A female bicyclist makes her way around Copenhagen, Denmark. Bicycle commuting is more popular in Europe than the U.S.
For energy conservation, 'where' you build could matter more than 'what' you build.
Regular readers might remember the toilet-flushing video from March that showed ridiculous quantities of carrots, chess pieces, Gummi bears, hot dogs, plastic letters and numbers, grapes, golf balls, and dog food getting flushed. Fun, but it didn't qualify for GreenSpec because it only met the federal minimum standard for water use.
I tend to spend a lot of time in the Expo Hall at Greenbuild.
On the Greenbuild 2009 website, the Greenbuild International Expo page says:
This year's expo hall in Phoenix boasts over 1,800 exhibit booths showcasing the latest in innovative products and services.
If you haven't already heard, the opening keynote at Greenbuild 2009 will be former U.S. Vice President, environmental advocate, and Oscar-, Grammy-, and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Al Gore. Gore's address will take place at Chase Field stadium; afterward, a little music from nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow.
Thermal batteries can be as effective in load shifting as electrical batteries, without the supply chain issues.
Calmac IceBank tanks at One Bryant Park in New York City, one of the nation's greenest high-rise buildings.
As a follow-on to the previous post (Natural Building in the Shadow of the U.S.
Steven Chu, Ph.D, the U.S. Energy Secretary, has a Facebook page. I have no idea if it's actually him posting, but I'm still a fan, meaning I get regular updates.
Twice each month, BuildingGreen publishes an email news bulletin with current news and product information briefs. Sign up here — it's free. We will never share or sell your email address, and you may unsubscribe at any time.
Here's an unformatted, text-only version of the current bulletin:
An ecological argument for why men should follow the female example and sit down.
Men should pee sitting down. Now before you call me a strident feminist, let me say that I'm backed up on this one by male colleagues and the reasons aren't what you think.
Exterior shades is one way to keep out direct sunlight during hot summer days.
In the wake of the pictures of that 13-story apartment building that fell over, here's video of a multistory factory building rolling over and coming to rest upside-down, largely intact.
Success and failure are often matters of perspective.
Chart from the feature (requires login):Human Health and Environmental Concerns with Polystyrene Constituents
(click image to enlarge)
The hazards of a poorly sealed crawl space: 1) Roof runoff and improper grading allow water to collect, where it can enter the crawlspace through cracks in the foundation walls. 2) Humid summer air enters the crawlspace through foundation vents and condenses. 3) Radon rises through the soil, into the crawlspace and ultimately into the living space. For more information, see Crawl Spaces.
