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Comment by Discovery Fuel on May 19, 2009 at 10:58pm

Green construction is the future of our habitats, our economy and safer communities.
http://www.nbm.org/media/video/greener-good/a-green-world-is-a-safer-one.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3WBmBjO_-g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGoEBnLRpss

Comment by Discovery Fuel on May 4, 2009 at 5:48pm

Check out the O2 Sustainable Product Designers Network !

Comment by Alanson Charles on April 29, 2009 at 11:43am

Changing Normal starts at home.
By Lance Charles

Here are some simple things you can do and look for to start changing
Normal Right Now.

Start by looking in the attic. Attic insulation is one of the
cheapest and easiest ways to change the way we use energy at home. By
using more insulation we use much less energy to heat and cool. Next,
in Southern California, the South and West walls are generally
exposed to the most continuous sunlight and tend to overheat the
building. Using insulation here could reduce the need to use energy
via air conditioning. The windows are very important. Single pane
windows may stop the wind, but hot and cold air move through them as
if they are not even there. Double, Triple pane, and gas-filled glass
should be used precisely where they can do the most good. Each house
and location are different, one size does not fit all.

How is water in the home being used? Flushing drinking water down the
toilet just doesn’t seem right. However using grey water to water the
landscape is still not allowed in many cities in the country. There
are kits available online that collect the water from your sink and
direct it into the toilet. This is an easy way to start saving water.
Another alternative is a rain catching system. In Southern
California, such low rainfall becomes more of a symbol. However, with
a large enough system, it is possible to collect as much as 10,000
gallons pure year. 500, 1,000, and 2,000 gallon systems really can
make a large impact in our overall consumption. All new homes should
be built with a rain catching system and the grey water system as
part of the design. As voters we should create a ballot measure that
requires all new buildings to save water. If everyone in Southern
California collected 1,000 gallons of water per year we could give
Colorado back its rainfall.

A lawn is a luxury. Native Southern California plants use less water
because they have adapted to the region. Trying to create a
mediterranean climate in a coastal desert is a major reason for our
addiction to water that is not ours. Landscaping in edible plants
tends to get the people connected to the garden. Using water to grow
food is the most efficient use of that precious resource. Fruit trees
provide shade and a continuous supply of homegrown food. A vegetable
garden can provide a seasonal variety of fresh, organic, and healthy
food. A home without a garden is simply not complete.

By insulating our home properly we don’t need as much energy to keep
our bodies comfortable. Using the best appliances and small zone
heating and cooling units we can stay comfortable by using less
energy. What we do need, can then be produced by our home for our
home. By producing electricity at home, we are able to use 90% of the
clean electricity available. New technologies in wind production
allow us to capture even more. Once your Solar System is in place it
will produce more and better clean electricity. It will also help you
stay conscious of your usage. Start small and expand while also
finding creative ways to save.

Start shopping for that electric car and be carbon free.

Comment by Discovery Fuel on January 10, 2009 at 10:45am

See DF's first comment on energy domain page. Habitat design must consider these energy/building relationships ...

Let’s mash up these concepts to see what we can get ...
1-Emergent Architecture Concepts
2-Energy Harvesting
3-Vic’s ‘pinecone’ building design concept (gotta ask me about this one)
4-Sacred geometries (the way nature builds Herself)
Maybe we can talk about these ... anyone game?

Comment by Discovery Fuel on December 13, 2008 at 8:51am

BECOME A MEMBER OF THIS DOMAIN GROUP ! SIGN UP AT THE UPPER RIGHT.