Monday, October 31, 2005
Sustainable Enterprise
Small Scale Sustainable Business
GALT, CA, Oct. 17, 2005 (CIP, by Carol Ann Brodie) - A green business doesn’t have to be a big business. The size of the business can be conversely related with efficiency and owner control. Small company, few employees…..and the owner has more say over the environmental sustainability of their business. And, adopting environmentally friendly business practices isn't just good for the environment. Many small-business owners find that running a greener company saves them money in the long run. Read more.
Small Scale Sustainable Business
GALT, CA, Oct. 17, 2005 (CIP, by Carol Ann Brodie) - A green business doesn’t have to be a big business. The size of the business can be conversely related with efficiency and owner control. Small company, few employees…..and the owner has more say over the environmental sustainability of their business. And, adopting environmentally friendly business practices isn't just good for the environment. Many small-business owners find that running a greener company saves them money in the long run. Read more.
Transportation
New Yorks Yellow Cabs Go Green
WEB Reference, Sep. 13, 2005 (MotherJones.com) - If hybrid taxis can make it there, they'll make it anywhere. New York City last week took the historic step of allowing the use of hybrid-electric vehicles as taxi cabs. http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2005/09/green_fleets.html.
New Yorks Yellow Cabs Go Green
WEB Reference, Sep. 13, 2005 (MotherJones.com) - If hybrid taxis can make it there, they'll make it anywhere. New York City last week took the historic step of allowing the use of hybrid-electric vehicles as taxi cabs. http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2005/09/green_fleets.html.
Our Shifting Focus
E-bike Mania Hits Vancouver
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2005 (24 Hours) - Electric bike enthusiasts showcased their prized possessions to the public at Vancouver's Kingsgate Mall over the weekend to educate them about a better alternative to getting around by car. The electric bike show was organized by Rob Matthies and featured free e-bike and scooter test rides and prizes for the first 10 people arriving on any non-gasoline-burning vehicle. http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/2005/10/17/1266039.html.
E-bike Mania Hits Vancouver
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2005 (24 Hours) - Electric bike enthusiasts showcased their prized possessions to the public at Vancouver's Kingsgate Mall over the weekend to educate them about a better alternative to getting around by car. The electric bike show was organized by Rob Matthies and featured free e-bike and scooter test rides and prizes for the first 10 people arriving on any non-gasoline-burning vehicle. http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/2005/10/17/1266039.html.
Events / Grassroots Empowerment – Victoria, BC – Nov. 3
Natural Building in the World Today
ELIST. Oct. 24, 2005 (Left Coast News) - Presentation with Sarah Brooks: Highlighting current patterns of disempowerment in the built environment, and how grassroots actions such as natural building fit into the larger movement of sustainable development. This is a presentation that focuses on how small actions of the mundane, such as construction, have and continue to affect great change and empowerment in the human community, as we reach for a more sustainable, just world. Sarah Brooks has been working as a crew member, site supervisor, and natural building instructor since 1998. She has worked in Canada, the south-eastern Caribbean, Argentina, Brazil and the United States. Sarah has been involved in the training and development of a local earthen building team in Patagonia, an urban permaculture center in Salvador do Bahia, Brazil, and was part of the team that created the first permitted load-bearing cob structure in the United States. She has worked with the Landless People's Movement, the Instituto Permacultura y Ecovilas da Pampa, and is currently involved in developing regulatory changes to the building codes in the Chubut region of Patagonia. Admission: by donation, 6:30 p.m., at the Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter Boardroom, #302-733 Johnson St., Victoria, BC. For more information contact Sarah at 250-226-7031, or Gagan (at the Sierra Club) : 250-386-5255 ext.256.
Natural Building in the World Today
ELIST. Oct. 24, 2005 (Left Coast News) - Presentation with Sarah Brooks: Highlighting current patterns of disempowerment in the built environment, and how grassroots actions such as natural building fit into the larger movement of sustainable development. This is a presentation that focuses on how small actions of the mundane, such as construction, have and continue to affect great change and empowerment in the human community, as we reach for a more sustainable, just world. Sarah Brooks has been working as a crew member, site supervisor, and natural building instructor since 1998. She has worked in Canada, the south-eastern Caribbean, Argentina, Brazil and the United States. Sarah has been involved in the training and development of a local earthen building team in Patagonia, an urban permaculture center in Salvador do Bahia, Brazil, and was part of the team that created the first permitted load-bearing cob structure in the United States. She has worked with the Landless People's Movement, the Instituto Permacultura y Ecovilas da Pampa, and is currently involved in developing regulatory changes to the building codes in the Chubut region of Patagonia. Admission: by donation, 6:30 p.m., at the Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter Boardroom, #302-733 Johnson St., Victoria, BC. For more information contact Sarah at 250-226-7031, or Gagan (at the Sierra Club) : 250-386-5255 ext.256.
Events / Empowerment / Communications - December 1-3; Online, anywhere
Habitat Jam – Exciting!
PORTLAND, OR, Oct. 26, 2005 (ESF News) - As part of the preparations for the 3rd World Urban Forum, the Government of Canada, in partnership with UN-HABITAT and IBM, is sponsoring Habitat Jam, a global 72-hour Internet event. During the event, tens of thousands of people around the world will be connecting in real time over the Internet to discuss, debate and collaborate on key urban issues and to work towards finding solutions. Organizers hope that this unprecedented global conversation and collaboration about the future of our cities will help empower people to take charge of decisions that affect their lives. http://www.habitatjam.com/.
Habitat Jam – Exciting!
PORTLAND, OR, Oct. 26, 2005 (ESF News) - As part of the preparations for the 3rd World Urban Forum, the Government of Canada, in partnership with UN-HABITAT and IBM, is sponsoring Habitat Jam, a global 72-hour Internet event. During the event, tens of thousands of people around the world will be connecting in real time over the Internet to discuss, debate and collaborate on key urban issues and to work towards finding solutions. Organizers hope that this unprecedented global conversation and collaboration about the future of our cities will help empower people to take charge of decisions that affect their lives. http://www.habitatjam.com/.
Exemplary Resources
Building America Program
WEB Reference, Oct. 30, 2005 (US Dept. of Energy) - The Building America project combines the knowledge and resources of industry leaders with the U.S. Department of Energy's technical capabilities. Together, they act as a catalyst for change in the home-building industry. Learn how Building America puts research to work (PDF 585 KB) Download Acrobat Reader. 31,328 Homes Built in Building America Research Projects. See current Projects. - http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/cfm/project_locations.cfm. See also Publications (Vol.. 1-4) Climate Best Practices Guideshttp://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/.
Building America Program
WEB Reference, Oct. 30, 2005 (US Dept. of Energy) - The Building America project combines the knowledge and resources of industry leaders with the U.S. Department of Energy's technical capabilities. Together, they act as a catalyst for change in the home-building industry. Learn how Building America puts research to work (PDF 585 KB) Download Acrobat Reader. 31,328 Homes Built in Building America Research Projects. See current Projects. - http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/cfm/project_locations.cfm. See also Publications (Vol.. 1-4) Climate Best Practices Guideshttp://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/.
Sustainable Livilihoods
Volunteer Global Educators Wanted
TORONTO, ON, Oct 28, 2005 (GoodWork) - Passionate about development issues?Want to gain valuable work experience? Join CHF's Team: Advocate for the rural poor -- become a Global Educator! * Gain valuable work experience in the non-profit/ non-government international development sector. * Improve your facilitation skills through training and practice. * Benefit from actual classroom experience. * Network with contacts at various schools and with experts in the field. * Add important volunteer experience to your resume. CHF (formerly the Canadian Hunger Foundation) is looking for volunteers to raise Canadian students' awareness about the issues faced by the rural poor in developing countries. Facilitate presentations to students in 8-10 schools in the Toronto area from January to June. CHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling poor rural communities in developing countries to attain sustainable livelihoods. Please visit our website at http://www.chf-partners.ca. HOW TO APPLY. Please send resume by November 21st, 2005 to: Sandra Kiviaho, Global Education Specialist, 323 Chapel St. Ottawa, ON K1N 7Z2; skiviaho@chf-partners.ca. Fax: (613) 237-5969. If you have any questions, please call 1(613) 237-0180 ext.210 or toll free 1(866) 242-4243. Interviews to be held the week of November 28, 2005 Volunteer Training: January 14th and 15th, 2006.
Volunteer Global Educators Wanted
TORONTO, ON, Oct 28, 2005 (GoodWork) - Passionate about development issues?Want to gain valuable work experience? Join CHF's Team: Advocate for the rural poor -- become a Global Educator! * Gain valuable work experience in the non-profit/ non-government international development sector. * Improve your facilitation skills through training and practice. * Benefit from actual classroom experience. * Network with contacts at various schools and with experts in the field. * Add important volunteer experience to your resume. CHF (formerly the Canadian Hunger Foundation) is looking for volunteers to raise Canadian students' awareness about the issues faced by the rural poor in developing countries. Facilitate presentations to students in 8-10 schools in the Toronto area from January to June. CHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling poor rural communities in developing countries to attain sustainable livelihoods. Please visit our website at http://www.chf-partners.ca. HOW TO APPLY. Please send resume by November 21st, 2005 to: Sandra Kiviaho, Global Education Specialist, 323 Chapel St. Ottawa, ON K1N 7Z2; skiviaho@chf-partners.ca. Fax: (613) 237-5969. If you have any questions, please call 1(613) 237-0180 ext.210 or toll free 1(866) 242-4243. Interviews to be held the week of November 28, 2005 Volunteer Training: January 14th and 15th, 2006.
EcoDesign / Resources
Building with Pumice
ELIST, Oct. 30, 2005 (Greenbuilding Listserve, Chris Green post) - The book, Building With Pumice, by Klaus Grasser and Gernot Minke (it's in English) is available as a 64 page pdf file and can be dowloaded here. Grasser is an architect, an Minke is the Director of the Research Laboratory for Experimental Building at Kassel University in Germany. Minke also wrote the manual on Earth as a Building Material. I skimmed over the content and think you all will find this to be a useful book, suitable for everyone from the do-it-yourselfer to professional architect. There will bemuch information of interest to the strawbale builder, as well. Highly recommended. I give it two thumbs up.http://www2.gtz.de/Basin/publications/books/pumice.pdf.
Building with Pumice
ELIST, Oct. 30, 2005 (Greenbuilding Listserve, Chris Green post) - The book, Building With Pumice, by Klaus Grasser and Gernot Minke (it's in English) is available as a 64 page pdf file and can be dowloaded here. Grasser is an architect, an Minke is the Director of the Research Laboratory for Experimental Building at Kassel University in Germany. Minke also wrote the manual on Earth as a Building Material. I skimmed over the content and think you all will find this to be a useful book, suitable for everyone from the do-it-yourselfer to professional architect. There will bemuch information of interest to the strawbale builder, as well. Highly recommended. I give it two thumbs up.http://www2.gtz.de/Basin/publications/books/pumice.pdf.
Climate Change / Solutions
Climate Change Demonstration Building Opens
SHAWNIGAN LAKE, BC, Oct. 24, 2005 (O.U.R EcoVillage) - To all O.U.R. Friends: It is with great pleasure that O.U.R EcoVillage is formally announcing the Grand Opening of "The Climate Change Demonstration Building". As you have been a major supporter of the ecological design and sustainability education work on-site, we are hoping that you can have one of your representatives attend this event. It is time for you and your organization to be honoured! December 1, 2005, 1565 Baldy Mounting Road, Shawnigan Lake. 2:00 Opening address & appreciation; 2:30 Presentation to Funders; 3:00 Tour of Climate Change Demonstration Building; 3:30 Light refreshments & tour of O.U.R EcoVillage facilities. (please R.S.V.P. before November 17, 250.743.3076 or info@ourecovillage.org) After the many years of design and development work behind the creation of O.U.R. 25 acre Demonstration "Sustainable Village" rezoning and the working through of the Building Code issues related to "natural building"….we are now expanding to the next level. O.U.R Ecovillage’s onsite school – TOPIA; The sustainable learning community institute is in the process of being accredited. With this new expansion we will be providing a wide range of new speakers, educational forums and sustainability projects in 2006. We are happy to include you as a valuable partner in O.U.R. continued success. In community, by community, for community, Brandy Gallagher-MacPherson, Executive Director, O.U.R. EcoVillage, O.U.R Community Association, http://www.ourecovillage.org.
Climate Change Demonstration Building Opens
SHAWNIGAN LAKE, BC, Oct. 24, 2005 (O.U.R EcoVillage) - To all O.U.R. Friends: It is with great pleasure that O.U.R EcoVillage is formally announcing the Grand Opening of "The Climate Change Demonstration Building". As you have been a major supporter of the ecological design and sustainability education work on-site, we are hoping that you can have one of your representatives attend this event. It is time for you and your organization to be honoured! December 1, 2005, 1565 Baldy Mounting Road, Shawnigan Lake. 2:00 Opening address & appreciation; 2:30 Presentation to Funders; 3:00 Tour of Climate Change Demonstration Building; 3:30 Light refreshments & tour of O.U.R EcoVillage facilities. (please R.S.V.P. before November 17, 250.743.3076 or info@ourecovillage.org) After the many years of design and development work behind the creation of O.U.R. 25 acre Demonstration "Sustainable Village" rezoning and the working through of the Building Code issues related to "natural building"….we are now expanding to the next level. O.U.R Ecovillage’s onsite school – TOPIA; The sustainable learning community institute is in the process of being accredited. With this new expansion we will be providing a wide range of new speakers, educational forums and sustainability projects in 2006. We are happy to include you as a valuable partner in O.U.R. continued success. In community, by community, for community, Brandy Gallagher-MacPherson, Executive Director, O.U.R. EcoVillage, O.U.R Community Association, http://www.ourecovillage.org.
