Building green, being green

I want this car

2012-01-03T17:17:00.001-05:00

Last summer it was the Honda CR-Z sport hybrid.
Now it's the baby Prius c!

Quick statistics:
Available in spring 2012
Designed to be the most affordable prius
Designed to achieve a higher mpg rating than the 3rd generation prius
Stylish design

Read about it here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-57325949-48/baby-toyota-prius-c-toddles-towards-production/?part=rss&subj=cartech&tag=title&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cnet%2FmHpI+%28Car+Tech%3A+An+automotive+blog+from+CNET%29

View the rest of the growing Prius family:
http://touch.toyota.com/prius-family/

Best grill marinade ever

2011-12-23T17:29:00.001-05:00

This is my favorite marinade. It's great on grilled venison, grilled eggplant, or grilled - well - anything.
I know Christmas isn't exactly grilling season but... enjoy!

from Simply in Season cookbook

1c oil
3/4c soy sauce
1/2c wine vinegar
1/3c lemon juice
1/4c worcestershire sauce
2T mustard
2t parsley
2t each salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced

Baby it's cold outside!

2011-12-04T22:24:00.000-05:00

This Lifehacker article has winter preparation tips on everything from insulating windows, repurposing old sweaters as mittens, and fighting Seasonal Affective Disorder. Enjoy!
http://lifehacker.com/5864667/prepare-yourself-for-the-winter-cold-this-weekend

Crafty Christmas gifts

2011-12-03T19:44:00.000-05:00

Looking for unique gifts made by talented artisans? Check out the local crafts scene...

Holiday Heap was today in Charles Village, sponsored by the Charm City Craft Mafia
http://www.charmcitycraftmafia.com/holidayheap2011.html

In case you missed it, some of the same vendors will be at the Creative Alliance on Sunday Dec 4th for Merry Mart http://www.creativealliance.org/events/eventItem2784.html

And there's Etsy all year round http://www.etsy.com/

Many of these craftspeople upcycle used materials like clothing, vintage maps, and found objects to fashion their art. Some of my favorites from the Holiday Heap...

Almanac Industries www.almanacindustries.com Bookbinding and letterpress studio

Biggs and Featherbelle www.biggsandfeather.com Health conscious body care. Also available at Whole Foods.

Greenstarstudio, or *might www.mightmight.etsy.com Handmade wonder for all ages

Holland Cox www.hollandcox.com Handmade classic handbags and accessories

Open Eyes Press www.openeyespress.com Eco-friendly handmade goods

Pidge Pidge www.pidgepidge.etsy.com Handwoven scarves and pet portraits

The Littlest Bean www.thelittlestbean.com Mixed media usables

Wooly baby www.wooly-baby.com Handmade and eco-friendly soft slippers

Great green gifts

2011-11-21T19:47:00.002-05:00

Gearing up for Christmas shopping? Here's a collection of green gift ideas for everybody on your list...

(image: recycled circuit board ornaments from GeekSugar.com)

Visit sites like Ecoist, FairTradeSports, OrganicBabyGiftsBoutique, OliveGreenDog, and WearYourMusic to find unique gifts that are organic, recycled, fair trade, charitable, or all of the above. Follow this link to the Consumer Reports Greener Choices page for these sites and a few more.

Don't forget the rechargeable batteries to power your gadgets. View CR recommendations for long-lasting, greener batteries.

http://www.wired.com/ Their holiday buying guide has some groovy gifts like the MudWatt electrochemistry kit and a sculptural CFL bulb called the Plumen 001.

http://www.uncommongoods.com/ - Unique gifts and creative design found here, many handmade and/or recycled, with items like record bookends, tree ring coasters, and bamboo dry erase boards.

http://www.resourcerevival.com/ - Green gifts, awards, and promotional items made from recycled bicycle parts.

http://www.signals.com/ Gifts that inform, enlighten & entertain, including recycled wine bottle drinking glasses, bamboo keyboard and mouse, and newspaper bead bracelets. Building buffs will enjoy the origami architecture book and Frank Lloyd Wright Lego sets, while electrician types will get a charge out of the "Resistance is not futile…" T-shirt.

http://www.etsy.com/ The worldwide online marketplace for handmade gifts.

http://blog.makezine.com/ Or bypass the shopping altogether and make your own stuff, like DIY iPhone gloves.

Happy holidays!

P.S. Today's Grist newsletter had a good article about eschewing "stuff" - complete with links to Annie Leonard's Story of Stuff and George Carlin's NSFW rant about it. Food for thought...

Paying it forward with recycling in Baltimore County

2011-11-15T09:02:00.000-05:00

Baltimore County has authorized $25 million to upgrade the recycling facilities in Cockeysville.

Apparently, since the county switched to single-stream recycling in February 2010, recycling has been shipped elsewhere for processing because county facilities could only handle dual-stream. This new funding will pay for transitioning the Cockeysville facility to single-stream, and build a new garbage transfer station as well.

According to sources at the solid waste management bureau, this transition will ultimately save the county money:

Trash disposal cost = $56 to $58 per ton
Recycling revenue = $100 to $105 per ton, depending on materials

Read the full article here:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/news/ph-tt-recycling-center-1109-20111107,0,6895904.story

Simple driving habits that can save you money

2011-11-11T09:03:00.000-05:00

Save money and carbon emissions with these driving tips from Mary Hunt, author of Debt-Proof Living.

Stop idling and save $365/year

For every two minutes your car idles, you burn as much fuel as driving 1 mile, according to Rob Schlichting, spokesperson for the California Energy Commission. With gas prices at about $4/gallon nationwide, 10 minutes of idling costs you $1 a day. If you’ll be waiting longer than 30 seconds, turn off the engine.

Follow the 4/40 rule and save $96/year

What’s more cost-effective: air conditioning or open windows? Rule of thumb to conserve two gallons of gas a month: if you’re driving under 40 mph, open all four windows and turn off the a/c. Over 40 mph, close the windows and run the a/c.

Slow down and save $345/year

Every 5 mph you drive over 60 is like paying an extra $0.29 per gallon. Stick to the speed limit and you’ll shave off 12% at the pump.

Don’t drive aggressively and save $916/year

Accelerating forcefully, making abrupt lane changes, and braking sharply all reduce gas mileage, says Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, a leading auto information website. Take it easy behind the wheel and you’ll boost mpg by 30%. That’s about $1.20 less per gallon – a big savings on the $3100 the average family annually spends for gas, according to the Consumer Federation of America.

The true cost of commuting

2011-11-07T12:32:00.000-05:00

Here's an interesting article from Lifehacker.com about how you could save money by shortening your commute.

http://lifehacker.com/5855550/the-true-cost-of-commuting-save-hundreds-every-year-for-each-mile-you-move-closer-to-work

The Halloween neighborhood livability test

2011-10-31T07:41:00.001-04:00

Is your neighborhood walkable? Safe? Healthy?
http://www.grist.org/living/2011-10-28-trick-or-treat-why-you-should-love-the-little-monsters-at-the-do

New vehicle label starting with model year 2013

2011-10-28T14:04:00.000-04:00

An improved fuel economy label will be used on all new passenger cars and trucks in the USA in a few years. Read this article to learn more about how this label will let shoppers compare conventional gasoline-powered vehicles with "next generation" car types such as plug-in, hybrid, or electric: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-5-25_fueleconomylabel
Watch a short video about the label here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMtdlZFucp4

Shedding light on the subject of bulbs

2011-10-26T08:27:00.000-04:00

What's the latest in light bulb news? Are CFLs safe? Do LEDs live up to the hype? Read the 2011 Consumer Reports guide to light bulbs and find out...

Here's a brief summary:

CFLs use about 75% less energy and last seven to ten times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. Consumer Reports tested 60-watt CFLs and LEDs for this report.

CFLs save money faster (one year) than LEDs (four to ten years). They also contain less mercury (<1mg), although CR notes that they should be recycled at stores like Home Depot, Ikea, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or other participating programs... but you were already recycling your light bulbs, right?

LEDs meet most of their claims (brightness, low energy use, no mercury, dimming capability, long lifespan) but can be suboptimal in light distribution, not all are as bright as promised, and they are still more expensive than CFLs.

What you should look for when shopping for light bulbs:

Lumens measure brightness better than wattage does. This article suggests a lumens equivalent for several common bulb types.

Brightness and color are not created equal.

Read the Lighting Facts label to check brightness, energy use, estimated energy cost, expected lifespan.

Check for rebates and coupons at www.dsireusa.org/incentives or http://www.energystar.gov/ or your local utility company.

Want more?

Read the full article and check bulb ratings here:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/resources/streaming/PDFs/Consumer+Reports+Lightbulb+Review+Facebook.pdf

Visit the Consumer Reports page on Facebook to get access to free reports like this without becoming a subscriber.
CR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConsumerReports
CR main website: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm

ACEEE state energy efficiency scorecards released

2011-10-25T17:55:00.000-04:00

ACEEE Press release: MASSACHUSETTS OVERTAKES CALIFORNIA AS #1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATE, MICHIGAN AND ILLINOIS AMONG THE MOST IMPROVED

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 20, 2011): A sour U.S. economy, tight state budgets, and a failure by Congress to adopt a comprehensive energy strategy have not slowed the growing momentum among U.S. states toward increased energy efficiency, according to the fifth edition of the annual ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) during a National Press Club news conference.

Available online at http://aceee.org/research-report/e115 , the ACEEE Scorecard shows that the top 10 states are: Massachusetts (taking the #1 position for the first time); California (slipping from the top spot it held for the first four editions of the ACEEE Scorecard); New York State; Oregon; Vermont; Washington State; Rhode Island; Minnesota, Connecticut; and Maryland (making its first appearance in the top 10 and also one of the six most improved states in the 2011 ACEEE Scorecard).

The 10 states most in need of improvement (from dead last to #42) are: North Dakota; Wyoming; Mississippi; Kansas; Oklahoma; South Carolina; West Virginia; Missouri; Alabama (also one of the top six most improved states); and South Dakota.

The six most improved states include Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Alabama, Maryland, and Tennessee.

"Energy efficiency is America's abundant, untapped energy resource and the states continue to press forward to reap its economic and environmental benefits," said ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel. "The message here is that energy efficiency is a pragmatic, bipartisan solution that political leaders from both sides of the aisle can support. As they have over the past decades, states continue to provide the leadership needed to forge an energy-efficient economy, which reduces energy costs, spurs job growth, and benefits the environment."

"Thanks to our investments in innovation and infrastructure, Massachusetts is now leading the nation in energy efficiency," said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. "Through our Green Communities Act, we set aggressive goals and laid the foundation for greater investment in energy efficiency -- and now we are proud to be a model for the nation and world."

"I am thrilled that Maryland is being recognized as one of the top ten states and one of the most improved states for energy efficiency," said Malcolm Woolf, director of the Maryland Energy Administration. "As a result of Governor O'Malley's vision in establishing one of the nation's most aggressive energy efficiency goals, Marylanders have already saved over 700,000 MWh of electricity and over $91 million dollars since 2009, and our peak demand program has helped us avoid major blackouts during our record-setting summer heat wave."

"Illinois is a purposeful leader in the area of sustainability, investing more than $600 million in energy efficiency projects over the last four years alone," Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Warren Ribley said. "By supporting aggressive policies including the state's energy efficiency portfolio standard and advanced building industry training and education, we are creating jobs, building more sustainable communities and securing our place in the new energy economy."

"We are excited that Michigan's positive action on energy efficiency is being recognized nationally," said Valerie Brader, the chief energy policy officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The ACEEE report observed that Michigan's improvement is particularly due to the implementation of energy efficiency programs advanced in state legislation P.A. 295.

The fifth edition of the ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard presents a comprehensive ranking of the states based on an array of metrics that capture best practices and recognize leadership in energy efficiency policy and program implementation. The Scorecard benchmarks progress and provides a roadmap for states to advance energy efficiency in the residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors. A new, diverse set of states has followed a group of leading states by adopting significant energy efficiency policies, which will lead to innovative and effective programs. Tremendous potential remains for energy efficiency savings in all of the states should motivate decision-makers to advance energy efficiency.

"Clearly, 2011 has not been kind to our economy, but energy efficiency remains a growth sector that attracts investment and creates jobs," said Michael Sciortino, ACEEE senior policy analyst and the report's lead author. "With even higher energy savings possible, we expect leading states to continue pushing the envelope next year and inspire those at the bottom of the rankings to embrace energy efficiency as a core strategy to gain a competitive advantage by generating cost-savings, promoting technological innovation, and stimulating growth."

OTHER KEY FINDINGS

Facing uncertain economic times, states are continuing to use energy efficiency as a key strategy to generate cost-savings, promote technological innovation, and stimulate growth. The ACEEE Scorecard documents the following trends:

• Total budgets for electricity efficiency programs increased to $4.5 billion in 2010, up from $3.4 billion in 2009. Combined with natural gas program budgets of about $1 billion, total energy efficiency budgets in 2010 equal about $5.5 billion. Given the increasing regulatory commitments to energy efficiency, this growth will likely continue over the next decade.

• Twenty-nine (29) states have either adopted or have made significant progress toward the adoption of the latest energy-saving building codes for homes and commercial properties - up from twenty in 2010 and ten in 2009.

• Twenty-four (24) states have adopted an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), which sets long-term energy savings targets and drives utility-sector investments in energy efficiency programs. States that adopted EERS policies in 2007 and 2008 are now realizing significant energy savings and moving ahead in the Scorecard rankings.

• States continue to improve policies to reduce financial, technical, and regulatory barriers to adoption and deployment of combined heat and power (CHP) systems, which generate electricity and thermal energy in an integrated system. Tremendous potential remains for CHP, particularly in states with heavy industrial and manufacturing bases.

• A group of leading states remains ahead of the curve in adopting policies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and promote the purchase and manufacture of efficient vehicles. A major gap exists, however, as over half the states have minimal or no policies to encourage efficiency in the transportation sector.

Methodology

This ACEEE Scorecard provides a comprehensive assessment of policy and programs that improve energy efficiency in our homes, businesses, industry, and transportation sectors. The Scorecard examines six state energy efficiency policy areas and presents these results in six chapters: (1) utility and public benefits programs and policies; (2) transportation policies; (3) building energy codes; (4) combined heat and power; (5) state government initiatives; and (6) appliance efficiency standards. States can earn up to 50 possible points in these six policy areas combined, with the maximum possible points in each area weighted by the magnitude of its potential energy savings impact.

ABOUT ACEEE

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit http://www.aceee.org/

MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Mitchell at (703) 276-3266 or pmitchell@hastingsgroup.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: A streaming audio replay of the news event will be available at http://www.hastingsgroupmedia.com/aceee/102011ScorecardReport.mp3 , an electronic copy of the ACEEE 2011 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard report and a high-resolution image of the ACEEE "logo" will be made available upon request on October 20, 2011.

Garlic goodness

2011-10-25T13:18:00.000-04:00

Tis the season for planting garlic! My CSA has been sending giant cloves from a mysterious hardneck variety that I'd love to plant in my garden... if I hadn't already eaten them all.

What you need to know about growing garlic in Maryland:
http://growit.umd.edu/VegetableProfiles/Garlic.cfm
or anywhere:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/grow-it/how-to-plant-garlic.aspx

How to plant it in containers:
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/how-to-plant-garlic-in-containers-158494

One good recipe to put it in:
Fresh tomato soup, from Simply In Season

8 medium tomatoes, peeled/seeded/chopped
4+ cloves garlic, minced

Combine in saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until tomatoes are soft.

3 cups water or vegetable juice
2 chicken or veg bouillon cubes
1 tsp sugar
2 sprigs fresh basil, chopped

Add, bring to boil, simmer 5 minutes and serve.

(photo credit http://www.cooksgarden.com/vegetables/garlic/garlic-extra-select-prod000217.html?catId=2022&trail=)

Fire In The Wind: book signing tonight at Inner Harbor

2011-10-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Local author and Delegate Dana Stein to discuss his book Fire In The Wind tonight at Barnes & Noble Inner Harbor tonight 6-8pm, sponsored by Maryland's US Green Building Council chapter.

Dana Stein, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, will appear at the Barnes & Noble Power Plant on Thursday, October 13 from 6 pm to 8 pm, for readings and discussion of his novel Fire In The Wind.

The book signing is being sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the United States Green Building Council as part of its Local Author Series. The book store is located at 601 E. Pratt Street in Baltimore City.

Set in the year 2036, this short novel describes the efforts of the United States to deal with the negative effects of climate change, including coastal flooding, the loss of farmland and the uprooting of families. The central characters of the fictional piece involve a displaced farmer, a member of the National Security Council and a college professor.

More information on the book is available at http://www.fireinthewind.com/

Stein is the Executive Director and founder of Civic Works and sits on the Environmental Matters Committee of the House of Delegates.

The Maryland Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council is comprised of local businesses, organizations and individuals that offer educational programs and organize lobbying efforts to advance the development and operation of sustainable and environmentally-conscious office and industrial buildings, retail centers and related structures.

Trashing Baltimore's Inner Harbor

2011-09-06T13:02:00.000-04:00

Anybody ever wonder what became of the water wheel trash collector at Baltimore's Inner Harbor? Me too: here's the scoop...
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/green/2011/09/trash_collector_trashed.html

Countdown to the 2011 Solar Decathlon

2011-08-31T09:03:00.000-04:00

Are you ready for the Solar Decathlon in Washington DC next month? The EERE sure is: they've been profiling a different entry in their e-newsletter each week as they count down to the event. For instance...

Students from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville use an iPad to monitor their house's energy systems.

Florida International University's perFORM[D]ance House focuses on sustainability.

University of Maryland's WaterShed entry aims to bring attention to the Chesapeake Bay, which is the largest estuary in the USA.

The next Solar Decathlon will be held Sept. 23–Oct. 2, 2011, at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. Go check it out!

For more information, visit SolarDecathlon.gov

Join the clean energy conversation on Facebook at DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Savers, and Solar Decathlon pages.

Read about the last Solar Decathlon in 2009 here.

Sites for reuse, trade in, or donation

2011-08-28T16:45:00.000-04:00

Tis the season for yard sales! But if you haven't the time or inclination, here are some sites where you can trade in or donate your stuff to a good cause.

Gazelle.com for gadget recycling
Sell your old but working electronic gadgets! Enter the brand, model, and condition and the site makes you an offer (usually around $100 per trade-in). If you accept, Gazelle mails you a box to send it in and a free shipping label. Once the site confirms the gadget works, you can accept the money via check, gift card, or PayPal, or donate it to one of about 50 charities. Don't worry: Before the item is resold, Gazelle wipes out your personal information.

Thredup.com for kid stuff
Swap clothes or toys your child has outgrown. Browse through listings of thousands of boxes containing an average of 15 items - brief descriptions include size (for clothes) and color. Once you've picked a box, describe the items you'll be trading, and for $5 plus shipping, you'll receive your chosen box and an empty one to send in your items. The site relies on user ratings to monitor the quality of goods, and 98% of the boxes are rated 3 or 4 stars.

New local thrift store for all you fashionistas out there: www.uptowncheapskate.com  in Timonium.
But don't forget old favorites like http://www.voguerevisited.com/ on Roland Ave near Hampden,
and http://www.platosclosetbaltimore.com/ on Taylor Ave near Loch Raven.

Where to donate clothes and household items (schedule free pickup online if you live in a neighborhood along one of their routes, like Rodgers Forge...)
PurpleHeartPickup.org  for Purple Heart Veterans
ClothingDonations.org  for Vietnam Veterans

Also don't forget the Baltimore County recycling site, with its links to electronics recycling and local reuse organizations. Did you know that you can take electronics and building materials to one of the three county landfills for recycling or donation?

And when all else fails, there's always Craigslist.

P.S. Click the Recycling tag in the sidebar to see my other posts on this topic! I'm always discovering new sites and shops to RRR.

Maryland adopts International Green Building Code

2011-07-21T21:19:00.000-04:00

In 2009, the International Code Council launched the development of a new International Green Construction Code (IgCC) initiative, subtitled “Safe and Sustainable: By the Book,” committed to developing a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings addressing green building design and performance.

Maryland will be the first state to adopt this new green building code in 2012.

The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) acts in conjunction with other existing codes, such as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Features of the new code include:

-a Zero Energy Performance Index (zEPI), which requires buildings to use no more than 51% of the energy allowed in the 2000 IECC.

-a 20% water savings beyond US federal standards for residential water closets.

-the addition of appliance information, radon mitigation, and commissioning documentation to ensure the health and safety of building occupants

-land use regulations that address flood risk, greenfields preservation, use of turf grass, and minimum landfill diversion requirements

The IgCC is sponsored by the AIA, ASHRAE, USGBC, and IES. It includes the ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 (the successor to ASHRAE 90.1-2007) as a jurisdictional requirement option.

The public comment period ends 12 August 2011, and final action will take place on 6 Nov 2011. The IgCC will be fully integrated into the existing International Code Council (ICC) code family in early 2012. It will take effect in Maryland on 1 March 2012; adoption will be voluntary.

Visit http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx to download IgCC public version 2.0

Don't repeal the bulb act!

2011-07-08T08:37:00.000-04:00

Next week, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on the "BULB Act" (H.R. 91), which would repeal the energy efficiency standards for light bulbs that Congress enacted in 2007, standards that are already helping American households save money every month on their energy bills. Let your Representative know that you oppose the repeal of this energy- and money-saving legislation.

Tell your Representative to oppose the BULB Act or other bills that repeal light bulb energy efficiency standards!

More Options, Better Bulbs, Less Energy Used

Proponents of the BULB Act claim the standards they want to repeal amount to a light bulb "ban" that limits consumers' choices. That couldn't be further from the truth.

The Facts:

• Incandescent bulbs aren't getting banned... in fact, they are getting better. Manufacturers are already making a variety of new energy-saving bulbs for homes, including more efficient incandescent bulbs.

• The new incandescent bulbs look, light, and turn on exactly like the bulbs we have been using for decades, but are 28 to 33 percent more energy efficient and are available in stores now.

• Consumers aren't required to "retire" bulbs or to purchase only CFL or LED light bulbs ---- consumers can use existing bulbs until they burn out and when a bulb burns out consumers can choose between efficient incandescent lamps or even more efficient CFL or LED light bulb options.

• The lighting industry supports this standard, along with efficiency, consumer, and environmental advocates.

Energy-efficient lighting saves consumers money, creates jobs, and benefits the environment. At a time when families are struggling with high energy costs, efficient lighting will save the average American family $50-100 every year on the electric bill (about $12 billion nationwide), and save enough energy annually to power all the homes in Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Phasing-in energy-efficient light bulbs means more choices and more ways to save on energy. We urge you to write your Representative and let him/her know you strongly oppose repeal of the light bulb efficiency standards.

Tell your Representative to oppose the BULB Act and similar bills!

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,
ACEEE
http://www.aceee.org/

Is your city sustainable?

2011-07-07T12:42:00.001-04:00

“The battle to prevent catastrophic climate change will be won or lost in our cities…” (C40 Cities Initiative)

Several studies about “climate-ready” or “resilient” cities have been in the news this week. These rankings are based on factors such as:

• political commitment
• LEED-certified buildings per capita
• university leadership
• transit access/use per capita
• clean tech investment
• energy and GHG emissions

Read on for links to these articles, and the top ten city rankings by geographic area.

U.S. city rankings by CO2 Impact: http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/06/top-10-climate-ready-cities/
10. Chicago
9. San Jose
8. Philadelphia
7. New York
6. San Diego
5. Denver
4. Washington, DC
3. Portland Oregon
2. Seattle
1. San Francisco

U.S. & Canada rankings posted by the NRDC: http://www.grist.org/cities/2011-07-05-closer-look-at-siemens-green-cities-rankings

1. San Francisco
2. Vancouver
3. New York City
4. Seattle
5. Denver

Global rankings by CO2 impact: http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/06/top-10-globally-resilient-cities/
10. Tokyo, Japan
9. London, UK
8. New York, USA
7. San Francisco, USA
6. Paris, France
5. Vancouver, Canada
4. Stockholm, Sweden
3. Barcelona, Spain
2. Curitiba, Brazil
1. Copenhagen, Denmark

Learn about sustainable agriculture from Heifer International

2011-07-05T07:32:00.001-04:00

More on sustainable food & farming from Heifer.org:

You can join a group interactive program on sustainable farming and development at one of their farms in the USA, or join an international study tour.

The farm closest to Baltimore is in Sharpsburg, MD:

Heifer global village at Shepherd's Spring
www.heifer.org/shepherd

Another farm with a food course:
Overlook Farm in Rutland, Mass www.heifer.org/overlook
Harvest Time: Immerse yourself in this course on food systems, sustainable agriculture and self-reliance techniques.
October 9-12 (co-ed) or 13-16 (women only)

And here are some books on the topic of preserving produce...

Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309873375&sr=8-1

Canning for a New Generation... http://www.amazon.com/Canning-New-Generation-Flavors-Modern/dp/1584798645/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1309873395&sr=1-1

The Complete Book of Pickling http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Pickling-Relishes-Chutneys/dp/0778802167/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309873419&sr=1-1

Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It... http://www.amazon.com/Jam-Pickle-Cure-Cooking-Projects/dp/1580089585/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309873440&sr=1-1

Wild Fermentation... http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Fermentation-Flavor-Nutrition-Live-Culture/dp/1931498237/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309873458&sr=1-1

Invasivore: if you can't beat 'em, eat 'em

2011-06-30T07:35:00.001-04:00

Recently featured in Heifer International magazine (see Heifer.org):

Invasivore: a website dedicated to eradicating invasive species by eating them.

Of course, the reality is more complicated than “if you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em!” and this blog will explore the many dimensions of this issue in ways we hope will surprise you- and your taste buds. Our organizing principle is the knowledge –courage even- to harvest, prepare and consume invasive species. It is this awareness we think will lead to decreasing the impacts of invasive species by preventing new introductions, reducing spread, and encouraging informed management policies.

Check out the website for recipes, maps, and links to more information about invasive species around the world.

http://invasivore.org/

Baltimore Farmers Market roundup

2011-06-29T09:19:00.000-04:00

Tis the season for farmers markets! And this year it seems there are more than ever, on any day of the week.

See listings by county here:

http://www.mda.state.md.us/md_products/farmers_market_dir.php#baltcity

Here are the markets closest to Towson, arranged by weekday:

Saturday
32nd Street/Waverly
Green Spring Station
Go Life / Cylburn
Baltimore Museum of Industry
Fells point

Sunday
Baltimore City (under the JFX)

Tuesday
Lauraville
Village of Cross Keys
Kenilworth

Wednesday
Mt. Washington Whole Foods Market
Govanstowne
Baltimore County at MD State Fairgrounds
Druid Hill
State Center Community

Thursday
Towson
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Highlandtown

Friday
Charles Street Friday Market
Farmers' Market at the Avenue at White Marsh

Get out and support your local farmers!

Lost cats, livable streets, and community

2011-06-13T07:45:00.001-04:00

http://www.grist.org/urbanism/2011-06-23-great-places-how-livable-streets-make-us-happier-humans

This Grist article about livable streets and sustainable communities reminds me of the time I lost my cat. After pounding the pavement for a day or two, I sent a distressed email to a handful of my closest neighbors. One replied immediately, and it turns out my cat had gotten locked in her garage. Phew!

A friend from a different neighborhood was amazed that I not only knew my neighbors, but had their email addresses too. Apparently Rodgers Forge is the exception rather than the rule in Baltimore neighborhoods: families living in close proximity have more chances to chat over the front porch or backyard fence, help unload groceries, pet-sit, play with each others' kids, and generally be more involved in each others' lives.

For all that I complain about people rushing between house and car with scarcely a moment to greet neighbors or walk around the block, I think my neighborhood is better than many in this regard. In this day and age where we're more virtually-connected than ever, there's still something to be said for being able to walk out the door and talk to another human being face to face.

JH-U-Turn community yard sale this Saturday

2011-06-07T14:04:00.000-04:00

JH-U-TURN Community Yard Sale

Pick up second-hand items for a reduced price!

June 11; 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

O’Connor Rec Center, Gym; Homewood Field

Come check out second-hand items from students at a reduced price! Items include clothing, furniture, books, electronics, and household items. In keeping with Hopkins’ mission of demonstrating smart, sensible, and creative actions promoting sustainability and community strengthening, JH-U-Turn is designed to help reduce waste and support a great cause.

Visit http://web.jhu.edu/liaison/UTurn.html for more information.

Going paperless? read this...

2011-05-12T08:51:00.000-04:00

Here's an excellent article from CNN Money with tips and cautions on how to switch to e-bills without losing any important information.

---
Article By Karin Price Mueller, Money Magazine
May 5, 2011

(Money Magazine) -- You may have noticed that the appeals to go paperless from banks, credit card issuers, and brokerages have reached fever pitch lately.

While the marketing often plays up the environmental benefits, the push to accept online statements is really all about saving a buck -- the company's buck, that is. Banks in particular are trying to make up for revenue lost due to recent credit and debit legislation, says Lauren Saunders of the National Consumer Law Center.

Despite the hard sell, only 24% of bank customers have gone digital, and more than a third say they'll never switch, Forrester Research found.

Among the latter? Maybe you should rethink: "Besides the feel-good story about saving trees, there are many advantages to going paperless," says Riverdale, N.J., financial planner Michael Gibney.

Statements are available sooner, transactions are searchable, and the risk of your ID being stolen through the mail is lowered. But if you're going to do it, do it right.

Create an e-filing cabinet

The top reason people give for not choosing e-statements: fear they'll need paper copies. But that's the wrong anxiety. A statement printed at home has the same legal value as one you get in the mail, Gibney says.

Of greater concern: Many institutions keep only one year of records online. To save yourself from last-minute scrambles for documents, download key statements.

Create folders on your hard drive for proof of deductible expenses (save for seven years); proof of major purchases (for insurance and warranties); bills (delete once paid); and purchase slips and end-of-year statements on investment accounts (for tax reasons).

Set up a review system

One legitimate risk of going paperless is that it's easier to ignore the statements and miss wrongful charges, term changes, or due dates, notes Saunders.

Stay vigilant by signing up for e-mail alerts notifying you when a bill or statement is available. (Just be sure to add the institutions to your "safe senders" list, so that they don't get tagged as spam.)

Keep the messages marked "unread" until you act on them.

Protect your data

In the Forrester study, consumers also expressed concerns about what would happen if their computers crashed. Indeed, you'd have to chase all the documents you'd downloaded.

Avert this annoyance by backing up the folders onto a CD or external hard drive.

Finally, while going digital protects you from dumpster-diving ID thieves, saving documents on your hard drive can open you up to other privacy risks, says Ondrej Krehel of Identity Theft 911.

So keep your computer's antivirus software up-to-date, and, if you use a laptop, make sure it's password-protected and that the files are saved with encryption.

(Image credit: http://www.chrisjordan.com/ from "Running the Numbers: An American Self-Portrait (2006 - 2009)", this image depicts 30,000 reams of office paper, or 15 million sheets, equal to the amount of office paper used in the US every five minutes.

Another rain barrel & compost bin sale

2011-05-12T08:37:00.000-04:00

Lots of local organizations are offering discounts on rain barrels and compost bins this season!

This week's Towson Times paper included a flyer for a sale Saturday May 14th from 8am to 2pm at the Towson United Methodist Church, which is located right off the beltway at the Dulaney Valley Road exit (501 Hampton Lane, Towson).

Systern Rain barrels for $59.99 and Earth Machine composters for $49.99

Other groups hosting sales you may want to check out...
Blue Water Baltimore native plant sales on May 21, June 5 & 11 http://bluewaterbaltimore.org/
Oregon Ridge Nature Center: native plant sale this Saturday http://www.oregonridge.org/

Sustainable summer internships

2011-05-04T16:26:00.002-04:00

Looking for a green way to spend your summer and help the planet at the same time? Read on for some good ideas!

Internship information posted below from the sustainable_hopkins enewsletter by Johns Hopkins University Office of Sustainability. Subscribe here: https://lists.johnshopkins.edu/sympa/info/sustainable_hopkins

Summer 2011 Sustainability-Related Job and Internship Opportunities

Summer Job Opportunities with the JHU Office of Sustainability

Part-time Data Analyst and Assessment, Design and Research, and Community Ambassador jobs available to “Green Baltimore City nonprofits”

Location: Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus

Description: Student employees will be trained to identify opportunities for energy conservation and other environmental sustainability improvements within area community non-profit organizations. After training, student employees will work together in teams to assess building energy use and organizational operations, formulating recommendations for making each participating non-profit more sustainable. Employment will be for 9 weeks from June 5-August 6, with a $10/hour compensation ($2,250 for the summer).

Qualifications: Must have excellent attention to detail, writing skills, and ability to work productively as a part of a team. Helpful but not necessary to understand principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship, energy technologies, and conservation practices.

To apply: Send an electronic letter of interest indicating which position(s) you are interested in and a resume to jcalabrese@jhu.edu no later than Friday, May 13. You will also need to apply through the

Student Employment Services website. Instructions will be sent in response to the e-mail submission of your application.

For more information, visit http://www.sustainability.jhu.edu/about/internships.html

Local Internship Opportunities

General Internships:

Baltimore Green Works

Part time intern for a program assistant position
Location: Baltimore

Description: Intern will work with the board and staff and be exposed to various aspects of a non-profit organization including: volunteer management, fundraising, marketing, communications, program development, administrative duties, and logistical planning. Projects of focus will include Ecofest (which was rescheduled), the Sustainable Speaker Series, and other organizational developmental projects.

Qualifications: Word and Excel necessary; Adobe Creative Suit appreciated. Internet research and multitasking capabilities, excellent writing skills, attention to detail, ability to manage large groups of volunteers during events. Ability to be timely and commit to a schedule as well as work some evening and weekends according to BGW’s event schedule.

To apply: If you are interested, please send your resume to christina@baltimoregreenworks.com with a short description (3-7 sentences) of your interest in working with Baltimore Green Works.

Island Press

Part time Internships

Location: Washington, DC

Island Press is a source of environmental information and solutions, publishing up to 40 new books on topics including conservation biology, marine science, land conservation, green building, sustainable agriculture, climate change, and ecological restoration. For more information, visit: http://islandpress.org/assets/2011SpringInternships.pdf. Although it lists Spring internship positions, this also applies to summer positions. For Idealist.org listings for Island Press, click here. Postings include editorial, production, programs, events, marketing, development, and executive internships. Interns will receive a $60/week stipend, flexible scheduling (10-20 hours/week required), and an employee discount of 50% on all Island Press titles.

Policy and Communications

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Three to four month unpaid internship on environmental and public policy issues
Location: Washington, DC

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the nation’s leading advocate for trails and a national champion for active transportation, having a significant voice in federal legislation related to creating bikeable and walkakble communities.

Description: Collect data on transportation spending from State Departments of Transportation; work on a new Open Governance project related to transportation funding, prepare new analyses in preparation for the annual spending report; research and write up material for the new series of best practices briefs; and respond to requests from professionals, policy makers, agencies, the media, and the public. Hours are weekdays 9 to 5, but can be flexible to accommodate class schedule(s)/other commitments.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field. Applicants should be task-oriented, highly organized, and possess a strong interest in the topic of health, environment, sustainable transportation, pedestrians, bicycles, or trails. Some graduate coursework desirable.

To Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter noting how you learned of this position announcement via Elton@railstotrails.org.

For more information, click here.

Alliance for Biking & Walking

Part time paid communications intern position
Location: Washington, DC; 1612 K St. NW, Ste 801

The Alliance for Biking & Walking, a national nonprofit, is seeking a communications intern to assist to create, strengthen, and unite state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations.

Description: Regular editing and writing for web and print communications (including the Alliance’s blod and monthly e-news), administering and editing an online resources and photo library, outreach and research for Alliance publications, assistance with promotion and execution of national photo contest, outreach to sponsor and partner groups, and other general communications tasks. The position would need a 15-hour-per-week minimum commitment for three months and will include a stipend of $1,500.

Qualifications: Excellent writing skills; strong attention to detail; familiarity with web 2.0 strategies; blogging and social media; aptitude with digital design tools like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator; track record of working well on team projects; cheerful, friendly, upbeat outlook. Familiarity with biking and walking issues and commitment sustainable transportation is helpful.

To apply: Send a cover letter, resume, examples of related work, and references to Carolyn@PeoplePoweredMovement.org with “Summer 2011 Communications Intern Application” in the subject line. Applications due by May 6. Start of work will be late May or early June.

For more information, click here.

Environmental Research

Earth Policy Institute Internship

Full time research intern position

Earth Policy Institute (EPI) is an independent environmental research organization that strives to provide interdisciplinary analysis and information to policymakers and the public through its print and on-line publications. Additional information on the institute’s activities and publications is available at http://www.earth-policy.org/.

Description: Responsibilities may include identifying and tracking environmental trends; following scientific literature; collecting, analyzing, and organizing data and information; reviewing and fact-checking manuscripts; contributing to institutional outreach efforts.

Qualifications: Background and interest in environmental issues; computer proficiency (MS Office, especially MS Excel); strong research skills (computer and library); acute attention to detail; ability to analyze issues across a variety of disciplines; innovative thinking; strong writing ability; willingness to learn new concepts and skills; and capacity to work independently with minimal supervision and also as a productive member of a small team.

To apply: The application consists of a cover letter, resume, contact information for three references, and a short writing sample (not exceeding 4 pages). College transcripts will be requested from final candidates and may be submitted with the initial application. Send via e-mail to jobs@earth-policy.org and use “Research Intern” as the e-mail subject line.

For more information, click here. For the Idealist.org listing, click here.

Food and Farms

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)

WWOOF is a loose network of national organizations that link volunteers with organic farmers and help people share more sustainable ways of living. In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, living accommodations, and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. WWOOF organizations publish lists of organic farms, smallholdings, and gardeners that welcome volunteer help at certain times. Volunteer helpers choose the hosts that most interest them and make direct contact to arrange stay, usually living as part of the family. For more information on the semantics of the program and a listing of participating farms, visit http://www.wwoof.org/.

Red Wiggler Community Farm

Part time Farm Intern position
Location: Clarksville, MD

Red Wiggler Community Farm creates meaningful jobs so that adults with development disabilities can succeed at work, growing and selling high quality, organic, farm grown vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Description: Assist in everyday farm needs including planting, harvesting, composting, weeding, pest management, tending to chicken, CSA and Farmer’s Market staffing, while keeping a positive attitude and maintaining an inclusive environment.

Time Frame: Ideally June to October, 5 days a week, 20 hours/week, but the Farm is willing to work with an applicant’s schedule and timing needs if contacted for discussion

Qualifications: Interested in working with adults with development disabilities, able to keep a positive attitude and work both in a team and independently, dependable, comfortable working with volunteer groups including youth, ability to perform demanding physical labor, ready to work outdoors in all weather

Training: Red Wiggler staff and growers will provide training through hands-on-participation, readings, and partaking in Chesapeake Regional Association for Farmer Training (CRAFT) programs. No prior farm experience or knowledge is necessary, only a desire to learn

To apply: Submit a letter of interest and your resume to Kara at volunteer@redwiggler.org. Include examples of experiences that demonstrate your ability to work with diverse populations and why you believe Red Wiggler is a community you would like to become part of. Applications will be considered and offers will be made on a rolling basis. The last day to apply is May 16. For more information, click here.

Our Daily Bread

Unpaid internship, 3 hours/week
Location: Baltimore

Description: Manage intake of fresh produce delivered by Hamilton Crop Circle every Sunday, manage volunteer team in intake, cleaning, and refrigeration of all produce received.

Qualifications: minimum of 21 years old, confidence in the kitchen, basic understanding of fresh produce (names and uses of many fruits and vegetables), ability to follow instructions and give direction, strong communication skills, positive attitude.

To apply: Contact Rebecca Horner or Doris Franz-Poling for an application and interview at 442-986-9031. Include with the application a two to five paragraph essay answering: “What is your experience with farm fresh local produce and why is serving fresh fruits and vegetables to Baltimore’s underserviced important?”

For more information, click here.

Paint it black, no, green!

2011-04-30T17:28:00.001-04:00

In a bout of spring cleaning this year, I decided it was time to paint a few more rooms in my house. Did you know that Sherwin Williams has two lines of Environmentally-Preferred low-VOC paint? They come in just about any color you could want, and I can attest that they stink much less than regular paints.

Read about these paints (Duration and Harmony) here:
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/green/paint/

If you hire a painting contractor, tell him/her to look for Pro Green low-VOC interior latex paint.
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/products/progreen_200_low_voc_interior_latex/

And if you're going for LEED credit, here are the standards you'll want to look for in paint, adhesives, and sealants under the Indoor Environmental Quality credit area:
Green Seal Standards 3, 11, 36
SCAQMD #1113, 1168

Here's a post I wrote last year about another low-VOC paint from Home Depot...
http://almgreen.blogspot.com/2010/12/eco-home-improvement-low-voc-paint.html

Earth Day deals

2011-04-21T09:27:00.001-04:00

Go green this week and reap the benefits!

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/295/earth-day-deals-2011.html

To celebrate Earth Day, many businesses are offering consumers free stuff, good deals, and chances to win valuable prizes. Here is just a sampling of what's available. Check the websites and Facebook pages of your favorite companies to find additional promotions.

At participating Starbucks, you can bring in a reusable mug on April 22 to get free brewed coffee or tea.

Origins is offering a trade-in program on Earth Day. Receive a free full-size face cleanser when you bring one of your empty skin-care bottles (from any brand) to an Origins retail store or department-store counter for recycling. Choose from A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser With White Tea or Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash.

At the Disney Store, you can trade in five disposable plastic bags for recycling and receive a free reusable shopping bag on April 22.

Lowe's is giving away one million trees on April 23.

Kmart is offering discounts on everything from air conditioners to TVs on April 22.

Drugstore.com is giving up to 60% off on green and natural products through April 22.

All 394 U.S. national parks have free admission now through Sunday, April 24.

Travelocity has green hotels on sale for up to 40% off. You can also enter to win two round-trip Virgin America tickets and a couple of nights at an eco-friendly hotel.

The Yoga Journal offers a free digital download of the May issue.

The Sierra Club's Earth Day contest gives a chance to win a trip for two to Vieques Island in the Caribbean -- you just add a green pledge to the map.

On Target's website, you can enter the Refresh Your Nest sweepstakes through the end of the month. The grand prize is a home makeover that's valued at up to $50,000. You can also win a trip to Napa Valley, a Nikon camera, products from Burt's Bees or Tom's of Maine, and more.

Search for more Earth Day discounts, freebies, and deals at your favorite stores...

What makes a computer Energy Star material?

2011-04-19T07:06:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder why some computer equipment qualifies for Energy Star rating and others don't? Me too. Here are some facts from the Energy Star website.

Product criteria must show that the equipment can:

Use energy efficient power supply.
Operate efficiently in multiple modes of operation (Off, Sleep, and Idle).
Include and enable power management features of the system and provide user education about these features.

You Should Know...

General: By leaving the machine on around the clock, you run up your electric bill, you suck in dust and you make yourself more vulnerable to power surges.

An ENERGY STAR label is not a guarantee that your machine is saving energy. Always check to ensure that the ENERGY STAR features are enabled.

Computers: A well-designed ENERGY STAR qualified computer will not lose its network connection, which could lead to a loss of data, while in the low-power or sleep mode. Additionally, ENERGY STAR qualified computers with networking capabilities have the ability to enable and disable Wake On LAN for Sleep mode, allowing greater use of low power modes without a loss of IT system maintenance capabilities.

Monitors: Switching on and off the monitor five times or more a day increases the frequency of faults in power transistors in the control and deflection parts only after the machine has been used 20 to 30 years.

Screen Savers: Despite common belief, a screen saver does not save energy. In fact, more often than not, a screen saver will not only draw power for the monitor but will also keep the CPU from shutting down.

Games: Many popular computer games, when running in the background while multitasking, will not allow the computer to go to sleep-even if the game is paused.

May is Bike month

2011-03-22T10:34:00.002-04:00

Bike month is coming! http://www.bikebaltimore.org/bike-month-is-coming/

Baltimore bike planner Nate Evans and his minions are hard at work planning cycling events for the entire month of May: Kinetic Sculpture Race, Bike To Work Day, Bike Jam... check out his blog here and join the contest to see who can attend the most events!

http://www.bikebaltimore.org/

Baltimore City Landscape Manual

2011-03-16T09:22:00.000-04:00

Announcement from the Baltimore City office of Sustainability:

Please join us for a brief presentation and discussion of the Draft Baltimore City Landscape Manual

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Department of Planning
417 East Fayette Street, 8th floor

As part of the citywide zoning update, a Draft Landscape Manual is being developed. The Landscape Manual creates landscaping and screening standards for new development and redevelopment within the city, to promote attractive development, protect property values, and provide environmental benefits.

The Draft Landscape Manual can be downloaded from the Baltimore City Planning Department website: http://baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/Planning.aspx

For questions, email amy.gilder-busatti@baltimorecity.gov or call 410-396-PLAN.

Pi Day 3.14

2011-03-14T11:37:00.000-04:00

Ah, Pi day. Back in high school we celebrated by hitting teachers in the face with cream pies when they couldn't answer our math questions (and ok, we may have been in cahoots with the local college math professor to get some Really Hard math questions to stack the deck)...

Here's how you can have your pie and be energy efficient too, with a PSA from the Johns Hopkins Sustainability office:

Happy Pi Day! And to celebrate, we’ve got you covered with tips to use less energy when you’re baking that pie of yours.

o Ceramic and glass dishes let you turn down the oven by 25 degrees without extended cooking times because they conduct and hold heat better than metal.

o To keep a dish warm before serving time: put it in the microwave and close the door. The insulation will keep the food warm (but make sure the dish isn’t metal!).

o If you have a convection feature on your oven, take the time to learn how to use it. You can save one-third of the cooking energy.

o If you have an oven light and a clean oven glass door, turn the light on quickly to check your pie’s status instead of opening the door and wasting energy.

Photo credit (and a really yummy-looking Grasshopper Pie recipe):
http://dyingforchocolate.blogspot.com/2011/02/grasshopper-pie-chocolate-mint-pie-day.html

Earth Hour 2011

2011-03-12T05:14:00.000-05:00

Tis the season for Earth Hour! Come to the dark side with us on March 26th...

Sustainable transportation planning guidebook

2011-03-04T17:33:00.006-05:00

The School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology has recently completed the development of a Guidebook on Transportation Planning for Sustainability for the Federal Highway Administration, the result of a 2-year project.

The objectives of this project were as follows:
-Review US and int'l best practices in transportation planning for sustainability
-Identify appropriate data sources and data collection needs
-Provide guidance to transportation agencies through catalog of practices and case studies
-Share information on sustainability practices with state DOTs and other transportation agencies

It is available for free download at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climate/resources.htm#sustain

Thanks to Adjo Amekudzi, Ph.D for sharing this resource!

Environmental film fest in DC this month

2011-03-02T18:25:00.000-05:00

This month, Washington DC holds its 19th Annual Festival, March 15-27

60 Venues, 150 Films, 26,000+ Filmgoers

As the Environmental Film Festival launches its annual celebration of the natural world on screens across Washington, D.C., we explore one of the most controversial and timely topics of our day: the critical relationship between energy and the environment. Please join us in March as we present 150 diverse and engaging films from 40 countries.

Check the listings at their website here (most films are free!):
http://www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org/

Book: Cities for People

2011-03-01T13:02:00.000-05:00

I just read an impressive review of the book Cities for People in this month's Civil Engineering magazine (which you can read online here)...

The book's author, Jan Gehl, is an architect and professor of urban design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, and is credited with helping to make Copenhagen the model of pedestrian- and bicyclist-friendly urbanism that it is today. The review notes that more than 1/3 of Copenhagen's commuters travel by bicycle.

Sustainability-minded urban planners will want to read this book!

Baltimore County Master Gardeners classes

2011-02-25T12:27:00.001-05:00

Mondays in March, come learn from the Master Gardeners about edible gardens, food preservation, native trees, and other landscaping tips! Classes are $15 each of $50 for the series.

Registration info at this link:
http://bcmastergardeners.weebly.com/spring-lecture-series.html

Celebrate National Engineers Week

2011-02-24T14:34:00.002-05:00

"Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never was." -Theodore Von Karman, Aerospace Engineer

This week we celebrate engineers, engineering, and engineers-in-training during National Engineers Week
http://www.eweek.org/Home.aspx

Here are some engineering links for kids (of all ages)...

Discover Engineering! by the National Engineers Week Foundation
http://www.discoverengineering.org/

The Future City competition was held in Washington DC this week :
http://www.futurecity.org/

Here's an interview with Bentley Systems CEO Greg Bentley about the Future City competition:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/mornings/holly_live/holly-morris-national-engineers-week-future-city-competition-022211

The American Society of Civil Engineers (http://www.asce.org/ ) also gets into the act...
Engineering education for kids/parents/teachers http://www.asce.org/Audience/Kids-Parents-Teachers/
Visit ASCEville http://content.asce.org/asceville/index.html

And in higher education...

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) dedicates more than $1 million annually to recognize leaders in engineering for their lifetime dedication to their field and their commitment to advancing the human condition and to bring better understanding of the importance of engineering and engineering education to society.

The following prizes were awarded at this week's event in DC:
The 2011 Charles Stark Draper Prize is awarded to Frances H. Arnold and Willem P. C. Stemmer "for directed evolution, a method used worldwide for engineering novel enzymes and biocatalytic processes for pharmaceutical and chemical products".

The 2011 Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize is awarded to Leroy E. Hood "for automating DNA sequencing that revolutionized biomedicine and forensic science."

The 2011 Bernard M. Gordon Prize Recipient is awarded to Edward F. Crawley "for leadership, creativity, and energy in defining and guiding the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) Initiative, which has been widely adopted internationally for engineering education."

Read more about these research projects here: http://www.nae.edu/Activities/Projects20676/Awards.aspx

To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be. -anon.

Time to shine: new location for 2011 Solar Decathlon in September

2011-02-23T17:49:00.000-05:00

Energy, Interior Departments Announce New Location for Solar Decathlon 2011
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=489

February 23, 2011

The Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 will be held at the National Mall's West Potomac Park, on the banks of the Potomac River along the path between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. Specifically, the event will be held on the peninsula just south of the new Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial—scheduled to open in August of this year—between the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Potomac River. The Decathlon will begin in late September as originally scheduled.

The event is being moved from its previous location on the Mall between the Washington Monument and the Capitol to balance the many uses and demands on the Mall.

"We look forward to holding another world-class Solar Decathlon in a world-class location—the National Mall's West Potomac Park," said Secretary Chu. "Keeping the competition on the National Mall property allows the students to proceed with their existing home designs, specifically tailored for Washington's latitude, temperature, and humidity conditions. The West Potomac site is in close proximity to a number of attractions and will provide an ideal stage to highlight clean energy solutions for thousands of public visitors."

"Solar energy is a key component of President Obama's vision for a new energy future and the solar decathlon is part of that future," said Secretary Salazar. "The National Mall is America's front yard and we have a responsibility to do what is best for the long term health of the Mall. I am pleased that we have been able to find a strong alternate location for the Solar Decathlon and I am looking forward to a successful event."

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is a competition that challenges collegiate students from across the globe to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are affordable, highly energy-efficient, attractive, and easy to live in. During the competition, 20 homes from 16 domestic and four international collegiate teams will undergo extensive testing and expert judging in ten different contest categories. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency. This will be DOE's fifth Solar Decathlon; previous events were held in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2009.

The Solar Decathlon provides participating students with unique training to enter our nation's clean-energy workforce. It is also a popular public event, open to visitors who come to see the designs and learn about money-saving clean-energy solutions for their own homes. The public will be encouraged to meet the students and visit their highly efficient, innovative solar homes during the event. Specific public viewing hours for this year's competition will be published at a later date.

See a preliminary layout of the National Mall's West Potomac Park site here: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/pdfs/2011_map.pdf

The Solar Decathlon supports the Obama Administration's goal of creating an economy based on clean-energy technologies while saving families and businesses money and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

For more information, please visit SolarDecathlon.gov

Almost vegetarian

2011-02-21T19:43:00.002-05:00

Stop me if you've heard this one before: I made a New Years resolution to eat healthier. But unlike previous draconian efforts (like the tofu incident of '07), this time I'm adding healthy foods instead of totally omitting the "bad" ones, and it's going pretty well. I'd compare this to the French Women Don't Get Fat approach: eat what you want in reasonable portions, drink plenty of water (plus some wine), and walk a lot.

My pregnant friend's midwife put her on the Eat to Live diet, which is a bit too vegan for my lifestyle, but it did inspire me to incorporate more legumes and greens into my diet. I've waxed poetic about the joys of kale and other CSA veg discoveries here before, and I'll do it again: below is my latest favorite legume-based pot luck dish. It's veg-friendly and easy to make. Enjoy!

Apple lentil salad, from Simply In Season cookbook.

1 cup lentils: soak 15min in hot water

2 potatoes

1 onion

Dice and boil these until soft, then drain and cool to add at end.

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp curry powder

1 tsp salt

Heat oil in large saucepan. Add salt and curry power and heat until bubbly. Drain lentils and add to saucepan, fry briefly.

2 cups water

Add and cook until absorbed, about 20min. Drain any excess water and cool.

2 tart apples, cored and diced

1/4 cup lemon juice or cider vinegar

Combine to prevent browning. Mix with cooled lentils and potato/onion mix.

Add chopped parsley to garnish. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Where to rent and refuel electric cars

2011-02-08T18:15:00.001-05:00

I don't often read the printed-on-paper newspaper, but occasionally I luck out and a friend passes along a gem worth sharing (thanks Kate!). Here are some links to electric car resources from the travel section of a recent Washington Post…

Electric vehicle (EV) rentals:

http://www.connectbyhertz.com/ 877-654-4400

Offers the Smart EV for hourly rental in New York starting at $6; membership is $50 plus a $25 sign-up fee. Expanding to Washington and San Francisco in March, plans to add Nissan Leaf in February and Mitsubishi ‘I’ in March.

http://www.enterprise.com/ 800-261-7331

Expects to start renting Nissan Leafs in the next few weeks in select markets with charging stations: Phoenix and Tucson, Nashville and Knoxville TN, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland OR.

Charging stations:

There is no single comprehensive listing of charging stations, and much online information is outdated or not relevant to the new EVs. (The latest models require a J 1772 plug.) For now, the stations are free, though you may have to pay to enter the parking garage or lot.

Coulumb Technologies www.mychargepoint.net/find-stations.php For access to the stations, sign up for the $9.95 card online.

ECOtality www.theevproject.com/charging-maps.php This company won’t start building its stations until next month

Department of Energy Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations

EV charger news http://www.evchargernews.com/

And an article by Gene Weingarten in the WP magazine about his adventures testing a Chevy Volt:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/21/AR2011012105347.html

(photo credit http://gas2.org/2009/06/01/new-user-friendly-product-fronts-greenlightacs-charge-station-infrastructure/)

Flies in my ointment

2011-01-18T12:31:00.000-05:00

My house has been plagued with fruit flies ever since summertime, and since I work from home, they drive me nuts! Found this simple fruit fly trap recipe on ApartmentTherapy.com by way of Lifehacker.com (both fantastic websites, btw) and started testing it today. Thanks to my friends Megan and Sandy for the pretty jars and death art...

LEED 2012: NextGen

2011-01-13T17:15:00.002-05:00

The LEED rating system has evolved from v2.2 to 2009 to 2012. The first comment period for this latest version of LEED ends on Monday 17 Jan, and before it does, comments are invited here: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2360

USGBC Maryland chapter chair Stuart Kaplow, Esq., has written this article about remarkable changes in this new version. http://www.stuartkaplow.com/library3.cfm?article_id=182

Highlights from his article and presentation at today's chapter event:

-Philosophical transition from “less negative” to “positive” environmental impact re: net zero buildings.

-No more easy credits: standard practice credits like Fundamental Refrigerant Management have been removed, but not replaced with a higher standard.

-Three new credit categories: Integrated Process, Location & Transportation, and Performance

-More prescriptive, less room for interpretation

-More emphasis on Energy, less on IEQ credits

-Note that actual credit weights have not yet been released.

Other points of interest:

-Datacenter-specific rating system may be coming in the future

-India and UAE have the highest square footage of LEED buildings outside the USA

-LEED currently has about 25% non-residential market penetration

For more information, visit http://www.usgbc.org/ or http://www.stuartkaplow.com/

Steel, the most recycled material on earth

2011-01-09T20:16:00.000-05:00

From Modern Steel Construction magazine...

The sustainability page at www.aisc.org contains links to green steel studies, projects, resources, and links to more Modern Steel Construction articles.

One such article about AISC at GreenBuild in MSC's January issue includes links to sustainability resources at a few steel companies:

View the Nucor sustainability report, and get information about LEED MR credits.
www.nucor.com/responsibility/environment/leed

Track the scrap steel on a Gerdau Ameristeel project for LEED credits using this calculator (for customers only) https://scraptrack.gerdauameristeel.com

There was also mention of scrap/recycled content information available at www.steeldynamics.com, but I didn't find anything that specifically mentioned applicability to LEED credits. (I did, however, find the photo used in this post: photo credit to Steel Dynamics).

Help plan a Baltimore cohousing community

2011-01-07T12:18:00.000-05:00

Sharing the following announcement on behalf of a friend... you can contact her via the links below.

What is Cohousing? A residential community owned, managed, and planned by people who seek a balance between private life and community life.

Who are we? A group of Baltimore area people seeking to form a cohousing community that is:
• Ecologically sensitive and sustainable
• Intergenerational
• Embracing of diversity

Where is it? Only in our dreams, so far! Please join us to explore cohousing and the process of planning a new community.

Saturday, January 29, 2011 - Baltimore Cohousing Organizing Meeting - 3:30 to 5 pm - Baltimore, MD

Please join us at the Ruscombe Mansion, 4801/4803 Yellowwood Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209.
Directions: www.ruscombe.org/directionstoruscombe.html.
For more information on cohousing, see http://www.cohousing.org/ and http://www.cohousingcollaborative.com/ .
To RSVP to the meeting, email rebeccalachen@gmail.com

Want to study sustainability in Sweden?

2011-01-06T12:27:00.003-05:00

Would you like to earn an amazing master's degree, while studying with international colleagues in a beautiful part of the world?

Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) in Karlskrona, Sweden offers two groundbreaking Master's programmes - one in sustainability strategy and one in product innovation.

A friend of mine completed the MSLS program in 2008, and he says it was truly a life-changing experience, both professionally and personally. Read more about it on his blog here: http://www.stackcoordination.com/take-the-leap-go-to-sweden-for-year/

Applications are open until January 17. Apply here: http://www.bth.se/msls

New year, new font

2010-12-31T15:45:00.004-05:00

In case you didn't hear about this in 2010, switching your font to Century Gothic can save you big bucks on printer ink. If, that is, you're still old school enough to be printing at all. Read about this in a GreenBiz article that features the fax machine beatdown from a film classic.

And don't forget the Dutch Ecofont...

http://almgreen.blogspot.com/2009/01/holey-ecofont.html

Happy New Year!

Sorry but I can't hear you over this (compostable) SunChips bag

2010-12-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

Let me start this post by saying I love SunChips. And I loved them even more when I saw their 100% compostable bag in my local market. But this new sustainable packaging of theirs doesn't seem to be playing well to consumers... Read the GreenBiz article (which made their 2010 top 20 list) here. There's even a Facebook community page about this issue.

Having recently bought a compostable bag of SunChips, I can attest that yes, it's the loudest food packaging I've ever handled.

Never fear, SunChips lovers, the folks at Frito Lay are all over it:

"...Why are we making the change? - While there was a huge amount of enthusiasm surrounding the launch of our compostable SunChips® bag, we've also received feedback regarding how the new packaging has affected the consumer experience, including its noise. In response, we’re taking steps to improve our 100% compostable bag in order to address your concerns. We have several new compostable package options in the works that look promising and look forward to introducing the next generation compostable bag to consumers in the near future..."

The website mentions that this bag is certified for industrial composting by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).

"BPI is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the use of compostable plastics. They have teamed up with the United States Composting Council to develop a labeling program for plastics that biodegrade in an industrial compost environment (in accordance with ASTM D6400 “Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics”).
To learn more about BPI visit http://www.bpiworld.org/
To find a compost facility in your area check out http://www.findacomposter.com/ "

Looking forward to the next (quieter) generation of compostable bag, and hoping that other food companies follow this lead!

I'm also on The Twitter!

2010-12-11T23:17:00.000-05:00

Dear blog readers, now you can follow my green adventures on Twitter also! Watch for articles and other brief bits @amymussen

Buy local this holiday season

2010-12-05T09:37:00.020-05:00

Don't forget to patronize your small, locally-owned businesses as you shop for the holidays!

The Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance website is searchable by category or neighborhood, and with a $10 member card you're eligible for the specials mentioned on the "merchant discounts" page.

Personally, I use this guide to plan out my shopping attack on Hampden: you can park anywhere along the Avenue (36th street, that is) and walk to about 17 of these locally-owned stores. Much better than driving between big box stores or fighting crowds at the mall!

Eco-home improvement: Low-VOC paint

2010-12-04T08:17:00.001-05:00

When I repainted my basement recently, I wanted to use one of these new low-VOC paints I'd been hearing about. Found a good one at Home Depot that was labeled as an eco-option: this labeling system can also help you find energy- and water-efficient products throughout the store and website.

Here's the paint I chose:

The FreshAire Choice™
The FreshAire Choice is a revolution in paint, inspired by the need to improve air quality. It’s the first-ever and only tinted paint to contain no VOCs, harsh chemicals that make paint smell like paint and contribute to poor indoor air quality. FreshAire environmentally friendly paint offers premium colors in four inspiring collections that enthuse the beauty and serenity of nature in your home.

* Premium performance paint without the harsh paint odor
* Awarded the Greenguard's Certification For Children and Schools
* Contains zero VOCs in paint or colorant
* Four different collections - 65 color choices
* Lifetime warranty

And here's some more information about low-VOC paint...

Green Paint Standards Protect IAQ and Occupants

GreenerChoices.org Green product watch: best low-VOC paints and stains 9/10

Sustainability for Structural Engineers

2010-12-02T17:56:00.001-05:00

I wish I'd written this book: Sustainability Guidelines for the Structural Engineer

Here's the description from the ASCE online store:

Sponsored by the Sustainability Committee of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE.
This report presents guidelines that are intended to advance the understanding of sustainability in the structural community and to incorporate concepts of sustainability into structural engineering standards and practices.

The guidelines are organized into five sections:
Sustainable Design and Construction,
Sustainable Strategies,
Building Materials,
Infrastructure, and
Case Studies.
Although many of the subjects are related, each section—and the related subsections—have been written to stand alone, allowing this report to be used as a practical reference. Infrastructure gets particular attention because many of the concepts and ideas in this guide that relate to infrastructure can also be applied to design and construction.
This report was written for structural engineers, but related disciplines will also benefit from the contents. This book will help structural engineers as they meet the challenge to design and construct a sustainable built environment

Shop for it here: http://www.asce.org/Product.aspx?id=2147490021
Also available on Amazon.com

Meet kohlrabi

2010-11-27T20:03:00.000-05:00

As my Thanksgiving food offering this year, I arranged a raw veggie tray that included sliced kohlrabi. More than one of the dinner guests had never seen it or heard of it before, so as a public service, here's some information about the humble kohlrabi.

Ever since kohlrabi first appeared in a CSA delivery from our local One Straw Farm, I've been a fan. It looks like a UFO with leaves and tastes like raw peas. A quick Google search tells me that yes, you can eat the leaves, and stems too.

Excerpted from the FarmgirlFare blog link below:

Kohlrabi, from the German words kohl (cabbage) and rabi (turnip), is not actually a cabbage or a turnip. Cultivated in Europe since at least the mid 1500's, this cold loving member of the brassica (cabbage) family is low in calories, high in fiber, and a good source of several vitamins and minerals. Although kohlrabi has been grown the U.S. since at least the early 1800's, it still has yet to become very popular.

http://www.farmgirlfare.com/2007/11/recipe-what-to-do-with-kohlrabi-puree.html

Nissan Leaf gets 99mpg

2010-11-26T09:37:00.001-05:00

I found the following story on the NPR iPhone App:
http://www.npr.org/2010/11/22/131524229/nissan-leaf-runs-equivalent-of-99-miles-per-gallon?sc=17&f=1001

Nissan Leaf Runs Equivalent Of 99 Miles Per Gallon
by The Associated Press

The Associated Press - November 22, 2010

The Nissan Leaf, an electric car aimed at attracting environmentally conscious motorists, will get the equivalent of 99 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, based on government testing.

Nissan Motor Corp. said Monday the Environmental Protection Agency's fuel efficiency window sticker, which provides information about the car's energy use, would estimate the electric car will achieve the equivalent of 106 mpg in city driving and 92 mpg on the highway.

EPA's tests estimate the Leaf can travel 73 miles on a fully charged battery and will cost $561 a year in electricity. Nissan has said the Leaf can travel 100 miles on a full charge, based on tests used by Californiaregulators.

Nissan and General Motors Co. are both releasing electric cars within weeks in the auto industry's most prominent attempt at mass-producing vehicles that shift away from petroleum. The Leaf does not have a gas engine and must be recharged once its battery is depleted.

The tests show equivalent fuel efficiency of nearly twice the Toyota Prius, which gets 50 mpg in combined driving.

GM's entry, the Chevrolet Volt, uses an electric battery for the first 25 to 50 miles and a small gasoline engine to generate electricity once the battery runs down. The gasoline engine can generate power to run the car another 300 miles. GM has not yet revealed the mileage rating for the Volt.

Mark Perry, Nissan North America's director of product planning and strategy, said the vehicle's range would vary based on driving conditions. Tests conducted by the Federal Trade Commission, which regulates advertising claims, had estimated a range of 96 to 110 miles per full charge and the company's internal tests had found a broader range of 64 to 138 miles, Perry said. The California Air Resources Board estimated a range of 100 miles.

"As we've said all along, your range varies on driving conditions, temperature, terrain and we've talked about, very openly, this idea of a range of ranges," Perry said in an interview.

The Leaf's label will indicate the vehicle is the best in class in fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions.

Nissan will start selling the Leaf in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Tennessee in December with a sticker price of $32,780. The Leaf will go on sale in other markets through 2011 and be available nationwide by the end of next year.

The Volt will have a sticker price of $41,000 and GM will sell it first in California, then make it available inNew York; New Jersey; Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; Michigan and Texas. The car will be sold nationwide in 12 to 18 months.

Both vehicles qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Some states and communities are offering additional tax breaks that will lower the price further.

GM spokesman Greg Martin said the automaker was working with EPA and expected to announce details of the Volt's mileage estimates soon.

EPA calculated the Leaf's fuel economy based on a formula that says 33.7 kilowatts per hour holds the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. The label estimates a charging time of 7 hours on a 240-volt charge. Cost estimates were based on 15,000 miles per year at 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. [Copyright 2010 The Associated Press]

Swap your stuff online

2010-11-23T17:35:00.012-05:00

Today's news from Debt Proof Living (see below) reminded me of a swap event I heard about in Philly: http://sorrphilly.wordpress.com/

Swap till you drop! Enjoy the article...

http://www.debtproofliving.com/DPLResources/EverydayCheapskate/VisitorEverydayCheapskate/tabid/275/smid/663/ArticleID/533301/reftab/38/t/Default.aspx

You can shop online without spending a dime. No, I’m not talking about some kind of devious Internet rip-off scam. A quasi-cashless society has grown up on the Internet over the past couple of years where you can swap for all kinds of great goods. If you're willing to pay for shipping, you can find almost anything, all brand new or gently used, and all completely free. Talk about recycling!

http://www.swapadvd.com/ is a reliable website where you can swap the DVDs you no longer want for ones you do. Register for a free account on this site and decide which of your DVDs you want to swap. You must have the original cases; simply list your DVDs by UPC Code. Full descriptions and cover art are supplied by the SwapaDVD database so you don’t have to upload or scan anything.

When someone wants one of your DVDs, you mail it out (postage averages about $2 per package via first class mail; SwapaDVD members can print postage and a combo mailing label and wrapper for sending movies). When the other person indicates receipt of your DVD, you get one credit per disc deposited into your account. List 10 DVDs that you're willing to send out, and you can immediately request a complimentary DVD. With a library of nearly 200,000 DVDs currently available to be sent to your mailbox, think of the possibilities: Cancel your cable TV service, cancel your NetFlix account.

http://www.swap.com/ lets members trade books, movies, music, and video games for free. With about 3.5 million items up for swapping, this site offers “shopping” opportunities galore! Unlike other sites, where you have to earn points in order to start trading, at Swap.com you make one-for-one trades or three-way trades, and can start as soon as you sign up. When you join, you list "Items I Have" and "Items I Want." Then the site does its matchmaking to find you a trading partner, saving you hours of potential Web-surfing time.

http://www.swapbabygoods.com/ is a swapping site in its infancy, with currently about 1,000 listings from brand-new items to gently used. SwapBabyGoods.com is set up for one-to-one swaps (you find someone who has something you want and who wants something you have). Then, you can regularly swap clothing for coupons and other things as your collective kids outgrow.

http://www.zwaggle.com/ is a virtual mall jam-packed with stuff for kids, like Game Boy cartridges, Old Navy clothes, Stride Rite shoes and more. Here is how it works: You use "zoints" as your currency. You get 25 zoints for joining the site, and more as you send off your unwanted gear. The site includes an integrated FedEx and U.S. Postal Service shipping tool that lets you print out a prepaid and preaddressed shipping label, and schedule a pickup. That makes it so much easier than schlepping to the post office.

TV news: watch your energy

2010-11-08T15:18:00.000-05:00

FTC Will Require EnergyGuide Labels for Televisions

Televisions manufactured after May 10, 2011 must display EnergyGuide labels, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said on October 27. A recent amendment to the FTC's Appliance Labeling Rule will require the familiar yellow-and-black labels on new TVs. The removable labels, which have long been used on home appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators, are designed to provide energy cost information.

In March 2009, the FTC sought comments on whether EnergyGuide labels should be required on a range of consumer electronics, including televisions. Based on the response, in March 2010, the agency proposed requiring the labels on televisions sold in the United States. The FTC is requiring a label with two main disclosures on new TVs: the television set's estimated annual energy cost and a comparison with the annual energy cost of other televisions with similar screen sizes. The new rule requires that the new labels be visible from the front of the televisions. Beginning in July 11, 2011, the amended rule will require Web sites that sell televisions to display an image of the full EnergyGuide label. See the FTC press release, the Federal Register Final Rule notice, and examples of the FTC labels.

Also, the FTC is proposing revisions to the guidance it gives marketers to help them avoid misleading environmental claims about their products. The agency announced on October 6 that it is seeking public comments about changes to the Green Guides on such topics as renewable energy and carbon offset claims. The FTC, in its proposed revisions, notes that general "eco-friendly" claims are difficult, if not impossible, to substantiate. The agency will accept public input until December 10, 2010, after which it will decide what final changes it will make to the guidelines. See the FTC press release, which includes an electronic link for comment submissions, the summary of proposed Green Guides changes, and the full list of proposed changes.

More info at http://www.ftc.gov/energy/

ASES National Solar Tour

2010-09-29T08:49:00.001-04:00

Just because 2010 is an off-year for the biennial Solar Decathlon doesn't mean you can't get your solar fix. The nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is coordinating a grassroots tour of homes and buildings across the country: check out their website to find a tour near you. Most tours are taking place on the first Saturday in October, but other events will spill over into the rest of National Energy Awareness month.

I braved the rain and mud at the Solar Decathlon on the mall in DC last year, and glad I did! The 2011 Solar Decathlon will be held Sept 23 - Oct 2, here's the website: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/ and the EERE announcement from the Department of Energy.

Go Mountaineers!

2010-09-27T08:37:00.000-04:00

EPA Welcomes West Virginia University as Newest Partner in Regional Sustainability Initiative

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - - September 21, 2010 Today, West Virginia University became the latest organization to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainability Partnership Program (SPP) in a signing ceremony held at the University President’s Office. EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin joined Cabinet Secretary Randy Huffman of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) in recognizing West Virginia University (WVU).

University President James P. Clements signed the agreement on behalf of the school, formalizing the new working partnership.

“WVU has already taken many progressive steps to reduce the overall environmental footprint of the campus, and EPA is pleased to support and further those efforts” said EPA mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Shawn M. Garvin. “Through our partnership we expect that both sides will benefit as we build on current successes and then share those practices with other colleges and organizations.”

The Sustainability Partnership is an innovative program developed by EPA’s mid-Atlantic region to create a one-stop shopping approach for organizations that use large quantities of energy, water, and natural resources and want to go green. Instead of dealing with each of EPA's voluntary programs individually, EPA staff will work out a comprehensive ‘green’ plan for organizations that often saves money and makes good business sense. The overall goal of the SPP is to minimize the use of energy, resources and waste generation in the mid-Atlantic states.

The centerpiece of West Virginia University's sustainability effort is a performance contract to make existing buildings energy efficient. By 2016, the university expects to spend $50 million on updating equipment and installing energy saving upgrades in all of its campuses, including WVU Tech, Potomac State College and WVU-Parkersburg. So far the Evansdale campus has been completed, and the university has already spent about $20 million.

Following this project, the university is expected to reach a carbon dioxide emission level that is 31.5 percent less than a typical educational complex its size.

"We are pleased to partner with the EPA as part of our commitment to a sustainable campus," said WVU President James P. Clements. "We have integrated sustainability practices throughout the University - from buildings to our transportation systems, to the cleaning products we use. I would like to thank Clement Solomon, WVU's director of sustainability, and all those throughout the University who demonstrate this commitment daily."

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has entered into an agreement with EPA and is helping to promote the SPP throughout the state.

“It is a great day for West Virginia University with the signing of the Sustainability Partnership Agreement,” said WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Randy Huffman. “West Virginia University’s commitment to developing sustainable energy, water, and waste conservation practices in harmony with preserving West Virginia’s economy, environment, and communities for future generations speaks volumes of the many contributions already made to create a sustainable school. By signing this agreement, West Virginia University is well on their way to preparing our young people for generations of sustainable living, through its education, its fabric, and its daily practices.”

For information on the Sustainability Partnership go to: http://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/spp/index.html or call, 215-814-3110.

More links:
Individual Sustainability Partnership Programs Mid-Atlantic Sustainability Partnership US EPA

http://www.wvu.edu/

Living in Mesh

2010-09-14T08:49:00.000-04:00

Good book review from GreenBiz.com about Mesh - the living network of sharing

The Mesh website sums it up best...

The Mesh is the new way of doing business. Mesh businesses leverage data and social networks to enable people to share goods and services efficiently and conveniently—to gain superior access to what they need without the burdens or expense of ownership. There are already thousands of these businesses—in transportation, fashion, food, real estate, travel, finance, entertainment and many other categories—with more starting every day.The Mesh has emerged as the best new creative engine for getting more of what we want, exactly when we want it, at less cost to ourselves and the planet.

Check it out:
http://meshing.it/

Weatherize now!

2010-09-04T20:44:00.001-04:00

Tis the season to weatherize your home for winter!

Here's a link to a comparison-shopping guide for weatherstripping on the DOE website:
http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11280

Also, now is the best time to get your furnace serviced, chimney swept, and all that jazz before heating season is upon us.

Green home-building and gadgetry

2010-08-26T07:42:00.000-04:00

Here's a green home news roundup from NYTimes...

...a LEED platinum home near Lake Michigan http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/garden/26racine.html?pagewanted=1&tntemail1=y&emc=tnt

...more about its green features http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/garden/26racinebox.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

...and home energy-saving devices like smart power strips and websites for studying your energy consumption http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/garden/26hometech.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

Rising temperatures, lower electric bills

2010-08-18T21:01:00.001-04:00

Here's another little gem from the CNN Money e-newsletter, this time about saving energy: enjoy!

Rising temperatures, lower electric bills

http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/07/pf/saving/lower_electricity_costs/index.htm

Triple-digit temperatures are roasting the Northeast. If you're trying to cool down without increasing your electricity bill, try out some of these strategies.

Take a look at heat sources in your home. Replace any incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs produce the same light, but use a fraction of the heat and energy.

You should also try to avoid using your dishwasher, oven or clothes drier at peak heat time during the day. Remember to wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. In fact, you may want to consider letting your clothes dry on a clothesline.

Also, using smaller appliances like microwaves or toaster ovens whenever possible will both save energy and keep the heat out of the kitchen.

Don't place lamps or TVs near your air conditioning thermostat. The heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer.

During the day, close your curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day so the sun can't beat in through your windows. And try to place your air conditioner in shaded locations too. If an air conditioner has been in direct sunlight all day, it's going to have to work that much harder to cool the air inside your home.

And think shade! Deciduous trees -- these are trees that produce leaves in the spring and then lose them in the fall -- shade your house from the sun during warmer days and let the sun warm your house on cooler days. Shading your home could save up to 8% on cooling costs.

You may also consider plugging your TVs and computer or stereo into power strips, and then turning those power strips off when equipment is not in use.

Maintain your car!

2010-08-08T09:48:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I had a slow leak in one of my car tires caused by a dryrot crack in the sidewall... which has got me paying more attention to auto maintenance in general. Have you hugged your car lately? If not, here's another installment on car maintenance, some green and some about saving you green, from the CNN Money newsletter...

1. Check the tires

When your tires are inflated properly your tires will last longer and you'll get better gas mileage. Because of summertime's higher temperatures, the air pressure in a warm tire rises. So make sure you check the tire pressure when its cooler out.

Set the tire pressure to the manufacturer's recommendations. You can generally find this figure on a sticker on the door or inside the glove box. You should also check your owner's manual.

You'll also want to do a visual once-over to make sure your tires are in good condition. If you see a bulge or blister on the sidewall, you'll want to replace that tire immediately. These weak spots could lead to tire failure, according to Consumer Reports. (ALM note: sometimes trouble areas are invisible to the untrained eye! Watch for lower-than-usual inflation: do at least a visual check every time you put gas in the car. My tires were relatively new, but the mechanic who replaced the problem tire told me that it could've been sitting on an autoshop shelf for a few years beforehand, which would explain how an age-related dryrot crack occurred.)

You should also take a look at the tread. Here's a simple way to test the treat. Put a penny into the tire groove -- make sure Lincoln's head is toward the tire. If you can still see the top of Abe's head, the tread is too worn.

2. Get the right price for repairs

Did you ever wonder if that $300 mechanic bill was way out of line? Check out Repairpal.com. This free website gives price ranges for common repairs, like brake shoe replacement or wheel alignment. You can search by model, year and where you live. You may also consider going to an independent shop to get your car repaired instead of going to your dealership.

3. Keep your car hydrated

Check the level of all of your vehicle's vital fluids. We're talking about your car's engine oil, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid. Your engine oil will be near the front of the engine, close to you, and sometimes has a brightly colored handle. If the engine oil is below the hash mark on the dipstick, you'll want to add more oil. If you have an older vehicle and have been running a lighter "winter" oil, now is the time to switch to an oil designed for hot weather.

4. Check the battery

A battery gives little warning before it goes dead. And it'll likely do so when you least expect it. Hot weather can put additional strain on a battery. I

lf your vehicle battery is more than three years old, have it tested and check for corrosion. If you're thinking about a road trip this summer, you may just want to replace the battery if you're not sure how old it is. It's good insurance.

How to pump gas

2010-08-06T21:13:00.001-04:00

Thanks to my friend Ellen for sharing this forward...

TIPS ON PUMPING GAS

Only fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground, the more dense the gasoline; when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so when buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.

A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low
speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.

Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you
might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

ALM note: In case you've seen this forward, you'll notice that I omitted the end part about buying gas from certain companies rather than others in order to avoid supporting Middle East oil companies. I looked it up on Snopes.com and learned that the information was out of date, if not inaccurate to begin with.

Here's a link to the US Energy Information Administration website, which has current data on petroleum, natural gas, and other energy sources: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/info_glance/petroleum.html

P.S. Just today was poring over some GHG data and found this pdf with information about petroleum imports and exports per country, among other factoids, from the International Energy Agency: http://www.iea.org/Textbase/nppdf/free/2009/key_stats_2009.pdf

Baltimore farmers market days and locations

2010-08-03T09:25:00.002-04:00

From the Johns Hopkins University's sustainability listserv, here's a list of farmers markets in the Baltimore area. You can subscribe to this listerv here: https://lists.johnshopkins.edu/sympa/info/sustainable_hopkins

Or contact the authors at:

The Johns Hopkins Sustainability Office

3001 Remington Ave

Baltimore, MD 21211

410-516-8060

www.sustainability.jhu.edu

Our Mission: To make Johns Hopkins University a showpiece of environmental leadership by demonstrating smart, sensible and creative actions that promote the vision of sustainability.

The farmers markets, by day:

Baltimore City Farmers’ Markets: Eat Sustainably!

Sunday Markets:

Baltimore Farmers' Market

Dates/Time: 8:00am- 12:00pmNoon (May 2 - December 19)
Location: Saratoga Street between Holliday and Gay Streets

Tuesday Markets:

Village of Cross Keys Farmers' Market
Dates/Time: 10:00am- 2:00pm (June 1 - October 26)

Location: 5100 Falls Road, Parking Lot

University Farmers' Market

Dates/Times: 10:30am- 2:30pm (May 11 - November 23)

Location: Plaza Park, Paca Street

Wednesday Markets:

Park Heights Community Farmers' Market
Dates/Time: 9:30am- 2:30pm (June 2 - November 24)

Location: 5201 Park Heights Avenue (Pimlico Race Course Parking Lot)

State Center Community Farmers' Market
Dates/Time: 10:00am- 2:00pm (June 2 - October 27)

Location: 201 West Preston Street

Mt. Washington Whole Foods Market Farmers' Market
Dates/Time: 4:00pm- 6:30pm (June 9 - November 17)
Location: 5800 Cottonworth Avenue

Thursday Markets:

John Hopkins Hospital Farmers' Market
Dates/Time: 10:00am- 2:00pm (May 6 – November)
Location: Jefferson Street pathway near Cancer Research Buildings

Saturday Markets:

32nd Street/Waverly Farmers' Market
Dates/Time: 7:00am- 12:00pm (All Year)

Location: 400 block of E. 32nd Street

Howard Park Community Farmers' Market
Dates/Time: 7:30am- 3:00pm (May 22 - December 18)
Location: 4700 Block of Liberty Heights Ave

Highlandtown Farmers' Market
Date/Time: 8:00am- 12:00pm (July 10 - October 9)
Location: The corner of Bank St. and S. Conkling St.

Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) Farmers' Market
Dates/Time: 9:00am- 1:00pm (June 5 - September 25)
Location: 1415 Key Highway

Garden update

2010-08-02T22:05:00.000-04:00

The usual July jungle season is passing in our garden. Sunflowers are dying off (aided by the nibbling squirrels) and the tomatoes are hitting full force. Anybody want some cherry tomatoes??

We planted some extra basil last month, and it's coming in handy to accompany all those cherry tomatoes in salads. Still got plenty of rainbow chard and kale in the shadow of the fence, but ripped out the red sail lettuce last month when it bolted and got slimy around the edges. This type of lettuce is very soft and succumbs to slime quickly: will not plant that one next year. I just read an article in an old issue of House and Garden mag that profiled different lettuce varieties: recognized mache from one of my favorite dishes at Miss Shirley's in Roland Park... that's what I'll plant next year!

My okra experiment is going well. Over the past few weeks, the two okra plants have grown about a foot, and are now producing huge pods that curl like elf shoes. Note it's better to pick them when they're less than 4" or so: more tender and tasty when small.

The eggplant and pepper plants have also shot up, but no fruits yet to be seen. Got jalapeno peppers but no bells, not sure why. Overshadowed by the giant flowers nearby, perhaps? I planted an extra pepper, testing the old Italian school of thought that peppers like to be "so close that their roots touch," but this doesn't seem to have helped.

I thought it would be another sad cucumber year, but boy was I wrong! Apparently they just needed some loftier architecture to climb: a four-foot-tall black obelisk in the middle of the garden is proving much better than last year's fence-mounted trellis. The surrounding marigolds might be helping too, who knows. Picked up some back issues of Mother Earth magazine last month, one of which contained an article that suggested companion planting isn't so much based in science as in folklore. I guess it doesn't matter what it's based in as long as it works!

Also growing brussel sprouts and pole beans, which aren't doing much yet, unlike the crabgrass and clover weeds that keep popping up. A gardener's work is never done.

So it's time to start thinking about fall plantings: lettuce, peas, maybe some squash and garlic? What I thought was a zucchini plant turned out to be a pumpkin, so we have one big orange gourd to show for the 20-foot vine that wound its way through everything for a few months there. Wish it had been a zucchini instead.

Drafts from the archives...

2010-07-31T10:54:00.000-04:00

Wow, long time no blog! I've been traveling so much this summer there hasn't been much time to write. Just in case anybody is still reading this, I give you a spring cleaning of my previously unpublished blog post archives for now...

How to build an insulating attic stair box (January 2010)
Spring green events to watch for every year (April 2010)
Garden updates (May 2010)
Locavore dining in Baltimore (May 2010)

How my garden grows

2010-06-13T13:06:00.000-04:00

It's beginning to look like summer in my backyard: the garden is in full swing, and food is starting to roll in...

We had a bunch of volunteers in the garden this year: tomatoes everywhere, one zucchini, a mess of sunflowers, and some other little flowers sprinkled around. Mint and cilantro too. Planted some Roma seedlings, along with sweet peppers, eggplant, okra (an experiment), brussel sprouts (another experiment - picked by a young friend, believe it or not), cucumber, and basil. Got a black metal tower for the cukes to grow on, it adds nice architectural interest.

Strawberries were going well for awhile there, but now they seem to have tapered off... turns out they were May-bearing instead of June-bearing. Also in May, we caught a bunch of slugs in the beer traps in the strawberry patch. The grapevine I put in a few years ago seems to be blooming, and it's going crazy - not sure what to do with it, beyond trying to keep it on the trellis. I put seeds for lettuce, kale, and chard in beside the fence, which is probably too shady because they aren't growing so fast. Put in beans just the other day, and another zucchini for when the vine borers get the first one.

Despite all this backyard food, we did still buy a CSA share from One Straw Farm again this year. Their strawberries came early too, got a shipment before Memorial Day.

Getting taken to the cleaners

2010-06-13T12:46:00.000-04:00

Dry-cleaning is one of my pet peeves. It's expensive, produces a pile of wire hangers (which can be returned) and plastic bags (which can't be returned), and the chemicals are nasty. Now that I've been doing life cycle assessments and ROI studies at work, I detest dry-clean-only clothes even more: considering that a $100 suit will cost you $10 per cleaning for the rest of its life, is that really such a good deal?

Diatribe over. Awhile back I blogged about green dry-cleaners; since then I've discovered organic cleaning at Belvedere Dry Cleaners at 6306 York Road near Rodgers Forge. They're fast, reliable, and they also do alterations.

But what got me thinking about dry-cleaning today was this NYTimes article about the Green Garmento: a reusable dry-cleaning bag. It will take a sea change in dry-cleaning protocol for this to succeed, but I really hope this type of thing becomes the norm. Check it out, and ask your dry-cleaner to do the same!

Local farm-to-table dining spots

2010-05-26T22:04:00.004-04:00

Here's an Urbanite article about where to eat local in Baltimore:
http://www.urbanitebaltimore.com/sub.cfm?issueID=84&sectionID=4&articleID=1515
as written by the author of this blog http://baltivore.blogspot.com/

A few of the restaurants mentioned...
Atwater's
Joe Squared
Chameleon Cafe
Donna's
Woodberry Kitchen
Dogwood Deli

I also read an article in the Sun supplement about several Baltimore restaurants that are growing produce on their rooftops: can't get much more locavore than that!

Gardening goes corporate

2010-05-12T09:36:00.003-04:00

Backyard gardens are getting so popular that they're even popping up at corporate offices, according to the NY Times.

This week we put in tomato and eggplant seedlings in my yard. We're looking at a bumper crop of cilantro and mint already, and the strawberries are starting to blush. Here's hoping for a better tomato summer than last year!

Earth Day cuteness

2010-05-10T11:04:00.000-04:00

Now posted online: winners of an Earth Day poster contest sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mid-Atlantic region and the Philadelphia Zoo.

The contest was for students in kindergarten through grade 12 in EPA’s mid-Atlantic region, which includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Students submitted hand-created drawings in three categories. Winning entries and others were displayed at the Philadelphia Zoo for EPA’s 40^th anniversary Earth Day celebration. Many posters continue to be displayed at the EPA’s Public Information Center in Philadelphia.

Pretty cute!

Mid-Atlantic (region 3) EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/region03/index.htm

Energy Star appliance shopping

2010-04-30T17:47:00.002-04:00

This past month Consumer Reports published their reviews of home appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and washing machines, including a good amount of information about Energy Star along the way. One of the articles points out that appliance energy guides and ratings often over-promise the product's efficiency (like in this Frigidaire ad from 1933?). Currently there is no third party certification for Energy Star claims, but I've heard that this will soon change: sorry, no more gas-powered alarm clocks! In the meantime, take any appliance's energy guide numbers with a grain of salt. Whether the Energy Star rating on my new Maytag fridge is accurate or not, I'll definitely use fewer kWh than the ~1000 per year my 20+ year old Whirlpool was burning.

If you're in the market for a new appliance, cash in on these rebates offered by BGE's Smart Energy Savers program:

Get $50 rebate for buying an Energy Star appliance
http://conservation.bgesmartenergy.com/sites/default/files/BGE_Appliance_Rebate_Finalv2_1%2B25%2B10.pdf

Get $50 for recycling your old refrigerator
http://conservation.bgesmartenergy.com/residential/lighting-appliances/refrigerator-freezer-recycling

The main Energy Star website is here: www.energystar.gov

Did you know that clothes dryers are not rated by Energy Star? here's why

Calculate how much you could save by recycling your old refrigerator and getting a new Energy Star model here

When it comes to modern refrigeration, we've come a long way, baby... here's an interesting article from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers about the history of refrigeration and cooling.

http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/membersonly/may00/features/coolstory/coolstory.html

Thanks to Liza at Pine Street Art Works for the Frigidaire ad image and ASME article used in this post. Check out her lovely blog here http://seesaw.typepad.com/blog/2008/05/frigidaire-ge-the-thirties.html

Spring green event roundup

2010-04-22T13:54:00.003-04:00

Lots of green events every spring in Baltimore... watch for these and similar events next year too:

This Saturday is the Baltimore County compost bin and rain barrel sale: take advantage of the great discounts! http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/releases/0420barrellbinsale.html

Check the Baltimore Green Works event calendar http://baltimoregreenworks.com/events/calendar/

Herring Run Watershed Association http://baywatersheds.org/ native plant sales, rain barrel workshops, etc.

Our local chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) http://www.usgbcbalt.org/

Feeling the urge to bike around Baltimore? Here's a map of bike lanes and trails from CityPaper...

http://www.citypaper.com/news/bikes/map.asp

Happy Earth Day! Hope for the future...

2010-04-22T06:00:00.001-04:00

This poem, entitled "Lost Generation," is a palindrome: enjoy!

Building a castle, old school

2010-04-21T19:59:00.002-04:00

This may not count as "green building" exactly, but it is cool: a bunch of French expats are building a castle in Arkansas using medieval construction techniques. It's scheduled for completion in 2030, but will be opening for public tours as early as May 2010. They are accepting applications for interns, volunteers, and artisans to help with the project.

Despite the project's dedication to medieval techniques, their communications team is decidedly modern: check out their website to read the blog, get to know the team, follow them on Twitter, etc...

Car sharing with RelayRides

2010-04-12T12:05:00.002-04:00

I just signed up for a program called RelayRides: watch the short intro video at their website www.relayrides.com for a summary of how it works.

If you'd be so kind as to list me as a referral (which could earn me money!), send me a message in the comment field and I'll give you my info. Much obliged!

Here's more back story from MotorWeek by way of YouTube...

Relay Rides is launching in your area soon!

Have a car? Need a car? Either way, we can help!

Have a car? Earn cash by renting it out when you're not using it. Our technology and insurance make the rental safe and convenient!

Need a car? Get convenient, affordable access to one by the hour or the day. Gas and insurance are included!

How to convince your boss to go green

2010-03-30T14:40:00.001-04:00

Thanks Geoff!

Earth Hour

2010-03-22T11:30:00.005-04:00

Earth Hour is this Saturday, March 27th. Join millions of people around the world in turning off your lights for just one hour in a call to action against global warming!

Watch this year's Earth Hour video here.

Read more at the official USA website www.earthhour.org

Alex Wilson at NESEA on green building

2010-03-11T11:13:00.002-05:00

Here's an interview transcript from the recent Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) convention in Boston. Alex Wilson wrote Your Green Home: A Guide to Planning a Healthy, Environmentally Friendly New Home, a reference book I like, in addition to his other accomplishments listed below...

Interview with Alex Wilson, NESEA Thought Leader and Lifetime Member

March 1, 2010
Today we’re talking to Alex Wilson, a lifetime NESEA member and Executive Editor of Environmental Building News (the nation’s first newsletter dedicated to environmentally responsible design and construction). The company he founded in 1985, BuildingGreen, is based in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Q: How did you come up with the idea of creating the BuildingGreen Top Ten Products? Has your list made an impact on the companies/products selected?
A: This is America – the land of “Top 10 lists.” That's not something we should be proud of, but it's a reality. We realized nine years ago at BuildingGreen that naming the "Top 10" products would be a way to get exposure for some of the many very exciting products that are being introduced each year. Along with calling attention to cool products, the most exciting thing about this list has been how much it's helped those companies. In some cases, this recognition has put fledgling companies on the map – really jump-started their futures.

Q: Do you have a favorite green product? What is it, and why do you like it?
A: That's a tough question. I guess it has to be TimberSil, a treated-wood product produced by infusing sodium silicate into wood then heating the wood to create an amorphous glass that surrounds wood cells, rendering it unrecognizable as a food source for decay organisms. The stuff is non-corrosive, imparts fire resistance, and contains no VOCs. As an added bonus, I recently learned that the sodium silicate TimberSil Products’ use is derived from rice hulls, a waste agricultural product.

Q: How long have you been affiliated with NESEA and the BuildingEnergy conference and trade show? What do you get out of the relationship?
A: A long time. I was hired by NESEA as executive director in 1980, and in 1983 I organized a conference at Mount Snow in Vermont that became the first of the BuildingEnergy conferences. Not long after starting at NESEA, Ronald Reagan was elected and promptly eliminated the DOE program that had been providing about half of NESEA's funding. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it forced us to expand our focus away from just solar energy (we were at the time the New England Solar Energy Association) to cover energy-efficient construction, quality construction, and broader issues of sustainability. The BuildingEnergy conferences emerged through those efforts. As a result, NESEA became a stronger organization.

My connection with NESEA also helped to launch my next career – as a publisher. When Nadav Malin and I came up with the idea of Environmental Building News in early 1992, we tested the idea on the NESEA membership, and a remarkable 14% of them signed up as paying subscribers. We were off and running. I've maintained a strong connection with NESEA throughout these last three decades, serving two terms on the board and attending dozens of conferences.

Q: As a member of the media, you are a gatekeeper when it comes to publicizing sustainable products and projects. Is the competition for coverage intensifying in the green category?
A: Oh, sure. When we started EBN in 1992, we were the only publication focusing on green building. It's now a fairly crowded field – though we continue to be the only publication in the field that does not carry advertising. This policy allows us to be totally objective in writing about products and technologies.

Q: How would you like to see NESEA evolve over the coming years?
A: A lot of people say they like NESEA just the way it is, and they don't want it to change. But the strength of NESEA has been its ability to evolve to meet new needs. NESEA started out as a solar energy organization 35 years ago, and it has broadened and shifted its focus time and again over its history. To succeed, I think NESEA needs to continue being an organization that evolves – a "learning organization," if you will.

Q: How would you like BuildingEnergy to evolve?
A: By reporting on the cutting edge in energy design and construction, BuildingEnergy will by its very nature evolve. It is often the first place I learn about new ideas and new technologies. With the slow-down in new construction, I expect that BuildingEnergy will be focusing more on renovation than new construction over the next couple years.

Q: Who should come to BuildingEnergy, and why?
A: People who need to know where building practices are heading, people who want to be ahead of the curve, people who want to be leaders rather than followers. For me, BuildingEnergy is also the place where I reconnect with friends and associates – the networking opportunities are invaluable.

For more information, visit http://www.nesea.org/buildingenergy/

Green jobs and networking resources

2010-03-01T12:43:00.000-05:00

Recent career advice from Annie Fisher of Fortune magazine has included lots of resources about green jobs. See below for these links, and read the full article here.

Green Career Central

Green Careers for Dummies (Wiley, $19.99)

"State of Green Business 2010," a free, downloadable report from GreenBiz.com
GreenBiz also runs four industry-specific sites job hunters might find helpful: ClimateBiz, GreenerBuildings, GreenerComputing, and GreenerDesign.

Federal government agencies worth checking for information on green jobs and internships:
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.

There are now more than 80 green job boards online -- among them SustainableBusiness.com, EnvironmentalCareer.com, and TreeHugger

Green Drinks International, an informal network of green-minded businesspeople, academics, and others who meet in bars to socialize and share ideas. Green Drinks has chapters in 598 cities worldwide.

ALM note: You may also want to check out www.chloregy.com and the green/sustainability groups on LinkedIn.

Beware snowy roof collapse!

2010-02-11T18:36:00.001-05:00

Here's my engineering public service announcement for this week: mind your roof!

There's over three feet of snow on the ground here in Baltimore, and at least that much on any flat-roof structures in the area. Remember that the B+O Railroad museum roof collapsed several years ago under even less snow. Check the guidelines below for advice about avoiding roof collapse from snow and ice loads.

Snow loading roof collapse

Snow ice accumulation on roofs

Disclaimer: this post should not be used as a substitute for professional engineering advice. This blogger assumes no liability for any damages or loss of any kind that might arise from the use of, misuse of, or the inability to use this information.

Smart Grid and energy news

2010-02-10T19:13:00.001-05:00

The Smart Grid is all over energy news these days, and it's going to affect YOU: rate caps expiring, increasing energy use overloading an antiquated electrical grid, developments in renewable energy technology... if you use energy, pay attention.

Recently I watched a webinar sponsored by SmartGridNews.com (view slides/video here): this group provides webinars, events calendar, and an e-newsletter at their website. Whitepapers like this one co-produced by Accenture and the World Economic Forum discuss how smart grids can be the backbone infrastructure for future energy solutions and green economy.

The US Department of Energy also has a website devoted to smart grid developments: read news, research, and articles, including a paper titled "Smart Grid: an introduction," here.

Read even more about the smart grid from a facility management standpoint here: pricing, demand response concerns, energy efficiency & management.

image credit: http://www.oe.energy.gov/smartgrid.htm

EPA's mandatory reporting rule for GHGs

2010-02-09T17:03:00.003-05:00

If you run a facility that's required to report its GHG emissions this year under the new EPA mandatory reporting rule (MRR), you probably already know it. But in case you missed it, here's the skinny:

The reporting threshold is 25,000 metric tons CO2 e per year for most sources.

MRR overview:

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads/FinalMRROverview.pdf

General info and links to webinars (ending in late February):

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html

Applicability tool (check if your facility is required to report GHGs):

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/GHG-calculator/index.html

good, green, outside the box

2010-01-30T19:20:00.000-05:00

Here's a neat new idea I just read about in an Urbanite Baltimore article about outside-the-box ideas taking root here in Baltimore. They've coined the term "crowdsourcing" for citizens at large committing random feelgood acts via iPhone. Yep, there's an app for that now too.

Using the system at www.citysourced.com you can report a sewage leak or pile of illegally dumped garbage by sending a photo that will be automatically geotagged by the system. You can record audio clips of feedback for government officials, add to local maps, etc etc, all in the interest of fighting blight and making your city a better place to live.

Check out screenshots here.

Also in this Urbanite article they reference the Passive House movement of super-insulated, energy-efficient houses like the one designed by the University of Illinois team in the most recent Solar Decathlon. I blogged about this event back in October 2009.

More good green ideas:

Produce for the People: a group of artist/activists called Fallen Fruit mapped out public fruit tree locations for the picking in Los Angeles. http://www.journalofaestheticsandprotest.org/3/viegeneretal.htm

City composting may be coming, thanks to organizations like Keith Losoya's Waste Neutral Group. The company already hauls food scraps from institutions and businesses, composts them in nearby Carroll County, and returns them to the city as compost. Next stop: curbside composting?

Baltimore's first green hotel

2010-01-26T09:22:00.000-05:00

Here's another installment in my green building travels: downtown Baltimore's first green hotel.

The Fairfield Inn at President & Lombard Streets is within walking distance of Little Italy and the Inner Harbor (but don't trust the 101 President Street address: Google Maps directed me to a different location across the street). This LEED-certified Silver structure is built on the site of the former Baltimore Brewing Company and retains some of the old factory feel, at least in the exposed brick of the lobby and first floor Tavern 101. You'll see another nod to the brewery in the central courtyard, where the original grain storage silo has been appropriated as a giant rain barrel. Other green features of the building include vegetated and white roofs, pervious pavement, and wind power supplied by BGE.

Aside from the green features of this hotel, the wall murals and art by local artists, courtyard firepit, and peaceful room decor create a cozy atmosphere that I, for one, would be happy to call my home away from home. This hotel is definitely on my list of recommendations for out-of-town visitors.

For more details and photos, check out the Fairfield/Marriott website:
www.greenfairfieldinn.com/

Building green at Miller's Court

2010-01-20T21:33:00.121-05:00

Tonight I toured a fine example of historic preservation and green building at Miller's Court: this former tin box factory run by the American Can Company in south Charles Village has been reborn as a hybrid office/apartment building that houses non-profit organizations and young teachers enrolled in the Teach for America program. Marks Thomas Architects collaborated with local developer Manekin on this socially conscious real estate project. The LEED gold-certified building houses 40 apartments and 30,000 square feet of office space, arranged in a U-shape around a grassy courtyard within walking distance of Johns Hopkins University.

One aspect of the building I particularly like is that the design was intended to encourage social interaction between residents: historically there is a high dropout rate from the Teach for America program (I've heard teaching in Baltimore City schools compared to trench warfare), but the community spirit fostered in this building gives the residents a sort of support network that has improved program retention. The easy camaraderie between them makes the place feel a bit like a college dorm, if you overlook the trendy exposed-brick walls and bamboo flooring. The courtyard, fitness room, and open lounges facilitate gatherings, as well as the copy room that the architects designed in lieu of the laundry room idea rejected by potential residents.

The engineer in me likes that the mixed-use building program is mutually beneficial to office and residential occupants: this combination optimizes the limited city parking by allowing daytime office users to share parking spots with the apartment dwellers who only park there on evenings and weekends. Another plus is that the air conditioned by the building's commercial-grade high-efficiency mechanical equipment often spills over into the apartments, thus reducing their heating and cooling bills.

Speaking of savings, the apartment webpage mentions $300-600 discounts for Baltimore area teachers.

This tour was sponsored by the USGBC Maryland chapter's Young Members group. Ask me about joining their email list.

Image credit: http://www.marks-thomas.com/portfolio.cfm?catid=6

Go granola

2010-01-14T21:21:00.001-05:00

Well, if I’m going to be a hippie, I guess I should start collecting granola recipes. Tired of eating sugary, expensive, processed cereal every morning. Here’s a good one I baked up tonight that made the house smell delicious…

Maple granola, from Martha Stewart magazine

3c rolled oats

1c dried unsweetened coconut chips

1c pecans or walnuts

½ c pure maple syrup

½ c extra virgin olive oil

½ c packed light brown sugar

¼ c sesame seeds

1 tsp coarse salt

¾ tsp freshly grated nutmeg

½ c golden raisins

Preheat oven to 300F

Mix together everything except raisins.

Spread granola in an even layer on a jelly roll pan.

Bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Add raisins and bake 10 minutes more.

Let cool before storing. Can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

ALM note: I forgot to put in the raisins and decided I prefer non-raisin granola anyway.

Sell your books at Ukazoo

2010-01-13T22:27:00.001-05:00

This week I discovered a new way to recycle books: trade them in for cash or store credit at Ukazoo Books in Towson. A stack of my gently-used hardback books brought $8 cash or $9 store credit... so I used the store credit and left with a couple of used audio books. Score!

You can peruse the shelves while you're waiting for the Book Buyback clerk to process your books, or you can choose the auto-accept option and leave with a receipt for the books they decide to buy. The unsold books you leave behind will be recycled into paper products.

Let me sum up: unclutter your bookshelves AND cash in or trade for better books. What's not to like about that?

Alternate options: www.bookthing.org and www.paperbackswap.com as mentioned in an earlier blog post.

Build your own sun jars

2010-01-03T13:41:00.000-05:00

Here's a cool post I found on Lifehacker's Best of 2009 blog roundup: using components from solar sidewalk lamps, you can convert flip-top mason jars into classy-looking outdoor lighting.

http://lifehacker.com/5315357/create-your-own-sun-jar-lifehacker-edition

Rent some Runway fashion

2010-01-02T23:18:00.001-05:00

Why buy formal dresses when you can just rent them? Pros: no drycleaning, no storage, a trendy new dress to wear to every event, it comes and goes via mail. Cons: you don't get to try the dress on but they send you two sizes just in case, and you only get to wear it once.

After you request membership at RentTheRunway.com, the site will send you a link to create username/password. There's no membership fee. Rental fees range from $50 to $200. As their invitation email told me:

Through RentTheRunway.com you'll be able to rent dresses from designers like Herve Leger, Proenza Schouler, and Catherine Malandrino for short time periods (4 days or 8 days), at a fraction of the price. All you do is log on to the RTR website, pick something you like (or two!), and we'll ship it to you on the date of your choosing. To return, just drop it in the mailbox in our handy pre-paid packaging.

No commitments, no membership fees, no regrets.

From the Unclutterer blog.

How to build an insulating attic stair box

2010-01-02T22:43:00.008-05:00

During my home energy audit last winter, we discovered that my pull-down stairs are poorly sealed and insulated, therefore it'd be a good idea to build an attic stair box to keep the conditioned air from escaping into the attic. Rather than pay $200 for a contractor to do it, I recruited a few friends to help.

4' x 8' Foam board insulation from Home Depot (3" thick = R-13): $25
bits of wire hanger to connect pieces: free from dry-cleaner
duct tape to secure edges $5
Total cost of materials: $30

Annual heating and cooling cost savings: to be determined next winter

Satisfaction of building it with friends: priceless!

Thanks to the attic stair box construction team, clockwise from top left: Construction Skills, Project Manager, General Mischief, Artistic Direction/Photography.

good book: Farewell, my Subaru

2010-01-01T22:42:00.000-05:00

I read a fun, irreverent book over Christmas break: highly recommended reading before you move to New Mexico, buy a ranch, invest in goats, convert a truck to biodiesel, install solar panels and a solar hot water system, or any similarly rash green life-changing actions.

Read more about the author's adventures at his website: http://www.dougfine.com/

Balto county recycling goes single stream, finally!

2009-12-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

My kitchen will be so much less cluttered come February! Here's the article...

Baltimore County gets with the program! Single stream recycling begins February 1,2010.

On December 10, 2009, County Executive Jim Smith announced that single stream recycling collection will begin on February 1, 2010 for all 240,000 single family homes and townhomes, and multi family units that currently have recycling collection. In an effort to make it very easy for residents to recycle, they will be able to use a wide variety of containers to place single stream recyclables out for collection, though plastic bags will no longer be accepted in the single stream program. Additionally, residents will be able to recycle more items than they can in the current program.

As the County moves forward with its single stream recycling collection program for homes that already have recycling collection, Bureau of Solid Waste Management staff will also be working to bring apartments and condominium units without recycling collection into the program.

For more information on the County's transition to single stream recycling collection, please visit www.bcrecycles.com.

Steven Chu goes to Copenhagen

2009-12-14T16:55:00.000-05:00

I was surfing around the Department of Energy website today and discovered that Energy Secretary Steven Chu is on Facebook! You too can become a fan.

You can track his travels and view powerpoint presentations like this one he just gave at Copenhagen this week.

The infrared photo on this post illustrates the sort of technologies he mentioned in the context of rolling out home energy outreach programs, iPhone apps, and building energy modeling software.

There are also some neat images of the world map, showing areas of heavy energy use and population density, which reminded me of maps I've seen at www.darksky.org

Incidentally, here's the page I was looking for during my surf: energy saving tips for consumers, and plenty of other links nearby like www.energysavers.gov and the EERE blog ...

It's coming: an international green building code

2009-12-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

The International Code Council (ICC) develops standards and guidelines for building safety, fire prevention, construction practices... and now sustainability. These days they're working on a green building code for commercial building in the USA.

This article at Philly.com describes work by the ICC's Sustainable Building Technology Committee on the new green building code. California and Pennsylvania are the only two states with government representatives on the panel.

UPS carbon neutral shipping

2009-11-30T11:27:00.000-05:00

Happy Cyber Monday! In case you're out there doing your online Christmas shopping right now, here's some news about package shipping: UPS now offers the option to buy carbon offsets for 5 to 20 cents per package.

Read blog article here, or go straight to the UPS carbon webpage.

Fun with Dwell magazine

2009-11-27T16:52:00.000-05:00

As I was tending the home fires over Thanksgiving weekend I found some old Dwell magazines and spent an afternoon immersed in the architectural design world...

Neat articles about a straw bale house with reference links to straw building and sustainable construction,
low-cost modular housing www.myabod.com,
master woodworkers both traditional (Nakashima) and modern (Scrapile, made from scraps collected by NY Wa$tematch),
and fun, classic toys like Lincoln logs (did you know they were created in 1916 by Frank Lloyd Wright's son John?).

Image from Scrapile.com