Photo by permission of Shira Gal
2009 is going to be an amazing green year. My bones can feel it and they are never wrong. In the green mail box this week is an eclectic mix of topics ranging from the old stand-by of green building articles, kiddies’ green TV to greening your business’ IT (information technology) Department. Remember, to add your own favorite Green article, which can include you own, to the mix. (Self promoting is okay.) All I ask is that you provide a short summary of the article so Green Talk readers can decide if they want to read it.
Mail Time….
USGBC Opens Door To Ending FSC’s Green Wood Monopoly via Builder. Under the current LEED system, points are given for the use of FSC certified wood. Although the article is written in August, 2008, I thought it was interesting that the USGBC was seeking comments to expand wood certification to other agencies. FSC has always been known as the gold standard despite grumblings amongst the timber industry.
What Is Green IT? Part 1: Cutting Emissions and Energy Use Enterprise-wide and Part 2 What Is Green IT? Part 2: Converging with the Shadow Network via Energy Priorities. According to Part 1 of the articles, data centers in companies consume the most energy per square foot than any other part of an office building. Instead of solely focusing on the amount of energy used for lighting, read both part one and two of the above articles to turn your attention to reducing your companies true energy hog, the IT center.
Nickelodeon’s Big Green Help. The Nickelodeon’s entertaining website is chalk full of daily green messages, videos, and quizzes to help our children get their green groove on. We all know that kids love to play video games. Have them head on over to play LeBron James’ video to teach kids to “curb the car” and use their bikes instead.
“Duke Wants to Rent Rooftops for Solar Power” via Greener Buildings Staff (Greenbiz.com). This is my favorite of article on the list. Duke Energy is seeking approval to lease commercial and residential roofs to install solar panels for a cleaner creation of energy. All utility companies should take notice of what Duke Energy is doing.
“Can you super insulate that house, please?” via CNET’s Green Tech. Super insulating your house is not a new concept but CNET’s article brought the concept into the mainstream consciousness of insulating your house from the outside as well as inside. What about the cost, you might be thinking. Read on.
“Dell: Apple’s Green Claims “Are Not Accurate” via GreenerComputing.com. Dell is screaming hog wash about Apple’s green claims. Not only do companies have to worry about the consumers screaming greenwashing, they have to worry about their competitors as well. The motto? Keep it honest, boys and girls.
“Vegawatt plugs in grease-fired restaurant generator ” via CNET’s GreenTech. Restaurants can now use their own oil to power up part of their electricity with a Vegawatt system by Owl Power Systems. With a monthly lease payment of $435 a month, a restaurant using the machine found that it cut its monthly utility bill by $800. Talk about burning the midnight oil.
Which article is your favorite this week and why? Do you have a favorite green article that you read this week? Even if it is yours, let Green Talk readers know.
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