I’ll be wont be able to post much in the next couple weeks. I injured my back and I’m unable to sit at the computer more then 20 minutes at a time.
Archive for July, 2008
Delays, but Continuing on
My internet was down for the weekend, so I had a bit of time to think things over. I had been feeling a bit stressed out as well, so I needed to think about where I need to make some changes. I hadn’t had enough time to work on my green site and it wasn’t working out the way I wanted it to be. So I decided to delay it for now. I think I just tried to take way too much on at the same time. I’ve also realized how much I still need to learn more CSS skills.
I all honesty I think that I just need to continue on with this blog and see where it leads me. Also to work on becoming a better writer, as I have found that I have had a particularly hard time writing for this blog. I guess having a passion about something doesn’t automatically make you a great writer on the subject.
I still have hopes and dreams that everything will work out and continue on with my vision.
PEACE!
California Adopts Green Building Code
California always seems to be the leader when it comes to adopting new green plans. After all we are all a bunch of wacked out environmental nuts jobs over here, at least thats what everyone thinks. I just say were trying to do a little good in the world. Now whats wrong with that?
Heres what Governor Schwarzenegger had to say in his press release:
“By adopting this first-in-the-nation statewide green building code, California is again leading the way to fight climate change and protect the environment. This is literally a groundbreaking move to ensure that when we break ground on all new buildings in the Golden State we are promoting green building and energy efficient new technologies. Cars and buildings are two of the leading users of energy – we’re already addressing cars, and these new building standards will ensure that California remains at the forefront of reducing our carbon footprint and conserving valuable natural resources while also protecting our economy. We have already committed to making our state-owned buildings more green and energy efficient and this statewide code will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and conserve water in all new buildings.
“With today’s action, California continues to lead the nation and I commend the hard work of the Building Standards Commission to adopt the first-in-the-nation statewide green building standards.”
Not to say its all bad. But in the forseeable future I see a whole load of mess with zoning issues. That means in SC county it will take 15 years for things to get built instead of 10. (YEA!) Lets spend more time and waste more money debating over minute issues and getting nothing done! Cause thats how to government works!
Its not that I’m at all against building green, as you should know I think everything should be that way. I just see a headache as the government steps in. All of a sudden what we “should” be doing becomes what we “are forced to do” , closely followed by mass confusion about what we are “allowed” to do, and then everyone complaining, debating, and getting nothing done. I guess we shall see what happens.
Modular Green Homes Con.
Ever since I saw this episode of Big Ideas for a Small Planet, the homes from Michelle Kaufmann have been my idea of a dream home. We certainly have come a long way with what we can do with prefab. These houses are absolutely stunning with their simple smart design using renewable, recycled, and long lasting low maintenance materials, together with innovative technologies and design to make the homes energy efficient.
Heres a snippet from the show last year:
This video really reflects on the many reasons we should choose build modular.
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The Sunset Breeze house
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The mkLotus
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Check out Michell’s blog Nutrition Labels For our Homes? You’ll see the amazing difference in CO2 emissions and energy consumption between their homes and traditionally built homes.
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Plumbing Problems? Check out this pic I found. This is from Front Architects in Poland. Billboard Homes? Interesting, but I wish I could read the site. These would be a trip though.
Thank you for Comments, I would love to see More
I had no internet most of yesterday, so it put a damper on my modular home research, but I wanted to make a post anyway. It was nice to see a comment on my blog showing how positive these homes can be. This is exactly the point I want to make with these posts, there are some many more choices out there then many people think. I simply want to show some of the choices out there. Modular homes are not only greener, but less expensive then traditional construction.
I know this is bad timing on the part of the economy right now, but hopefully things will change soon. And hopefully someone will see these posts and consider these kinds of homes.
Compact Homes
These ingenious little cubes, the Micro compact home are 8 sq ft of efficientcy of compact space. This is going a bit on the extreme for most, but these little cocoons are made primarily to house 1, maybe 2 people, with an active working lifestyle and students. Although not self sustaining as I first thought when I heard about them, they are incredibly energy efficient.
These might be great for students, but I feel the price is a bit disappointing at $50,000 $70,000. However some students in Germany where able to rent them for as little as $150 per month as part of a housing project. With keeping with the whole village thing for students I think this housing could be great.
The compact modular homes found at Green Pod are a bit more to my liking. Much larger then a pod but keeping with being multipurpose, their homes are made with products that are certified as biodegradable, sustainable, and that fully utilize natural materials produced in ecologically responsible methods, down to the organically made furnishings and textiles. The price range for these homes is between $100,000 and $250,00 depending on the package you buy (6 layouts are available).
Although not completely self sustainable, these homes are built completely from green products, are highly energy efficient and functional, and beautiful as well.
Creating Sustainable Housing
For the next few Posts I’m going to be concentrating on sustainable housing. I recently watched a program on the Discovery channel (don’t remember the name of it) about groups on students competing in an international contest. The contest involved building modual self sustainable housing. Not only did it have to be self sustainable, but practical and aesthetically pleasing as well. Some of these homes where absolutely fantastic.
As usual, programs like this asked me asking questions. If we spend so much time researching things like this, why don’t I see modular sustainable homes everywhere? Why aren’t we seeing new neighborhoods popping up everywhere boosting these new modular homes instead or the normal old “brick and mortar” kind? Is it the expense? Can we make this affordable for everyone? Are we just too stuck in our ways to make this kind of change? If you could afford it would you? I would love to hear your answers.
My answer for me is. I can’t afford a home, I rent (and quite frankly Santa Cruz is one of the most “un-affordable” places to live in the US, right under San Fransisco). But my dream home is one of these modular homes I’ll be showing in a few posts.
(I’ll have to post a rant about Santa Cruz’s un-affordability some day too)
Save Green Live Green Giveaway
Shop.com is giving away an ultimate green home makeover. The prizes include an energy saving washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator and dishwasher valued at over $10,000. You can register and enter to win at the following link: Click Here
Cow Burps and Climate Change?
Strange as you may think but true. Argentina researchers have been collecting cow burps by strapping a big red plastic tank to cows backs. To capture the burps, the scientists connect the tanks to the cows’ stomachs through a tube. Much like cow farts are a significant source of methane emissions, so are their belches. Between the two they account for roughly 25-35 cubic feet emissions per day, per cow!
Methane is 23 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. As much as 30% of Argentina’s green house gas emissions are said to be produced by cows. Scientists are working to change the cows diets as a way to reduce the emissions.
You can Read the full story here
Carbon Neutral Beer
One brewery in the UK is taking the green approach by creating a carbon neutral Beer. Not only have they managed to go carbon neutral, but they are finding it a cost savings as well. Heres the Video from CNN:
It would be nice if I could find this beer in the US. Find any US beer companies going carbon neutral? Let me know…
