Drop Off #5 Plastic at Whole Foods

By Jessica Root, Brooklyn NY, USA

Not all plastics can be recycled. In fact, most yogurt cups and other polypropylene #5 plastics, unless they’re reused, end up in the landfill since so few municipalities accept them. It’s a shame considering so much of our food arrives in #5s including packaging for cottage cheese, hummus, medicine, ice cream and take-out containers.

If you can’t altogether avoid buying products packaged in pesky #5 plastic, there’s at least another new solution in store.

Preserve, the company creating stylish household products out of 100% recycled plastics, has just announced their new ‘Gimme 5’ recycling program.

They’ve teamed up with organic yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm, and Organic Valley, the organic, farmer-owned cooperative, to make recycling #5s possible through convenient drop-off locations in select Whole Foods Markets in the Midwest, Northeast and Northern California. Whole Foods in Florida will join the program in mid-February.

In addition to accepting #5 plastics, Preserve’s Gimme 5 program accepts Brita water pitcher filters. All the plastic that Preserve collects will be turned into new products such as their toothbrushes, razors and tableware.

By dropping your #5 plastic containers in a Preserve Gimme 5 bin your, “Helping make brand new Preserve products that represent real change," says Preserve founder and CEO Eric Hudson. "And by choosing Preserve Plastic versus virgin plastic, in the form of a toothbrush or razor, for example, we all benefit from a sizeable reduction in greenhouse gases emitted, and significantly less water, energy, oil and coal used in making the plastic."

For a list of participating Whole Foods stores, visit http://www.preserveproducts.com/.

Wind Now Employs More People Than Coal

Here’s a talking point in the green jobs debate: The wind industry now employs more people than coal mining in the United States.

Wind industry jobs jumped to 85,000 in 2008, a 70% increase from the previous year, according to a report released Tuesday from the American Wind Energy Association. In contrast, the coal industry employs about 81,000 workers. (Those figures are from a 2007 U.S. Department of Energy report but coal employment has remained steady in recent years though it’s down by nearly 50% since 1986.) Wind industry employment includes 13,000 manufacturing jobs concentrated in regions of the country hard hit by the deindustrialization of the past two decades.

The big spike in wind jobs was a result of a record-setting 50% increase in installed wind capacity, with 8,358 megawatts coming online in 2008 (enough to power some 2 million homes). That’s a third of the nation’s total 25,170 megawatts of wind power generation. Wind farms generating more than 4,000 megawatts of electricity were completed in the last three months of 2008 alone.

Another sign that wind power is no longer a niche green energy play: Wind accounted for 42% of all new electricity generation installed last year in the U.S. Power, literally, is shifting from the east to west, to the wind belt of the Midwest, west Texas and the West Coast. Texas continues to lead the country, with 7,116 megawatts of wind capacity but Iowa in 2008 overtook California for the No. 2 spot, with 2,790 megawatts of wind generation. Other new wind powers include Oregon, Minnesota, Colorado and Washington state.

But last year’s record is unlikely to be repeated in 2009 as the global credit crisis delays or scuttles new projects because developers are unable to secure financing for wind farms. Layoffs have already hit turbine makers like Clipper Windpower and Gamesa as well as companies that produce turbine towers, blades and other components.

The Obama administration’s $825 billion stimulus package includes a three-year extension of a key production tax credit that has spurred the wind industry’s expansion. But given the dearth of investors with tax liabilities willing to invest in wind projects in exchange for the credits, the stimulus is unlikely to be stimulating to the industry unless the tax credit is made refundable to developers.

The U.S. wind industry is dominated by European wind developers and turbine makers - General Electric (GE) and Clipper are the only two domestic turbine manufacturers - and those companies’ fortunes rise and fall with the global economy. As the U.S. market has boomed, European companies have been moving production close to their customers - the percentage of domestically manufactured wind turbine components rose from 30% to 50% between 2005 and 2008, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

We've Arrived at a Moment of Decision

by Al Gore

My opening statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday: 1/28/09

We are here today to talk about how we as Americans and how the United States of America as part of the global community should address the dangerous and growing threat of the climate crisis.

We have arrived at a moment of decision. Our home - Earth - is in grave danger. What is at risk of being destroyed is not the planet itself, of course, but the conditions that have made it hospitable for human beings.

Moreover, we must face up to this urgent and unprecedented threat to the existence of our civilization at a time when our country must simultaneously solve two other worsening crises. Our economy is in its deepest recession since the 1930s. And our national security is endangered by a vicious terrorist network and the complex challenge of ending the war in Iraq honorably while winning the military and political struggle in Afghanistan.

As we search for solutions to all three of these challenges, it is becoming clearer that they are linked by a common thread - our dangerous over-reliance on carbon-based fuels. As long as we continue to send hundreds of billions of dollars for foreign oil - year after year - to the most dangerous and unstable regions of the world, our national security will continue to be at risk.

As long as we continue to allow our economy to remain shackled to the OPEC rollercoaster of rising and falling oil prices, our jobs and our way of life will remain at risk.

Moreover, as the demand for oil worldwide grows rapidly over the longer term, even as the rate of new discoveries is falling, it is increasingly obvious that the roller coaster is headed for a crash. And we're in the front car.

Most importantly, as long as we continue to depend on dirty fossil fuels like coal and oil to meet our energy needs, and dump 70 million tons of global warming pollution into the thin shell of atmosphere surrounding our planet, we move closer and closer to several dangerous tipping points which scientists have repeatedly warned - again just yesterday - will threaten to make it impossible for us to avoid irretrievable destruction of the conditions that make human civilization possible on this planet.

We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that's got to change.

For years our efforts to address the growing climate crisis have been undermined by the idea that we must choose between our planet and our way of life; between our moral duty and our economic well being. These are false choices. In fact, the solutions to the climate crisis are the very same solutions that will address our economic and national security crises as well.

In order to repower our economy, restore American economic and moral leadership in the world and regain control of our destiny, we must take bold action now.

The first step is already before us. I urge this Congress to quickly pass the entirety of President Obama's Recovery package. The plan's unprecedented and critical investments in four key areas - energy efficiency, renewables, a unified national energy grid and the move to clean cars - represent an important down payment and are long overdue. These crucial investments will create millions of new jobs and hasten our economic recovery - while strengthening our national security and beginning to solve the climate crisis.

Quickly building our capacity to generate clean electricity will lay the groundwork for the next major step needed: placing a price on carbon. If Congress acts right away to pass President Obama's Recovery package and then takes decisive action this year to institute a cap-and-trade system for CO2 emissions - as many of our states and many other countries have already done - the United States will regain its credibility and enter the Copenhagen treaty talks with a renewed authority to lead the world in shaping a fair and effective treaty. And this treaty must be negotiated this year.
Not next year. This year.

A fair, effective and balanced treaty will put in place the global architecture that will place the world - at long last and in the nick of time - on a path toward solving the climate crisis and securing the future of human civilization.

I am hopeful that this can be achieved. Let me outline for you the basis for the hope and optimism that I feel.

The Obama administration has already signaled a strong willingness to regain U.S.leadership on the global stage in the treaty talks, reversing years of inaction. This is critical to success in Copenhagen and is clearly a top priority of the administration.

Developing countries that were once reluctant to join in the first phases of a global response to the climate crisis have themselves now become leaders in demanding action and in taking bold steps on their own initiatives. Brazil has proposed an impressive new plan to halt the destructive deforestation in that nation. Indonesia has emerged as a new constructive force in the talks. And China's leaders have gained a strong understanding of the need for action and have already begun important new initiatives.

Heads of state from around the world have begun to personally engage on this issue and forward-thinking corporate leaders have made this a top priority.

More and more Americans are paying attention to the new evidence and fresh warnings from scientists. There is a much broader consensus on the need for action than there was when President George H.W. Bush negotiated - and the Senate ratified - the Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 and much stronger support for action than when we completed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

The elements that I believe are key to a successful agreement in Copenhagen include:

- Strong targets and timetables from industrialized countries and differentiated butbinding commitments from developing countries that put the entire world under a system with one commitment: to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and otherglobal warming pollutants that cause the climate crisis;

- The inclusion of deforestation, which alone accounts for twenty percent of the emissions that cause global warming;

- The addition of sinks including those from soils, principally from farmlands and grazing lands with appropriate methodologies and accounting. Farmers and ranchers in the U.S. and around the world need to know that they can be part of the solution;

- The assurance that developing countries will have access to mechanisms and resources that will help them adapt to the worst impacts of the climate crisis and technologies to solve the problem; and,

- A strong compliance and verification regime.

The road to Copenhagen is not easy, but we have traversed this ground before. We have negotiated the Montreal Protocol, a treaty to protect the ozone layer, and strengthened it to the point where we have banned most of the major substances that create the ozone hole over Antarctica. And we did it with bipartisan support. President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill joined hands to lead the way.

The Plan: Repower America

America faces unprecedented economic, environmental and national security challenges. We urgently need new jobs, stable energy prices, and freedom from dirty fossil fuels and global warming pollution.

Finally, there’s a solution as big as our problems: a bold plan to Repower America with 100% clean electricity within 10 years.

First described in a speech in July by Al Gore, Repower America means new industries with high-paying jobs. It means lower energy costs. It means replacing coal and foreign oil with clean domestic sources. It is a vital step toward protecting the environment and solving the climate crisis.

How do we do it?
Immediately commence a clean energy plan that includes efficiency, generation, transmission, and transportation.

Energy Efficiency: A national upgrade to eliminate waste, save money, and improve comfort. Make every bit of energy we produce work harder for us.

Renewable Generation: Accelerate the ramp-up of clean, renewable electricity sources through policies that support increased private and public investment in technologies that work, like wind, solar, and geothermal.

Unified National Smart Grid: Modernize transmission infrastructure so that clean electricity generated anywhere in America can power homes and businesses across the nation; Build national electricity 'interstates' that move power quickly and cheaply to where it is needed; Establish local smart grids that buy and sell power from households and support clean plug-in cars.

Automobiles: Transition to efficient plug-in cars that 'fuel' with clean electricity. In combination with the unified grid, a nationwide fleet of plug-in vehicles also provides a key source of electricity storage.

The Analysis
What does it mean that all electricity generation within 10 years will be met only by zero-carbon sources of power? The We Campaign, with assistance and advice from dozens of energy experts, assessed the potential for meeting electricity demand from a combination of well-understood sources. See the analysis here.

AERO EV Fastest Electric Car Revealed!

by Jorge Chapa

Shelby Supercars first raised eyebrows several months ago with claims of building “the first 100% Green Supercar to achieve speeds never before seen”. Well, it seems like those details are starting to formalize and they are just as outlandish as previously thought. According to Shelby, the Ultimate Aero EV will be able to produce over 1,000 horsepower that will power the vehicle from 0-60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds!

To say that Shelby Supercars are trying to beat Tesla would be an understatement. Not only are they vying for the title of fastest vehicle electric ever, they are also claiming that their vehicle’s battery will be able to be charged in less than 10 minutes and will provide around 150 miles on a charge (presumably not while traveling at the top speed of 208mph).

Despite these incredible statistics, what Shelby is really excited about is their powertrain package. The AESP (All-Electric Scalable Powertrain) is designed for scalability. According to Shelby, the AESP technology is scalable, able to be modified easily to go from 200 horsepower, all the way to 1200 horspower. This can allow the same technology to be applied to a number of different vehicles, from mid-size cars, all the way to buses. Needless to say, Shelby hopes that this powertrain technology makes it into the electric vehicles

Governors Island Envisioned as Eco-Park

by Daniel Flahiff

New York’s Governor’s Island is set to receive an incredible set of renovations that will transform the 172-acre plot of decaying Coast Guard structures into a stunning eco-park. Designed by West 8, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Rogers Marvel Architects, the project is a hybrid of landscape and architecture based around a sinuous set of new paths, watercourses, restaurants, aquaria and even complimentary wooden bicycles. Slated for completion in 2012, the ambitious, new and improved Governors Island will incorporate a host of environmentally friendly features.



Sold to the city and state for $1 in 2003, Governor’s Island is set become the site of one of New York City’s greenest destinations. Diller Scofidio + Renfro say the plan “uses the man made topography of lower Manhattan as a starting point; the southern tip of the island is transformed into an artificial landscape with hills constructed of reclaimed materials from existing Governors Island buildings. As the new topography approaches the Western edge of the island, it transforms into EPDM-covered greenhouse structures, programmed as botanical and aquatic research centers.”

The proposal also features a Marine Exploration Center that consists of a set of off-shore “programmed structures” including a coastal plant greenhouse, marine life tank, vertical reef, and two restaurants. “Off-shore programmed structures emerge like bubbles from the water, moving with the tides…” say Diller Scofidio + Renfro, “The Oyster Restaurant floating directly across the harbor from the Statue of Liberty is an inflated sphere, 150′ in diameter, anchored by a man-made oyster reef. Rather than focusing its gaze on the world, it turns to the ecology of the local, allowing guests to eat the site by serving foods from the Hudson and the harbor.”

As visitors head to the southern tip of the island, they will encounter a “Vertical Landscape” of man-made mountains that will incorporate recreational, cultural, and educational functions. Though still in the development stage, features may include snack bars, exhibits, a funicular, and caves for spelunking. West 8 partner Jerry van Eyck says: “We wanted to give it the attitude of a national park, one with primal nature, robustness, where you don’t feel the hand of man.”



Last but certainly not least, complimentary wood bicycles—designed by the architects themselves—will be provided for visitors to cruise the winding paths of the park. Attractions accessible by bike will include the tidal basin, the planned 10,000 seat amphitheater, and a perimeter promenade with killer views of the city and its legendary landmarks. Given the stunning design, recreational and educational opportunities the park will provide, not to mention the tourist dollars it will generate, Governors Island may prove to be the best $1 investment the city has ever made.

Schwarzenegger Asks Obama For More Auto Emissions Rules

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't waiting to press the Obama administration on one of California's top priorities regulating greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles.

The Republican governor sent a letter to the new Democratic president on Wednesday, asking him to give California and other states permission to implement tough tailpipe-emission standards.

"Your administration has a unique opportunity to both support the pioneering leadership of these states and move America toward global leadership on addressing climate change," Schwarzenegger wrote.

He wants the Environmental Protection Agency to reverse a 2007 conclusion by the Bush administration that states do not have authority to impose greenhouse gas standards for new cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The Bush administration argued that such goals can be met only by regulating fuel-efficiency standards, which falls under the authority of the federal government.

Obama has vowed to revisit the decision, a promise echoed last week by his nominee for EPA administrator. Lisa Jackson awaits Senate confirmation.

The EPA referred a call Wednesday to Obama's transition team, which declined comment.

It's unclear how long it might take the new administration to review the matter. In a separate letter to Jackson, California's top air pollution official said the agency could fast-track a public rule-making process that often can take up to a year.

Air Resources Board chairwoman Mary Nichols wrote that the EPA already has an "ample record" to help it reconsider the Bush administration decision.

California is seeking a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act that would allow it to impose stiffer air pollution standards than the federal government. It first asked for a waiver in 2005 to implement a 2002 state law intended to cut vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions.

The law, which was supposed to take effect this year, requires automakers to cut emissions by nearly a third by 2016. Thirteen other states have passed similar laws, while three more are considering California's standards, according to the California air board. Federal law allows states to choose between federal and California clean-air rules.

The Bush administration's ruling marked the first time the EPA fully denied California a waiver under the Clean Air Act since Congress gave the state the right to obtain such waivers in 1967.

Democrats in Congress accused the administration of political meddling after reports indicated staff scientists at the EPA supported giving California a waiver.

The auto regulations are a key part of California's strategy to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. The state is the world's 12th largest producer of the emissions, which are blamed for contributing to global climate change.

Light Lane - Altitude’s Alex Tee & Evan Gant

A close brush with a distracted driver is enough to intimidate the most avid bikers from riding at night. The problem isn’t just about visibility, as safety lights are effective at capturing the attention of a driver. However, these lights are typically constrained to the bike frame, which highlights only a fraction of the bike’s envelope. Bike lanes have proven to be an effective method of protecting cyclists on congested roads.

One key is that the lane establishes a well defined boundary beyond the envelope of the bicycle, providing a greater margin of safety between the car and the cyclist. Yet, only a small fraction of streets have dedicated bike lanes, and with an installation cost of $5,000 to $50,000 per mile, we shouldn’t expect to find them everywhere anytime soon.

Instead of adapting cycling to established bike lanes, the bike lane should adapt to the cyclists. This is the idea behind the LightLane. Our system projects a crisply defined virtual bike lane onto pavement, using a laser, providing the driver with a familiar boundary to avoid. With a wider margin of safety, bikers will regain their confidence to ride at night, making the bike a more viable commuting alternative.

Wind power jobs double in EU by 2020 -study

Sourced from the Thomson Reuters Carbon Markets Community

Employment in the wind power industry will more than double in the European Union to around 330,000 in 2020, according to a report issued on Tuesday.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) also called for greater investment in the renewable energy sector as governments seek to stimulate economic recovery.
"Wind power not only has the potential to satisfy the increasing electricity demand in a sustainable manner, it is also a significant and vital stimulus to economies," EWEA Chief Executive Christian Kjaer said.

About 12 percent of European Union electricity is expected to come from wind power by 2020 as part of the bloc's plan to fight climate change and to curb dependence on imports of gas and oil from exporters like Russia.

"Russia plays with the taps every New Year," said Kjaer. "It's not going to get any easier, and we can't carry on handing all this wealth to a handful of fossil fuel exporting nations."

The wind energy sector directly employed 108,600 people in 2007, with 59 percent of them in turbine and component manufacturing and the rest largely in installation, maintenance, project development and research, the EWEA report said. A further 42,700 people were indirectly employed.

Germany, Spain and Denmark, home to several companies that pioneered the technology, have benefited from three-quarters of this employment, much of it focused in areas like Denmark's Esbjerg and Spain's Navarre region.

Kjaer predicted the sector would be one of the first to emerge from the current economic crisis, as it provided an attractive risk profile for investors who recently lost money on risky investments.

"There will be a market for medium-risk, medium-return investments, and that's where the wind sector is," he said.

China’s Miyi Tower Purifies Polluted River

by Daniel Flahiff

Riding the wave of new development in China, Studio SHIFT recently won a competition to design a fantastic new landmark in Miyi County. Miyi Tower will sit on the edge of the Anning river as a symbol of the new face of Sichuan provence. The tower’s most striking feature is its whimsical latticework skin, which suffuses the structure with daylight and “evokes the shimmering surface of the river below.” This connection is reinforced by the project’s goal of filtering and transforming the polluted Anning river into a lush landscape of wetlands, lakes, leisure and agricultural areas.

Los Angeles based Studio SHIFT and SWA Group were selected to create a master plan for the developing area of New South Town in Sichuan Provence. The northern section will include a new high-density residential and cultural hub devoted to regional arts while the southern section will transform the highly-polluted Anning river into a viable ecosystem. The design will utilize natural and mechanical filtration to turn what was once an environmental liability into an a significant community and cultural asset.

Bridging these two new developments, the Miyi Tower will rise from the southern end of a kilometer-long promenade consisting of, “a series of parks and public spaces designed by SWA Group to highlight accessibility to the river. [The promenade] then tapers between rising paths which form the amphitheater at the tower’s base. The paths converge and then continue as a bridge across the river and as an overlook affording views of reclaimed wetlands and the lake beyond.” Taking advantage of the area’s temperate location, the new tower will alternate floors that are open-to-the-elements and enclosed, providing unique views of the area on each level.

The Miyi Tower itself will be a state-of-the-art community space providing a multitude of educational, entertainment and community programs aimed at promoting the region’s heritage and natural amenities. Ambitiously redefining the term multi-use, the tower will feature “an auditorium, exhibition spaces and restaurants featuring local cuisine on the interior while open-air floors are used as event spaces, gardens and an observation deck. The pairs of lower and upper enclosed spaces are joined by structures which act as light monitors. These light monitors, of which there is a third at the highest level, are aligned to take advantage of different lighting conditions throughout the day. The tower is sheathed in a very porous yet continuous skin that gives the various programs their unified form. As porous building skins are often treated as opaque modules with subtracted holes (i.e. perforated skins) Studio SHIFT deliberately created the inverse.“

Congratulations to Studio SHIFT and SWA and all involved with this terrific project.

Be Obama!

by Sharrieff Ali

I would be remiss if I didn’t take this time to share my personal thoughts about
Barack H. Obama’s historic oath of office.

A time whose man has come.

As an African American male born on the crest of the 1960’s watching yesterday’s spectacle of the historic moment and subsequent realization of just how far we truly have traveled as a country, oh yes, we have arrived, it brought true joy to the hearts of many, and my one heart was filled as it has never been filled before.

Our new President ushers in a renewed sense of ourselves, a belief in our ability to lift up from the depths of despair and broken promises. We live in a time of failed character in America and the world as a whole.



The poet asked…..are we War? ..or are we Love? These questions are so very personal to my life as I look around at the relationships I find near and dear. We are so quick to push each other away than use the option of faith and kindness. We have conditioned ourselves to believe that we are dispensable to one and other yet no man is an island, we are in need of a spiritual re-foundation.

Our new President called for each and every American to become the hope, embrace love, conserve, reserve, find fortitude, and humanity. No..we will not be broken.

We are responsible and bear the full weight of our actions each day we live. The dharma, the karma, the way forward is paved with righteous cause and thoughtful action.

I pledge to be the hope that I seek. I pledge to be the “Obama” in me.

..and yes..hold me accountable.

The "O" Presidential Pledge

Hollywood heavyweights made their pledges to Barack Obama in the video above.

Directed and edited by Demi Moore, it features celebrity pledges by Cameron Diaz, Hayden Panetierre, Laura Linney, Dakota Fanning, Jaime Pressley, Ashlee Simpson, Nicole Richie, Ashton Kutcher, Tobey Maguire, Diddy, Alyssa Milano, Marisa Tomei, Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette, and others.

Reflecting Barack's call for change, the film features over 50 of the biggest stars in Hollywood revealing how they plan to personally participate in keeping America strong, proud and green. The clip will be presented to our new President during his inaugural celebration.



"There's an assumption that this one man is going to take on his new job full-time and somehow wave a magic wand of change, and I don't believe that to be true," Ashton tells Reuters. "I think that we have to be the leaders, and that's not celebrities--I think that we as citizens have to be leaders of the movement that we want to create."

Green Threads for Inauguration!

by Abigail Doan

It is with much anticipation that we are waiting to usher in this era of change with President-elect Obama’s inauguration on Tuesday, January 20. All eyes will be on the Obama family (new puppy included) as they begin their reign in Washington, D.C. and beyond.

Some of us are hoping for a bountiful organic garden on the White House lawn, thanks to The WhoFarm.org, or a newly-created green collar job. Michelle Obama, First Lady to-be, is already under close scrutiny in terms of how she will spend her days at the White House and balance her poised lawyer self with diplomatic demands.

Global fashionistas have been speculating about what Michelle Obama will be wearing to the inaugural festivities, and given her maverick attitude, we, too, are excited to see if she opts for some eco-chic sparkle for the historic day. Below we’ve picked out some stunning eco outfits for Michelle - read on and let us know which you think would look best on her!

We have no doubt that Michelle Obama will be an amazing asset to the day-to-day White House team and a stylish trendsetter to boot. The nation’s new fashion icon has been known to support up-and-coming designers like CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund participants Thakoon and Jason Wu. We thought it would also be pretty fabulous if she started stocking her carefully-curated wardrobe with some eco-chic pieces that would look totally stunning on her.

Sustainable style will continue to be all about eco-friendly choices and informed use of the pocket-book as we move forward collectively. Given the new First Lady’s high-profile role and a watchful international audience, eco-fashion would be a great style choice for her not only for Tuesday’s historic inauguration day, but as a bold new look for a woman who exemplifies change and solution-focused thinking for the challenges that lie ahead.

Luxim NEW! brighter PLASMA Lighting

2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan

President-elect Obama has committed to economic recovery, energy independence, carbon-neutral buildings by 2030 and an 80% reduction in US greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Architecture 2030 has developed a groundbreaking economic stimulus plan that, with a single investment, simultaneously addresses all of these issues. Edward Mazria and Kristina Kershner presented the 2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan last week to policymakers and industry leaders in the Nation’s Capitol where the Plan is now gathering steam. The 2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan takes a very focused approach, strategically inserting scarce investment dollars into the economy, so as to get the widest range of benefits. With a federal investment of $96.235 billion each year for two years, the Plan will:in just two years, create at least 9.297 million new jobs and create a new $1.77 trillion renovation market and in just five years, save consumers $132 to 208 billion, reduce CO2 emissions by 504.47 Million Metric Tons, reduce energy consumption by 6.47 Quadrillion Btu, save 1.95 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and save 90 million barrels of oil.

The Plan accomplishes all of this and more using a simple, equitable approach that integrates a mortgage buy-down program for residential buildings and an accelerated-depreciation program for commercial buildings with the energy efficiency targets of the 2030 Challenge (see excerpt in the box below). By tying stimulus funding to the 2030 Challenge targets, the Plan both revitalizes the US economy and incentivizes the necessary shift to an energy-efficient, clean-energy economy. This powerful and comprehensive Plan benefits all Americans, no matter what income level or location in the country.

The new demand for energy efficiency upgrades and infusion of capital will create over 9 million new jobs, including a new $1.77 trillion renovation market that will put the construction industry back to work immediately. Due to the large number of products and services involved, the investment in the Building Sector would be spread across the entire US and across all industries (from steel, insulation and caulking to mechanical, electrical and solar equipment, glass, wood, metals, tile, fabrics and paint) and all sectors (from design, engineering, banking and development to manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail and distribution).In addition, the $132 to 208 billion in consumer mortgage and energy savings will provide much-needed disposable income to fuel economic growth. Also, the reductions in energy consumption, CO2 emissions, natural gas and oil will put the country on the path to energy independence and signal our commitment to addressing climate change.

The ‘icing on the cake’ is that the cost of the Plan will be paid back each year through the new tax base created by the new jobs.Separately, Architecture 2030 has also called for updating the National Model Building Energy Codes to achieve overall energy savings, compared to the 2006 IECC for residential buildings and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 for commercial buildings, of at least: 30% by 2010, 50% by 2016 and 75% by 2022, reaching carbon neutral in 2030. The 2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan bridges the gap between 2009 and the implementation of the updated National Codes in 2011. While addressing the country’s immediate needs, it builds a foundation of experience and momentum that will ease the transition to the updated Codes that will transform the US Building Sector by 2030.

Investing in the Building Sector is the only investment that can accomplish all of these objectives.The simplicity of the 2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan, and its ability to have such a wide-ranging positive and immediate impact, has garnered a lot of attention on the Hill.

The Plan is now being reviewed by the Transition Team.For further information, contact:Kristina Kershner, DirectorArchitecture 2030 kershner@architecture2030.org

ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability Revitalizes Old Building

by Evelyn Lee

Old bequeaths new in the form of Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability, situated in the campus’ beautifully renovated former Nursing Building. Conceived by Lord, Aeck & Sargent along with Gould Evans Associates, the $6 million renovation included asbestos abatement and standard modernization for classroom use along with a bundle of environmentally and sustainable enhancements. Their innovation turned a once dreary, old and dark building into a new institute filled with enough daylight to inspire its new inhabitants as they look for ways to improve the environment, the economy, and the social challenges we all face today.

One of the most obvious sustainable additions to the building is its six wind turbines that are mounted along the eastern edge of the roof. Each of the turbines is powered by thermal updrafts (it is located in Arizona after all) and provides 1,000 watts of power directly into the Arizona Public Service Grid. More energy generating capabilities will be added next year with the installation of a 24-killowatt photovoltaic solar array. Other sustainable additions include the generous use of recycled content throughout the building in the form of insulation, countertops, and even furniture along with the light sensors, an automated landscape irrigation system, and pervious paving to control storm water runoff.

With energy savings of more than 18% and more than a 50% reduction in water use, the building has its site set on attaining LEED Silver upon completion. Being the first institute of its kind to offer transdiciplinary degree programs geared at finding solutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges, the new home for Global Institute of Sustainability is making its mark and proving that re-invigorating something

Student Invents Solar-Powered Fridge helps poverty-stricken Africans

by Daniel Flahiff

Proving once again that the best ideas are often the simplest, 21-year-old student/inventor/entrepreneur Emily Cummins has designed a brilliant portable solar-powered refrigerator that works based upon the principle of evaporation. Employing a combination of conduction and convection, the refrigerator requires no electricity and can be made from commonly available materials like cardboard, sand, and recycled metal.

Simply place perishable foods or temperature-sensitive medications in the solar refrigerator’s interior metal chamber and seal it. In-between the inner and outer chamber, organic material like sand, wool or soil is then saturated with water. As the sun warms the organic material, water evaporates, reducing the temperature of the inner chamber to a cool, 6 ºC [43 ºF] for days at a time!

After winning £5,000 from York Merchant Adventurers for her idea, Emily delayed going to college for a year to take her refrigerator to Africa for further development. She made six versions during the initial phase of production and helped make more than 50 during the trip where locals in Namibia nicknamed her “The Fridge Lady“. The refrigerator has since rolled out in Zambia, Namibia and South Africa and Emily believes thousands more may be in use as the design passes from community to community through word-of-mouth.

Emily explained: “I set about looking at how I could make a sustainable version after asking people what luxury they couldn’t live without and one of the answers that kept coming up was ‘fridge’…I wanted to keep it really simple and so I set about researching how we cooled things years ago. The simplest method of cooling something could be seen when you look at how we cool biologically—through sweating or evaporation. That idea led me to the design and the fridge was born.”

Emily has been inventing from an early age - she received her first hammer at the tender age of four from her grandfather who was an engineer, and she soon set to work making toys and rabbit hutches. At 16 Emily won a regional Young Engineer for Britain Award for creating a toothpaste squeezer for people with arthritis, and the next year went on to win a Sustainable Design Award for a water-carrier made from wood and rubber tubing. In 2007 Emily was named the British Female Innovator of the Year, and last year was short-listed for Cosmopolitan’s 2008 Ultimate Women of the Year Competition.

“I do want to use my skills to make a difference,” Emily says. “I’m not interested in making a bigger TV or greater sound system. I want to create change for the better.” Well said. We know we’ll hear much more from Emily in the future.

6 Ways to Green Your Range

By Josh Peterson
These simple steps can help you reduce energy use when you cook your meals.

My diet consists mostly of frozen pizzas purchased at Trader Joe's. I probably eat three to five frozen pizzas a week. I've even started eating vegetarian pizza a few times a week in order to cut down on my meat intake. Not having a microwave or a toaster oven, my stove is my go-to guy when it comes to frozen pizza preparing. Cutting down on meat is one way that I try to help the planet, but I often wondered if there was anything I could do to make my stove/oven greener.

Here's what I've found out.

Turn off the Oven Early
There is no need to blast your stove on high the entire time your pizza is in there. You can cook the food in the oven's residual heat. Turn off your oven about ten minutes early to save energy.

Bake Several Dishes at Once
Let's say you have three dishes that need baked. Baking them all at once is a great way to conserve energy. You can cook three dishes for the electrical or gas price of one.

Clean Your Oven the Eco-Friendly Way
Don' t clean your oven with crazy, killer chemicals that can quash the quality of your indoor air. Here's an eco-friendly recipe for an oven cleaner by Natural Blends.

1/4 cup of borax, 1/4 cup hot water, 1/4 cup bicarb soda, 5 drops of rosemary essential oil and 5 drops of lime essential oil.

Apply elbow grease as needed.

Match the Pan to the Burner
According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, a 6 inch pan on an 8 inch burner wastes 40% of the energy produced by the burner.

Use Sturdy and flat-bottomed pan
A warped pan can use up 50% more energy than a flat-bottomed one.

Buy pans made of copper and cookware made of glass
Copper heats up faster than other metals and reduce the amount of energy that you need to cook. Glass and ceramic cookware heats faster than other materials in the oven.

Sierra Club Celebrities "Thank You" to Obama

Some of the Sierra Club's BFFs in the entertainment industry got together to make this video to congratulate President-Elect Obama and thank him for the extraordinary leadership he has already demonstrated on environmental issues. But the video is more than just an ode to the awesomeness of the President-Elect. The Hollywood heavyweights -- including Pierce Brosnan (who is indeed a US citizen), Edward Olmos, Tamara Feldman, Missy Higgins, and Wilmer Valderrama, among others -- also bring up substantive policy issues that Barack Obama can begin addressing on day one in order to tackle global warming and start making the clean energy future a reality.

We're inviting the public to send their own comments to President-Elect Obama and then urge him to enact the Clean Slate Agenda. The Clean Slate Agenda is four things Obama can do on right away on day one to chart a new course on global warming and kick the clean energy economy into high gear:

1. He can end the rush to build new coal plants by directing his EPA to require all new power plants to limit their global warming emissions.
2. He can direct his EPA to approve plans by 18 states to require clean cars.
3. He can direct his EPA to end mountaintop removal mining by stopping coal companies from dumping rock and waste into valleys and streams.
4. He can restore America's international leadership in the fight to end global warming by publicly committing the US to cut its CO2 emissions at least 35% by 2020.

New York to Require Bike Storage in Residences

By TOM TOPOUSIS

City planners will be peddling an ambitious proposal today to create the nation's most rigorous bicycle-parking rules.

And unlike other recent construction requirements, this one - mandating that all new residential buildings and commercial towers include storage space for bicycles - actually has the tacit support of developers.

The proposal, which will be presented to industry insiders at the Center of Architecture, mirrors a trend among residential developers already trying to cater to tenants who want to bike to work.

"We have no problem with the concept of having new buildings provide an appropriate amount of bike-storage space," said Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, which was consulted by city planners.

But Spinola said he was concerned about the minimum amount of space required to be set aside for a bike-storage room, which he said could vary depending on the neighborhood. He said he was hopeful the city would add flexibility to the rules.

"If you compare the Upper East Side to Battery Park City, are you going to have the same number of people biking? We suggested that the minimum be lowered," Spinola said.

The proposal would apply only to new construction.

Apartment buildings would have to provide one indoor bike-parking space for every two apartments. Office towers would have to create one bike space for every 7,500 square feet of space - about 100 to 200 bikes for a typical Manhattan office tower.

"The lack of a long-term place to park your bike at work or at home is the single largest impediment to commuting by bicycle," said City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden.

The bike-parking proposal, a zoning ordinance that requires approval by the City Council, is a key part of the Bloomberg administration's goal to double bike commuting by 2015.

The proposal, first unveiled in November, has received the support so far of 15 of the city's Community Boards.

The Planning Commission is to hold a hearing on the rules next month. The plan is expected to go before the City Council this spring.

Global Warming..Instigator of World War IV?

Global warming is the cause of a number of damaging effects to the earth and its inhabitants, such as climate change, glacier retreat, rising sea levels, and now we may have a new threat on the horizon... world war! According to the 2007 CNA Corporation report, there is clear indication that as the tensions of global warming continue to heat up, so may the possibilities of war... a Hot War!

There are two obvious factors which will be the cause of the increasing threat of a World War IV (some military historians believe that WWIII has already occurred):

1.Crowding and Territorial Tensions- The number one cause of such tensions will be the migration of different cultures to other territories in search of new resources to replace the increasingly depleting ones. Not only will many cultures find their resources disappearing, but the rising sea level will cover over parts of much of the land, minimizing usable farm area, fresh water, and cattle herds. In some cases, entire islands may become submerged.
Instead of allowing their sovereignty to disappear along with their dry ground, many of these endangered cultures will choose to battle with nearby countries in order to set-up their governments and house their citizens upon alternative soil. Inevitably larger powers will become a part of such squabbles and before you know it, we've got a world war on our hands.

2.Competition of Newly Habitable Lands- The opposite scenario of crowding may also occur as the open space around the Arctic regions becomes available due to the increased air temperatures. As these uninhabitable areas become habitable for the first time in history, competition from the various coastal countries and islands who have lost their native homeland will become fierce.

In addition to the smaller powers, larger world powers who previously ignored such land will eventually see the profit potential of such areas and involve themselves in the competition. The large nations will be less interested in the usable space and more keen on the possibility of exploiting the relatively untapped oil resources of these areas for strategic economic positioning.
While this may seem like a gloomy outlook, the truth is that it is still only an outlook. There are steps the various countries and governments can take in order to reduce the possibilities of such an outcome.

Steps to Reduce the Possibility of Hot Wars: The first thing we need to do as a nation is concentrate on reducing our own pollution levels. Each country has the most control over itself and its citizens and should therefore be held accountable for its own actions.

Beyond that, each government needs to open communications with each other in order to help incorporate pollution reduction programs and technologies into every nations lifestyle around the world. Such a plan would help make current efforts more effective by not only producing awareness on a global level, but providing a consistent plan for all to follow.

Unfortunately, what could be called the new 'Hot War' threat is just as real and dangerous as the Cold War ever was. The greatest danger however remains in the fact that many people still refuse to recognize its presence in the world no matter how much proof they are shown.

Let's all hope that the world becomes wise long before the strategy of war becomes our last resort.

10 Green Home Improvement Resolutions

By Josh Peterson

Most of us made resolutions on January 1st. We'll vow to quit smoking, lose weight, go to church regularly, stop drinking and to quit loafing. Most of these resolutions will be forgotten or discarded after a few weeks, and we will find ourselves back on the smokes, cakes, football, booze or the couch.

Why not make some resolutions now that will help you lower your carbon footprint and increase the energy-efficiency of your home throughout the winter and for years to come. You know what they say, "If you can't change yourself, you can at least change the environment in which you live." Nobody actually says that, but I am sure they will once they learn about these 10 green home improvement resolutions.

Resolution One: HeatingThe number one source of energy consumption in the wintertime is heating. Your first resolution should be to replace your inefficient heating system. If your furnace is over twenty years old, you should think about investing in a new one. Find a contractor who has experience with energy-efficient heating systems. He should be able to calculate your home's heat loss and prescribe the proper heater for it. Make sure to purchase an Energy Star heater.

Resolution Two: Improve Furnace EfficiencyYou may have a top-of-the-line furnace, but it can always stand to be tweaked for further efficiency. The easiest way to do this is to keep your filters clean, close off rooms you do not use and keep baseboards and registers clear. Make sure that drapes don't hang in front of vents. Also, you might want to invest in sealing your ducts if not already sealed. This can reduce heat loss by twenty percent.

Resolution Three: Improve Your InsulationWhen you hire that contractor, have him recommend the insulation that is best for your climate. Insulating spray foam and cellulose insulation are great ways to insulate the attic of your home without undergoing a complete renovation.

Resolution Four: Improve Your WindowsYour windows are also a source of wintertime heat loss. The best but most expensive thing to do would be to replace them with double or triple pane windows. Make sure the cracks between window and house are sealed tightly. Hanging blackout curtains is a cheap way to keep warm. These curtains can reduce heat loss by 25%. A loose window pane can be fixed with little muss.

Resolution Five: Improve Your DoorsAny place a hole is punched in the thermal envelope of your house is a great place to look to for improvements. You can replace your old garage door with an insulated version. Garages are tremendous energy sucks, rarely built with efficiency in mind. Put weather stripping around your doors and windows to keep the cold air from coming in the crack. You can also purchase thick insulated doors for a few hundred dollars. These doors, like the garage doors, are filled with polystyrene.

Resolution Six: Improve Your Thermal EnvelopeWarm air can escape through even the tiniest of holes. The electrical outlet is no exception. Foam insulating gaskets can easily stop this problem. An old fireplace may still have a cast iron flue damper. These flue dampers aren't known for being energy efficient. It might be time to upgrade to a modern damper. They can reduce heat loss by 90% when compared to the old-school cast iron models. Glass doors on the fireplace can also save energy.

Resolution Seven: Improve Your Water HeaterNow that you're all cozy and warm, you'll want to make sure that you have plenty of hot showers for those cold winter days. Water heaters can last about 15 years max. Replace your model with an Energy Star model. Also, you can put an insulating jacket around the tank. This has the potential to eliminate heat loss by 40%. Your water should be set at 120 degrees and make sure to insulate your hot water pipes as well as the length of pipe that leads into the heater.

Resolution Eight: Install A Programmable ThermostatA programmable thermostat can save fifteen percent on your heating bills. On top of the monetary savings, it is good for the environment. While you are at work during the day, your heater will turn completely off or go down to the lowest setting to, you know, keep your goldfish and other fragile things warm.

Resolution Nine: Invest in a Pellet StoveTired of not having a fireplace? Why not get something better? Burn your bio-trash to stay warm. Spend the day roasting chestnuts on an open fire at Grandma's house. Spend the evening roasting chestnut shells for warmth in your pellet stove. Pellet stoves are a bit pricey, but they are cleaner than log-burning stoves, pump out the grip of warmth and put bio-waste to good use.

Resolution Ten: Go SolarThe best way to power your furnace and your water heater is with solar power. Solar power packages are expensive, but you don't have to buy them all at once. You can start with a converter and work your way off the grid. Each time you install a solar panel, you will eventually save money on it. Being that it is wintertime, the best solar investment may be evacuated tubes. These tubes are marvelous solar collectors that work even in cold and overcast climates.

Electric Mini Coopers?

By Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canadaon

BMW has announced that it would make 500 (at least) electric versions of the MINI and lease them in California. We had the chance to test-drive one in New York City.

A couple of weeks ago we announced that applications were open for the MINI E field trial —by the way, the deadline for which has been extended to December 24th—and I for one was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t participate as I have no garage to install the car charging system. Now that I’ve had a chance to drive one, very briefly and in Manhattan traffic and rain, I’m even more disappointed that I can't participate.

Check out this short video clip in which Uli Ploeckl shows myself and Graham Hill (that disembodied voice behind the camera for most of the clip) some of the features of the car, and my perhaps enthusiastic reactions as we rush up the Henry Hudson parkway. Obviously not a thorough test, but it was really fun.


Photo credits: MINI USA


MINI E is a True CooperThe in a nutshell conclusion: The MINI E feels just like a gasoline powered MINI in terms of fit and finish; acceleration feels very impressive (a result of the electric engine delivery full torque essentially immediately) and is certainly more than adequate for normal driving; handling was very much in line with previous Coopers; the one slightly strange thing to get use to is that when you take your foot off the accelerator the car immediately starts slowing down, there’s no feeling of coasting.

In such a short time we didn’t get a chance to test the charge time or battery drain, so I can't comment on that crucial aspect of the car. Can’t wait until the tech gets worked out so that there’s proper storage in the car (such as a regular MINI has anyway...).
Mini E Won’t See Commercial Production, Field Trial Results Destined For 2010 Electric BMW

A BMW spokesperson was quoted “As the rear seats and cargo carrying space are lost [because of the battery pack], the MINI is not a candidate for mass production,” said a BMW spokesman. He said that the drivetrain is likely to appear on the 5-Series or 7-Series. The new electric-system will also find its way under the hood of the 3-Series and the X1 and X3 SUVs.

California’s Largest Solar Roof To Power Up

by David Elrlich

Southern California Edison is set to hit a milestone today in its plans to install two square miles of solar panels in California — the completion of the largest rooftop solar installation in the state. Details on the size of the installation have not yet been released, but Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to hold a news conference. The warehouse roof is 600,000 square-feet and the solar project is using 33,700 thin-film solar panels from First Solar that can produce enough power for 1,300 Inland Empire homes.

Southern California Edison, part of Edison International, originally announced its rooftop solar initiative in March, saying it would install 250 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic power covering more than two square miles of Southern California’s commercial building rooftops. At the time, the project was expected to cost $875 million and produce enough power for 162,000 homes.
Today’s milestone follows some not-so-great news out of North Carolina in October, where a similar rooftop solar program was cut in half by Duke Energy after that company was criticized by the state’s utility commission over issues of cost recovery. Duke now plans to spend $50 million to install 10 MW of solar panels in North Carolina, down from its original $100 million initiative.

Southern California Edison said the distribution warehouse in Fontana, is the first of its approximately 150 proposed rooftop solar installations. But Southern California Edison is a little behind schedule with this installation. Back in March, the company said it would install 1 MW a week, taking about five years to complete, with the first panels expected to be operational by August.

First Solar will also provide the panels for Southern California Edison’s second rooftop installation, which will take place at a 458,000-square-foot industrial building owned by Multi-Employer Property Trust in Chino, Calif.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced a target for the city to have 10 percent of its energy needs supplied with solar power by 2020. Working with private partners, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (Southern California Edison’s LA counterpart) plans to develop a 1.3 gigawatt network of public and private solar power systems.

An updated timeline for the program has not been disclosed, but the news conference is scheduled to take place where Southern California Edison will likely update the status of its rooftop initiative.

A Prius can power your Home!

By Peg Fong

The recent snow and ice storms in the northeast left hundreds of thousands of residents without power. In Harvard, Massachusetts, however, one Prius owner found a way to keep the lights and electricity going by using his hybrid as a backup generator.John Sweeney ran his fridge, freezer, wood stove fan and even his television and lights using his Prius for three days while the power was out in his town.

By using an inverter to convert the car's DC power supply into household AC, Sweeney was able to generate 120 voltsThe New York Times wrote about this a year ago. The battery in the Prius is able to provide an uninterrupted power supply as long as the engine turns on and off periodically to recharge it. Any car battery can be used this way, but only hybrids start automatically when they need to recharge their battery.

As long as the Prius has enough fuel, it can produce three kilowatts of continuous power. That's enough to maintain the basic household electrical needs.After three days, Mr. Sweeney's Prius used up a mere five gallons of gas to power the electricity in the Sweeney household - a bargain and a real smart grid solution.

Green gets a federal boost in 2009

A new president and, ironically, a lingering recession may be all that is needed to provide a boost to the clean-energy business in 2009.

Many in the industry believe that President-elect Barack Obama’s administration, with a to-do list heavy on curbing climate change and creating green jobs, could move the country and region to the next economic frontier.

Several local governments — including Arlington, Loudoun, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties — are pitching the new administration for federal funds to support clean energy projects they can’t fit into their own budgets, as part of a blueprint drafted by a new D.C. organization, Climate Communities.

In the District, 24,000 new green economy jobs are forecast for 2009, according to an analysis of green-collar jobs and businesses released in December.

As the costs of alternative energy — such as wind, solar and geothermal power — gradually fall to the level of traditional sources, businesses will increasingly choose those alternative options as well as technologies such as green roofs. And other businesses will increasingly supply them.
Green building trends that originated in the commercial sector will move deeper into residential neighborhoods.

Just last quarter, Bethesda-based Sandy Spring Builders LLC and Linthicum, Md.-based Haven Custom Homes unveiled an environmentally friendly custom modular home as part of their new green brands.

Local nonprofits will continue their efforts to pin down what it means to be green. The U.S. Green Building Council this spring will release the next generation of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, which have been the most widely accepted in the industry. The council’s plans include a new paperless online application system and a reworked point system focused more on carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, the nonprofit Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW) plans to unveil the region’s first green certification program that focuses on daily business operations.
As the national emphasis on green energy grows, so may the local business community supporting it. Obama’s focus on the issue could even inspire some companies in the industry to locate in the nation’s capital.

“These may be the greatest public works programs to create jobs since the Depression,” said Pam Skarda, executive director of SB NOW.

Green Flooring — From Carpeting to Cork

Need help in selecting "green" environmentally friendly flooring?

No, we're not talking Astroturf here. In this case, "green" means the use of environmentally friendly materials that are either readily renewable or made from recycled products. Several green certification programs and directories are available to help remodelers, builders and homeowners make that selection.

For example, the National Wood Flooring Association looks to The Forest Stewardship Council to certify wood flooring products as green when the material comes from forests operated under sustainable forest management practices. Other organizations, such as BuildingGreen Inc. (http://www.buildinggreen.com), publisher of the GreenSpec® Directory and Environmental Building News, qualify and list other green flooring alternatives, such as natural linoleum, cork and concrete. In the Philadelphia area with 2 locations, a great local source of flooring supplies is: Environmental Home Store.

Carpeting. The carpet and rug industry uses a labeling system to identify materials with fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the carpet fiber or in the adhesives used in installation. Such carpeting improves indoor air quality, a major consideration of green building. The Green Label Plus program, directed by the Carpet and Rug Institute, certifies environmentally friendly carpeting products and recently received a 2004 certificate of recognition from the California Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award program. The award program is a collaborative effort by the carpet industry and partners of California state and local government agencies.

Alex Wilson, executive editor with BuildingGreen Inc., Brattleboro, Vt., has done a great deal reduce carpet emissions. He compares their efforts with building codes that define minimum standards for construction. "Both are situations where organizations raise the floor, rather than the ceiling."

Linoleum. Natural linoleum is widely promoted and specified in the green building community, Alex says. Natural linoleum is made primarily from linseed oil, pine resin, sawdust, cork dust, limestone and jute. It is an all-natural alternative to resilient flooring, including sheet vinyl and vinyl composition tile, which are made from polyvinyl chloride. It can get confusing, however, since the word linoleum is still used by some people to refer to vinyl flooring.

Proponents of natural linoleum say it does not require the same level of care that other sheet flooring.. However, Alex says, natural linoleum does have some negatives, such as a higher cost than most sheet vinyl products and a relatively high rate of VOCs.

Wood. Sustainable forest management makes it possible to harvest wood without any serious impact on the environment, because trees are a renewable resource that can be replaced time and time again, according to Ed Korczak, executive director of NWFA (www.woodfloors.org).

Cork. Cork flooring has become very popular with environmentalists and designers alike. Cork can be harvested every nine years from the same tree—a much faster rate of renewal than waiting for a seedling to grow large enough to replace another. It's tough, too, according to BuildingGreen's Alex. "I have been in a home where a cork floor was installed in 1950 and was still in good condition. The cork floor is comfortable for walking and cushions sound."

Concrete. Yet another option for green flooring is to make the concrete slab the finished floor by using various types of decorative concrete techniques. Besides a concrete floor's obvious attributes of stability and durability, it can contribute to a home's energy efficiency as part of a passive solar system: It absorbs heat during the day and releases it as temperatures drop at night.

Remodelers even can offer several green flooring surfaces in the same home. A smooth surface, such as wood or concrete, could be used in active living areas and possibly partially covered with area rugs. Natural linoleum could be used in the kitchen, while carpeting is ideal for bedrooms, where it deadens sound and provides a soft, warm surface for bare feet.

Free Plans for Eco-Homes

Incorporating green design principles into new or existing homes is increasingly de rigueur among the growing masses of eco-minded consumers, but figuring out the logistics isn't always straightforward. Working on the belief that green design should be available to all, FreeGreen is a new site that offers free, downloadable green house plans.

Free Green's team of engineers and designers works with industry-leading product manufacturers to create home designs that incorporate different combinations of products, materials and vendors. It also provides 3-D images, energy simulations and written descriptions to help consumers find the right fit for their lifestyle. Two models are currently available on the site, with more coming soon. The first, called the Healthy Family model, combines comfortable contemporary living with superior indoor air quality and low energy bills. With functional options such as mudrooms, homework nooks and home offices, Healthy Family homes are intended for young, three- to five-person families in cold to mixed climates.

The modern Suburban Loft, on the other hand, features open floor plans and high ceiling loft spaces. Intended for first-time buyers or downsizing baby boomers, the Suburban Loft plan is designed to perform efficiently even in cold northern climates. Coming soon is the Smart Box, which FreeGreen aims to make a 1,200 to 1,400 sq. ft. home that can be built for less than USD 100 per square foot.

FreeGreen relies on paid placement from product manufacturers, but it takes pains to be transparent about the products it displays, offering users ratings from established third-party green certification programs such as LEED and NAHB and research performance data through its own energy modelling reports.

With the clean, eco-friendly look of FreeGreen's designs, there's no doubt they'll fit nicely into what our sister site trendwatching.com would call the new, eco-iconic world of consumers eager to flaunt their greenness. Besides the obvious advertising opportunity for green product manufacturers, the next logical step is to focus on implementation.

Jumeira Gardens: A Super-City Within Dubai

As the inexorable juggernaut of Dubai’s construction boom wears on amid a turbulent economic era, the city recently unveiled an incredible new development that is intended to cement its status as “a global city of the future”. Master-planned by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and developed by Meraas, Jumeira Gardens is a modern megopolis that will feature no fewer than three soaring superstructures designed by AS + GG: 1 Dubai, Park Gate, and 1 Park Avenue. Although the super-massive project will consume approximately $95 billion, it’s encouraging to see that the entire community has been designed with sustainability in mind.

Conceived as “an integrated city within a city”, Jumeira Gardens is designed to be a mixed-use development that incorporates low, medium, and high-density zones for business, residences, retail, leisure, and recreation. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill master-planned the East Park Zone, while Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill master-planned the Atrium City area. Although plans are still being finalized, Meraas Development has confirmed that “‘Green’ buildings and construction, resource conservation and overall sustainability will inform every aspect of this new district, with tools such as intelligent infrastructure technology and cutting-edge eco design serving to reduce the district’s collective ecological footprint.”

Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture are credited with designing scores of other structures that incorporate sustainable strategies. The centerpiece of Jumeira Gardens will be 1 Dubai, A tri-partite skyscraper that will rise to 3281 feet, making it the third structure tower in the UAE. Its soaring towers will be connected by a series of glass suspension sky-bridges.

Park Gate comprises six mid-rise towers that are arranged in facing pairs. A hanging garden canopy stretches between each set of structures, providing shade and cooling the neighborhood by as much as 10 degrees centigrade.

The smooth curves of 1 Park Avenue evoke Dubai’s historic relationship with the Arabian Gulf. The 1,800 foot tower will incorporate solar panels, wind turbines, and a variety of other sustainable strategies in its design.
Excavation for Jumeira Gardens has already begun, and the development is expected to take 12 years to complete.

ECO-CEMENT? Cement Eats Carbon Dioxide

Cement works in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Cement accounts

for 5% of the world's CO2 emissions - more than aviation.

Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Alok Jha, Green Technology Correspondent

Cement, a vast source of planet-warming carbon dioxide, could be transformed into a means of stripping the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, thanks to an innovation from British engineers.

The new environmentally friendly formulation means the cement industry could change from being a "significant emitter to a significant absorber of CO2," says Nikolaos Vlasopoulos, chief scientist at London-based Novacem, whose invention has garnered support and funding from industry and environmentalists.

The new cement, which uses a different raw material, certainly has a vast potential market. Making the 2bn tonnes of cement used globally every year pumps out 5% of the world's CO2 emissions - more than the entire aviation industry. And the long-term trends are upwards: a recent report by the French bank Credit Agricole estimated that, by 2020, demand for cement will increase by 50% compared to today.

Making traditional cement results in greenhouse gas emissions from two sources: it requires intense heat, and so a lot of energy to heat up the ovens that cook the raw material, such as limestone. That then releases further CO2 as it burns. But, until now, noone has found a large-scale way to tackle this fundamental problem.

Novacem's cement, based on magnesium silicates, not only requires much less heating, it also absorbs large amounts of CO2 as it hardens, making it carbon negative. Set up by Vlasopoulos and his colleagues at Imperial College London, Novacem has already attracted the attention of major construction companies such as Rio Tinto Minerals, WSP Group and Laing O'Rourke, and investors including the Carbon Trust.

The company has just started a £1.5m project funded by the government-backed Technology Strategy Board to build a pilot plant. If all goes well, Vlasopoulos expects to have Novacem products on the market within five years.

Jonathan Essex, a civil engineer at the building consultancy Bioregional who also sits on the environment and sustainability panel for the Institution of Civil Engineers, welcomed Novacem's ideas to tackle the carbon impact of cement. "In the UK the climate bill commits us to reduce CO2 emissions, and every sector should play its part. The construction industry needs to take greater responsibility for its own environmental impact." Essex said that, if Novacem can make their cement at a competitive price, the next step could be to take even more CO2 emissions out of the process by using renewable energy to fire the furnaces.

According to Novacem, its product can absorb, over its lifecycle, around 0.6 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of cement. This compares to carbon emissions of about 0.4 tonnes per of standard cement. "From that point of view, it's attractive," said Rachael Nutter, head of business incubators at the Carbon Trust. "The real challenge is what is the supply chain, who do you need to partner with to take it to market? The million-dollar question is what are the applications of it? If it ends up as decorative applications such as floor tiles, it's quite interesting but not as much as if you get into load-bearing structural stuff."

Previous attempts to make cement greener have included adding more aggregate to a concrete mixture, thereby using less cement. But this still does not tackle the problem of the carbon emissions from making the cement in the first place. Other systems use polymers in the mix, but none have yet made a significant impact on the market.

A spokesperson for the British Cement Association expressed a sceptical note, saying that though there was much ongoing laboratory work on new types of cement, there were also problems. "The reality is that the geological availability, and global distribution, of suitable natural resources, coupled with the extensive validation needed to confirm fitness-for-purpose, make it highly unlikely that these cements will a be realistic alternative for volume building."

Vlasopoulos responded that magnesium silicates are abundant worldwide, with 10,000 billion tonnes available, according to some estimates. "In addition, the production process of our cement is of a chemical nature, which means it can also utilise various industrial byproducts containing magnesium in its composition." He is confident the material will be strong enough for use in buildings but acknowledged that getting licenses to use it will take several years of testing.
Ecofriendly vs traditional cement
Standard cement, also known as Portland cement, is made by heating limestone or clay to around 1,500C. The processing of the ingredients releases 0.8 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of cement. When it is eventually mixed with water for use in a building, each tonne of cement can absorb up to 0.4 tonnes of CO2, but that still leaves an overall carbon footprint per tonne of 0.4 tonnes.