|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Principal's Word
The national unemployment has
reached a staggering 10.2% with the State of California leading at 12%.
The hardest hit industries include construction, manufacturing, and retail
jobs. With green jobs on the rise these distressed industries need to seize the
opportunity and overall benefits presented through sustainability. The
problem lies in the availability of green education and training. Specifically, green education is often inaccessible
and expensive to the middle class; a vulnerable sector of society burdened by the
economic crisis. There is no question that job opportunities are limited
and the creation of a green job sector could ameliorate unemployment rates. However, green jobs can only have a widespread
economic impact if job training is available to those currently
unemployed as well as students entering training programs. Jobs like wind turbine
technicians, solar installers, green building consultants, and green interior
designers are examples of technical jobs that can be taught in 18
months or less.
Van Jones, head of the nonprofit, Green
For All, recently said, "We need to go from
talking about green as a lifestyle choice, and make it an economic choice. We
need eco-populism, not eco-elitism." With many blue collar jobs being outsourced
to countries like India, blue collar workers are the future labor pool for
green collar jobs. The focus now should be on the transition, not only to a more
green economy, but to education and training programs with sustainability as
its focus.
November 18, 2009
Joseph Blanco and De'Aundri Abbott
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is Green Economics?
RESCUE Green Blog
Economists are not ecologists and ecologists are not economists. The same can be said for policy makers. Neither economists nor policy makers have studied the principles of ecology, nor integrate these principals into their work. Can we expect economists and policy makers to keep the environment in mind when making decisions concerning business actions and legislation?
Green economics integrates these professions as well as social and ecological values into the market. According to Brian Melani green economics, "is the economics of the real world-the world of work, human needs, the Earth's materials, and how they mesh together most harmoniously." As its goal, green (or ecological) economics seeks to integrate our economic thinking with our physical being and everything which surrounds us. Simply it aims to restructure our economic design and promote the coexistence between our actions and ecological systems. Essentially, it is the idea that humans and our economies are part of a larger natural ecosystem. (Stephan Farber).
Read the full article at the RESCUE Green Blog and join the discussion by posting comments!
 |
Stay up-to-date with Climate Change Legislation
By: Michelle Villagra
"H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 aims to create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy."
This particular energy bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) that incorporates a cap and trade greenhouse gas reduction plan to reduce CO2 levels by 17% by 2020. The new bill also includes an array of standards, some are listed below:
1. A renewable electricity standard (RES),
which requires utilities who supply over 4 million MWh to produce 20%
of its electricity from renewable sources (such as wind, solar, and
geothermal) by 2020.
2. Investment into technologies for clean fuels, smart grids, carbon capture, and sequestration. The bulk ($90 billion) towards energy-efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
3. Energy efficiency standards and incentives for buildings (residential and commercial), as well as stronger building codes.
4. Development of a green job sector
5.Emission permits which would require industries to obtain permits for their GHG emissions. About 60 billion in permits by 2025.The ACES Act passed the House on June 26, 2009 and made its way to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for consideration. On June 17, 2009 an American Clean Energy Leadership Act (S.1462) was passed. This bill
addresses several energy issues, including many addressed under the
ACES Act. Senator Kerry and Boxer are the representatives of the bill.
The latest news about the climate change legislation in the Senate seems to suggest that there is a divide among democrats. Concerns are widespread from an overly ambitious GHG emission reduction target by 2020 to doubts about cap-and-trade. Additionally, Republicans in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee are asking for additional research on how this bill might affect the economy and its requirement for businesses to buy permits. Unfortunately, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, "the US Senate will act in early 2010 on legislation to battle climate change," ending hopes of adopting climate change legislation before Copenhagen.Make sure to keep track of this bill by visiting govtrack.usTop of page
|
|
Arcosanti - The first New Urbanist Designed City
By: Jon Dougal
The month of November
in recent years has been the coming together of sustainable design
professionals at the GREENBUILDEXPO. The extensive USGBC conglomeration of
technology, passion, and the soul of the Green Building Movement.
Juxtaposed to
the Phoenix location of GreenBuild this year lays ARCOSANTI. A keystone of new age thinkers in the 70's,
Paolo Soleri was almost a household name.
While much of the current green materials and technology didn't exist in
the 70's, the consciousness did. There
are still true believers living and working there.
In 1970, the Cosanti Foundation began building Arcosanti, an experimental town in the high
desert of Arizona, 70 miles north of metropolitan Phoenix. When complete,
Arcosanti will house 5,000 people, demonstrating ways to improve urban
conditions and lessen our destructive impact on the earth. Its large, compact
structures and large-scale solar greenhouses will occupy only 25 acres of a
4060 acre land preserve, keeping the natural countryside in close proximity to
urban dwellers.
|
Thinking outside of the Green Box
In
large cities, like Los Angeles, crowding and congestion are daily
obstacles. Trying to find space in
these cities is almost impossible without demolishing old buildings or
retrofitting others. Is there anymore free undeveloped space in these metropolitan centers? City planning departments are now finding that greening alleys may provide the sustainable answer they have been searching for. Traditionally, alleys are unattractive
and uninhabited; therefore, converting their use and making them "green" could
create an array of social and environmental benefits. The idea of
green alleys is not a new concept, yet more cities are beginning to
adopt this design concept.  
Particularly,
the USC Center for Sustainable Cities is looking to transform Los
Angele's alleys. The Green Alley Committee for the city of Los Angles
includes the USC Center along with the Board of Public Works, Bureau of
Sanitation, Community Redevelopment Agency, Department of City
Planning, and the Trust for Public Land. The goals of the committee in
creating green alleys is, "to convert 'nuisance' alleys to potential open
space for multi-beneficial uses." These multi-dimensional benefits
include, creating public space for recreation; building pedestrian
friendly green connections within the community; reducing heat island
effects; harvesting rainwater for use; and helping to achieve the goals
of the Mayor's "Securing L.A.'s Water Supply" plan. There are several
potential and completed projects listed below:
Bamboo Lane (between Hill and Broadway)Hollywood/Cahuenga/Cosmos/SelmaJefferson Greenway (41st/Hooper Ave)Moorpark Green Alley (Moorpark St. and Rhodes Ave)South Park-Avalon Greenway ConnectionSunset Blvd & Civic CenterClick here for view the LA Green Team Green Alley presentation Top of page |
|
Simple Ways to Lower Energy Bills
Americans take an average of 15 minutes to shower, and use 2 gallons of water per minute. Therefore, every shower uses around 30 gallons of water - hot water that is. Not only does a 15 minute shower waste fresh water, but energy as well. Most homes use a conventional water heater fueled by natural gas, propane, fuel oil, or electricity; working as a standby reservoir storing 20-80 gallons of hot water. Conventional systems work by constantly heating the water in the tank, even when water demand is zero, also known as standby heat loss.
By limiting the duration of showers society can conserve water and avoid wasting energy. Another strategy would be to install a gas-fired tankless water heater- referred to a demand or instantaneous water heater. The advantage of these systems is their increased efficiency without compromising hot water availability. Energy is only used to heat the water when there is a demand, avoiding standby heat loss. Typically, demand water heaters are more expensive than conventional systems, however, they are more efficient and require less energy, saving money in the long run. According to the Department of Energy tankless models are, "24%-34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8%-14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water-around 86 gallons per day. Lastly, the potential energy saving of 27%-50% can be achieved if a demand water heater is installed at each hot water outlet."
For the full article visit the RESCUE Green Blog and join the discussion by posting comments!
Top of page
|
|
Upcoming Events |
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Fri Nov 20, 2009 Portland, OR
A one-day workshop addressing the challenges, patterns, and solution strategies in forming public-private partnerships for improving the economy and the environment..
Event website
______________________________________
START GREEN. STAY GREEN. LAUNCH PARTY
Sat Nov 21, 2009 West Hollywood, CA
A Fundraiser for the environmental education nonprofit start green. stay green. with a Silent Auction, Raffle, Live Entertainment, Speakers, and Food in order to raise money to bring environmental education to elementary students. start green. stay green. teaches elementary students about their relationship to the environment, the problems facing the earth, and what they can do in their everyday lives to help alleviate those problems. If environmental sustainability is taught to people at a young age, they will be more likely to start green and stay green!
Event website
______________________________ GREEN WASHING: LET'S GO GREEN
Mon Nov 23, 2009 USC, CA
The warnings of climate change and growing landfills are well known to most Americans today, and we're all eager to do our part in reducing our environmental impact. But are we helping as much as we think? ACA is bringing in USC's leading experts on marketing and environmental studies to decipher the truth amongst the confusing pitch talk. We'll be discussing how marketing techniques can mislead consumers into thinking that the products they buy are better for the environment than they actually are, and how we can tell for ourselves who's telling the truth.
Event website
____________________________________________________
FOR MORE GREEN EVENTS VISIT OUR CALENDAR
| |
|
|
Featured Green Product
 The RainXchange System by Aquascape Inc. is a perfect solution for capturing, filtering, and re-using rainwater. It combines a recirculating decorative water feature with a sub-surface rainwater harvest storage system. Its modular functionality makes it applicable to any landscape setting.
When used in conjunction with Aquascape's AquaBlox® D-Raintanks®,
the RainXchange™ System can earn up to 12 LEED® credit points, making it an ideal residential and
commercial application for managing stormwater in green building projects. Visit the rainXchange website
for a downloadable brochure and to access the Specification Calculator or call
toll free at 866-877-6637. |
|
Plant of the Month
The Irene Rosemary has medium green leaves and a low mounding habit with branches that trail over walls and containers. The plant is highlighted by strong blue-violet flowers that tend to be larger, brighter and more profuse than any other trailing rosemary. Click Here For More Info |
|
Green Home Tips
Keep doors airtight by weatherstripping, caulking, and painting them regularly.
|
|
Get Trained: Green Building in 2009
RESCUE Green has invested substantial resources in developing training programs that are relevant, as well as rigorous.
NOW AVAILABLE! Green Building for Real Estate Professionals!
Sign up today for our next class and earn continuing education credits.
Next class: January location & time TBD
If you are interested in up to date Green Building training, email us your information to and receive a list of training classes in your area. |
|
Quote of the Month
"Our mission is, in truth, historic and world
changing - to build, over the next fifty years and beyond, a global low carbon
economy. And it is not overdramatic to say that the character and course of the
coming century will be set by how we measure up to this challenge."
- Prime
Minister Gordon Brown |
|
Join our Networks and Subscribe to our Feed!
| |
|
Design/Build Coop
  
t  om
nicate something other than the details of your event to your contacts. It may be news in your industry, organization changes or the results of yo
e
|
| RESCUE Green Services |
We offer an array of green services from project managing, comissioning, and charrettes to educational seminars and environmental auditing. Go to GREEN SERVICES on our website to collaborate with RESCUE Green on your next project.
|
| Contact Information |
RESCUE Green
(888) 543.9205
|
|
|
|
|
ich t 
