Be Wise! Be Healthy!
Be in the know about Sustainable Living and Green Building, Products & Experts
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June 2008 Issue
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by Elaine Ireland
We understand that many people whom we consider leaders take a stand. They start out quietly, reaching within for their personal power of strength and determination. Taking a stand allows new possibilities for continued elevation of our world. It is an aligned way of thinking, acting and being that comes from the inside to bubble up and out. Everyone who takes a stand leads in their own way, some loudly some quietly. (read on) |
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There is no more pressing problem facing the world today than the destruction of forests, particularly of tropical forests. The GreenSage Guide this month shows you how to make the best choices and thereby take your stand to save the forests.
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General Features |
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| The New Energy Industry is expected to be the economic driver for the 21st Century. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency reduce the risks associated with fuel price volatility and can facilitate an industrial boom, create millions of jobs, foster new technology, and revitalize the manufacturing sector — according to findings published in a recent report. Read the 2006 summary and the forecast for growth to 2030 indicating what's possible using current or impending technologies. (read on) |
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by Van Jones
We need your help to tell Congressional leaders to do the right thing. There is an awful lot of "talk" these days about green-collar jobs. But in a few weeks, Congress will have the chance to put its money where its mouth is — for the first time. Tell your representative to vote for full funding for the Green Jobs Act — and here's a link to make it easy for you. (read on) |
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by Alan S. Glassman
The Number 8 and the Law of Octaves continues from Segment I: Symmetry and Renewal, starting with The Parthenon, Symmetry, and Eight, and Segment II: Eight as Resonance in Music, Science, and Sports, and now we move on to Segment III: Chivalry, Solid Geometry, and a Mathematical Theory of Everything. Alan explores the Number 8 using examples from such architectural gems as the Dome of the Rock and the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia. (read on) |
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| What's the most important capacity we need to cultivate in ourselves, to face this transitional time? Perhaps it's our ability to reach across differences, to initiate and sustain collaborations....what do you think? Here's an opportunity for women to explore leadership, connect to their purpose, and one woman's story on how it changed her life. (read on) |
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"I can honestly say that I was never affected by the question of the success of an undertaking. If I felt it was the right thing to do, I was for it regardless of the possible outcome."
(Golda Meir)
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Outdoor Issues |
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by Richard Register
From Ecocity World Summit's World View of Global Warming - How Cities can Save the Earth. Ecocity solutions are nothing new, though few are acquainted with them. I've been working on them since I met Paolo Soleri in 1965 — 43 years ago — he for longer and others too. But things are heating up. The planet has a well-recognized fever now. People are finally opening their eyes to the fact that something has gone wrong and that we need green cities. In this article, you won't want to miss Richard Register's thoughts and ideas on how to accomplish creating green cities. (read on) |
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by David Mahood
Nature tourism is growing at an annual rate of 10-12% and most of it's expansion is happening in the world's remaining natural areas. One can conclude that tourism has an impact on the future of all other species. Read David's intriguing story of his visit to this ecolodge in Borneo where they know how to connect the dots and greet their guests with the admonition, “go to bed early; turn your lights off at night, and be quiet. You are guests of the orangutans.” (read on) |
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Building & Construction |
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| This conference goes beyond green to cover the breadth of green building, sustainable design, renewable energy, environmental planning processes and information collaboration strategies for commercial, industrial, government and residential construction. Featured are some of the most recognized names in the Architecture, Engineering & Construction industry. Attendees enjoyed the comprehensive coverage and open discussion on a wide variety of green building and certification methods, as well as the latest technology tools to build smarter and faster — with many sessions at standing-room only popularity. (read on) |
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| The first residential structures in Arkansas to earn a LEED For Home designation have been completed. Argenta Community Development Corporation (CDC) has achieved a LEED for Homes Gold certification rating for four green homes in its affordable housing construction initiative, Building Green. At press time, there are 174 projects across the U.S. involved in LEED-H®. Of these projects, 21 have earned gold status while 19 have garnered platinum. Four more Argenta CDC homes are scheduled for construction and certification later this year. (read on) |
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| According to recent consumer research, over 36% of potential homebuyers now identify home or community features specific to the environment as their primary decision-making factor in their next home purchase, leading the researchers to believe that this percentage — approximately one-third of all buyers — represents the segment of all homebuyers that is today most likely to be swayed in the direction of purchasing a green home. (read on) |
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| The waste reduction experts at StopWaste.org officially dedicated their new LEED Platinum headquarters in Oakland, CA, demonstrating their outstanding leadership in green building and source reduction, becoming the first LEED-NC v. 2.2 Platinum renovation project in the entire nation. Opting for Platinum required them to think creatively and resulted in such features as a photovoltaic system, day light for a majority of workspaces and 40% water reduction. (read on) |
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| Data centers are becoming increasingly more difficult to adequately cool. Case studies and guidance on cooling data centers is available in a new book from ASHRAE, High Density Data Centers – Case Studies and Best Practices. (read on) |
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GreenSage Guide to Living Green |
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by the GreenSage Team & the Rainforest Relief Organization
Lets face it, we love wood. We like to surround ourselves with it. Like many natural materials, wood gives us a warm, comforting feeling. We have an innate relationship with it. After all, we're nature. Wood is nature. What could be more, well, natural? But, there is no more pressing problem facing the world today than the destruction of forests, particularly of tropical forests. At the current rate of destruction, all accessible rainforests except a few parks and preserves will be destroyed in 40 years. To help you make the best choices, here's some important information and a very helpful, easy to use Guideline for Avoiding Unsustainable Rainforest Wood when purchasing furniture, flooring or other items. (read on) |
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Green Products |
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| Get the latest, most recently expanded key findings from the 2007 LOHAS Consumer Trends Databaseª including four new major insights from a leading provider of strategic consulting, consumer insights and market research services for the health, wellness and sustainability marketplace. (read on) |
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| Last month we guided you through the world of plastics, their related health concerns and recyclability. You may be wondering what are some convenient alternatives to the various ways you and your family currently use plastic — and where to start? Some of our greatest concerns about plastic are where they come into contact with our food. And particularly, when its the food our kids eat. So, we want to start where our greatest concerns are — packing lunches for the kids — and the inspiring story of how two women set an example of conservation for their children and empower them to be the examples of change for the future. (read on) |
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| Five Manufacturers have earned Scientific Certification Systems' Sustainable Choice™ Label, which ensures that products earning the label have met the sustainability requirements of the new Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association Sustainability Standard (BIFMA SS). A variety of products, including systems furniture, casegoods, tables, and seating produced by some of the industry’s leading manufacturers were certified under the Sustainable Choice program. (read on) |
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Calendar of Events |
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Dozens of Green Events Around the World to Participate in |
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Where Every Issue is a Green Issue
