On Jan. 13, 2009, Yuldeson Associates, a leading-edge green building consulting firm, projected that “Green Building will continue to grow in spite of the global credit crisis and the opening economic recession”…with more people going green each year, and nothing on the horizon projected to stop this trend. “There’s been cumulative growth in LEED projects,…
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What is a Carbon Tax?
With all the talk on carbon credits, cap and trade agreements, and proposed policies regarding carbon “pollution”, one question needs to be considered: what is carbon, and why a carbon tax? Carbon is life. It is the 6th element on the Periodic Table of Elements. It is one of the four most abundant elements in…
What Does “Green” Mean?
Green is understanding, respecting, and incorporating the lifecycle of any given product, by-product, material, and/or additives of such product into the designing, manufacturing, storing, delivering, installing, and restoring the individual materials and product to an equally, or superior, reusable form. Simple put, being green is understanding the lifecycle of any given product, and properly restoring…
Understanding Your Business’s Nutrient Flow
Last time we discussed the meaning of “green”, and how a “green” product is either comprised of biological nutrients – nutrients made from organic, biodegradable materials; or technical nutrients – nutrients comprised of manufactured components that are continually, or partially, reused and upcycled into a new product. In order to determine how your products’ lifecycle…
Nothing is Waste
Nothing is waste. Everything is essential. This includes human manure. First, examine the broken nutrient cycle: you eat, you excrete, and your un-composted nutrients pollute waterways. Then, synthetic nutrients are hazardously formulated, sprayed across agricultural land (further polluting watersheds, for much washes away before being used), and you once again eat. Now, examine the connected…
Living Homes for Living Families
There are two methods to follow when building a home: A Disposable Home: a home that is dependent on continuous external input for its continued operation – such as energy, time, materials, and money; and will eventually reach a state of disrepair where it is no longer financially feasible to maintain. A Living Home: a…
Keeping the Lights On
Instead of waiting until we as a society outpace ourselves back into the dark ages, by implementing renewable energy and redesigned buildings now, we can keep the lights on. What am I talking about? Buildings are the number one cause of energy consumption and environmental degradation worldwide. “In the U.S., the residential sector ranks as…
How to Create Your Own Edible Landscaping
Sustainability is more than just a home that provides shelter, warmth, and power. Sustainability is good, nutrient rich, organic food. Secure your families local organic food by investing in Edible Landscaping. It’s easy, long-lasting, with minimal maintenance. Edible Landscapes can be created in innumerable combinations of annuals and perennials. Annual plants are herbaceous and live…
Composting 101 – The Art of Composting
Composting 101 is best taught in three parts. Part 1 – Composting Defined: Understanding the Basics; Part 2 – Getting Started: the Beginners’ Compost Bin; and Part 3 – Composting Wholisticly: Maintaining the Integrity of the Whole. Part 1 – Composting Defined: Understanding the Basics. Composting is an art of rebirth that anyone can witness…
Green Tax Credits
If you’re an existing home owner and are considering energy-efficient improvements this year, there are several options that you may want to consider. The three major tax credits are listed below. Before making your purchases, remember to research the specific product and make sure the manufacturer qualifies for the energy-efficiency rating under the IRS specifications….