Solar Powering 10,000 Climate And Water Saving Homes

Posted on October 27, 2011 by quest

Build It Green, a California leading expert on residential green building, announced a major milestone today: 10,000 single- and multi-family homes will receive the GreenPoint Rated label, representing the gold standard in green home construction and remodels, by the end of 2011.These GreenPoint Rated homes are saving California over 112 million gallons of water — enough to fill Crystal Springs Reservoir five times over — and avoiding nearly 9,000 tons of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of taking over 1,500 cars off the road for a year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 17 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions are from residential homes each year. GreenPoint Rated is designed to help homeowners and builders ensure their home or development is built or remodeled to meet high environmental standards. Like a report card for green homes, the rating system assigns points based on five categories: Energy Efficiency, Resource Conservation, Indoor Air Quality, Water Conservation and Community Benefits. Point values are determined based on the use of verified green construction practices and sustainable materials that exceed California’s residential building and energy code requirements.

To ensure a home is built or remodeled to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impacts, GreenPoint Rated assesses points based on green building techniques including: Increasing energy efficiency by implementing energy saving construction techniques and equipment such as solar power, solar water heating and ENERGY STAR appliances. The GreenPoint process also includes; Conserving water, creating livable communities, enhancing quality of life and minimizing pollution through community benefits like proximity to public transportation, stores and other services. “In designing my green home, it was important to me to create a home that is not only good for the environment today, but establishes a legacy of sustainable living practices for my children and future generations,” said Ian Macleod, owner of a GreenPoint Rated home in Albany, CA that won the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter, Energy + Sustainability Citation Award in May 2010. “As an architect and Certified Green Building Professional myself, I knew the GreenPoint Rated label represented the high environmental standards I wanted for my family’s home.”

In addition to environmental benefits, homes that have been built or remodeled using green building techniques have been shown to lower the cost of monthly utility bills, home maintenance and repairs. Early research also indicates that green homes may retain their value better, even in a tough real estate market, and are attractive to a growing number of homeowners and buyers.“With so many homeowners and developers now building green, we could see the number of GreenPoint Rated homes in California double over the next five years,” said Tenaya Asan, Build It Green’s senior program manager for GreenPoint Rated.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson With Bill Maher

Politicians Helping U.S. Lose Global Renewable Energy War

CA Attorney General Sues Balance For GreenWashing

Posted on October 26, 2011 by quest

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today filed a first-of-its-kind “greenwashing” lawsuit against three companies that allegedly made false and misleading claims by marketing plastic water bottles as “100 percent biodegradable and recyclable.” Under California law, it is illegal to label a plastic food or beverage container as biodegradable. Plastic takes thousands of years to biodegrade and may never do so in a landfill. Today’s lawsuit is the first government action to enforce the state’s landmark environmental marketing law. “These companies’ actions violate state law and mislead consumers,” Attorney General Harris said. “Californians are committed to recycling and protecting the environment, but these efforts are undermined by the false and misleading claims these companies make when they wrongly advertise their products as ‘biodegradable.’”

Balance and AquaMantra sell their products in plastic water bottles marketed by ENSO Plastics LLC; according to the label, ENSO claims that a microbial additive created the “first truly biodegradable and recyclable” plastic bottle. The bottles’ labeling states that the bottles will break down in less than five years in a typical landfill or compost environment, but that claim is false because the additive does not speed up the centuries-long process required to break down plastic. The claim of recycling is also deceptive. The microbial additive put into the bottle is considered by the Association of Post Consumer Plastic Recyclers to be a “destructive contaminant” that can compromise the strength of the products they make. Consumers may buy these defendants’ bottles and either dispose of them incorrectly, on the assumption that they will biodegrade quickly, when in fact they will simply take up space in landfills, or they will try to recycle them, creating problems and costs for recyclers.

A recent Gallup poll found that 76 percent of Americans buy products specifically because of their perception the product is better for the environment. In 2008, the California Legislature banned the use of words like “biodegradable,” “degradable,” or “decomposable” in the labeling of plastic food or beverage containers. Senate Bill 567, signed into law by the Governor this year, will expand that law to all plastic products beginning in 2013. Deputy Attorney General Raissa S. Lerner and Deputy Attorney General Laura J. Zuckerman are handling the case for Attorney General Harris’ Environment section. A copy of the complaint filed today in the Orange County Superior Court is attached to the online version of this release at www.oag.ca.gov.

U.S. And Chinese Solar Companies Square Off

IBM Grants $50 Million For Sustainable Eco Smart Cities

Posted on October 25, 2011 by quest

IBM today announced that it has opened the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant program to new applications for 2012. Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100-city, $50 million grant program in which IBM’s top technical experts and consultants provide actionable advice to urban centers. Issues that IBM’s consultants addressed this past year were diverse, ranging from transportation and public safety, to economic development and budgeting. One of the funded recipients of IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grants from last year was Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Leaders from Milwaukee’s private sector, and local urban agriculture organizations are establishing an Urban Agriculture and Aquaponics Council to advance the aquaponics industry, an eco-friendly approach to agriculture that recycles water from fish farms to nourish crops without the use of soil. Participants want to collaborate more effectively to make food healthier and more profitable, available, and affordable — and in the process, create opportunity and local jobs.

This highly successful grant program provides select applicant cities with access to teams of elite IBM employees with expertise on a variety of urban-related matters, such as finance, sustainability, public safety, and citizen services. After conferring with officials, citizens, businesses, academics and community leaders, the IBM teams recommend actions to make the delivery of services to citizens more efficient and innovative. Issues addressed include jobs, health, public safety, transportation, social services, recreation, education, energy, and sustainability.

Key factors for a successful grant application include strong city leadership, willingness to collaborate with many stakeholders, and the desire to make their cities smarter and more efficient. Cities will also need to champion actionable and measurable efforts that have the potential to make a real impact on the lives of its citizens. In addition to Milwaukee some of the other dozen cites participating included: Rio de Janiero, Brazil, Johannesburg, South Africa, Boulder, Colorado and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As in 2011, selected applicants must demonstrate a commitment to using all publicly available urban data to help identify local problems and solutions. To that end, IBM will provide special assistance to each winning city on the use of City Forward, a free online tool it developed with public policy experts that explores trends and statistics in a visual way, and which can be adapted for the study of any number of issues across cities. The deadline for 2012 grant applications is December 16.

The Girl From Ipanema

Eco Friendly Sustainable Clothes You Grow

An Urban Garden Grows In The Bronx

Posted on October 25, 2011 by quest

More than 40 Alcoa volunteers including Alcoa Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld, created planter boxes and built concrete barbecue pits to provide MS 424 students and their neighbors with a community garden. In addition, Mutual Housing Association of NY (MHANY), a not-for-profit housing organization that owns and manages affordable rental apartments in New York City including the lot, received a $10,000 surprise grant that will be used to replace the old playground equipment in the lot. “On behalf of MHANY and the residents of Phoenix Estates, we are thrilled and most appreciative that Alcoa has provided resources to improve Bedrock Park for the use of residents and their families,” said Ismene Spiliotis, Executive Director, MHANY, This grant is one of 12 being made globally to bolster the impact of Alcoa’s volunteer efforts during its annual Worldwide Month of Service held in October. A total of $120,000 will be donated. Every community needs beautiful green spaces and playgrounds for families and children to enjoy. And today Alcoa volunteers, City Year New York Corps members and the students of MS 424 gave an overgrown lot in Bedrock Park, Hunts Point in the Bronx a well-deserved make-over—transforming it into an urban garden for the community.

“Partnering with City Year is a source of great pride for Alcoa, and we are excited to contribute our time and dollars to create a fun and safe place to play for the children of MS 424,” said Kleinfeld, who presented the $10,000 donation to MHANY.“Throughout October, Alcoa employees all over the world are volunteering during our annual Month of Service, finding ways to help their neighbors and improve their communities. Here in New York, we are pleased to be back in the Bronx to demonstrate our commitment to our City Year teams and their students.”

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Alcoa Foundation has been a sponsor of City Year, a national education non-profit that unites young adults for a year of service in high-needs urban schools, for the past eight years. As a team sponsor of City Year New York, Alcoa has supported two teams of 10 City Year Corps members, who serve in two public schools in the South Bronx “With the support of teachers, administrators, and community partners, the Alcoa-sponsored City Year Teams serving at PS 48 and MS 424 are helping students improve attendance rates and test scores,” said Itai Dinour, Executive Director, City Year New York. “Alcoa joins us in providing all children in Hunts Point with a strong education and high quality community programs and today is a great example of this, as Alcoa volunteers bring their knowledge and passion to work hands-on with local students. We are humbled and proud to have Alcoa as a flagship partner.”

Robert Redford Speaks Out Against XL Pipeline

Empire State Building Greens Up its Energy

Model Angela Lindvall Gets Eco Friendly Jewelry Line

Posted on October 23, 2011 by quest

“Green” is the new black…especially when it comes to the Angela by John Hardy Jewelry Collection. Created entirely of recycled silver, this exquisite new line by model and environmentalist Angela Lindvall and award-winning sustainable jewelry company John Hardy, launched on QVC Tuesday, October 18.

The Angela by John Hardy Jewelry Collection unites Lindvall’s romantic sensibility and natural attraction for authentic beauty with John Hardy’s bold designs inspired by nature. Each piece from this unique collaboration features stunning sterling silver designs with oxidation, natural and Diamonique simulated gemstones and 14K gold accents for a look that is truly breathtaking.”Each piece in the Angela by John Hardy Jewelry Collection is truly a work of art,” said Doug Howe, executive vice president of merchandising, planning and sales for QVC. “With its stunning designs and impeccable attention to detail, this exciting new line is sure to become an instant favorite among shoppers. We are pleased to add this iconic brand to our existing portfolio of jewelry designers.”

Angela by John Hardy Jewelry Collection will include statement items that range from over sized cocktail rings and bangle bracelets to elegant everyday pieces, including stud earrings and station necklaces. Prices will range from approximately $79.00 to $500.00.

“Angela has been working with us for the past two years. She has been so passionate about sharing our core values that when she expressed her interest in starting her own line, it was obvious to me that we would work together and produce her creation,” says John Hardy CEO Damien Dernoncourt.

Going Green Going Mainstream

Dig Into Urban Farming

Green Icon Lays Out Facts Of The Green Economy

Posted on August 23, 2011 by quest

Written by Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins: Chief Executive Officer of Green For All. Since 2008, these two things haven’t changed: the world is getting warmer and millions of Americans are out of work. They’re not going away any time soon.
Green For All was founded on the idea that those two problems could be relieved with a common solution, green jobs. We’ve seen that this can work; renewable energy businesses are among the fastest growing in the American economy.
We’ve also learned that the green economy holds much more promise than just renewables. The scope of jobs that improve our environment runs from factory workers building high-efficiency vehicles to entrepreneurs selling organic skincare products to businesses that turn a profit recycling waste from shredded automobiles.

In July, the Brookings Institution released a report detailing the extent of the green economy. Some 2.7 million Americans work at green jobs – more than work in the fossil fuel industry. The US Conference of Mayors estimates that number will almost triple by 2040. And green jobs are quality jobs. Median wages are 13 percent higher than the median – and they’re available to more Americans who have a high school degree. Investment in clean energy projects yields more than three times as many jobs as investing in fossil fuels.

Even so, there is a lot of room for growth. Back in 2008, we argued that the green economy held great promise – and could grow to scale if Congress acted boldly. Had Congress passed comprehensive climate legislation, for example, or if they’d enacted the