What happens to a home when it is not properly maintained? After a while, things tend to start falling apart, don’t they? Most of us take care of our homes. We take pride in them and want them to last. We care about how they look. And we certainly care about resale value. Some may […]
Limits Exceeded – The Predicament of Mankind
Civilization has come a long way in the last 10,000 years. To those who follow the latest scientific findings, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be an easy ride going forward. In the early 70s I read the ground-breaking book “Limits to Growth,” detailing a study by 16 scientists at MIT about the consequences […]
Perspective on Modern Life
Take a look at the history of our species. We’ve been around a while. The oldest evidence of our human ancestors is a fossilized skull that dates back about seven million years. Most anthropologists agree that so-called “modern” humans came on the scene about 130,000 years ago. The industrial age began a couple hundred years […]
Greened House Effect is a Must Read for Homeowners
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 […]
The Importance of Leadership
Good leadership is important. It can make or break a community, a nation, even our world. As citizens we depend on leaders to establish policies and standards that make our community safe. They must balance the immediate needs of many while keeping an eye on long-term trends that will shape our future. It’s not an […]
Liking Las Vegas
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 […]
Taking Back Our Future
Last week’s National Clean Energy Summit provided a partial snapshot of the status of our nation’s shift toward clean energy. It featured a wide range of presentations representing green building, military, commerce, transportation, utilities, manufacturing and labor interests. The message was strong and clear: Renewable energy along with a vast array of innovative technology is […]
Thoughts on Water Use in the Mojave Desert
Recent malfunctions in our home’s irrigation system have wreaked havoc with my water efficiency efforts. The real problem wasn’t the leak, sometimes things happen and occasional maintenance is necessary. The issue was that the leak went undetected until weeks later when the water bill showed up. Water is a basic human right and is priced […]
Green Revolution and the Clean Energy Summit
Think about this: We are living during an incredibly unique period in the ongoing history of humanity. How often did that same thought cross the minds of our ancestors? Did the first generation of farmers realize the profound impact the agricultural revolution would have on the formation of modern society? In the early years of […]
Celebrate Independence
Nothing is more important to the human spirit than freedom. People sacrifice their lives so that others may experience it. As we celebrate our country’s independence this weekend, friends and family will gather for barbeques and many homes will display the flag. In addition to displaying a symbol of our patriotism, our homes and businesses […]
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