I have long been a proponent of green technologies. In addition to what they can do for the environment, there is a huge chance to change our local (and national) economy. With the upsurge in new green ideas and products, there is ample opportunity for growth and change. While manufacturing is down across the entire country, the green sector of manufacturing is seeing a growth. The latest tax credits for energy reduction will only help to spur on this growth. The question is, where will these green products be made-here or abroad? When it comes to manufacturing, the Great Lakes Region is the place to be. With ample transportation available, central location to most of America’s population, and vast experience in the manufacturing sector, Cleveland is ripe and ready for this investment. We have plenty of open space, real estate and a ready work force that is hungry to start! I hope that we can encourage our local leaders to make green technologies the driving force for our economy. For Cleveland, the answer IS blowing in the wind.
There is a great company called Clipper Wind Power in Iowa. They should be a role model for our region! Take a minute to see what I mean!The video makes it quite clear!
One thing that most people aren’t mentioning in the economic stimulus package that passed in October, is the series of energy tax credits. There were plenty of tax credits in place in 2007, but they expired at the end of that year. This stimulus package made these credits available again starting in 2009. While I am not an accountant, here are some of the highlights as you plan your budgets for the coming year:
There is a $500 tax credit for home improvements that include things like insulation, replacement windows, and high efficiency heating and cooling. This credit is based on particular projects, so check with the tax man for clarification. Been putting off that project? 2009 looks like the year!
In addition to these credits, there are new credits for solar and wind energy. For solar panels and solar water heaters, there is a tax credit of 30% capped out at $2000. For wind energy systems, there are similar incentives. These credits are also 30% of the cost of the installed systems and are tied to killowatts produced. According to Swift Wind Turbines, homeowners who install their turbines will receive a credit of $1000 per turbine.
Thinking of buying a hybrid, but upset that you missed the incentives on the Prius? 2009 is a good year to think about it again, as there are new incentives in place. This credit is for PLUG-IN hybrids and will be limited to the first 250,000.
How much of an incentive do you need to take advantage of energy savings?
Purists will tell you that only an organic vegetarian diet made from local produce will save the planet. While that may be true in theory, I enjoy a good steak or hamburger. I love barbecue. And you can’t beat a great lemon chicken. Top that off with the fact that you can’t buy a local green vegetable in Cleveland in January, unless you own your own greenhouse. So are we forced to decide between our favorite foods and saving the planet? I say no.
True, eating meat is bad for the environment. The Amazon rain forest is being destroyed at an unbelievably rapid rate, partly to raise beef for our carnivorous consumption. In addition, it isn’t being harvested, it is being burned-adding to the CO2 problem. Overgrazing destroys grasslands and leads to topsoil erosion. Methane from cows and other livestock are contributing to greenhouse gas levels. A pound of grain fed beef in the US is roughly equivalent to a gallon of gas, as far as energy used to produce it. Chickens are being raised in tiny cages that do not permit movement. Livestock production in general uses nearly half of the water consumed in the US. It has been estimated that if all the resources used for meat consumption were used for cultivation of human food crops, the world would have a surplus of food.
But eating vegetables has its own impact on the planet. Pesticide runoff is affecting the water table. Bio engineering of fruits and veggies is drawing precious resources away from human problems. Unless you live in the tropics, most of the produce in our local supermarket is shipped from around the globe. Fossil fuels are being burned to bring foods to you. Consider this: in New York City, most of the apples consumed are being shipped from New Zealand and Australia. However, there are plenty of apples produced in Washington state. Even the apples at my market are Washington apples, and there are multiple apple farms within 50 miles of my home. How much energy does it take to bring your Florida orange juice to you-especially if you live near Arizona or California? And I don’t think you can even grow a banana in most of this country.
Does this mean I am doomed to a diet of potatoes and corn all year? Luckily, no. All it means that we can make a big difference in the world by changing just one meal a week.
Think of skipping that meal of cheeseburgers and having some stir fried vegetables. Switching to veggies just one day a week saves on greenhouse gasses in an exponential fashion. Factual data is subjective, and varies from study to study. I could quote facts and cite figures but what do they really mean? Reducing our dependence on meat by even one meal a week will mean less cows bred and raised. Less cows means less cow flatulence, less forests burned, and less transportation. I estimate that I eat a cow every three years or so (yes, I love beef). If I substitute one meal of beef a week with vegetables, that means I will eat one less cow every 20 years. Now that is my calculation based on me and me alone, but I think that is pretty average considering how many burgers are sold by fast food vendors alone each year. Multiple that by 5 families of four. That is a cow a year. How many families of four are there in the US?
Buying and eating local can also have a huge impact on the world. In addition to supporting the local producers, which feeds your local economy, less energy is used to bring those products to market. Try eating just one local meal a week. If you need some ideas or recipes look at this blog: Eat Local Challenge.There are participants from around the world and plenty of ideas. While you may not be the kind of person who will make their own yogurt and cheese from locally produced milk, there are still plenty of ideas to help you make a once a week commitment.
I am going to do my part to save the planet-one meal at a time.
My partner and I will be attending the Greenbuild conference this year. It is in Boston, and I can’t wait. If you haven’t heard of Greenbuild, it is the ultimate green conference. Sponsored by the United States Green Building Council, it is a trade show, exhibition, and learning opportunity all in one.
While I have never been, The things I have heard make this show sound amazing! Last years show was in Chicago. It featured nearly 23,000 attendees (up from just over 13000 the previous year), 479 exhibitors and had 105 conference sessions. There were 66 different countries represented. While the economy may have slowed, this year is poised to be another banner year. The growth in green technologies and industries is fantastic, and the demand for sustainable products is exploding. If you are interested in any aspect of green building, (or just interested in learning about it) I highly recommend you clear a day or two to attend. Boston is a beautiful city and many airlines are offering great deals right now. Green is here, so learn how to build it!
If you cannot attend, watch my blog as I will be blogging every day from the conference. If you are interested in learning about a specific concept or product, post me a comment, and I will keep my eyes out!
I fianlly got my new phone. I hate buying a new phone, because I am a techno-geek and want the phone that does everything, when I may take 2 pictures a year, and never listen to a single tune. Still, I finally got the phone I wanted. This makes the 3rd cell phone that I have on hand. I can’t just throw them away, and I have the nagging idea that I may need one as a back up. Still, my back up doesn’t need a back up, so time to move on.
Cell phones are one of the worst things for the environment. Like most modern day gadgets, they are loaded with complex circuitry composed of heavy metals and plastics. In addition, most cell phones are replaced annually if not sooner. They are impossible to repair manually and expensive to have repaired. I have finally seen so many options for my cell phone, that I can give up all my back ups and feel good.
One of my favorite donations is the local rape or battered woman’s crisis center. These facilities take care of women in need and can use any help. They are located in nearly every major city. They are a great place to recycle almost anything. Some may have interim housing. That means they can often use furniture and food. Time for some new clothes? These women are often left with little more than the clothes on their back and would gladly take your usable hand me downs. Sometimes, these woman have children with them and can use childrens toys and clothes as well.
So what does that have to do with cell phones? If your old cell still works, although it may not be stylish, it will still dial 911. Shelters often provide used cell phones to their clients for emergency use. While they can’t call home, in an emergency, they can still dial for help. And who thinks to give them old cell phones? We Americans build up a mountain of old phones every month, and most work just fine. Keep them out of the landfill and into the hands of someone who can truly use it. Think about giving someone at least a tiny but of security, when they are most vulnerable. Check out Family Place or in Cleveland try the Domestic Violence Shelter.
If you are not near a crisis center, there are still plenty of options beyond your local electronics store. Consider Collective Good. This is a great way to recycle old phones. They take your phone, repair it, and use it to provide inexpensive cellular access in underdeveloped countries. You can choose the charity that benefits from your sale, and you can claim the tax deduction. Even if your phone doesn’t work, they may be able to use the parts or will at the very least recycle it for you. Or try Cell Phones for Soldiers. This charity recycles old phones and uses funds to buy calling cards for US military overseas. The whole idea was started by a couple of kids 12 and 13 years old.
At the very least, drop your phone in a collection bin at the local electronics store.
and so do a lot of others. Many of the policy changes that need to be made will be made by future generations. We have left them some big messes and in the end it will be they who clean it up. That is why I was so excited to run across this cool website.
This cool website has great stories geared toward kids. The stories all revolve around complex issues of recycling and landfill waste, but in clear concise language that kids (and adults) can understand. The topics are pretty heavy, and seem a little deep for kids to me, but lets face it-if your kids are surfing the net they probably understand more than we think. The kiddie cartoons are a little disconnected from the ideas put forth, but what do I know? I think that this site is a great way to share some intense ideas with a younger generation and get them thinking on solutions now. Kids can sometimes figure out what escapes us adults-because they have more imagination. So if you have kids, check out this site. Talk these things over with them. They just might learn something-and so might you.
If you don’t like this site, try out Global Warming Kids.This site has links to all kinds of sites for kids. There is surely something here for everyone, whether your kids like games or stories or studies.
Lastly, if you are still reading this, you probably have kids. Check out this other great site: Eco Child’s Play. This is a blog that has tons of great ideas and stories. There is everything from breast feeding to board games. My favorite is the recipe for modeling dough made from dryer lint. It’s not as good as the homemade playdough my mom made us as kids, but it’s still cool.
Some times doing the right thing in life is difficult. It involves sacrifice and struggle. But sometimes doing the right thing is easier than you think. There are two people in Ohio City who are doing their part to help the world and they have made it easy for you to do yours. On November 22 they will be hosting their 3rd annual Fair Trade Open House. They open their home to friends, neighbors and strangers alike. They serve a little lunch and show products for sale in Cleveland that are Fair Trade in nature. Not a fundraiser, this is simply a chance to stop by an informal setting and see items for sale from several Free Trade venues. What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade items are goods that are produced by artists and artisans from around the world, but the makers are given a living wage for their work. The people who make these unique gifts are respected and paid fairly for their work, unlike many of the mass produced goods coming out of underdeveloped countries.
Beth Mancuso is one of the sponsors and says: This is our third year doing a Fair Trade Open House at our home. We wanted to do a holiday party and get-together, but we wanted it to have a purpose, too. We pick up products from local fair trade vendors, Heartbeats in Rocky River, IRTF (Interreligious Task Force on Central and South America) in Ohio City and Revive in Cleveland Heights. They are displayed in our home for sale along with catalogs to take home or place an order that day that will be available for pickup at our home the following week.
I am a big believer in giving gifts that are unique and meaningful; gifts that don’t break before New Year’s Day and end up in a landfill. These are gifts that give twice, and with the holidays rapidly approaching it is a great chance to have a little lunch and browse for something unique and meaningful to give someone on your holiday list.
Please reserve Saturday, November 22, 2008, 11:00am to 3:00pm, on your calendar for the annual Fair Trade Open House at their home, 2037 West 45th Street, side door. Just give them a call and let them know you want to stop by, so they can make you something tasty…
Beth and Al Mancuso
216-961-8158
albethfam@sbcglobal.net
If you are an Obama Supporter, you probably have high hopes for the next four years. You probably hope to be supporting him for his bid for reelection in 2012. Be supportive of him AND our environment. SAVE YOUR YARD SIGN. If you really believe he will do well, you can reuse his yard sign for the next election. Not only will you be supporting the environment, but reusing election posters, yard signs, buttons, stickers means less will have to be made in 2012 and less money the Obama camp will have to spend on these materials. Some of these gems were hard to come by in the first place, so hang on to them and make them count. They may be collectible one day-this is a world changing election. If your sign or banner or bumper sticker says ” 08 ” don’t worry. Use a little creativity- with a marker and white out could make you the first noticeable supporter in the next election. If you believe in change, start with this simple one…
altered yard sign
If you have other signs, think creatively. That local senator sign could be transformed into a message about the environment. Think about how the color scheme could be used to say Happy Hanukkah, Happy Halloween or Merry Christmas. Just because the election is over, doesn’t mean that your political memorabilia is a waste. At the very least, PLEASE RECYCLE.
With the bunting coming down and the chaos of a general election over, we look to see what lay ahead for the country. What does the future hold for America. One thing is clear, we will have a new president that insists that cutting back on energy consumption is a primary goal of his administration. And while California got some things wrong on Tuesday, they have done one thing right recently, and this right could be a model for transition for the rest of the country.
In July, the California Building Standards Commission adopted a Green Building Standards Code. This code is intended to make buildings more efficient and reduce energy and water consumption. It is slated to go into effect in early 2009 and will target new construction statewide. While the first year or so of its implementation is voluntary, it is expected to become mandatory the following year. This is a smart idea. Six months to see what the standards are, and a year to fully implement them into all future building. Statewide mandates have never been adopted before, and will set the tone for the rest of America.
If you want to read the entire code, you can go here, and check it out. This is a big document, but I will touch on some of the highlights. They mirror many of the credit sections set up by the USGBC (united States Green Building Council) for LEED. Planning and Design: Buildings are going to have to be built in a way that is sensitive to the environment both where and how they are built. This will have an impact on what is next door as well-adjacent properties are often affected by new construction, but largely ignored. Energy Efficiency: New buildings are expected to achieve reductions in consumption beyond the current building code. Taken into account are Energy Star appliances, shading and design of buildings, and commissioning of systems. Water Conservation: Stricter guidelines for fixtures and appliances that consume water mean efficiency for dishwashers and washers. (Can we finally say good bye to inefficient top loading washers?) New guidelines for irrigation and potable (drinkable) water use will mean less water use for lawns and landscaping-a big deal for parts of the state that are built in what was once a desert. Material Conservation: A new guideline has been set for use of recycled and reused materials, as well as the diversion of construction waste from landfills. In addition, buildings will have to be designed to make maximum use of minimal materials, both during construction and during maintenance. Most exciting to me is the addition of life cycle analysis. Buildings are going to have to be built that last and last well-a priority for the next stage of LEED. Environmental Quality: This is a big step forward for air quality. New standards will be set for air quality of not just builders, but future occupants and the environment. This could finally be the end for smelly, formaldehyde laden carpets and furniture.
I am excited that California has taken this big step forward. It is a BIG state and these changes could have BIG impacts on our nations energy use. These changes are long overdue. California is buying much of its water and electricity from neighboring states. Any reductions they make can impact the entire region, and thus the country. In addition, they are paving the way for the rest of America to make the changes we need to become a global leader in energy reduction.
Unless you live under a very big heavy rock, you know that we have a new President-Elect. Barak Obama has promised change. But it won’t be easy. We will have to stand vigilant and firm and address our local leaders and elected officials to stand up for the issues that we believe in. Obama wants to hit the ground running and make a change in energy policy. One of his goals is to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and support alternative energy sources. This is exciting for us who believe in change for the oil companies who have written policy for years. I urge each and everyone of you to take a moment to think about what change YOU can make to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I encourage each of you to find out who is your new senator and congressperson, who represents you in state government now that the election is over and write down their addresses and phone numbers. Send each of them a letter, or make a call telling them what you want to see done in the coming months and years. These people represent YOU and will have to act if you demand it. Tell them that you want clean energy, higher emissions standards, renewable energy and green initiatives. People it is up to YOU. We have now seen what can be done with a grass roots campaign, so lets start our own. It is time to clean up the mess and make a real change. the color of this nation should not be red or blue, but GREEN!
