Origami solar arrays in space

Origami?  In space?  That's right:  NASA is partnering with engineers to design collapsible solar arrays to be deployed in space.  Here's a polynomial optimization project for your high school math students using this theme.

Earthquakes and ungreen housing trends in Japan

Why do the Japanese bulldoze houses after only 30 years?  Contrast this approach to the built environment to the European mindset of maintaining and renovating buildings for hundreds of years.  What gives?

In this Freakonomics podcast, the economist Steves dissect this phenomenon, citing local experts and (of course) statistics.  For example...

Japan has 3.8 times more architects per capita than the USA, and 2.1 times as many construction jobs.

Half of houses are demolished within 38 years, compared to 100 years in the USA.

Why?

Theories range from spirituality to post-WWII history to earthquake building code revisions.

As a structural engineer, that last part caught my attention.  Did you know that 20% of the world's earthquakes of magnitude greater than or equal to 6 have occurred in Japan?  In the years since WWII, this has resulted in Japanese building codes' earthquake provisions being updated at a greater frequency than in most countries.  Homebuilders there use this as a marketing device to encourage consumers to rebuild rather than renovate... and this has contributed to a culture of Do-It-For-Me more than DIY.

In addition to being environmentally unfriendly, more than one economist has suggested that this custom may be contributing to the economic slump in Japan.

Listen to the full podcast here:
http://www.wnyc.org/story/why-are-japanese-homes-disposable/http://www.wnyc.org/story/why-are-japanese-homes-disposable/

Image credit:  http://www.busyboo.com/2008/08/25/japanese-house-design-mineral/

The Halloween neighborhood livability test

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

Is your city sustainable?

“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

Lost cats, livable streets, and community

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.

Going paperless? read this...

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.

Sustainable summer internships

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.

Baltimore City Landscape Manual

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.

Celebrate National Engineers Week

"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.

Want to study sustainability in Sweden?

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

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

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!

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

Go Mountaineers!

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

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/

Happy Earth Day! Hope for the future...

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

How to convince your boss to go green

Thanks Geoff!

Green jobs and networking resources

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.