From:
Kristen Olson
Date:
2007 Mar 12 00:51 UTC
Short link
We use compact flourescent, or full spectrum lightbulbs throughout our
apartment. Not only are they energy efficient, but they last sooo long. The
bit more you pay at checkout comes out in the wash in a very short amount of
time. We have canvas tote bags that we use for grocery shopping. We drive a
little further to shop most of the time... Mississippi Market in St. Paul, but
it is easier to find local food that hasn't traveled thousands of miles to get
to the table. In th esummer we like local farmer's markets. Overall, I think
shopping for locally grown and made products reduces consumption and
environmental footprint. We recycle and reuse anything possible. Our
household is vegetarian. Factory farms generate an unbelieveable amount of
environmental pollution and degradation. Yes, we don't have factory farms in
Roseville, but greenhouse gasses, deforestation, topsoil erosion, will have
effects on every city. Even reducing your red meat intake by 10% makes a
significant difference and is a worthwhile goal.
As a city, Roseville could take a progressive approach to it's building code,
which could make a significant difference in air quality and quality of life in
general. Cities like Santa Monica in California and States like Washington are
taking up green building codes. I would like to see our city offer property
tax incentives to businesses that build or retrofit to comply with green
building standards.
One particularly good place to start is with schools which could be
retrofitted, and/or built, to be ecologically sound and efficient. Here's some
info on greening schools...
Greening America's Schools: Costs and Benefits.
http://www.cap-e.com/ewebeditpro/items/O59F9819.pdf
Kats, Gregory
(Capital E, Washington, DC , Oct 2006)
Based on a study of 30 "green" schools, this reports reveals that building
"green" would save an average school $100,000 each year - enough to hire two
new additional full-time teachers. The report demonstrates that green schools
(schools designed to be energy efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly)
are also extremely cost-effective. Total financial benefits from green schools
outweigh the costs 20 to 1. With over $35 billion dollars projected to be spent
in 2007 on K-12 construction, the conclusions of this report have far-reaching
implications for future school design. The report's methodology is detailed,
numerous tables illustrate the data, and 89 references are included. 23p.
here's some general information on green building...
Why Build Green? Did you know?
The built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment,
economy, health and productivity.
In the United States, buildings account for:
36% of total energy use/65% of electricity consumption
30% of greenhouse gas emissions
30% of raw materials use
30% of waste output/136 million tons annually
12% of potable water consumption
More industry statistics are available on our Research page.
Breakthroughs in building science, technology and operations are available to
designers, builders and owners who want to build green and maximize both
economic and environmental performance.
Environmental benefits:
Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity
Improve air and water quality
Reduce solid waste
Conserve natural resources
Economic benefits:
Reduce operating costs
Enhance asset value and profits
Improve employee productivity and satisfaction
Optimize life-cycle economic performance
Health and community benefits:
Improve air, thermal and acoustic environments
Enhance occupant comfort and health
Minimize strain on local infrastructure
Contribute to overall quality of life
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=291&
Kristen Olson
NW corner of Roseville - across from Tank Farm
PS can we do anything about the one that has been leaking from the top down
into the soil for over a year now?
Bob Venters <bobventers@yahoo.com> wrote:
Last year I bought a flex-fuel Ford. We use E85 instead of gas for fuel (even
though it can run on either). The gas mileage is a little worse but E85 is a
little cheaper so the cost works out to be about the same. E85 comes from corn
grown right here in Minnesota and it runs cleaner than normal gas. Also, I saw
a bumper sticker that said "E85 - No War Required".
Bob Venters
More info: Info about Bob Venters:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/contacts/bobventers
This topic's messages may be viewed at:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/topic/154117