Sustainable Building Standard Expected by Year-End
Nadine M. Post, Engineering News-Record, January 23, 2008
The first US standard for high-performance buildings--called Sustainability in Building Codes, ASHRAE/USGBC/IESNA Standard 189.1P--could be released by the end of the year, according to one of the co-developers of the standard. The proposed standard will provide minimum requirements for the design of new high-performance commercial buildings and for major renovations. It will address energy efficiency, a building's impact on the atmosphere, sustainable sites, water use efficiency, materials and resources, and the quality of the environment indoors.
The standard is being developed by the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the US Green Building Council (USGBC). In writing the standard, the committee "considered and incorporated" other aspects of national initiatives on sustainable buildings, including those of federal agencies, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the US Conference of Mayors.
Read the complete story here: http://enr.ecnext.com/coms2/article_nebuar080123
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Not All Biofuels Are Created Equal
Europe, Cutting Biofuel Subsidies, Redirects Aid to Stress Greenest Options
Elisabeth Rosenthal, New York Times, January 22, 2008
There is increasing evidence that the total emissions and environmental damage from producing many “clean” biofuels outweighs their lower emissions when compared with fossil fuels. European biofuel manufacturers and sellers will now have to quantify their fuel’s net effect on the environment before being eligible for subsidies. Governments in Europe and elsewhere have begun rolling back generous subsidies for biofuels, acknowledging that the environmental benefits of some have often been overstated. Under a proposed Swiss directive, for example, a liter of biofuel would have to produce 40 percent less in emissions than fossil fuel to qualify for special treatment. It will be hard to make corn ethanol or even rapeseed (used to make canola oil) meet the standard, said Lukas Gutzwiller of Switzerland’s Federal Energy Office.
Read the complete story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/business/worldbusiness/22biofuels.html?em&ex=1201237200&en=e6734a420d6683cb&ei=5087%0A
Elisabeth Rosenthal, New York Times, January 22, 2008
There is increasing evidence that the total emissions and environmental damage from producing many “clean” biofuels outweighs their lower emissions when compared with fossil fuels. European biofuel manufacturers and sellers will now have to quantify their fuel’s net effect on the environment before being eligible for subsidies. Governments in Europe and elsewhere have begun rolling back generous subsidies for biofuels, acknowledging that the environmental benefits of some have often been overstated. Under a proposed Swiss directive, for example, a liter of biofuel would have to produce 40 percent less in emissions than fossil fuel to qualify for special treatment. It will be hard to make corn ethanol or even rapeseed (used to make canola oil) meet the standard, said Lukas Gutzwiller of Switzerland’s Federal Energy Office.
Read the complete story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/business/worldbusiness/22biofuels.html?em&ex=1201237200&en=e6734a420d6683cb&ei=5087%0A
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Dreaming of a Green Christmas
Friends of the Urban Forest and SF Environment are offering delivery, pick-up and planting of living, potted trees in time for the holidays. The eight-ft tall trees have been hand-picked to thrive in San Francisco. There are four types of trees to choose from: Southern Magnolia, Small Leaf Tristania, Strawberry Tree, and New Zealand Christmas Tree.
Trees are $90, and orders are available through Tuesday, December 19, 2007. Or visit their Green Christmas Tree lot on Saturday, December 15 from 4-7 pm to tag one for delivery or take one home on the spot.
Delivery and pick-up available to SF residents only. Maybe next year, Oakland?
Trees are $90, and orders are available through Tuesday, December 19, 2007. Or visit their Green Christmas Tree lot on Saturday, December 15 from 4-7 pm to tag one for delivery or take one home on the spot.
Delivery and pick-up available to SF residents only. Maybe next year, Oakland?
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Cargo Ship Spills after Hitting Bridge
Spill closes SF Beaches
Jonathan Curiel, Peter Fimrite, Jane Kay, SF Chronicle, November 8, 2007
Approximately 58,000 gallons of heavy-duty bunker fuel oil spilled from a container ship when it rammed the Bay Bridge on Wednesday. Some 8,000 gallons of oil have been contained since Wednesday's accident, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. William Uberti said this morning. Large patches are still floating in the bay and some has washed up on several San Francisco beaches and the Marin Headlands, officials said today. Some officials say the impacts to beaches will worsen early this afternoon as the tide rushes out of the Golden Gate.
Read the complete story here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/08/BAD8T8PLU.DTL
Jonathan Curiel, Peter Fimrite, Jane Kay, SF Chronicle, November 8, 2007
Approximately 58,000 gallons of heavy-duty bunker fuel oil spilled from a container ship when it rammed the Bay Bridge on Wednesday. Some 8,000 gallons of oil have been contained since Wednesday's accident, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. William Uberti said this morning. Large patches are still floating in the bay and some has washed up on several San Francisco beaches and the Marin Headlands, officials said today. Some officials say the impacts to beaches will worsen early this afternoon as the tide rushes out of the Golden Gate.
Read the complete story here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/08/BAD8T8PLU.DTL
The Energy Cost of Water
An interesting talk about the connection between water and energy given a few months ago by Heather Cooley at the Commonwealth Club of California.
Carbon Calculus
Accounting for the True Cost of Energy
Matthew L. Wald, NY Times, November 7, 2007
On Thursday, a Senate subcommittee approved a bill to establish a cap-and-trade system for carbon dioxide, and the Democratic leadership is eager to have the Senate pass it by year’s end. But prospects in the House are less certain. Carbon dioxide is what economists call an “externality,” something that imposes a cost on somebody other than the manufacturer. At some point, the thinking goes, Congress will force industries to pay those costs, either with a tax or a cap-and-trade system in which allowances will cost money. Cost for fuels that result in hefty emissions, like coal and oil, as well as "closet carbon" fuels like corn-based ethanol, would likely increase. And some — sunlight, wind, uranium, even corn stalks and trash, as well as natural gas — would probably cost much less.
Read the complete story here.
And, more green business stories in the NY Times.
Matthew L. Wald, NY Times, November 7, 2007
On Thursday, a Senate subcommittee approved a bill to establish a cap-and-trade system for carbon dioxide, and the Democratic leadership is eager to have the Senate pass it by year’s end. But prospects in the House are less certain. Carbon dioxide is what economists call an “externality,” something that imposes a cost on somebody other than the manufacturer. At some point, the thinking goes, Congress will force industries to pay those costs, either with a tax or a cap-and-trade system in which allowances will cost money. Cost for fuels that result in hefty emissions, like coal and oil, as well as "closet carbon" fuels like corn-based ethanol, would likely increase. And some — sunlight, wind, uranium, even corn stalks and trash, as well as natural gas — would probably cost much less.
Read the complete story here.
And, more green business stories in the NY Times.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Green Festival November 9-11!
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Go to the Green Festival in San Francisco!
One of four nationwide events, Green Festivals highlight what is working in our communities, for people, for businesses and for the environment. Each festival features more than 200 visionary speakers and 400 green businesses, how-to workshops, green films, yoga and movement classes, green careers sessions, organic beer and wine, delicious organic cuisine and live music.
You can:
- attend lectures and workshops by thought leaders, business visionaries and community activists
- connect with like-minded individuals and organizations who are committed to a better world
- learn about organizations effecting positive and sustainable change in our region, our country, and the around the planet
- have fun meeting interesting people who share common interests
- eat delicious, healthy, organic, and sustainably produced food and listen to local musicians
A 3-day festival pass is only $25, and children under 12 are free. Daily tickets are $15.
Learn more about the festival at greenfestival.
Go to the Green Festival in San Francisco!
One of four nationwide events, Green Festivals highlight what is working in our communities, for people, for businesses and for the environment. Each festival features more than 200 visionary speakers and 400 green businesses, how-to workshops, green films, yoga and movement classes, green careers sessions, organic beer and wine, delicious organic cuisine and live music.
You can:
- attend lectures and workshops by thought leaders, business visionaries and community activists
- connect with like-minded individuals and organizations who are committed to a better world
- learn about organizations effecting positive and sustainable change in our region, our country, and the around the planet
- have fun meeting interesting people who share common interests
- eat delicious, healthy, organic, and sustainably produced food and listen to local musicians
A 3-day festival pass is only $25, and children under 12 are free. Daily tickets are $15.
Learn more about the festival at greenfestival.
Lecture on Climate Change Implications of Waste Treatment
Tuesday, November 13th
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Room 112, Wurster Hall, UC Berkeley
Perry L. McCarty
Silas H. Palmer, Professor Emeritus, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
Winner of the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize
Meet the speaker, 5:15pm - 5:30pm
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that four percent of the equivalent anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the world result from methane and nitrous oxide produced from wastewater, solid wastes, and animal manure. However, if such methane gas is collected and used as a biofuel, not only would the methane emissions decrease, but also the need for fossil fuels could be decreased as well. Indeed, the potential to produce methane from wastewater treatment might be exploited to a greater extent than it has at present to turn a potential problem into a significant benefit for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. How might wastes best be handled in the future to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and how might this change our current practices?
For more information, contact the Water Resources Center Archives at (510) 642-2666 or waterarc@library.berkeley.edu, or check out the Colloquium web site: http://lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/ccow.html
PDF of flyer for this lecture: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/pdfs/mccartyflyer.pdf
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Room 112, Wurster Hall, UC Berkeley
Perry L. McCarty
Silas H. Palmer, Professor Emeritus, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
Winner of the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize
Meet the speaker, 5:15pm - 5:30pm
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that four percent of the equivalent anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the world result from methane and nitrous oxide produced from wastewater, solid wastes, and animal manure. However, if such methane gas is collected and used as a biofuel, not only would the methane emissions decrease, but also the need for fossil fuels could be decreased as well. Indeed, the potential to produce methane from wastewater treatment might be exploited to a greater extent than it has at present to turn a potential problem into a significant benefit for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. How might wastes best be handled in the future to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and how might this change our current practices?
For more information, contact the Water Resources Center Archives at (510) 642-2666 or waterarc@library.berkeley.edu, or check out the Colloquium web site: http://lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/ccow.html
PDF of flyer for this lecture: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/pdfs/mccartyflyer.pdf
Friday, October 19, 2007
Ocean Potion
Toxic Stew the Size of Texas Floats in the Pacific
Justin Berton, SF Chronicle, October 19, 2007
The so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and ocean debris worldwide, has been growing tenfold every decade since the 1950s, says Chris Parry of the California Coastal Commission.
Cleaning it up probably isn't an option, but its growth is certainly preventable. A Greenpeace report found that 80% of the oceans' litter originated on land. According to Parry, "The long-term solution is to stop producing as much plastic products at home and change our consumption habits."
Read the complete story, as well as many others, and get tips on recycling and reducing your carbon footprint in the Chronicle's Green Section.
Justin Berton, SF Chronicle, October 19, 2007
The so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and ocean debris worldwide, has been growing tenfold every decade since the 1950s, says Chris Parry of the California Coastal Commission.
Cleaning it up probably isn't an option, but its growth is certainly preventable. A Greenpeace report found that 80% of the oceans' litter originated on land. According to Parry, "The long-term solution is to stop producing as much plastic products at home and change our consumption habits."
Read the complete story, as well as many others, and get tips on recycling and reducing your carbon footprint in the Chronicle's Green Section.
Flip a Switch for the Earth
Lights Out SF invites you to turn off your lights for one hour this Saturday night, October 20th.
The US consumes more energy and emits more greenhouse gases than any other country in the world.
By turning off your lights for one hour, we could save as much as 15% of the energy consumed on an average Saturday night. Replacing one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent will conserve even more (San Francisco Safeway stores are giving out free CFL bulbs through tomorrow, one per household).
Many SF restaurants will be hosting candlelit dinners, and there will be an acoustic concert in Dolores Park by local band Crowsong.
Lights Out SF is affiliated with Lights Out America, a grassroots community group organizing a nationwide energy savings event on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
The US consumes more energy and emits more greenhouse gases than any other country in the world.
By turning off your lights for one hour, we could save as much as 15% of the energy consumed on an average Saturday night. Replacing one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent will conserve even more (San Francisco Safeway stores are giving out free CFL bulbs through tomorrow, one per household).
Many SF restaurants will be hosting candlelit dinners, and there will be an acoustic concert in Dolores Park by local band Crowsong.
Lights Out SF is affiliated with Lights Out America, a grassroots community group organizing a nationwide energy savings event on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
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