GreenDream - The Art of Green Living
Learning to live lighter on the planet.
One of my recent columns prompted a reader named Paul to write, “I want to move toward a greener lifestyle, especially want to incorporate solar. But since I am renting a house, I’m concerned there’s little I can do without installing things on a house I don’t own. Any ideas?” This is an excellent question since many others are in a similar position. There are several options ... Read More
April is always a busy month for anyone with a bit of green in them and this is the week for premier events. Celebration The fourth annual GreenFest and the 17th annual Festival of Communities are being combined this Saturday, April 20, 11:00 AM -6:00 PM on the UNLV campus. This is a major event that you won’t want to miss, honoring National Earth Day while also celebrating the rich cultural ... 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 watched a really cool TED talk the other day. You know about TED, right? It is one of the most inspiring places on the web - a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. The original concept focused on talented people from the areas of Technology, Entertainment and Design, thus the name. Now it is a phenomenon that exemplifies the best of human spirit, innovation and sharing. In TED’s own ... 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
We are right in the middle of the season often associated with giving. It is a time to express gratitude and love for those we care about, adding meaning and depth to our lives. It is all too easy to become sidetracked however. What could be a beautiful opportunity for reflection and conscious interaction is now all too often simply a race to the mall to buy, buy, buy. What are we really buying ... Read More
There are a lot of paths to choose from when it comes to Green Living. That’s part of what I like about it. There’s sort of an ethic or mindset that guides one’s choices, but the options are almost endless. There is no single solution to creating a sustainable community and I never tire of learning about how others are approaching the issue. Alternative to Sprawl In the midst of the ... 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 was recently contacted by a woman who had purchased a home with a solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) system on the roof. Let’s call her Britt. She had found my name in the paperwork left by the previous owner since I did the initial consultation and site survey. Britt sounded very nice on the phone and wanted to know why her energy bills were so high. “Is my PV system even working?” she ... 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
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. ... Read More
I watched a really cool TED talk the other day. You know about TED, right? It is one of the most inspiring places on the web - a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. The ... Read More
Some words definitely lose their meaning when used too often or too casually. The word “sustainability” comes to mind right off the bat. Even though it’s overused, many do not even agree on the ... Read More
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