Green Myths "Debunked"

This is a really fun article describing explaining various green myths in all categories of life. LIke who knew organic local food might no be the best food option!? Or that beef produces a large amount of the green houses gases in the world (I do not know how accurate that is). Many of these facts were new to me and very interesting. This class has really made me think about sustainable behavior in all aspects of my life. Check out the article, many of the things I thought were sustainable are apparently not....

-Nick


http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/technology/1003/gallery.green_myths.fortune/10.html

Green House Taken Too Literally?

So this house has been a project under-works for approximately 8 years and as a result has become an almost entirely "green" clad building.

To me this raises the question of what really is to be considered "green" architecture, as when one first looks at this all you are able to synthesize about the house is that it is plant material and windows, which really challenges the notion of how we consider the exterior skin of buildings. Typically, when a green wall is incorporated into a facade it is just that- one wall, not the entirety of a facade with the exception of windows.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/30/gorgeous-green-house-wrapped-in-a-vertical-garden/

Audit Finds Weakness in the energystar program

The 18 year-old EnergyStar program was set up to guide the public on energy-efficient choices. However there have been a series of product approvals and company registrations with Energy Star that should not have taken place.

One Example: A gasoline alarm clock with dimensions the size of an electric generator.
The approval was done by an automated system and was not reviewed by a human being.

Second example: A company that was registered with Energystar could download the logo from the government's website and then paste it on any of their products.

Third Example: The stimulus bill allows tax breaks for people who buy energy star products. However not all products approved by energystar are actually energy efficient.

This is troublesome because companies with energystar are getting more business (governmnet agencies are required to buy energystar products) however their products can potentially require more energy. How was this not being regulated for so long? This encourages me to do my own research when comparing products to not be fulled into buying products with false logos.

A sustainable strip mall?

Well, according to this link, the most sustainable/ green shopping center in the US has been created in Missouri. It is a little odd though that somehow the "greenest" shopping center in the US with the ranking of LEED Platinum is a completely NEW shopping center on a site the seems to have been previously undeveloped. Even more interesting is that this "green" shopping center is one that still has a good amount of on site surface parking.

At least according to them they were able to save 40% of the trees on the site by siting the shopping center the way that they did.

http://www.hufft.com/#/greencircle

The seemingly small things add up!

We all know that excessive packaging is one of the main sources of trash in the world. Well if that packaging is not recyclable then that makes the problem all the more worse. Global Green recently posted an article on their website about a poultry manufacturing plant that recently switched to FBA packaging (Fibre Box Association certified recyclable boxes), though this might not seem like a big deal at first it becomes important in that it encourages other manufacturers to ship not only poultry but produce, and seafood in these boxes. The currently used wax cardboard boxes cannot be recycled and end up in landfills. The recyclable boxes at this company alone save millions of gallons of water yearly as well as the equivalent of 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being created annually. The article also cites that 1.5 millions tons of un-recyclable wax-coated boxes are used annulay in the US alone each year. If these new FBA certified boxes were used in the US it would be the equivalent of taking one million passenger cars off the road and save 63 million dollars annually in trash removal fees. An amazing fact considering we are simply talking about cardboard boxes.

-Nick

http://www.globalgreen.org/press/135

Wood Products, Sustainable Forestry and such..

Professor Bennett was kind enough to send me this link:
Plywood vs OSB (oriented strand board)
http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/green-products/greening-the-shell.aspx
which essentially gives pros and cons for both products.
In a nutshell:
OSB: more enviromentally-friendly (made from small strands of lumber and uses the entire log), ave. $7 cheaper per sheet, but doesn't hold up well when exposed to extreme moisture (humid climates)
Ply: not as sustainable (uses thin sheets of wood peeled from larger, older trees, and leaves the center spindle of the tree as waste), costs more, but holds up better with moisture exposure

Also:
Wood Groups Dislike USGBC's Third Try To Write Rules on LEED Points
http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/news/2010/03/wood-groups-dislike-usgbcss-third-try-to-write-rules-on-leed-points.aspx
"At present, only FSC[Forest Stewardship Council]-certified lumber qualifies for points" LEED does NOT recognize points for other sustainable wood groups like SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) This is problematic since "..many LEED builders who chase points will turn away reputable third-party certified SFI wood which is grown in their backyard, in the U.S. and Canada, and instead turn to FSC-certified wood--the vast majority of the FSC's global supply comes from overseas and often from countries without effective social laws." This is a good example to show that using the LEED system may not always be the most sustainable option.

And:
Terrapass has taken part in a forestry project in McCloud Forest on Mt. Shasta, California. http://www.terrapass.com/blog/posts/terrapass-first-forestry-project I was a little unsure about how the "buying carbon offsets" thing works and this article helped me to understand better. Terrapass footprint sells carbon offsets, and the money goes (in part) to fund sustainable forestry practices. Carbon reductions involve planting trees, forest management, paying people not to cut down trees, protecting rare species, etc. "The idea of locking up carbon in trees makes sense — after all, 20% of the climate change problem comes from deforestation" Terrapass claims that the conserved trees will be "permanent", however, they claim that they will be protected "far in the future" and imply over 10 years. I'm unsure how this can be guaranteed but I suppose having a goal is a good start.

Get 'em started while they're young.

The green fad has apparently found it's way into design for children, which makes sense I suppose. The site inhabitots.com is a affiliated with inhabitat and focuses on sustainable design geared for children. Get 'em started while they're young.

The site recently made it's way to the popular page on digg.com with a post about a Lego concept based in a eco-dystopia (link). It makes a lot of sense to start teaching children about sustainability as early as possible. The programs at my elementary school ran about saving the bay definitely made an impact on me. However, it makes you question whether something like the above mentioned toy generates more fantasy then real concern, and how sustainable the toy actually is. At least, Legos are inherently re-usable.

Hope everyone's spring break is off to a good start

-Dave

LEED Green Associate Exam

When applying for the LEED Green Associate Exam, it can take up to 10 days to get approval for student pricing and you are not allowed to scedule time to take the exam until after you have received the student price approval from GBCI (unless you decide to pay the full price or you are already a USGBC member). For those of you that were planning to take the exam over Spring break, I suggest registering with GBCI asap and hopefully they will respond soon.

I was under the assumption that the student price of $150 was for taking the exam up to 3 times. After further reading, it states that the price to take the exam is $150 per exam appointment. Therefore if you don't pass the exam the first time, it will cost another $150 to sit for the exam again.

Happy studying everyone.

"Green Homes Face a Red Light"

Hello All,
I saw this article on CNN Money regarding appraisal difficulties for green home projects. Real estate appraisals are a tricky business because the appraiser can only appraise something based on the demand of the market. So if you plan on putting a 100,000 dollar PV system on your roof the appraiser might only appraise that for 50,000 dollars based on the demand in the particular area. So if you need to borrow 500,000 for your house and the appraiser will only value your PV system for 50,000 the bank will only approve a 450,000 loan. So if you need to come up with 20 percent down to avoid PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) or a second "piggyback" mortgage you will have to come up with 140,000 dollars cash for the bank. If the PV was given a full appraisal for its value of 100,000 dollars than you would only have to come up with 100,000 dollars for the 500,000 dollar loan. (Sorry if that was confusing, real estate is that confusing) Some areas of the country though are not as affected, apparently in Seattle green homes carry the premium that they deserve. The article though describes that green homes just need more time for people to value them which would in turn drive up demand for green systems. Many developers and builders though will not incorporate intensive green systems until the current trend starts to demand green homes.

-Nick

http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/10/real_estate/green_homes_redlight/index.htm

Outsourcing Emissions

This article talks about a report showing That countries such as UK, US and China import a significant amount of their products, meaning that they outsource the manufacturing of the products to less developed countries where manufacturing prices are much lower.

For example the products imported by the UK are equivalent to 4.3 extra tones per person on top of the official per capita emissions of 9.7. Also countries such as Switzerland outsource more carbon emissions than they release in their country.

Shouldn't each country be responsible for the carbon emissions they generate regardless of the of the location?

In my opinion, the argument in favor of a more global policy where final consumers elsewhere will account responsible for a portion of the emissions is the one that makes more sense.

http://www.climatebiz.com/news/2010/03/09/outsourcing-emissions-hides-countries-true-carbon-footprints

DC Environmental Film Festival

For whoever is interested.

They have a wide range of films.

http://www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org/

As if there were any doubts....

http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/evidence-of-man-made-global-warming-grows-stronger/19384663

This article states that a recent paper by Britain's Met Office (the country's national weather service) that analyzed 110 studies on global warming since 2007 shows increasing proof that global warming is indead caused by man. One thing I do not understand about this issue is why there is any doubt at all? Even though there have been falsified reports exaggerating data those account for only a small percentage of the total studies.

-Nick

Warmest January, ever

http://www.terrapass.com/blog/posts/warmest-january-ever

Global warming still happening, in spite of snow in winter...
this January ("global average temperature") was hotter than any previously recorded January (dating back to 1850)

Stopping Sea Level From Destroying Land- Creating Floating Islands

So the small island nation of the Maldives (a series of almost 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean) has taken a very aggressive role in dealing with the impending doom that will be caused by rising sea levels. As a nation that has no land really more than 6' above sea level, the nation is active in education, reduction and preserving their environment as much as possible.

Unfortunately, there efforts can be found to be undermined by other nations who are not as concerned or noticing the effects of their actions. The nation is touting itself as carbon neutral however because we all share all of the resources of the Earth they are only as good as the weakest link.

The country has teamed up to begin creating floating islands that will begin to become a refuge if sea levels begin to rise above a safe threshold. Built practically as a floating version of Atlantis, this design is fairly interesting, but the article does not fully address how these floating cities would be capable of sustaining life without contact to outside land, nor does it address issues of fuel or waste disposal.

Still, I suppose this can make those living in low lying areas rest slightly more comfortably.
http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/05/maldives-to-fight-rising-sea-levels-with-floating-islands/

Wilkinson Residence

Here's a residence that defines a new meaning to tree house. The home was designed by organic architect Robert Harvey Oshatz in 2004 as a house that blends in well with the landscape. The house is located in the forest of Portland, OR and is made of local building materials of wood and glass. Connections are made between the house, nature, and a musical theme that the client wanted integrated into the overall design. The house sits on a steep lot which allows a greater connection with the tree canopy. Overall an interesting way to make a design, but I wonder how sustainable the systems are other than the connections with nature. Here's the link to the architect's site and web-urbanist where I first came across the house:

http://www.oshatz.com/text/wilkinson.htm

http://weburbanist.com/2010/03/03/organic-architect-robert-oshatzs-wowsa-wilkinson-treehouse/

Headline: Architects are often the last people needed in disaster reconstruction

Ok this is great...
UK daily newspaper the Guardian posted an article with the headline: Architects are often the last people needed in disaster reconstruction: Most of them focus on buildings rather than people, and will be of little use in Haiti
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/03/architects-disaster-reconstruction-haiti-chile#start-of-comments

The author asserts: "the role of architects in these circumstances is "marginal at best". In fact, most architects are taught almost the exact opposite of what is needed. Architects are taught to focus on the product (a building), whereas humanitarian practitioners major on the process (involving people)."

BUT THE BEST thing about this article isn't even the article itself.. but the ENORMOUSLY long list of comments at the bottom. The third one down says: "...Architects are usually 2:1 students who like pretty pictures and little more. Not as dumb as psychology students, but not bright enough to do law. So there is no chance that an architect would manage to make a building safe. The normal practice is for them to draw a pretty picture which is then handed over to some poor bastard of an engineer who has to work out how to make the pretty picture a realistic design. If you're lucky he will then think about how to make it Earthquake proof. " (although keep in mind, the uk doesn't exactly have building codes like we do)

Luckily, some of the following comments are more redeeming and help to defend the role of [some] architects.

While I don't think it's wise to make broad generalizations bashing any group of people (let alone architects) I appreciate that this topic is getting a rise out of people... I guess it's an effective way to spur people into action and help others... maybe even help the planet, too. I most certainly think that architects can potentially help in the planning and rebuilding of devastated communities... I think that people/architects/whoever who genuinely care and want to contribute to a humanitarian cause shouldn't be criticized so harshly for their efforts.
What do you think?

Philly-Based Firm to Design New Us London Embassy

A light filled cued by Philadelphia based architectuew firm Kieran Timberlake has won the competition to build the new US embassy in London. It will be one of the greenest and most expensive diplomatic buildings in the world.
It's exterior is to be lined with energy-absorbing material, the roof is covered with solar panels, and the building will collect and store London's rainwater to be self-sufficient in water use.
Article Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/23/world/AP-EU-Britain-US-Embassy.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Philly%20London%20Building&st=cse
Michelle N.

100% Renewable Energy in Australia

Here's a fun proposal from an Australian advocacy group, Beyond Zero Emissions, claiming that in 10 years all of Australia's energy can come from renewable energy sources. I find this hard to believe...

At the moment 80% of Australia's energy comes from coal power plants, with less than 2% from wind and solar energy. This plan calls for 60% of total energy to be produced by concentrating solar power plants and the other 40% to come from wind turbines. This seems like a wonderful plan, but putting these proposals into effect will take forever, not to mention the cost of building these facilities.

Here's the link.

Glacier Ice Loss/Rising Sea Levels

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8357537.stm

Our talk on Tuesday about the melting ice caps inspired to read some articles about the subject. I found this article on BBC news that analyzes the many facets that compose the topic. The article specifically focuses on the Greenland ice sheet. In addition to the loss of reflectivity from the ice sheets when the surface of the ice melts it absorbs more heat hastening the ice melt. The whole process is very much a self-destructive cycle. A loss of the entire Greenland ice sheet would cause global sea level to rise by 20 ft. to put into perspective the massive volume of water contained within the glaciers. The article also mentions an analysis of the potential sea level rise for this century is 28-43 cm based on a 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. This is an important topic we should all keep an eye on.

-Nick

15 Creative House & Home Conversions

Here's a fun glipse at 15 Creative House & Home Conversions.

Make sure you check this out. There isn't much info on each project, but some of them are hilarious (as well as inventive).

Should Port-au-Prince be Recycled?

This article brings an interesting subject on recycling construction materials from natural disaster.

It sounds like a pretty good idea specially if take into account the cost of shipping materials to the island to reconstruct the city.

Is anyone more familiar with the process of recycling construction materials?

Why is this not being done more often?

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/03/01/port-au-prince-recycling

"World's Greenest Skyscraper"

http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/22/technology/zeb_pearl_river.fortune/index.htm

I found this article on CNN's business section. It talks about a proposed ZEB skyscraper in China. ZEB stands for "zero energy building" which was something I learned in this article. Apparently it is extremely difficult to design sustainable skyscrapers due to their lack of roof space to effectively position solar panels. (If you look at the diagram 2 in the article you can see the tiny area allocated for solar panels) Apparently though the main feature is a 8" air cavity in the external facade of the building. I am glad SOM is innovating in this project because density is crucial to sustainable urban environments.

-Nick

I keep seeing different approaches to temporary housing and shelters for Haiti. Some reuse shipping comtainers while others are designed to ship flat and then be assembled when they get to Haiti. Here are the links to the different projects that are addressing this issue. they are all very interesting and take different approaches, focusing either on make the houses and inexpensive as possible, or on being more sustainable for the future.

Flat Pack Haiti Cabins

Shipping Container Houses

Sustainable Housing for Haitians

Haiti Earth Bag House

More Shipping Container...

Is this REALLY a sustainable?

This article was mostly images that were about a new proposed tower for Miami that would rival the presently closed Burj Khalifa. While it is always interesting to read about these massive undertakings it does really raise the question of whether or not this kind of building could be considered a sustainable example of architecture. Particularly interesting is that Miami is still dealing with the effects of the housing crisis and it seems that this large of an infusion in the city would be a bit overkill in an area that is so prone to hurricanes.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/01/miapolis-leed-eco-city-could-be-next-worlds-tallest-building/miapolis5/

In addition to the blog, there was an interesting piece in the Washington Post this weekend about a potential loss of the cap and trade agreement proposed by certain members of Congress. Cap and trade allows certain businesses to buy and sell pollution credits and sets a strict limit on the amount of greenhouse emissions that could be produced by a certain company. Opponents say that this is a tax on energy use by corporations and will hurt business.

Due to wavering senators, a new proposal called cap and dividend is beginning to take shape. Under this scheme, three sources of emissions would be targeted: electric utilities, transportation, and industry. Power plants would be restricted to a certain amount of emissions and there might still be a carbon tax for motor fuel.

The legislation is less stringent than the cap and trade to appease moderates in Congress and its hope is to be passed through by the end of the year. The bill will need bipartisan support in order to clear the hurdles it currently faces in congress. Here's the link.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/26/AR2010022606084.html

-Anthony

Real Life LEED

Joel McKellar, an architect in South Carolina came up with this blog to document his experiences with LEED. The blog documents changes and the general process with the system. There are valuable links to some green building sites some of which the class is already following. Some of the posts are a little in depth to the specific credits earned from LEED, but overall I think this is a valuable blog to look into the process of LEED certification of a building.

http://www.reallifeleed.com/

-Anthony