 |
| The Future of Green Building Legislation? |
As part of a new series of papers regarding federal, state and local decisions to expand energy efficiency choices for consumers, DEFG has published a free report on New York City’s “Greener, Greater Buildings Plan.” The GGBP is a key component of an effort to reduce pollution and energy costs in the city by 30% by 2030 and was initially touted as “first-of-its-kind.” Not surprisingly, it was scaled back after pressure from local building owners. The author, Cynthia Boland, Esq., has provided a discussion of the opposition to the law, potential business and legal challenges, and comments on the future of green building legislation.
Why is the GGBP a harbinger of things to come? It is a landmark legislation that mandates compliance with four laws:
- a municipal energy code setting standards and energy use in large buildings
- a sub-metering requirement
- requirements for energy audits
- requirements for retro- commissioning
Yet, the process and the politics can shed light on the complexities of getting this kind of legislation enacted in the future. The story of GGBP can serve as a “learning experience” for other major cities considering legislation to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings.
Finally, the story of GGBP highlights something we’ve known for years. That despite all the commotion about federal climate change legislation, most of the action with respect to energy efficiency and renewable energy is occurring at the state and local level. This means that we can all have a big impact on promoting change—not just within your our own businesses, but by working together to change attitudes, influence policymakers, and promote innovation. When you begin to think about getting involved, think nationally, think statewide—and think locally. Many issues related to sustainability and your business—from energy policy to recycling services—are addressed at a local or state level.
Jennifer Kaplan is a Senior Adviser to DEFG LLC and the author of Greening Your Small Business (Prentice Hall 2009).
Photo: James D’Addio     |
|
| Unsafe Levels of Formaldehyde in New Homes |
 Being green means saving energy. However, being green also means staying healthy. A study released today indicates those two goals may be at odds with each other in new homes.
Today the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a study of indoor air quality in new homes. The report found that new homes have too little ventilation and too much formaldehyde.
Ventilation in the majority of homes did not meet code.
The median 24-hour outdoor air exchange rate was 0.26 air changes per hour; 67 percent of the homes were below the California building code requirement of 0.35 air changes per hour…
Inadequate ventilation causes formaldehyde to concentrate inside homes. All homes in the study had unsafe levels of formaldehyde.
Nearly all homes had formaldehyde concentrations that exceeded guidelines for cancer and chronic irritation, while 59 percent exceeded guidelines for acute irritation.
Formaldehyde causes asthma, bronchitis, sinus infections, and headaches. Formaldehyde is also a carcinogen, and it has been linked to leukemia.
Testing is the only way to know the formaldehyde concentration in a home. Test badges cost as little at $40 each, including laboratory analysis. An industrial hygienist can locate materials that emit formaldehyde.     |
|
| Dune Architect Transforms Desert Sand into Dwellings for the Green Wall Sahara Shelterbelt |
This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.
Above, creative architecture student Magnus Larsson shares his incredible idea to help settlers along the harsh Sahara desert. His proposed process of re-structuring sand is a building material process already researched for helping strengthen earthquake prone land with sustainable bacteria that turns shifting sand into a solid mass.
Looks like Larsson is creating sandcastles out of desert land. Brilliant! His Holcim Foundation winning proposal could very well transform life in that region as the Sahara green wall shelterbelt is planted across the African continent. The possibilities are endless as the quality of life will improve for so many along the Sahara.
Read more of this story »     |
|
| TED Talks: Architecture in the Future that Repairs Itself? |
This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.
This short Technology and Entertainment Design Conference clip is by Rachel Armstrong who states :
“Scientists need to work outside their own areas of expertise to make new technologies that are pertinent to the 21st century and to collaborate, both with other scientific disciplines and the arts and humanities.”
“Metabolic materials” - is what TED Fellow Rachel Armstrong researches - construction materials that possess some of the properties of living systems, and can be manipulated to “grow” architecture.
Rachel thinks of this as we think about awesome parks or gardens because “metabolic materials” are made from terrestrial chemistry…
Read more of this story »     |
|
| Smarter Cities ~ Project of the Natural Resources Defense Council |
Have you heard about NRDC’s Smarter Cities?
“When thinking about the urban environment, more often than not problems come first to mind. Less commonly thought about is the potential presented by cities, potential to rethink and reshape their environments responsibly.
Today urban leaders—mayors, businesses and community organizations—are in the environmental vanguard, making upgrades to transportation infrastructure, zoning, building codes, and waste management programs as well as improving access to open space, green jobs, affordable efficient housing and more. If they succeed in making their cities more efficient, responsible and sustainable, what will result will be smarter places for business and healthier places to live.”
Find out what is smart and green near you. Join the team and start reporting the success of your city!
Read more of this story »     |
|
| Greening Your Home |
How lessons-learned from a state-of-the-art net-zero project can help us all reduce our impact
Now that everyone is finally talking about green buildings, the question becomes “Where do we need to go from here?”
The answer? Net-zero.
That’s what a panel of experts told an audience assembled last month at Rocky Mountain Institute’s symposium in San Francisco, RMI2009.
Read more of this story »     |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
No doubt the current 
