"Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it." ~Marian Anderson Green building has come a long way since the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) building standard, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), took hold about a decade ago. As the market transformed and more bold standards were realized, working towards the creation of truly sustainable buildings and neighborhoods proved to be an effective way to … [Read more...]
Trim Tab Book Review
About a year ago, I was tasked with writing a book review for Trim Tab, Cascadia Green Building Council's e-zine. It was interesting to revisit this a year later, and while it was excruciatingly difficult to write knowing that my colleagues and peers eyes would be on it, the process was worthwhile. Here it is, for your reading pleasure: While lobbyists wined and dined delegates during recent conversations in Copenhagen, Al Gore reminds us that the future of the climate crisis is in our … [Read more...]
Grand 'Ol Petroleum, or GOP for Short
Today marks the fourth time this summer that the GOP in the Senate have blocked an energy and business tax bill from getting to the floor. The Wall Street Journal explains: The bill would extend tax incentives for wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy, and would renew a host of expired tax cuts, such as the research tax credit and the state-sales-tax deduction. It would also protect most taxpayers from the alternative minimum tax in 2008. The move failed on a 51-43 procedural vote, … [Read more...]
Historic Preservation and Sustainability Can Co-exist
Oglethorpe's plan for Savannah Savannah is known for her unique and plentiful city squares that promote open space. Consequently, its present city planning department, the Metropolitan Planning Commission, tends to be examined under a microscope by planning departments and preservation scholars across the country. My impression had been that living under this microscope understandably tended the Board towards "safe decisions" and away from modern and new technologies. It seems that I was wrong, … [Read more...]
The American Solution: Buy More Stuff?
For a clearer view of the above scene, please go here Buzzcock Market Research in New York City conducted an online survey of over 1,100 consumers in the U.S. and the U.K., attempting to get an idea of how consumers feel about environmentalism and "being green." Both countries are similar in that more than 70% of those polled say they actively use energy efficient light-bulbs, and recycle paper and plastic. The most interesting part of the results is how the two countries differ in their … [Read more...]
The Righteous Olympics
With the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver come an estimated 1.5 million attendees, creating a mammoth-sized footprint. Thanks to VANOC, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, sustainability is written into the mission/value statement of this enormous effort. In 2005 and 2006, VANOC established a set of six corporate-wide sustainability performance objectives. These objectives are based on Bid commitments, best management practices of other Organizing Committees and … [Read more...]