Fresh AIRE

Digging Out…Greenly

Well, here we are…awaiting another major snow storm.  We’d be remiss if we didn’t bring up the fact that even snow removal can have a harmful impact on the environment.

As a homeowner, there’s not much more to be concerned about at times like these other than an icy driveway, walkway and sidewalk.  If we’re going to talk about being green while dealing with snow removal, then we need to acknowledge that snow blowers are not the greenest option.  Gas-guzzling snow blowers are out.  Shoveling is in.  Of course the strenuous exercise of shoveling is not for everyone so consider an electric snow blower or be sure to ask your snow removal service about the products they use.   There are also newer ergonomic shovels out these days, such as the wovel, which purports to eliminate the back-breaking muscle-spasm pain associated with old fashioned shoveling.

Your quest to conquer Old Man Winter does not stop there.  What if you don’t get all the snow removed from these surfaces before it freezes?  Your first instinct may be to turn to salt (even though you may also be muttering about the need for a car wash after riding through it!).  But, salt can contribute to water pollution and can harm soil, plants and trees.  In moderation, sand or even wood chips or kitty litter are suggested as more eco-friendly options.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers a few suggestions for environmentally friendly de-icers here.

By the way fellow shovelers….as you dress to head out, remember there are green options in what you wear too!  Consider fleece, gloves, hats, jackets, long-underwear and more in recycled material options and natural, organic materials.

P.S. After the recent snowfalls and predictions for this weekend, now consider the Dec 22 blog about the ability to control the weather. 

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny…….Houses?

There has been much talk this month about homes and I don’t just mean foreclosures and sales data.  The International Home Builders Show was held this week in Las Vegas where Better Homes and Gardens Magazine released the findings of their “Next Home Survey” (click here to read an article on the survey by MarketWatch).

The survey found that 36% of consumers in 2009 (up from 32%) plan for their next home to be somewhat or much smaller than their current home and almost half of the survey respondents said they would be looking for greener materials in their next home. What about you? Which green features would be on your “must-have” list?

Many of us living in Arlington already live in smaller residences – apartments or condos.  And those who don’t likely did at some point – even if it was just in a college dorm.  The small space not only makes one creatively seek storage options but I know first-hand how it can also make you reconsider buying an item to begin with.  After all, where would I put it?  There’s not much choice when you have 500 sq ft to play with.  So how do we go from a couple hundred square feet to a couple thousand square feet? And is it really necessary or is it simply to get more storage space to fit more stuff we go out and buy?

As the MarketWatch article states, the average size of homes started in the third quarter of 2008 was 2,438 square feet, down from 2,629 square feet in the second quarter.  Being a dweller of a multi-family complex myself, this sounds like a mansion to me. How big is your home?  Or, better yet, how small would you go?  Check out some of the world’s tiniest homes and then let us know!

 

How a Piece of Paper Might Help Solve Our Battery Needs

How could paper be turned into a battery?  That’s a question for scientists at Stanford University who announced in early December their success at turning ordinary paper into a lightweight battery.  According to a recent Reuters article, the technology could be commercially available in a short time. 

Paper as a battery?  But it’s so thin and flimsy! Ah, in fact these batteries may be more powerful (ten times more) than lithium-ion batteries.  The scientists are using the same aspect that makes ink adhere to paper. 

Without heavy batteries everyday electronics like cell phones and cameras and even hybrid vehicles could perform better and held reduce our pocket/pocketbook loads!  It’s neat to think that one of the most talked about products in the world of environmental consciousness (paper) could help us solve some of our energy demands.  The January 8 blog below discussed new technologies at the recent Consumer Electronics Show.  So what do you think? Will this technology be a hit or a flop? 

Arlington County Launches Community Energy Plan

Arlington took a major leap forward to create a more sustainable community today.  Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette launched his initiatives for 2010 on January 1^st, but today marked the onset of a year long planning process focused specifically on energy.  The plan will create a framework around the way energy is created, transported, stored and used by everyone here in Arlington.  

This meeting brought together a newly formed “green ribbon” task force of residents, businesses and County staff.  This has real possibilities to transform the community much the way Arlington’s transportation master plan has created a model of transit oriented smart growth.  

The presentation by Peter Garforth, a national thought leader and community energy planner was videotaped.  This presentation really breaks down the value and importance to the entire community and will be played on Arlington Virginia Network once it has been formated for television.

Visit the links below for more information on the Community Energy Plan and the Fresh AIRE page to learn how to make your actions count:

Peter Garforth's PowerPoint Presentation PDF

www.arlingtonva.us/energyplan

www.arlingtonva.us/aire

 

 

 More photos from the event:

Warren Buffett a "Climate Killer?" What Do You Think?

Back in November, Warren Buffett invested $26 or $34 or $44 billion to buy the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad (BNSF) (I saw several different values and didn't waste a lot of time trying to figure out which one was right). Last week Rolling Stone Magazine lampooned him for being a "Climate Killer." About a quarter to a half (again, conflicting figures) of BNSF's business is hauling coal, the antichrist of the climate change battle--300 million tons of it.

Elena Schor at World Changing blog presents both sides.

Green Energy Reporter reports on a couple of angles.

So what do you think? Is Warren a "Climate Killer" by buying BNSF or is he supporting a lower carbon future by investing in greener transportation? I welcome your comments.

==========================
Steve Offutt, Arlingtonian and Climate Consultant
Cross posted at www.steveoffutt.com
(photo attribution:http://www.flickr.com/photos/pfsullivan_1056/ / CC BY-ND 2.0)

Are Green Electronics Jumbo Shrimp?

There have been many interesting and promising inventions that have come out of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) over this past week.  No matter what you feel about electronics, they are here in our lives and only gaining in numbers.  Smart phones, iPods, gameboys, laptops, microwaves, TVs, DVD players, yadda yadda yadda... The graph below is a clear depiction of the increasing number of electronics in our lives and the increasing speed of adoption.  This is a graph I find very fascinating and have posted at my desk. 

While I don't think that electronics are the only answer, I do think they could be part of the solution for many Arlingtonians.  Often if something isn't easy, fun or saves money -- people won't adopt it. Electric bicycles, smart grid technologies, eBooks, OLED TVs and portable solar chargers are not only easy but cool.

We commented earlier about  the imperfect decision between a real Christmas Trees vs. a fake Christmas tree in this post.  I feel a similarly about technology that is supposed to help us leave a lighter footprint on the environment.  Theoretically these devices offer us the opportunity to use less power, but at what cost?  It is a nearly impossible equation for the average consumer to figure out.  Is it better to keep the TV you have even if it uses more power rather than switch to an OLED TV that sips energy but requires the extraction, processing, manufacturing, and transportation of an entirely new product?!

What do you think?  Is "green technology" as much of an oxymoron as jumbo shrimp? Is technology part of the solution or part of the problem?  Or is there something else that strikes you about our everyday conundrums?  

Leave  a comment below and let your voice be heard!

Don’t Just DO a Green Resolution This Year – Spread the Word, Too

It’s time for New Year’s Resolutions and for the last few years green resolutions have been receiving a lot of attention.   You can access a list of every day actions to help the environment and save yourself some money on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website at: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/tips2.htm.   But, what about taking it one step further?

We are all familiar with how trends work – more and more people start doing something and soon the masses follow.  Why not use your own power of influence and host a green gathering where you, your colleagues, neighbors, families and friends can get together to discuss and showcase your green actions? 

For example, have you recently changed the lights in your home to more energy-efficient ones?  Have a group over to have a look and be sure to explain about the products you selected and the savings you are seeing.  Maybe you can even raffle off your favorite CFL. 

If believing is seeing, why not combine both doing AND seeing with your New Year’s Resolution?   Help spread the word and make a longer lasting impact than just quietly replacing one light in your home.

Not a Fan of Snow? No Problem…Just Move the Clouds or Seed Them

For all you weary travelers anxious but unable to get home due to the snow, imagine this: when the threat of snow or cloudy days have the potential to hinder travel at such an important time, what if we could just….stop the weather? 

It’s not so far-fetched although you will need to travel far to see it.  In Moscow, Russia snow removal is apparently so costly and inconvenient that scientists have devised a way to simply seed the clouds with dry ice to stop the snow from falling.  

This is all according to a recent LA Times article which also explains the city has been controlling the weather in other ways such as melting away fog and forcing it to rain as needed.  Read the article here: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-moscow-snow8-2009dec08,0,2120312.story.

Does snow provide such an inconvenience in our nation’s capital that you think it warrants controlling the weather?  After all, the federal government and most area schools and businesses did close due to the snowstorm.    How far would you go to not be inconvenienced by the fluffy white stuff?  Do the economics of this option outweigh a day of sledding and hot chocolate?