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 In days of old, even kings and queens did not have the luxury of hot and cold running water and flush toilets had not even been imagined. Modern technology has come a long way since the outhouse moved in-house, but there is always room for improvement. Toilet technology is no exception. I like to find new ways to do things more efficiently and decided to do some research. I also had an ulterior …(more) Continue reading Water-Saving Stealth Provides a Royal Flush   There are many aspects of our culture that actually do more damage than they are worth. I can think of no better example than the ubiquitous practice of direct mail marketing, more commonly referred to as junk mail. More than 100 billion pieces of junk mail are delivered in the United States each year, which comes out to 848 pieces per household. This practice ensures that every dwelling in America receives a steady stream …(more) Continue reading Putting the Brakes on Junk Mail It feels like I’ve reached a milestone in my life. I’ve long been concerned about environmental issues and years ago I realized that change starts with each of us; in other words it was up to me to embrace it. The process, shared with my wife and best friend Marsala, has involved a many-layered strategy of simple living, debt reduction, self-education and goal setting. It has taken some patience too. We planned …(more) Continue reading Charging Ahead: Using Your Home to Fuel Your Car  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 for the vast majority of existing homes and …(more) Continue reading The Next Big Thing: Energy Efficiency Remodels  An early model of UNLV's design for the Solar Decathlon. Image courtesy of Eric Weber, School of Architecture, UNLV Competition. It’s as old as life itself. For many, the word brings to mind mega-events like the recent Super Bowl. As big as that mega-event is, there are other kinds of competition that carry much more weight in the big scheme of things. One such competition is the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. It’s …(more) Continue reading The Super Bowl of Solar  My previous Green Living column focused on the benefits of recycling and the transition to an enhanced single-stream system that dramatically increases participation and reduces waste. Perhaps this is a good time to look closer at what that really means. When we recycle we save energy, improve air and water quality and reduce our need for raw materials. We could rebuild our entire commercial air fleet with just three months’ worth of the aluminum …(more) Continue reading Consider the Lowly Carpet  One commentTags: green building - health - home ecology - indoor air quality - landfills - plastic soda bottles - recycle - waste - water bottles.  I am so excited! Finally, after what seems like an eternity, my community (Sun City Anthem in Henderson) will have an opportunity to participate in a new program that really makes a difference. Every homeowner in our area will benefit and the results promise to be spectacular. It will make lives easier, improve the community and help strengthen our country. It won’t add a dime to the monthly budget. I’m talking about Republic Services’ …(more) Continue reading Recycling for Freedom 25 commentsTags: change - city of henderson - community effort - lifestyle - mindset - recycle - republic services - responsibility - sun city anthem - the commons - waste.  I love the concept of Green Living. For me, it is a simple, common-sense approach to life that improves our daily lives while acknowledging and addressing major issues like climate change and the overall sacred balance of life on Earth. Glancing back over this year’s past columns confirms that it is a topic with great diversity. There are a few recurring themes such as green building, renewable energy and resource efficiency since they have …(more) Continue reading Learning to Live in Place 5 commentsTags: change - fossil fuel - George Monbiot - internal combustion engine - lifestyle - mindset - post-carbon - responsibility - transition - transportation.  I love the way the seasons remind me of our planet’s journey around the sun. As another winter solstice approaches, I find simple pleasure noticing how the light reaches deeply into our home as the sun traverses its low, southerly arc each day. Another source of enjoyment this time of year comes in the form of giving to others. Exchanging gifts is a holiday tradition that can have great meaning. As a sincere expression …(more) Continue reading Gifting the Future Leave a commentTags: Bill McKibben - climate change - consumerism - cozy feet - food - footprint - simple pleasure - solstice - winter solstice.  Green buildings perform well by incorporating a variety of ways to increase efficiency and enhance occupant comfort. Perhaps one of the most common strategies is daylighting, a means of utilizing natural light for interior illumination. It not only reduces energy usage, but provides natural, full-spectrum light that enhances our well-being. When an architect designs a new green building, they might employ several daylighting techniques. Obviously, window location, size, type and orientation play a key …(more) Continue reading From Daylighting to Moonlighting |  Download the flyer (PDF). Green Transportation: Getting Over OilThursday, May 31 6:30 p.m.The future of transportation is exciting and changing rapidly. Learn how people are saying adiós to the gas pump, saving money and helping the environment.  | ||
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