tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340105312011-12-14T18:51:27.641-08:00Examining smart and environmentally friendly technologies and methods, such as biodiesel, green buildings, natural power, energy efficient appliances and many others that take a minimal toll on the environment, in order to inform and help make our future a sustainable one.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.comBlogger131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1160512809888097822006-10-10T13:39:00.000-07:002006-10-10T13:54:17.766-07:00

I've been gone and busy with some other things for a while - but I'm now back and ready to continue blogging on sustainability and other issues. Let's take a look at what's going on today/this week:- One of the seemingly recurrent worries with big businesses switching from legacy, un-sustainable systems of production and industry is that of the cost/benefit ratio, the looming question "Is it

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1158820699975102652006-09-20T23:38:00.000-07:002006-09-20T23:43:19.173-07:00

When it comes to sustainability, there are two main concepts at play, much like any system in the universe. These concepts are in and out. While these terms, specifically, don't have much meaning when it comes to the idea of sustainability, we can extrapolate a bit on them to redefine sustainability in terms of them.Simply put, in these terms, sustainability is making sure your inflow - what you

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1158414765797489432006-09-16T06:52:00.000-07:002006-09-16T06:58:32.810-07:00

I woke up this morning and saw an intriguing article on energy and alternative fuels from consumer reports. Essentially, it contrasted conventional diesel, ethanol (E85) fuel, biodiesel fuel, and hydrogen/electric power to standard gasoline and their cost/benefits of each.Of course, it will still be a while before the US on the whole makes a switch to anything other than gasoline, but fortunately

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1158334010344843542006-09-15T08:26:00.000-07:002006-09-15T08:27:13.730-07:00

While I just got done highlighting some of the latest LEED-certified structures, the news brings another into focus. This time, it's the courthouse plaza in Sioux Falls.As the title states, the builders of this structure managed to went for a gold LEED certification rating, making it the first building in the region to do so. As previously implied, one of the interesting things about the LEED

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1158242008413469462006-09-14T06:11:00.000-07:002006-09-14T10:48:23.906-07:00

Environment vs. Economic Gain. For many years, people have, to some degree, seen the two opposed. A general perception is that running a large business in an environmentally friendly way (or at least a sustainable design) is too expensive and a financial setback to big business.But maybe more big business should sit up and take interest in green - and not just the cashola. Architect William

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1158160587241576682006-09-13T08:16:00.000-07:002006-09-13T08:20:29.743-07:00

Just in: How does wearing chicken feathers or rice straw sound? It may not be all tar-and-feathers like you think, as Physorg would have us believe:Of Rice and Hen: Fashions from the Farm from PhysOrg.com In the future, it might be perfectly normal to wear suits and dresses made of chicken feathers or rice straw. But don’t worry: These clothes won’t resemble fluffy plumage or hairy door mats.

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1158110400024601512006-09-12T17:03:00.000-07:002006-09-15T04:16:25.643-07:00

Previously, I took a look at the basic tenants of LEED certifications, and then a bit later I examined the building fundamentals a bit more in detail, seeing what builders and urban planners might work towards to help gain progress toward a platinum LEED certification.This time around, I'd like to tour some of some buildings that have managed to attain a LEED certification to get an idea of what

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1158068781417437102006-09-12T06:45:00.000-07:002006-09-12T07:57:41.403-07:00

Last time, I took some time to take a basic look at an overview of LEED certifications and the general method by which a builder or building can attain one. Today, I'd like to take a look at some of the different categories where builders can attain points towards LEED certifications to help everyone get a better idea of how easy it is to make a building more environmentally-friendly, and

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1157923696571108282006-09-10T12:58:00.000-07:002006-09-15T08:27:54.356-07:00

Perhaps one of the most well-known concepts in sustainable architecture these days is LEED building certifications. But what does having or receiving a LEED certification mean, and how does a building receive one? Over the next few entries, I'd like to to dive into these questions and take a look at some companies and structures that are currently LEED-oriented.For starters, LEED stands for

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1157745953247677052006-09-08T12:45:00.000-07:002006-09-08T18:08:44.713-07:00

Look out, leather and fur! Alternative Outfitters, major online (and recently storefront) vegan retailer is here to set the stage with new, cool animal-friendly, cruelty free fashion for the 21st century. While Alternative Outfitters previously catered mainly to the female market, they are expanding their vegan offerings to include more males now as well, with guys' shoes, shirts, and more. Of

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1157721789811130912006-09-08T06:23:00.000-07:002006-09-08T06:46:38.650-07:00

A Better, Sustainable New Orleans.That's what Brad Pitt and the Global Green sustainability advocacy group have in mind. In a competition recently sponsored by Pitt and Global Green, architecture contestants competed for the chance to build a winning sustainable, green housing structure for families in New Orleans.According to the press release, If 50,000 homes were rebuilt according to the

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1157683133423717372006-09-07T19:19:00.000-07:002006-09-07T19:44:18.933-07:00

As we all know, gasoline these days can get spendy. Some areas of the country are worse than others, but generally a fill-up isn't cheap on the pocketbook. Or for the environment, for that matter. As an alternative, many people are considering biodiesel as a fuel alternative for their diesel-driven cars.While in some cases it could be difficult to find a biodiesel fuel station close to home, an

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34010531.post-1157641200475850892006-09-07T07:42:00.000-07:002006-09-07T08:13:19.486-07:00

Recycling. Biodiesel/alternative fuels. Green buildings. Energy efficiency. Solar/wind power. Waste reduction. Organics.What do all of these terms have in common? They're all ways to talk about sustainable living. Webster's dictionary defines "sustainable living" as: "any lifestyle based on energy-saving and environmental responsibility".Simply put, the idea of a sustainable future is one where

Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581943506358646342noreply@blogger.com1