IN The Green News.......

A New Study Finds Nanotechnology Can Make Green Buildings Even Greener
A recent report released from the Green Technology Forum, “Nanotechnology for Green Building,” found that incorporating nanotechnology into green buildings can help make them more cost-effective and more energy-efficient.
Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale; it refers to the projected ability to construct items from the bottom up, using techniques and tools to make complete, high performance products. Dr. George Elvin, director of the Green Technology Forum, noted that, “a company is saving $2.6 million in energy costs and reducing their CO2 emissions by 35 million pounds per year thanks to a single nanotech innovation.” Although he cautioned, “the nanotech and building sectors have to get to know each other a lot better in order to realize the dramatic benefits awaiting each of them.”
The report highlights successful examples of over 130 startups and established companies offering or developing nanomaterials for green building, case studies, university research projects, patents, and technologies available for license. In the report, Elvin said that the future is now for the two fields, that improvements have already been made in solar insulation and generation as well as thin-film insulation and coatings, including “healing” coatings that can remove and neutralize pollutants from a building’s surrounding atmosphere.
Currently, there are ongoing debates about the potential negative implications of nanotechnology. The issues range from health and environmental concerns to economic issues. There are reports that demonstrate the potential for some nanomaterials to be toxic to humans or the environment. Others are concerned with the societal implications and social challenges (could a nanotechnological revolution reshape the economy, trade, etc.?).
As a Certified EcoBroker®, it is important to stay informed of the latest developments in the green building field, and all technological advances. Nanotechnology is coming. EcoBrokers® have a reputation for being ahead of the curve and of being equipped to answer clients’ questions and concerns. We encourage you to visit the links below in order to educate yourself on the issues surrounding nanotechnology.
For more information please visit:
http://www.greentechforum.net/greenbuild
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=35947
http://icon.rice.edu/research.cfm

Energy Roundup

As I perused the schedule for the upcoming Renewable Energy Roundup, in Fredericksburg, I routinely checked out the sites of various presenters. I came across the site of Stephen Colley, an architect from San Antonio. He said, "Green Building is the responsibility of designers and builders to build as if it really matters, because it really matters."

Mr. Colley will be presenting his ideas on Green remodeling and renovation, on Friday, 9/27, at 4:00 p.m.

http://txses.org/roundup/speakers_sched.php

For info about the Roundup, go to:

Health House-Check it out!

The Health House® program is a collaborative effort of the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest® and the American Lung Association® national office to provide quality information for home builders and home owners regarding home design, construction, renovation and operation with a focus on healthy indoor air quality.
http://www.healthhouse.org/index.asp

Austin Urbanism & Sustainable Development Meetup

Following is a link to a new group that I have just joined. Take a look. This is a great way to meet others who care about the future of our beautiful countryside, the health of the planet and what we are leaving for those who come behind us. I expect to learn a lot from my new friends. Perhaps you would like to be join me at one of the meetings. Just let me know..... http://newurbanism.meetup.com/109/

You are not new to recycling. You’ve been doing it for years and it’s a big part of your daily routine. You’ve become at an expert at identifying what plastics you can and cannot recycle. Now focus on another important part of eco-friendly living: reduce your use of plastic.
Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. Billions end up as litter each year or in landfills. If that’s not enough, almost 3 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year worldwide. Nearly 80 percent of all water bottles are not recycled and wind up in landfills. We are drowning in plastic, people!
That plastic can be bad for us and bad for the environment. Recent studies have shown that there’s more plastic than plankton in some of the remote parts of our oceans. And there are increasing reports on the human health effects of chemicals used in plastic products. Let’s also not forget that plastic is made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource and a major contributor to global warming.

So let’s get to it– how to reduce your use of plastics:
1. Don’t use garbage bags—just empty your trash into the garbage bin.
2. If you don’t like that approach, get yourself some recyled or biodegradable, compostable garbage bags.

3. Request that your daily newspaper not be wrapped in plastic when delivered. (Or cancel your newspaper subscription and go totally online for your news fix– you’ll save hundreds of trees as well.)
4. Take your own plastic or metal container to the restaurant to take home your leftovers when you’re eating out. Sure they’ll look at you funny, but remember you’re an eco-trend-setter!
5. Remind your favorite take-out place to leave out the plastic utensils when they pack your food to go. Your drawers are full of them already! And politely decline the bag if you only have one or two items to carry home.
6. Ask you favorite dry-cleaners to eliminate the plastic wrap on your clothes. Don’t forget to choose an eco-friendly, non-toxic dry cleaner, too.
7. Take your reusable coffee tumbler with you when get coffee to-go. And skip the lid for your soft drink. Those plastic lids add up! And now you don’t need a plastic straw.
8. You’ve heard it before but it’s critical: The simple most profound solution to reduce plastic consumption is to bring your own bags when you shop at the grocery store, drugstore or mall. There are so many great cotton, canvas, even hemp bags available now in endless sizes and styles. Have you seen the ultra-light Chico Bags? Throw two in your car or purse so you’re never without a reusable bag and you’ll always have one handy!
9. Another major source of plastic bag waste are the pesky flimsy plastic produce bags that accumulate in your closet. Reusable cotton mesh produce sacks are a simple solution to that problem. Check them out at Ecobags.com. Toss them in your reusable shopping bag and head to the market. Each reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate thousands of plastic bags over its lifetime.
10. What about the disposable plastic water bottle. Many alternatives to plastic water bottles are available. Kleen Kanteen and SIIG water bottles are stainless steel safe alternatives to plastic water bottle and are available in many sizes.
11. For water use in the office…Remember the novel concept of a pitcher or a glass of water? You don’t have to drink from a bottle.
12. There are loads of ways to reduce your consumption of plastic when you store leftovers, pack lunches or food to go. Ditch those plastic baggies or foil for containers that come in endless shapes and sizes and you can use them over and over again! Pack them in your reusable lunch sack too.
13. Become an eco-wise consumer whenever you shop. Choose products that contain less packaging. Check every plastic container before you chuck it– it may be recyclable! Purchase products in larger containers—get a huge jug of laundry detergent rather than three smaller ones. Choose glass bottles over plastic whenever possible.
Just as recycling has become second nature, these simple ways to reduce our consumption of plastic make a world of difference! And don’t be afraid to speak up about these ideas. The more that retailers and restaurants hear about alternatives, the better the chance that they’ll make changes in the way they do business. That way we’ll multiply our individual actions.

Buffalo Grass

Buffalo Grass

Say goodbye to the water hose! You can cut it or let it grow. When long, it is about 12-16 inches. It blows with the wind and softly lays over. When it is dry, it goes gold. Water it once, and it is green again. When it is gold it is still alive and happy. SAVES GALLONS AND GALLONS OF WATER. Easy to start with seed.

RECYCLING

Recycling is the easiest way that you can make a contribution. Many communities have a pick up service. It is just a matter of creating a sorting system for your trash. If you don't have a pick up service, check out the following links for the one nearest you. After a very short period of time, your attitude about recycling would be the same as your attitude about brushing your teeth.

www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws
www.cityoflakeway.com/cityDepts_trash.asp?Viewitem=3
www.co.hays.tx.us/departments/recycle/pdf/info.pdf
www.williamson-county.org/recycle

Aluminum saves 95% of energy vs. virgin aluminum & reduces pollution by 95%; recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for 3 hours, per Reynolds Metals Company.

Glass saves 50% of energy to produce vs. virgin glass, per Center for Ecologicl Technology. It reeduces air pollutionm by 20% & water p0ollution by 50%, per NASA. Recycling of one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours (EPA).

Paper saves 60% energy vs. virgin paper (Center for Ecological Technology) It generates 95% less air pollution: each ton saves 60 lbs. of air pollution (Center for Ecological Technology) Recycling of each ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7000 gallons of water (EPA).

Plastic saves twice as much energy as burning it in an incinerator. It takes 70% less energy to recycle plastics than it does to make it from raw materials. If we recycled eery plastic bottle we used, we would keep 2 billion tons of plastic out of landfills (Penn State).

If you already recycle, good for you. If you don't, jump in and help to make a difference. It is for our future.

Make Sure You Build a Green Home

Home building needs to undergo a process of technological substitution and rethinking to become more environmentally sensitive and sustainable. In a green housing project, much inefficiency are addressed and overcome, so your home becomes part of the solution. The building industry is acting to incorporate the growing knowledge of green buildings into housing products and services, but consumer demand plays an important role in getting these better products to market. When you interview a builder, ask what green building methods and materials are used.

The directional orientation or placement of your home to a site is a good way to start. Twenty degrees in either direction from true south with lots of south facing windows. This coupled with calculated overhangs don't really cost you anymore, in most cases. Incorporating a gray-water system to water your plants is a very simple task for a plumber, with the right design. If your builder looks for materials that are locally produced, you participate in avoiding trucking materials. Saves polution, energy and promotes the local economy. There are many manufacturers on board that see into the future such as 3M, Dupont, Amoco, Trane, E-Crete, and others that recognize the market value of environmentally sound products. These products need to be specified when doing any construction whether it is a new home or a remodel. Your builder may not realize all that is available to him. This is one of the most common problems throughout our community. Most builders use methods and materials that are tried and true to them. It is our duty as consumers and the guardians of our planet to request the alternative. We need to raise the bar of consciousness and demand sensible products and methods. it is our duty as privileged people to get the knowledge to the builder . This will spark the local industry and accelerate a wave of interest. Be proactive.

WHAT IS GREEN BUILDING?

The subject is huge and there are few certifications. LEEDS is a certification that can be attained, when a home meets specific criteria. Many people find that Sustainable Development is a better designation. In a sustainable development, you will address energy and water conservation, wildlife habitat, density, building materials, minimization of waste, air quality. The topic is no longer "tree hugger" oriented. The news is out; we must begin to take responsibility for how we live, if our quality of life is to continue.

How to proceed can be a challenge. Which choices will actually result in a recognized difference vs. those that feel and sound good. My belief is that the best approach is taking baby steps and making lifestyle changes that really do not cost money, nor do they require great effort. Soon, those new behaviours will become habits. Go from there!

Candlelight Dinners-How about family dinners, with candlelight. Who says romance is just for couples. Kids will love it!
Room Lighting-Do you habitually turn out lights, as you leave a room? If so, you are the exception.
Progammable Thermostats-Adjust the temp in your house to match your schedule. And remember that ceiling fans helpful to keep the cool feeling in the room, with a higher temp. They do nothing when you are not in the room.
Recycling-Sort of a hassle when you start, but very soon, you won't be able to bring yourself to toss paper, glass or plastic, in the trash any more than you would toss it out the window!
Weather Stripping-Are you losing cool or warm air through gaps in doors and windows? This is a quick and easy solution.
Window Shades-The best way to eliminate heat or cold is to block it from the outside. Next best way is to use interior screens or shades.
Insulation-What is the level of your insulation? Expandable foam insulation will be the best sealant. It also avoids the fiberglass found in more common forms of insulation.
Tankless Water Heaters-These are only smart choices with gas or propane. Electric powered would not be cost effective.

I have to go...a covey of quail just crossed my driveway.