Rd., Broad Brook, Connecticut, 06016 or email:[email protected]. Information should include the ticketholder's phone number, address, and email address.
To order $25 tickets for the gourmet dinner and live concert at the charming nearby Sandisfield Arts Center go online to www.sandisfieldartscenter.org
September 25, 2013
October 5th - Passive House Open House!
Who: Wolfworks Inc.
What: What's it like to live in a home that produces more energy than it uses? After a year living in the first certified Passive House in CT the Honig family in Harwinton is inviting you to come see their home and hear what its like to live there. Their home won the 2013 CT Net Zero Challenge and was described by Enoch Lenge of the CT Energy Efficiency Fund as, "the most efficient and highest performing house we've ever seen." While the energy savings are remarkable, this home is bright, open, and exc
eptionally comfortable without relying on complicated equipment, though it does make smart use of technology.
When: Saturday, October 5th. 10 AM - 2 PM
Where: Town Line Rd. New Hartford, CT.
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS TO TOWN LINE ROAD IN NEW HARTFORD
(GPS systems go to the wrong place if you use the actual address!)
September 24, 2013
OCTOBER 5 - NATIONAL SOLAR TOUR IN CT!
Who: The 18th Annual National Solar Tour with People’s Action for Clean Energy and Sierra Club volunteers.
What: A Canton home with a large solar electric installation and exciting new heating and cooling technologies will be open for free tours. A new 2013 “Solarize Canton” photovoltaic installation features 18 Sunpower 250-watt panels which are leaders in the industry and are more than 20 percent efficient. The Daikin super-efficient air source heating, cooling and humidity-controlling system uses no conventional fuel, greatly reducing energy consumption.
Visitors will also see the owners’ 2013 electric plug-in hybrid Prius. So far, the car has traveled 850 miles using solar energy and just one tank of gas. An electric Tesla automobile will also be on exhibit.
This unique home uses solar irrigation, a patio pool solar pump and solar hot water systems; energy-efficient appliances, a wood stove and window quilts. Many other earth-friendly practices include the use of LED bulbs; a sun tube; an organic garden and an aquaculture pond.
When: Saturday, October 5 - 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Where: To reach the home, turn north onto Lawton Road at the intersection of routes 44 and 177. Travel for .8 mile, bearing left at the fork. Turn right at the top of the hill onto the dirt driveway and follow the parking signs, or park on Lawton Road.
To learn about other buildings that are part of the National Solar Tour, see: www.pacecleanenergy.org; www.solarconnecticut.org; www.nesea.org or www.ases.org.
September 19, 2013
September 22nd - OPEN WALL OPEN HOUSE!
Who: Wolfworks Inc.
What: We hope you can make the time to visit another unique Net Zero Home this Sunday afternoon. Last year Wolfworks designed and built the home that won the 2012 CT Net Zero Challenge. We're back this year with a new home in Farmington that will produce more energy than it uses on an annual basis! We call this a Net Zero Home. This is a special chance to see how we apply Passive House design principles to achieve this remarkable performance. Come inside and take a look around before we close up the walls. See and experience the difference.
When: Sunday 9/22 from 12-3 PM - Rain or Shine!
Where: 17 Metacomet Rd. Farmington, CT. 06030
More information online about the presentations, tours and what you'll learn at the house.
September 06, 2013
Changing the Rules of the Game - The Green Sports Alliance Summit
by Benjamin Hastings
On August 26-28 2013, sustainability leaders representing 50+ companies active in the sports industry gathered together in Brooklyn, New York, for the Green Sports Alliance Summit. Founded in February 2010, the Green Sports Alliance is a non-profit organization that brings together different levels of sports teams, venue representatives and sustainability experts.
There were a wide range of attendees -- from governmental agencies and environmental organizations such as EPA and NRDC to product companies such as Liberty Bottleworks and Electronic Recyclers International. Not to mention the incredible lineup of featured speakers including, Andrew Ference of the Edmonton Oilers; Bob Nutting Chairman of the Board for the Pittsburgh Pirates; and Andrew Winston, founder of Winston Eco Strategies, just to name a few.
As a recent graduate, attending a conference with hundreds of professionals who have been successful in the sustainability field - one that I myself are trying to break into - was pretty overwhelming at first. That quickly changed as I started to converse with a multitude of representatives from a lot of different companies. Everyone was eager to share their stories about how they came to be in the sustainability world, and how it relates to sports.
I learned about a wide range of projects related to the sports world, including the revamping of arenas into LEED certified buildings, recycling programs at stadiums, and the inclusion of compostable utensils and containers to organization’s food programs. In fact, the competition between teams has moved from on the field, to off the field initiatives -- including who is recycling the most or who is saving the most energy. I would have to say that this kind of rivalry has the potential to benefit everyone!
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to spend a couple days at The Green Sports Alliance Summit, and to learn a lot about some initiatives business and sports teams are doing to reduce their impact on the environment. Before attending this event, I had no idea how the sports world and the sustainability industry were intertwined, even as an avid sports fan. It was really amazing to see how the greening of sports is beginning to take over nationwide, and I hope to see more sports organizations tap the wisdom of the sustainable businesses I met at the conference into their practices in the future!
April 02, 2013
Celebrate Solarize Solar Tour April 13th
13 April 2013
1:00 PM-4:00 PM
$15.00 per Person
Canton, MA
People's Action for Clean Energy (PACE) is sponsoring a tour that will introduce the public to the latest trends in solar power. This tour will feature two seminars, where experts in the field will talk about how implementing solar panels can help everyone to live cleaner, healthier lives. There will be a presentation on how the solar panels will be able to charge electric vehicles enough that they will be able to handle an 18 mile commute before the fuel from the gas tank even needs to take over. Owners of these electric vehicles will also be available to share their real experiences with these cars. Later, guests will be able to see how entire houses can be customized to reduce energy costs both to the environment and to the family budget. Also, guests will see the incredible opportunity for cost shaving that can be captured by encouraging their entire community to go green. Registration for this tour is required and is non-refundable and it costs a mere $15.
Register Here: http://www.pace-cleanenergy.org/site/webtickets/tour20130413
For More Information: http://www.pace-cleanenergy.org/resources/includestatic?url=..%2Faction_files%2Fhouse_tour_20130413.html
March 23, 2013
The Results Are In: Winners of 3rd Annual CT Zero Energy Challenge Announced
NEW
BRITAIN, Conn. (March 22, 2013) – The Connecticut Energy Efficiency
Fund with its utility partners, Connecticut Light & Power and The
United Illuminating
Company, have named three winners of the third annual Connecticut Zero Energy Challenge
(ZEC), a statewide design/build competition. Supported by the
Energize Connecticut initiative, the ZEC aims to educate homebuilders and homeowners about high-efficiency homes
that consume almost no energy, or use no more energy from the electrical grid than the home can produce itself.
First Place winner
Harwinton
residents, Paul and Diane Honig, teamed up with builder Wolfworks,
Inc., to design and construct a ‘Passive House’ that ensures remarkably
low energy demand, something that is aligned with the goals of the Zero
Energy Challenge. The Passive House design means
that a building takes the greatest advantage of available “gains” while
minimizing energy “losses.” The resulting energy balance provides the
home with exceptional comfort and health, simplified operation and
dramatically lower operating costs.
The home also had the lowest Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index by implementing measures including: windows that captured solar energy, rigorous sealing of all potential sources of air leakage, reduced thermal bridging to help remediate any problems with insulation, the installation of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), and more. These measures earned the top spot for the Honigs and Wolfworks, Inc.
“Investing the extra money up front to build a more sustainable house was worth it,” said Paul Honig, “By taking advantage of incentives and rebates offered through the Residential New Construction program, administered by CL&P, we were able to offset those upfront costs considerably.”
Second Place winner
Peter
Fusaro of Preferred Builders Inc. saw the ZEC as a way to bring his
idea of a high-performance house to life. After tearing down the
original structure at a home in Old Greenwich and recycling its old
materials, Fusaro and his team rebuilt the home from the
ground up, installing only top-of-the-line energy efficient products.
“I have been in the building industry for more than 25 years and have become more energy efficient in the way I design, build and live every day,” Fusaro said. “After construction was complete, our home in Old Greenwich received six energy and environmental certifications, which I am extremely proud of.”
To achieve these certifications, a number of energy-efficient features were added to the home including high-efficiency tank-less hot water heaters, air conditioning units and a natural gas boiler. The garage features an electric vehicle charging station, and the home is equipped with a sophisticated circuit breaker that connects to the Internet and can show a homeowner just how much energy is being used at any given time. Learn more about “The Performance House” in Old Greenwich by clicking here.
Continue reading "The Results Are In: Winners of 3rd Annual CT Zero Energy Challenge Announced" »
February 21, 2013
6th Annual Global Environmental Sustainability Symposium: Transportation, Human Mobility, and Sustainability at CCSU
April 4th, 2013
9:45 AM-7:15 PM
FREE, Registration Required
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, Connecticut
The CCSU Global Environmental Sustainability Action Coalition invites the public to learn and to teach one another about the actions that we, as human beings, must take to ensure that we live in such a way that we are able to satisfy our needs while ensuring that our children and grandchildren will be able to satisfy their own. The symposium will offer 3 classes, two performances, a panel discussion, a tour, and an optional attendance at the town meeting, as well as opening and closing notes from distinguished professionals in sustainability. This event is FREE: anyone can register online to show up. *Exhibitor tables are still open.
Schedule
9:45-10:00 AM: Symposium opening and welcome with Dr. Charles Button and Dr. Jack Miller (tentative) at Alumni Hall
10:00-10:45: Transportation, Migration, and Sustainability in Four Worlds Alumni Hall
Dr. John Kelmelis expands upon a possibility raised by the United States National Intelligence Council when they published Global Trends 2030: Alternative World. This work explores four very possible future worlds. Dr. Kelmelis will explain what each of these worlds might mean for our future as well as what strategies we might use to make the most of each circumstance at the local, regional, national, and global levels.
11:00-11:45: Panel Discussion: Electric Cars and Alternative Vehicles Alumni Hall
The president of the New England Electric Auto Association (Dave Oliveria), an environmental writer and speaker (Jim Motavalli), the Senior Associates Autos Editor for Consumer Reports (Eric Evarts), and a natural gas car owner (Joe Booth) all come together in one place to talk about the real value that hybrid, extended hybrid, and electric vehicles hold. This is a special opportunity to discover what users and reviewers genuinely think about these alternative vehicles.
12:00-1:45 (*with second free registration): Water Wars Performance and Lunch Alumni Hall
While you enjoy your lunch, the Sonia Plumb Dance Company will be performing Water Wars. This is an emotionally charged piece of art that exposes the very important and very tenuous relationship that human beings have with one of our primary sources of life: water.
July 11, 2012
Summertime Work, Blues? Bring Nature Inside!
By Heather Burns
With the summer foliage and associated bioactivity in full swing, being cooped up in an office for 40 hours a week can be difficult for even the most dedicated employee. Personally, I head outside at regular intervals for strolls, and while it’s true that my most creative thinking takes place outdoors, it’s nice to see that my urge isn’t just a personality quirk, but is firmly rooted in science.
Harvard University biologist, Edward O. Wilson and introducer of the biophilia hypothesis concluded, “There is an instinctive bond between human beings and other living systems. That is, we have a natural urge to affiliate with other forms of life.
Bruce Crowle, co-owner of Atria, Inc, a Connecticut-based interiorscape design and maintenance company, has built a successful business on the concept of biophilia, while helping clients to realize the bottom line benefits of bringing nature to work™.
Crowle says, “In the mid eighties I was invited to Washington and had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dr. Bill Wolverton. He had just concluded his studies for NASA that proved tropical plants could be helpful during prolonged space exploration. His research discovered that plants and their roots and the surrounding soil (a plant system) absorbed volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), such as formaldehyde, benzenes, carbon monoxide and others, and returned oxygen to the environment.”
Likewise, a study by Herman Miller reviewed the degree to which direct exposure to natural elements might impact employees. They were able to find significant productivity gains, less absenteeism, less health problems, and a better sense of well-being as reported by the individuals who participated.
In fact, a wide range of industry experts recognizes the health and environmental benefits of incorporating plants into the workplace. The United States Green Building Council includes dozens of varieties of plants as options to improving indoor air quality, and assigns corresponding points toward LEED certification.
A growing trend (pun intended) in the interiorscape industry is green walls. Also known as vertical planting systems, vertical gardens or biowalls, these visually stunning creations produce a supply of fresh air, naturally cooling buildings in the summer and humidifying in the winter.
In 2010, Atria was proud to become the first “Platinum” rated Green Earth—Green Plants® certified interior plantscape business. “The process to gather and submit the data to earn Platinum certification was certainly a team effort,” Crowle says.
But the company’s leadership and ongoing dedication to sustainable business practices – and to promoting green business practices to their clients – is evident in all that they do. Partnerships with local growers and the use of integrative pest management are just two of the many reasons why bringing nature to work with Atria makes good business sense.
February 23, 2012
October 16, 2010
Practical Green Remodeling, by CT Author Barry Katz
Long time Connecticut resident, (and occasional CT Green Scene contributor) Barry Katz, has just published an informative new book: PRACTICAL GREEN REMODELING: Down-to-Earth Solutions for Everyday Homes.
Published by Taunton Press, the book offers a compelling argument for remodeling green, guiding readers through process with over 200 color photographs of green remodeling projects from across the country.
What sets this book apart from the many how-to books on the subject is the author's emphasis on the "what to" and the "why to" of going green at home.
Asked what inspired him to write this book, Katz said, "I wanted not only to show readers what is possible, and often easy, to achieve in terms of creating energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and healthy living environments, but to provide a clear explanation of the complex and interconnected issues that make going green such a compelling choice for a growing number of people around the world."
Excerpts from the book can be found on the author's blog, The Future is Green. You can also follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FutureGreen
May 24, 2010
House of Tires
In a previous post on this site, we linked to a New York Times article dated September 3, 2009 that showed the houses built in East Texas by a man using leftover construction materials. Old shingles, discarded doors, glass bottles, and even branches from surrounding trees were used to make his "storybook" masterpieces.
With just some scraps and a little ingenuity, green building comes alive. See the excerpt below from The Scripps Howard News Service reposted this morning by The Connecticut Post.
House built with 3,000 old tires
David Zizzo, Scripps Howard News Service
Published: 12:31 a.m., Saturday, May 22, 2010
"In 2000, the Dixons moved into their Earthship, 2,300 square feet of colorful and artistic living space surrounded on three sides by load-bearing walls three feet thick -- the size of the tires stacked like brick and covered with adobe. Exposed beams span ceilings, which contain 18 inches of foam insulation and feature numerous skylights to vent heat. Three sides are buried by earthen berms, so, like a cave, temperatures inside vary little and change slowly. Occasional heat from a small propane stove is all that's needed in winter, and in summer, only minor air conditioning from window units is needed.
Sunlight streams in through a wall of windows, where plants grow in a "water treatment plant," a basin that filters water used in sinks in the home before it is routed outside.
But there will always be more to do. Exposed berms will be covered with solar collectors, and the couple are working on a new rooftop greenhouse. A water-storage cistern will come later, and eventually the home will be completely "off the grid."
To read more of the article, click here.
Image courtesy of TheCoolPepper.com.
March 03, 2010
Tool Belt Recession
by Eileen Weber
A plumber was called to a neurosurgeon’s house to fix a leaky faucet. After a few minutes, the plumber finished and gave the neurosurgeon the bill. The total was $150.
A little hot under the collar, the neurosurgeon exclaimed, 'I don't even get this much as an hourly rate!"
The plumber replied, "I didn't either when I was a surgeon. That's why I became a plumber."
Cute. But not necessarily accurate. Plumbers, electricians, and builders alike have all been hit hard with the recession. And, it looks like it may take a while before that changes.
According to a recent press release from the Center for American Progress, Connecticut’s construction industry has been reeling since December, 2008. While reports that the economy is starting to percolate, there are many who aren’t feeling any financial impact. With the national unemployment rate peaking at 10%, the unemployment rate for construction, both commercial and residential, is more than double.
The statistics are alarming: The unemployment rate for experienced workers in construction was 24.7 percent in January 2010; Total construction payroll employment has dropped by 2.1 million jobs since 2006, with residential construction down by 1.3 million, or 38%; For 2009, 12.4 percent of all unemployed workers were previously employed in the construction industry; There have been 134,000 jobs lost (10%) in construction-related retail, such as building supply stores and lumber yards, since December 2007, with 186,000 lost (14%) since July 2006.
Cute. But not necessarily accurate. Plumbers, electricians, and builders alike have all been hit hard with the recession. And, it looks like it may take a while before that changes.
According to a recent press release from the Center for American Progress, Connecticut’s construction industry has been reeling since December, 2008. While reports that the economy is starting to percolate, there are many who aren’t feeling any financial impact. With the national unemployment rate peaking at 10%, the unemployment rate for construction, both commercial and residential, is more than double.
The statistics are alarming: The unemployment rate for experienced workers in construction was 24.7 percent in January 2010; Total construction payroll employment has dropped by 2.1 million jobs since 2006, with residential construction down by 1.3 million, or 38%; For 2009, 12.4 percent of all unemployed workers were previously employed in the construction industry; There have been 134,000 jobs lost (10%) in construction-related retail, such as building supply stores and lumber yards, since December 2007, with 186,000 lost (14%) since July 2006.
March 02, 2010
A Meeting of Sustainble Minds at The Art of Sustainable Architecture
by Michelina Docimo
In the film, A Beautiful Mind, the character of Nobel Prize winning mathematician and economist John Forbes Nash Jr. says, “In competitive behavior, someone always loses.” So true on all fronts of survival of the fittest whether the conversation matter is Democrat versus Republican, Yankees versus Mets, man versus nature, form versus function. Who wins?
Our ordinary lives can sometimes feel like a struggle weighing the pros and cons – we ask ourselves, who do we believe? What should I buy? How much should I save? Where should I live? How will this make my life better? Everyday, we make choices in a fast changing world. Keeping up with the challenges of the economy, health, war, and global warming can feel like a race against time. Sacred Heart University’s Gallery of Contemporary Art current exhibition, The Art of Sustainable Architecture, addresses how we can come to a meeting ground by thinking collaboratively rather than competitively.
Our ordinary lives can sometimes feel like a struggle weighing the pros and cons – we ask ourselves, who do we believe? What should I buy? How much should I save? Where should I live? How will this make my life better? Everyday, we make choices in a fast changing world. Keeping up with the challenges of the economy, health, war, and global warming can feel like a race against time. Sacred Heart University’s Gallery of Contemporary Art current exhibition, The Art of Sustainable Architecture, addresses how we can come to a meeting ground by thinking collaboratively rather than competitively.
Continue reading "A Meeting of Sustainble Minds at The Art of Sustainable Architecture" »
December 11, 2009
Fairfield Jesuits Go Green
by Eileen Weber
On Tuesday, Fairfield University’s Jesuits proudly displayed their new pad. It is a space that is simultaneously a residence, a community center, and a tribute to the environment.
Designed by New Haven architecture firm Gray Organschi, the building is constructed from metal, wood, glass and concrete. Much of the material is either recycled or sustainable. The design team, married couple Elizabeth Gray and Alan Organschi, worked for several months with the school’s Jesuit staff to create a place that met their needs and reflected modern ideals.
The two-story, 22,000 square foot residence boasts a closed loop geothermal heating and cooling system 400 feet underground, a roof garden that can absorb up to 95% of rainfall, and sustainable bamboo flooring.
But that’s not the coolest part. None of the surrounding trees were disturbed in construction, save one diseased and dying beech tree. Instead of scrapping it, the tree was locally milled and a good portion of it is hanging in the Great Room.
“For something that was considered waste,” said Organschi, “we were able to make it into something useful. The limbs were milled and joined to make a screen and an altar that will be put in place in a couple of weeks.”
Designed by New Haven architecture firm Gray Organschi, the building is constructed from metal, wood, glass and concrete. Much of the material is either recycled or sustainable. The design team, married couple Elizabeth Gray and Alan Organschi, worked for several months with the school’s Jesuit staff to create a place that met their needs and reflected modern ideals.
The two-story, 22,000 square foot residence boasts a closed loop geothermal heating and cooling system 400 feet underground, a roof garden that can absorb up to 95% of rainfall, and sustainable bamboo flooring.
But that’s not the coolest part. None of the surrounding trees were disturbed in construction, save one diseased and dying beech tree. Instead of scrapping it, the tree was locally milled and a good portion of it is hanging in the Great Room.
“For something that was considered waste,” said Organschi, “we were able to make it into something useful. The limbs were milled and joined to make a screen and an altar that will be put in place in a couple of weeks.”
November 20, 2009
Green Job Growth: What is it? Where is it?
by Anneli C. Olila, Editor-in-Chief of Boston GreenScene / Principal of Olila Documents & Communication Strategies
In my recent discussion of green job hunting myths, I argued against the mystique surrounding the green job industry and the psychological and other barriers this presents to those hoping to transition into a green career. Responses from readers ranged from disbelief, to hesitant hope, to specific questions regarding qualifications and resources. In this article, I start to provide some data that may be useful to readers in understanding the projected growth of the green job market and where they might fit in.
What Do We Mean by 'the Green Job Market is Growing'?
According to the United States President's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), green jobs are everywhere, and the growth of the green job market is anticipated to continue to outstrip the growth of other markets. In its July 2009 report, the CEA cited data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showing projected growth in environmentally-related occupations to be 38% more than all other occupations combined by 2016. This is depicted in the following figure, reproduced from page 8 of their report:
To put this into perspective, it is worth noting that the occupations
they considered were actually in a fairly limited range. Specifically,
the BLS projections drawn from in the CEA report are based on data for
the following occupations only:
Continue reading "Green Job Growth: What is it? Where is it?" »
November 13, 2009
Counting Carbon
by Eileen Weber
Thinking of building a new house or renovating your old one? Got a new office building that’s going up soon? Wondering how all this will affect the environment? Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has developed an online carbon calculator called Green Footstep to help homeowners and businesses determine their carbon footprint.
It’s certainly nothing new. There are a number of online carbon calculators. Even Microsoft got into the act earlier this year by launching their Environmental Sustainability Dashboard, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software package. Its goal is to help companies track their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, something that most ERP systems don’t do.
"ERP systems are really good at giving you the financial numbers, but where they fall short is with the environment or social issues," said Jennifer Pollard, a senior Microsoft product manager, as quoted in a February 9th article in The Seattle Times.
But what makes RMI’s system special is that it not only calculates the construction footprint of the project but the operational footprint of the building’s lifetime once that project is finished.
Thinking of building a new house or renovating your old one? Got a new office building that’s going up soon? Wondering how all this will affect the environment? Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has developed an online carbon calculator called Green Footstep to help homeowners and businesses determine their carbon footprint.
It’s certainly nothing new. There are a number of online carbon calculators. Even Microsoft got into the act earlier this year by launching their Environmental Sustainability Dashboard, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software package. Its goal is to help companies track their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, something that most ERP systems don’t do.
"ERP systems are really good at giving you the financial numbers, but where they fall short is with the environment or social issues," said Jennifer Pollard, a senior Microsoft product manager, as quoted in a February 9th article in The Seattle Times.
But what makes RMI’s system special is that it not only calculates the construction footprint of the project but the operational footprint of the building’s lifetime once that project is finished.
September 21, 2009
Kroon Hall makes environmentalists swoon
By John Burgeson
Staff writer, Connecticut Post
Updated: 09/20/2009 12:18:22 AM EDT
Kroon Hall, around the corner from the Peabody Museum, is the new home of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
It gets electricity from the sun. Geothermal energy provides heat and air conditioning. Rainwater from the roof and grounds is used to run the commodes. Solar panels heat the water. In the winter, heat exchangers pull heat energy from warm exhaust air to aid the heating system.
Experts say that it uses about half the electricity than what would be expected for a building its size, and the photovoltaic array on the roof supply one-fourth of the remaining electrical load.
The structure is heated and cooled entirely with geothermal energy ---- there's no backup furnace or air conditioning system ---- or even a water heater for that matter.
Kroon is designed so it won't require much heating and cooling in the first place. Its east-west orientation maximizes solar heating in the winter, and the 23-degree tilt of the exterior slats deflect the sun's rays when it's high in the sky in the summer months. The massive concrete superstructure--there's no steel skeleton--acts as a huge heat sink. This "thermal mass" absorbs heart during the summer months, which slowly radiates
Staff writer, Connecticut Post
Updated: 09/20/2009 12:18:22 AM EDT
Kroon Hall, around the corner from the Peabody Museum, is the new home of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
It gets electricity from the sun. Geothermal energy provides heat and air conditioning. Rainwater from the roof and grounds is used to run the commodes. Solar panels heat the water. In the winter, heat exchangers pull heat energy from warm exhaust air to aid the heating system.
Experts say that it uses about half the electricity than what would be expected for a building its size, and the photovoltaic array on the roof supply one-fourth of the remaining electrical load.
The structure is heated and cooled entirely with geothermal energy ---- there's no backup furnace or air conditioning system ---- or even a water heater for that matter.
Kroon is designed so it won't require much heating and cooling in the first place. Its east-west orientation maximizes solar heating in the winter, and the 23-degree tilt of the exterior slats deflect the sun's rays when it's high in the sky in the summer months. The massive concrete superstructure--there's no steel skeleton--acts as a huge heat sink. This "thermal mass" absorbs heart during the summer months, which slowly radiates
Click here to read more.
Photo courtesy of Yale University/Robert Benson
September 03, 2009
One Man’s Trash ...
I saw this in today's New York Times and couldn't resist posting it. This is a perfect example of green building: Recycling materials from excess waste and repurposing it to make something different, interesting, and in this case, off-beat. I especially liked the picture frames on the ceiling (see below).
September 3, 2009
By KATE MURPHY
HUNTSVILLE, Tex.
Among the traditional brick and clapboard structures that line the streets of this sleepy East Texas town, 70 miles north of Houston, a few houses stand out: their roofs are made of license plates, and their windows of crystal platters.
They are the creations of Dan Phillips, 64, who has had an astonishingly varied life, working as an intelligence officer in the Army, a college dance instructor, an antiques dealer and a syndicated cryptogram puzzle maker. About 12 years ago, Mr. Phillips began his latest career: building low-income housing out of trash.
In 1997 Mr. Phillips mortgaged his house to start his construction company, Phoenix Commotion. “Look at kids playing with blocks,” he said. “I think it’s in everyone’s DNA to want to be a builder.” Moreover, he said, he was disturbed by the irony of landfills choked with building materials and yet a lack of affordable housing.
To him, almost anything discarded and durable is potential building material. Standing in one of his houses and pointing to a colorful, zigzag-patterned ceiling he made out of thousands of picture frame corners, Mr. Phillips said, “A frame shop was getting rid of old samples, and I was there waiting.”
July 09, 2009
CTGBC Awards For Green Design
by Eileen Weber
There is another use for the term “intelligent design” and this one has no spiritual connotations. For the Connecticut Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (CTGBC), it refers to the design and construction of a building or home that uses its resources wisely in an environmentally friendly way.
According to a recent press release from the CTGBC, five separate structures were recently awarded for the sustainable building practices utilized in high performance, design and construction, and energy efficiency.
The Most Intriguing Residential Award was given to Easter Fields House in New Milford. Mark and Jim Picton of Picton Brothers LLC, were the developers. According to the Picton’s web site, it is one of the most energy efficient homes in Connecticut.
“The most amazing thing about it is that the house is so liveable in such a compact form,” said Mark Picton, Co-Founder of the Washington Depot-based company of the 900 square foot home. “It’s good for a family of four or a retired couple. It’s a lot of function in a small space.”
Picton Brothers chose a sustainable building site in the Merryall section of the town. The home was officially awarded a LEED Platinum certification this past winter for not only making the most of the living space efficiently, but for using local materials like reclaimed wood, photovoltaic installation and foam insulation. As a result, the house has a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
June 05, 2009
A Green FROG In Connecticut
by Eileen Weber
The Watkinson School in Hartford, the city’s only independent school founded in 1881, had a ground-breaking for their net-zero science facility on May 27th. San Francisco-based Project FROG designed the school’s Center for Science and Global Citizenship. This school building will be the first of its kind in New England. The construction date is scheduled for next week.
“The building [will be] as smart as the students and teachers in it,” said John Bracker, Watkinson’s Head of School. Some of the key elements in the design are a geothermal heating and cooling system as well as solar panels. Large glass windows will be incorporated into the design to trap in heat in the winter and block it out in the summer. The windows will also provide lots of natural light to cut down on electricity costs.
Bracker said that the school looked into updating its science building about five years ago. But conventional methods were too expensive. When the concept of going green for less money came up, the Board of Trustees gave the go-ahead.
“This will not only augment the way we teach but change the way we teach. The building will be as much a part of the curriculum as any other teaching tools,” said Bracker. In other words, in order for the school to teach about sustainability they have to be sustainable.
May 14, 2009
May 13, 2009
Local School Wins Award
by Eileen Weber
The Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School (LOLMS) was recently acknowledged for their green initiatives in the School of Future Design Competition. On May 1st, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Council of Education Facility Planners International Foundation (CEFPI) sponsored the event as well as the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Institute of Architects along with over 30 associations and private companies. They announced the winners of the competition, which kicks off at the beginning of the school year, in Washington, D.C.
Students from across the country participated in the competition. Given the task to redesign their school in an environmentally friendly way, they were judged on sustainability, technology and community involvement in their projects. The event was part of School Building Week from April 27th through May 1st.
"Successful schools build successful communities." said Sue Robertson, CEFPI president in the company’s press release dated the last day of the competition. "Today's students, tomorrow's green builders, are committed to creating healthy, high performing schools and communities. Let's supply them with all the tools they need to improve the places where children learn. And then, let's really listen to them—because they have some really good ideas!"
April 22, 2009
April 07, 2009
Hospitals: Setting a Green Standard
by Eileen Weber
A trip to the hospital is not exactly on everyone’s To Do list. With harsh chemicals and bad air quality, hospitals are sometimes the unhealthiest places to be. From limiting their toxic waste to reducing their energy and water usage, the surgical scrubs aren’t the only things that are green, however.
Hospitals are recycling light bulbs and batteries. They are using green cleaning products. Even choosing to switch from cotton mop heads to microfiber saves thousands of gallons of water every year. They are even incorporating nature as part of the healing process with rooftop gardens and balconies open for fresh air. Studies have shown that patients who have some connection to nature have lower stress levels and recover more quickly.
But it doesn’t stop there. Practicing a healthy green business is great. But it’s even better in a green building.
According to an article dated March 27th in The Boston Globe, more hospitals are seeing the long-term benefit of renovating in an environmentally friendly way. They have included everything from LED lighting to high efficiency glass to low VOC paints and adhesives to roof top solar panels.
March 25, 2009
Reduce, Reuse, Renovate
by Eileen Weber
Less than a year ago, Fairfield residents Kraig and Suzanne Schulz finished renovating their home. They built it using insulated concrete forms (ICFs). They chose environmentally friendly products and energy-saving appliances. They installed compact fluorescent lightbulbs and energy-efficient windows. But all of that came with a pretty steep price tag and not without a few problems along the way.
According to a New York Times article dated March 5th, Petz Scholtus, a Belgian woman living in Spain, renovated her 18th century apartment to be “environmentally responsible on a shoestring.” However, being green on a budget is sometimes easier said than done.
Scholtus wrote a blog about her adventures trying to be eco-conscious while not squeezing her piggy bank at the same time. She reused plastic jugs as the outer shell for floor lamps. Her living room is decorated with beanbag chairs made from automotive textiles, magazine racks fashioned from antique drawers fitted with castors, and low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint on her walls. She also transported her belongings from the old apartment to the new one by bicycle. (Don’t try this at home, kids.)
Scholtus is not alone. In this country, blogs abound with nightmare renovations as well as stories of happily-ever-after eco-friendliness.
January 26, 2009
Home Green Home
by Eileen Weber
It’s cool to be green. I admit that’s probably stating the obvious. But for people who want to be green with their own homes, it sometimes gets a little tricky to find the right products.
That’s where The Center for Green Building comes in. Located on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport, the storefront sells everything from cotton insulation to no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint to all natural, toxin-free floor varnishes and cleaning supplies.
Run by Erin Buckley and Jonathan Tuminski, the couple started the organization out of their carpentry business. After they had their son, Buckley said, “I started doing research on all the toxins in the materials my husband was using.” The ingredients were pretty scary. That was the catalyst for promoting all natural, organic products.
But it wasn’t that easy to start off. “There wasn’t anything in Connecticut,” said Buckley. “Most of the stuff available was out West.” She also said, now that the store has been established, they have a number of contractors who come from New York, the Hartford area and Rhode Island. “We’re one of the only places in the area. There’s nothing out there.”
January 22, 2009
Deconstruction, What’s Your Function?
by Eileen Weber
So you want to renovate your kitchen. Get some nice cabinets, some shiny new appliances. Sounds great. But what can you do with all that stuff you just took out?
That’s where folks like Joe DeRisi, founder of Urbanminers in Hamden, come in. With an educational background in resource management and environmental studies, he’s committed to being green—particularly when it comes to construction.
He calls what he does “deconstruction”. He will take out your old cabinets and reuse them for another construction project. Or, if he can’t use them on another project, he can sell them out of his storefront.
“We need to save it. It’s all usable,” said DeRisi of his deconstruction projects. “My goal is to turn over stuff as quickly as possible. There’s way more stuff out there.”
“We’re a wasteful society, throwing out perfectly good things,” said Debra Lombard, the Expeditor and Sustainability Coordinator for Common Visions also in Hamden. Lombard, who often works with DeRisi on her projects, said while she’s in favor of the recycling aspect of deconstruction sometimes there’s a limitation to it.
January 19, 2009
If You Build It Green, They Will Come…
by Eileen Weber
Did you know 18% of overall indoor water use and 37% of just the hot water use comes from household showers? Did you know that while the US is home to only 4.5% of the global population, it is responsible for over 15% of the world’s consumption of wood? Did you know that unhealthy air is found in 30% of new and renovated buildings?
These were just some fun facts from GreenBuilding.com, an organization based in Boulder, CO. They are the kind of statistics that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Green Building Council, and others focused on the benefits of green building want the average homeowner to know.
Building the new and renovating the old has taken a turn in the last several years. Homeowners, architects, and contractors alike are seeing the greater benefit of being more eco-conscious with their homes.
Barry Katz, an architect and builder in Westport, has been extremely vocal about the benefits of green building. He has written articles, given lectures, and even submitted entries to this web site about the endless possibilities of a “clean, green” future with the Obama administration.
But there are some homeowners who may balk at the initial cost of building green. To that, Katz says, “It doesn’t cost more, it costs less.” He said that before you build, you’re paying your mortgage, electricity and water bills. Before construction, those bills are higher. After construction, the initial costs essentially end up paying for themselves. “From the moment you move in to your [newly built] house,” he said, “your overall operating costs will be lower.”
January 08, 2009
December 15, 2008
December 14, 2008
December 02, 2008
New Haven Groundbreaking for $5,000 Per Month Apartments; Condon Argues for Doubling Size of Downtown
By Mark Abraham via Design New Haven.
Great coverage in today's New Haven Independent on the city's official groundbreaking ceremony for the 360 State development. Shovels have been in the ground for over a month, so the ceremony was largely ceremonial, but the importance of the event was not understated:
Great coverage in today's New Haven Independent on the city's official groundbreaking ceremony for the 360 State development. Shovels have been in the ground for over a month, so the ceremony was largely ceremonial, but the importance of the event was not understated:
The
symbolic shovelers heralded a future vision for downtown. It’s a
downtown populated by medical and university-connected renters who rely
on their feet and mass transit rather than cars, buy organic groceries
downstairs from their $1,000-to-$5,000-a-month apartments, and help
save the planet by living in a green building. “People are paying that
in today’s market,” Becker said. “There’s no vacancy at all for the
better buildings here downtown,” such as the Eli on Church Street.
The Hartford Courant recently published an opinion piece about the development by the Senior Editor of New Urban News, criticizing its impact
on the neighborhood, its massing and pedestrian-friendliness. The
importance of walkable, bikeable, and transit friendly streets has been
growing nationally, as travel mode undergoes a dramatic shift away from private automobiles. New media sites such as streetsblog.net, a large national blog network created to dovetail with the work of the Transportation for America Campaign, give a sense of this phenomenon.
Although
DNH believes that the urbanistic impact of decisions such as where the
building's use/program, massing, windows, stair towers and entrances
were placed may take years to fully assess (and are combined with the
positive stimulus of 1,000 new residents in a pedestrian-rich city
core), downtown designers are generally hopeful that the apparent
pedestrian safety problems can be alleviated well in advance of the
project. For example, the impact of the three major curb cuts at State
Street can be reduced through attractive paving, improved sightlines
and intensive traffic calming, including bollards if necessary.
Also,
the 360 State development promises ample indoor bicycle parking for
every apartment - a huge step in the right direction. Yet there are no
bicycle lanes or bike boulevards in the area, despite the fact that the
streets on all four sides of the new tower are heavily-used crosstown
bicycle routes, and even identified by the City of New Haven as such on
its official bicycle map.
How will the doctors streaming out of 360 State on their bicycles get
to the medical district? A greater attention to this form of
transportation is needed if the community wishes to provide realistic
low-cost transportation alternatives to its citizens, which should be a
no-brainer in a town where the vast majority of daily trips are a
couple miles or less and where almost half of residents already walk,
carpool, bike or take mass transit to work.
Finally, the goal of eliminating pedestrian injuries in the area can only be achieved if speeds are reduced,
particularly along State Street. There are currently no signs of plans
for significant traffic calming in the area, such as a tabled intersection or speed humps
at State and Chapel Streets. Although there are rumors about a complete
redevelopment and narrowing of State Street, which could ultimately
address those concerns, such plans may be quite distant.
Click here for the developer's new website, 360statestreet.com, where they are already beginning a leasing list. Here's the developer's description:
November 05, 2008
Retailers Building Green
by Eileen Weber
If you like to buy green products, you might be happy to know that some of the buildings you shop in are also green. Certain retail chains have hopped on the band wagon of green building.
Kohl’s, a retailer of clothes, jewelry and other accessories, just opened a new store in Waterbury over the weekend with grand opening ceremonies today.
“Kohl’s is committed to being an environmentally responsible retailer,” said Ken Bonning, the company’s Executive Vice President for Logistics, in a recent press release. He also said that the “design and functionality [of the stores] do not have to be sacrificed when creating green buildings.”
Some of the key features include an energy management system that controls sensor lighting for stock rooms, break rooms and offices. They installed controlled irrigation systems and localized water heaters. Their merchandise bags are made of 20% recycled materials and their gift boxes are 100% recyclable.
October 17, 2008
ECO-LUXURY WITH TESLA!
We'll have TWO 2009 Tesla Roadsters,
the world’s first high performance ALL electric sports car. The Telsa
Roadster is a zero-emission, two-seater for sale now in
the United States and Europe. With a 0-to-60 mph acceleration of 3.9 s
econds, the Tesla Roadster is unique in providing super car performance, zero emissions and extraordinary efficiency. Test drives and a presentation from senior-level executives will be available.
So where can you check these two amazing machines out and meet lots of great people? At a luxury, green home, of course! Details to follow.
Guests will also be treated to a selection of organic beers, wines and CT GreenScene’s signature cocktails.
A silent auction during the event will raise funds for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
When: Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 6 to 9 p.m. Where: Details to follow shortly. Cost: $45 in advance; $50 at the door. Click here to purchase advanced tickets.
Our platinum sponsor is Solar Wrights. Gold Sponsors are Ruff&Cut and Hybrid Homes Geothermal.
Sponsorships for this and other events are available. Call Heather Burns-DeMelo at 203-470-8020 or email [email protected] for more information.
September 20, 2008
What Is Smart Growth and Why Should You Care?
By now, you probably get the idea that our planet's resources are finite, but many people are beginning to catch on to the fact that our need to design, plan and build communities that are "smart" and conserve our limited natural resources, while creating a strong sense of community is imperative. On the financial side of the coin, developers, architects, builders and real estate agents are seeing great investment potential in smart growth, even in a slowed up economy.
So what is Smart Growth?
Smart growth as defined by experts at CT Smart Growth:
Mixed land use: "Our post World War II land use decisions have separated and compartmentalized the various aspects our lives. We live in one place, work in another, and venture to still another place for shopping and entertainment. This separation has created a car-centric society and taken away from the vitality of the traditional town center or Main Street. Smart growth supports the integration of mixed land uses into communities as a critical component of achieving better places to live. By putting uses in close proximity to one another, alternatives to driving, such as walking or biking, once again become viable."
Compact Building Design: "Compact building design suggests that communities be designed in a way which permits more open space to preserved, and that buildings can be constructed which make more efficient use of land and resources. By encouraging buildings to grow vertically rather than horizontally, and by incorporating structured rather than surface parking, for example, communities can reduce the footprint of new construction, and preserve more greenspace."
Housing Opportunities: "Providing quality housing for people of all income levels is an integral component in any smart growth strategy. Housing is a critical part of the way communities grow, as it is constitutes a significant share of new construction and development. More importantly, however, is also a key factor in determining households' access to transportation, commuting patterns, access to services and education, and consumption of energy and other natural resources."
Walkable Communities: "As the personal and societal benefits of pedestrian friendly communities are realized - benefits which include lower transportation costs, greater social interaction, improved personal and environmental health, and expanded consumer choice -- many are calling upon the public and private sector to facilitate the development of walkable places."
Other elements include: Strong Sense of Place, Preserve Open Spaces, Infill Development, Wide array of Transportation Choices, Fair and Predictable Development Decisions, and Community Collaboration. To find out more about the other 6 elements of smart growth, as well as valuable resources, visit CT Smart Growth. Also, check out this incredible Smart Growth project slated for Georgetown.
July 05, 2008
Holy Green Buildings Batman!
There are LOADS of green buildings sprouting up all over the state and the Connecticut Green Building Council recently recognized the most "intriguing" residential and institutional structures in the state, and from Yale to Usquepaug, they are certainly worth a peek.
Residential
 |
MOST INTRIGUING was awarded to the Usquepaug Residence
designed by Lindsay Suter AIA. This project is a culmination of
architectural training in good design using quality
materials and interesting sustainable principles. A very nice project, every passive sustainable device was used. The project is modest and simple resulting in an elegant affordable residence. The unique aspect to this design is the taking advantage of a great northern view by using a lot of glass to obtain the view and even daylight without glare, but solving the heat loss potential by an effective and handsome shutter system. |
 |
INTRIGUING was awarded for another simple basic, responsible Norfolk Residence again by Lindsay Suter AIA. This design is compact and efficient; using natural ventilation for the building. The basic fuel for heating is a wood stove that was reduced in size due to its ability to work efficiently. The materials selected and attention to best construction practices result in a fine lesson on how to build an affordable house. |
Institutional
 |
MOST INTRIGUING was awarded to the Yale Sculpture Building and Gallery, designed by Kieran Timberlake Associates in association with BVH Engineers. The building incorporates just about every sustainable device and design possible. This project demonstrates what good design and extraordinary planning can produce. A green roof covers about 90% of the whole structure. |
 |
INTRIGUING was awarded to the Barnard Magnet School whose design showed a very aggressive energy program undertaken by the City of New Haven. The significance of this project, designed by Roberta Washington and David Thompson collaborative architects is what can be done using public funds. The project incorporates an existing school building and a fine looking addition to meeting the goals of LEED Gold. Much attention has been paid to using all the building functions as a learning laboratory for its students. |
 |
INTRIGUING was awarded to the Yale School of Medicine, Sterling Hall Laboratory Wing by Svigals and Partners architects. The building design was used as an experiment by Yale to see what can be achieved using sustainable ideas in a laboratory environment. The use of Daylight transparency, strategies to develop a better work environment, recyclable materials and products that produce no off-gases was a significant attempt to demonstrate what can be done. The project has been widely published and now sets a standard for all laboratories for Yale medical school. |
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INTRIGUING was awarded to the Burton Family Football/Mark Shenkman Training Center Complex by JCJ architects in collaboration with HOK Sports. This project is significant in that it is the first NCAA Athletic Sustainable project as well as the first LEEDproject on the UCONN Campus. A challenging site and a building configuration lead to a solid design and planning effort to make this building a responsible partner on Campus. |
| For a look at more incredible green building projects in and around Connecticut, visit BuildingCTGreen.com. | |
May 13, 2008
April 06, 2008
Today's Green Building: A New Spin on Good Old Common Sense
Long ago, we used our intellect to create shelters out of our
surroundings. We were connected to the land that we lived on, took only
what we needed and moved on to "greener pastures" when weather or a
lack of resources dictated. Back then, we taught our children skills of
self-sufficiency and survival.
Once we settled down and became skilled at building permanent structures, the timber for framing
came from the trees on the lot, we built close to the road and we
oriented to the south for natural day lighting and ventilation. We
built houses that lasted a century or more, and every room was used
every day.
Today, the average size of our homes—often built
using virgin materials that are shipped thousands of miles—has more
than doubled since 1950, while our family size has decreased by
one-fourth. We use building materials that contain toxins and
carcinogens (as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention) that are emitted into the air inside our homes for years
after their installation.
Enter green building. The concept
grew from the geodesic and solar days of the 70s and 80s when
engineers, builders and architects sought out environmentally friendly
solutions to an energy shortage (sound familiar?). As they built
south-facing structures to take advantage of natural day lighting and improve the performance of solar systems, they broadened their focus as
they realized there were a lot of ways to improve the way we build.
Continue reading "Today's Green Building: A New Spin on Good Old Common Sense" »
April 02, 2008
Mercy Center at Madison: Connecticut’s Green Conference Facility
You’ve worked really hard this past year and now you need to get your staff psyched to launch a new product line. Or maybe your nonprofit organization is serving more people with fewer resources and you need to come up with a new fundraising plan. Setting aside a day once a year for a staff retreat to reconsider your mission and vision can yield big results.
Even better: schedule a staff retreat day to put your company’s sustainability plan and environmental policies on paper while enjoying and learning from an unusual organization that has made the commitment to sustainability themselves.
Mercy by the Sea, a 33 acre facility with 1100 feet of private beach offers nonprofit, government and business groups a “unique setting where learning, planning, exploring and innovating can flourish”, as described on their website, www.mercybythesea.org.
Two years ago they made a strong commitment to greening their operations and added an Ecology Department and Director, Sherill Baldwin, to their organization.
Continue reading "Mercy Center at Madison: Connecticut’s Green Conference Facility" »
February 23, 2008
Heartland Community Destroyed by Tornado Goes GREEN
By Sherwood Martinelli
If you do a couple of Internet searches, (Eco-Town and Greensburg) you'll see that a small town in America's Heartland, Greensburg Kansas, is getting a whole lot of attention. That's exactly what they need, since the tornado that strolled down Main Street, destroyed more than 80 percent of the city's infrastructure.
My own involvements with the community began some weeks ago when a close friend of mine, Bill Thomas of Green Home Solutions rang me up in the middle of the night and said, “I had a dream, and you and I are going to go spend a week in Kansas helping the people of Greensburg rebuild their town.” My first thought was, “Why Greensburg?” I mean any town or city devastated by a natural disaster deserves all the help we can give them--but too often there just does not seem to be enough help to go around, with the best known example being New Orleans, and the Ninth Ward--so why Greensburg?
CT and NY-based Involvement
All communities ravished by natural disasters deserve attention, and a growing group of us here on the East Coast have recently formed a new organization aimed at helping Greensburg, and other communities recovering from natural disasters to not only recover, but to re-build using green building materials, to rebuild a more eco-friendly sustainable community. Green Helping Hands will help get GreenTown what it needs.
The town and GreenTown want to build an eco village with six green homes cited in the village, another six built at other locations throughout the town, thus creating a real life model of sustainable green living that others can visit and study, which in turn will create eco-tourism for this small rural community.
So far, Green Helping Hands has the attention of GEM motorcars, manufactured by Chrysler, and McGraw Hill Publishing. We are also raising donations of green building products, books for the new library, and more.
Many Hands, Many Minds
Green Helping Hands has proposed to have a competition wherein the best architectures in the world could compete to have their plan chosen for these green home builds. The idea has been well received, so stay tuned or better yet, come and join us!
Continue reading "Heartland Community Destroyed by Tornado Goes GREEN" »
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