Tuesday, November 30, 2004
EcoVersity / Leadership Training
Generous Gift Will Fund New University Sustainability Institute
ELIST Reference, Nov. 30, 2004 (California Institute for Energy and Environment) - With the help of a $15 million gift, Arizona State University will create the International Institute of Sustainability. The gift from philanthropist Julie Ann Wrigley will be used to create an institute to study the intersection of ecological, social, and economic issues at the global and regional scales and to devise solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems. "The field of sustainability may, in large measure, determine whether life will be possible on Earth in a century or more, but the field is so new that it has yet to be defined," said ASU president Michael Crow. "Establishing the institute allows us to bring together the disciplines needed to deal with challenges of modern society - explosive urban growth, environmental threats and societal inequities." ASU expects the institute to become a degree-granting school within two years. http://www.asu.edu/feature/wrigley.html . Email: Edward.Vine@ucop.edu.
Generous Gift Will Fund New University Sustainability Institute
ELIST Reference, Nov. 30, 2004 (California Institute for Energy and Environment) - With the help of a $15 million gift, Arizona State University will create the International Institute of Sustainability. The gift from philanthropist Julie Ann Wrigley will be used to create an institute to study the intersection of ecological, social, and economic issues at the global and regional scales and to devise solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems. "The field of sustainability may, in large measure, determine whether life will be possible on Earth in a century or more, but the field is so new that it has yet to be defined," said ASU president Michael Crow. "Establishing the institute allows us to bring together the disciplines needed to deal with challenges of modern society - explosive urban growth, environmental threats and societal inequities." ASU expects the institute to become a degree-granting school within two years. http://www.asu.edu/feature/wrigley.html . Email: Edward.Vine@ucop.edu.
EcoDesign / Housing
Earthbag Building, The Tools, Tricks and Techniques
BOOK Reference, Nov. 26, 2004 (New Society Publishers, By Kaki Hunter and Donald Kiffmeyer) - Over seventy percent of Americans cannot afford to own a code-enforced, contractor-built home. This has led to widespread interest in using natural materials -- straw, cob, and earth -- for building homes and other buildings that are inexpensive, and that rely largely on labor rather than expensive and often environmentally-damaging outsourced materials. Earthbag Building is the first comprehensive guide to all the tools, tricks, and techniques for building with bags filled with earth - or earthbags. Having been introduced to sandbag construction by the renowned Nader Khalili in 1993, the authors developed this "Flexible Form Rammed Earth Technique" over the last decade. A reliable method for constructing homes, outbuildings, garden walls and much more, this enduring, tree-free architecture can also be used to create arched and domed structures of great beauty -- in any region, and at home, in developing countries, or in emergency relief work. http://www.newsociety.com/bookid/3842.
Earthbag Building, The Tools, Tricks and Techniques
BOOK Reference, Nov. 26, 2004 (New Society Publishers, By Kaki Hunter and Donald Kiffmeyer) - Over seventy percent of Americans cannot afford to own a code-enforced, contractor-built home. This has led to widespread interest in using natural materials -- straw, cob, and earth -- for building homes and other buildings that are inexpensive, and that rely largely on labor rather than expensive and often environmentally-damaging outsourced materials. Earthbag Building is the first comprehensive guide to all the tools, tricks, and techniques for building with bags filled with earth - or earthbags. Having been introduced to sandbag construction by the renowned Nader Khalili in 1993, the authors developed this "Flexible Form Rammed Earth Technique" over the last decade. A reliable method for constructing homes, outbuildings, garden walls and much more, this enduring, tree-free architecture can also be used to create arched and domed structures of great beauty -- in any region, and at home, in developing countries, or in emergency relief work. http://www.newsociety.com/bookid/3842.
Zero Waste / EcoEconimics
Building Materials in a Green Economy: Community-Based Strategies for Dematerialization
WEB Reference, Nov. 26, 2004 (Green Economics Net, by Brian Milani, 2001) - Materials are the stuff of economic life in our industrial world. They include the resource inputs and the product outputs of industrial production. How we handle them is a major determinant of real economic efficiency, and also has a major impact on our health and the health of the natural environment. Although the primary focus of popular environmental awareness has been on energy, it is our relationship to materials that will probably have the most significance for green economic transformation and the establishment of sustainable societies. http://www.greeneconomics.net/BuildMatEssay.html .
Building Materials in a Green Economy: Community-Based Strategies for Dematerialization
WEB Reference, Nov. 26, 2004 (Green Economics Net, by Brian Milani, 2001) - Materials are the stuff of economic life in our industrial world. They include the resource inputs and the product outputs of industrial production. How we handle them is a major determinant of real economic efficiency, and also has a major impact on our health and the health of the natural environment. Although the primary focus of popular environmental awareness has been on energy, it is our relationship to materials that will probably have the most significance for green economic transformation and the establishment of sustainable societies. http://www.greeneconomics.net/BuildMatEssay.html .
Sustainable Industry
Largest Private Windfarm Planned for Quebec
WEB Reference, Nov. 30, 2004 (Canadian Association for Renewable Energies - http://www.renewables.ca/main/main.php ) A $300 million windfarm will be the largest private wind project in the country, and the initial phase of the 200 MW facility will be completed next year. When complete, the site will generate 625,000,000 kWh a year, enough power for 70,000 homes, and create 300 jobs during construction and 20 for operation.
Largest Private Windfarm Planned for Quebec
WEB Reference, Nov. 30, 2004 (Canadian Association for Renewable Energies - http://www.renewables.ca/main/main.php ) A $300 million windfarm will be the largest private wind project in the country, and the initial phase of the 200 MW facility will be completed next year. When complete, the site will generate 625,000,000 kWh a year, enough power for 70,000 homes, and create 300 jobs during construction and 20 for operation.
Green Sourcing / Gifts / Zero Waste
Greener, Healthier, Friendlier Gifts for the Whole Year
WEB Reference, Nov. 2004 (People & Planet-friendly)- Try these great headings for all your gift ideas - (A) A Christmas That Doesn't Kill (B) Green Places To Shop (C) Green, Healthy & Ethical Gift Ideas (D) Books & Videos (E) Magazine Subscriptions (F) More Ideas, Activities & Alternatives(G) Top Five Gifts Not to Buy (H) Seven Steps to a Healthier World. All at: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gifts.html.
Greener, Healthier, Friendlier Gifts for the Whole Year
WEB Reference, Nov. 2004 (People & Planet-friendly)- Try these great headings for all your gift ideas - (A) A Christmas That Doesn't Kill (B) Green Places To Shop (C) Green, Healthy & Ethical Gift Ideas (D) Books & Videos (E) Magazine Subscriptions (F) More Ideas, Activities & Alternatives(G) Top Five Gifts Not to Buy (H) Seven Steps to a Healthier World. All at: http://www.planetfriendly.net/gifts.html.
Green Building / Solar House
Thermosyphon solar air heater and attic heat store for 100% solar heating
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 2004 (David Delaney) - A house in Ottawa, Ontario (45.3N, 75.6W, continental climate) can get 100% of its winter space heat from the sun in the thermal scheme described here. A solar air heater operates by natural convection to charge a heat store in an attic heat store. The house uses common materials, simple components, simple control, and simple building techniques, but needs a stronger structure than an ordinary house to support the weight of the overhead thermal mass. The attic heat store holds enough heat for seven days without sun. http://geocities.com/davidmdelaney/thermal-cs/thermal-crawl-space-1.html.
Thermosyphon solar air heater and attic heat store for 100% solar heating
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 2004 (David Delaney) - A house in Ottawa, Ontario (45.3N, 75.6W, continental climate) can get 100% of its winter space heat from the sun in the thermal scheme described here. A solar air heater operates by natural convection to charge a heat store in an attic heat store. The house uses common materials, simple components, simple control, and simple building techniques, but needs a stronger structure than an ordinary house to support the weight of the overhead thermal mass. The attic heat store holds enough heat for seven days without sun. http://geocities.com/davidmdelaney/thermal-cs/thermal-crawl-space-1.html.
EcoJobs / Social Responsibility
Eco-Jobs in Canada - Launch of Good Work Canada
WEB Reference, Nov. 2004 (Good Work) - Want to work for a more peaceful, more sustainable world? Subscribe today to receive job listings, contracts, requests for proposals/submissions; fundraising and business dev't workshops; internships, networking, resources and tips. Also, green businesses and eco/organic real estate for sale. There is employment available for anyone interested in environment and sustainable living. "I would absolutely and highly recommend it to other nonprofit's, government agencies, and businesses that are good corporate citizens."- Janet Lo Jobs, contracts, internships and other opportunities from across Canada. Plus eco-organic businesses for sale; cooperatives; events and networking; resources and guides. http://www.planetfriendly.net/goodwork.html.
Eco-Jobs in Canada - Launch of Good Work Canada
WEB Reference, Nov. 2004 (Good Work) - Want to work for a more peaceful, more sustainable world? Subscribe today to receive job listings, contracts, requests for proposals/submissions; fundraising and business dev't workshops; internships, networking, resources and tips. Also, green businesses and eco/organic real estate for sale. There is employment available for anyone interested in environment and sustainable living. "I would absolutely and highly recommend it to other nonprofit's, government agencies, and businesses that are good corporate citizens."- Janet Lo Jobs, contracts, internships and other opportunities from across Canada. Plus eco-organic businesses for sale; cooperatives; events and networking; resources and guides. http://www.planetfriendly.net/goodwork.html.
EcoDesign / Green Homes
Self-reliant House at Merritt College
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Jan. 17, 2004 (Environmental Program at Merritt College & San Francisco Chronicle) - Self-reliance at home: Most of us don't get a chance to build a house from scratch. One college building demonstrates how to make our tract houses green - In a recent discussion about the Self-Reliant House at Oakland's Merritt College, one militantly green architect sniffed with distaste and said he didn't condone such places. What's not to like about a little building that demonstrates environmentally friendly ways to retrofit homes? According to the architect, people too often content themselves with small alterations, rather than building new houses based on green principles. His approach might suit purists, but then there's hard reality: The Bay Area has little space left to build afresh. Anyway, how eco-friendly is it to use all new resources and pave over yet more land? More sensibly, property owners can modify existing buildings. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/01/17/HOGF349D811.DTL. More information on the program and Center can be found at www.merritt.edu/~envst..
Self-reliant House at Merritt College
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Jan. 17, 2004 (Environmental Program at Merritt College & San Francisco Chronicle) - Self-reliance at home: Most of us don't get a chance to build a house from scratch. One college building demonstrates how to make our tract houses green - In a recent discussion about the Self-Reliant House at Oakland's Merritt College, one militantly green architect sniffed with distaste and said he didn't condone such places. What's not to like about a little building that demonstrates environmentally friendly ways to retrofit homes? According to the architect, people too often content themselves with small alterations, rather than building new houses based on green principles. His approach might suit purists, but then there's hard reality: The Bay Area has little space left to build afresh. Anyway, how eco-friendly is it to use all new resources and pave over yet more land? More sensibly, property owners can modify existing buildings. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/01/17/HOGF349D811.DTL. More information on the program and Center can be found at www.merritt.edu/~envst..
Cool Projects / Heroic Actions
Fraser Basin Council Releases Its Sustainability Snapshot 2 Report and 2004 Sustainability Award Winners
VANCOUVER, BC (November 30, 2004) – The Fraser Basin Council has just released its State of the Fraser Basin Report: Sustainability Snapshot 2 and announced the winners of the 2004 Sustainability Awards at the 4th biennial State of the Fraser Basin Conference. The conference, held in Vancouver November 26 and 27, attracted more than 350 delegates. http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/action/index.html. The Sustainability Snapshot 2 report examines 17 key sustainability issues and also profiles issues of concern in each of the five Fraser Basin regions - Upper Fraser, Cariboo-Chilcotin, Thompson, Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver/Sea To Sky. The wide-ranging economic, social and environmental issues covered in the report are all interrelated and must be considered when planning for a sustainable Fraser River Basin. http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/publications/2004-Snapshot2.pdf. Read more.
Fraser Basin Council Releases Its Sustainability Snapshot 2 Report and 2004 Sustainability Award Winners
VANCOUVER, BC (November 30, 2004) – The Fraser Basin Council has just released its State of the Fraser Basin Report: Sustainability Snapshot 2 and announced the winners of the 2004 Sustainability Awards at the 4th biennial State of the Fraser Basin Conference. The conference, held in Vancouver November 26 and 27, attracted more than 350 delegates. http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/action/index.html. The Sustainability Snapshot 2 report examines 17 key sustainability issues and also profiles issues of concern in each of the five Fraser Basin regions - Upper Fraser, Cariboo-Chilcotin, Thompson, Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver/Sea To Sky. The wide-ranging economic, social and environmental issues covered in the report are all interrelated and must be considered when planning for a sustainable Fraser River Basin. http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/publications/2004-Snapshot2.pdf. Read more.
