GreenDream - The Art of Green Living
Learning to live lighter on the planet.
It has been said that the greenest building is the one that’s already built, because so much energy is embodied in the existing structure. There is some truth to that statement and greening an existing home or building can be the shortest route to energy efficiency, long-term savings, increased comfort and environmental healing. I would say that the greenest building is one that’s already ... Read More
Green living is a broad topic and there are many ways to go about it. From my perspective the overall goal is to live lightly on the planet so as not to exceed the Earth’s ability to naturally sustain the entire diverse tapestry of life, not just us humans. Everything we do is an opportunity once we realize we are responsible for the outcome. Our homes are a good place to focus since they ... Read More
I try to keep the tone mostly warm and friendly here but what drives me to write is very serious. We are facing… no, strike that. We are creating a planetary emergency. Let me state a few facts and then tie them all together. The Earth has an energy imbalance due to added greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Just like adding a blanket on cold night, the gasses trap heat so less of the sun’s ... Read More
Imagine you had some great products to sell. They were the best available in terms of value and longevity. They helped protect people’s health and improved their quality of life. They were so good that the people who actually found out about them agreed to buy as many as you could make for the price you were asking. Sounds like a great scenario right? Now add one little twist. The sales could ... Read More
I’ve lived in Southern Nevada for about 35 years and, I must admit, I’m really starting to like it. I suppose it takes time for anyone to settle in, but in this case, it is the transformation of the community that is making the difference for me. Ever since Bugsy Siegel’s heyday, there has been a lot happening here, but I often felt there was something lacking. Whatever that gap was for me, ... Read More
My last column about the season of giving suggested that Green Living can be a wonderful way to express our appreciation to those we care about. Just after I wrote it, a friend sent a wonderful email providing a real world example of exactly what I had in mind. I’ll refer to this couple as Jenn and Rob. The excitement in Jenn’s email was obvious. She mentioned “a Merrier Christmas ... Read More
October is my favorite month in Southern Nevada. The summer heat is waning and the cooler nights are delightful. It also happens to be National Energy Awareness Month. It sounds like the perfect time to visit and learn about solar homes, don’t you think? The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) agrees, and their annual National Solar Tour happens this weekend on Saturday, October 6th. Tours will ... Read More
I tend to take a pragmatic approach to life. I suppose that’s why I’m so enamored with the idea of green living. It is a sensible practice that addresses most of the primary issues of our time. Everything from health, comfort, economics, environment and happiness can be optimized using an integrative approach that adds balance and perspective to our life experience. The concept of ... Read More
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead No doubt you’ve seen that famous quote before. It is a powerful and simple truth. One such group of thoughtful, committed citizens has changed the construction industry forever. Though small in its inception, the U.S. Green Building Council ... Read More
Want to know what the “Next Big Thing” in home ownership will be? No one can predict the future with absolute certainty, but there are no safer predictions than these: non-renewable energy sources will become increasingly scarce; energy costs will rise over time; and people will continue to desire comfortable homes that are affordable to maintain. Wrap it all up in a solution that makes sense ... Read More
Your help is needed to pass BDR 955, a bill to label genetically engineered foods in Nevada! This bill would give Nevadans the right to know if genetically modified organisms are ... Read More
There will be a showing of the award-winning documentary film Flow at UNLV's SEB Auditorium on Tuesday, March 19th at 7 PM. It will be followed by a panel discussion. I'll be ... Read More
Recycling has been in the news a lot lately. Pilot programs have run for years and finally, after overwhelmingly positive results, local governments are adopting residential ... Read More
Electric vehicles are hitting the road in ever-increasing numbers. Most are conveniently charged at home but when you're on the road and need a little juice, it's nice to know ... Read More
Lately it’s difficult to think about anything except the recent horrific events in Japan. My heart goes out to everyone involved. Disasters like the earthquake and tsunami are mostly unavoidable; ... Read More
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