Daily Archives: August 14, 2009

Webinar: Biomimicry–Nature as Model, Measure, and Mentor

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

When: Thursday, August 27, 2009 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT To register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/248755019 Biomimicry is an approach that looks to nature for effective ways to look at the whole system.  This overview of Biomimicry will provide some examples of … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomimicry, Meetings & Webinars, Sustainable Design | Leave a comment

The pleasant way to go solar: Neighborhood cooperatives

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Scientific American. In my last post, I described one way to get around the bureaucracy of solar power: power-purchase agreements, whereby a company does the legwork in exchange for a cut of the government subsidies. … Continue reading →

Posted in Solar Energy | Leave a comment

Does Banning Plastic Bags Work?

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Scientific American. Thin plastic bags are the ultimate throwaway item. Used once to tote groceries, the thin white bags often go on to second lives as permanent pollution and an eyesore. So a host of … Continue reading →

Posted in Green Business, Plastics | Leave a comment

Is 'Clunkers' Helping Or Hurting The Environment?

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Listen to the full story and read the transcript at NPR. The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that the government’s hugely popular Cash for Clunkers program is leaving some of the most polluting automobiles on the road. Cars built before … Continue reading →

Posted in Policy, Recycling, Transportation | Leave a comment

In Obama Garden, Less Lead

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Read the full story in the New Yok Times. After tests of the White House’s kitchen garden site revealed high levels of lead, workers added lime, crab meal and compost to the soil in order to improve it.

Posted in Green Lifestyle | Leave a comment

Toolkit Helps Commercial Tenants Green from the Inside Out

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Read the full story at GreenBiz. The California Sustainability Alliance yesterday released version 2.0 of its Green Leases Toolkit, an online resource to help tenants and landlords of commercial real estate overcome obstacles to greening their office space.

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Climate Corps: How to Harvest Savings by Greening Leases

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Read the full story at GreenBiz. A few weeks ago I wrote about a growing trend among real estate owners to create more energy efficient facilities. In a similar way, an increasing number of tenants are looking for ways to … Continue reading →

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GM Restructuring Leaves Mercury Cleanup in Question

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Read the full story at GreenBiz. In the wake of General Motors‘ bankruptcy and reorganization, funds for a partnership that takes mercury-containing parts out of vehicles headed for the trash could be drying up. The End of Life Vehicle Solutions … Continue reading →

Posted in Automotive industry, Mercury, Recycling | Leave a comment

New Insurance Will Replace a Totaled Gas Guzzler with a Hybrid

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Read the full story at GreenBiz.com. Building on its years of developing green-themed insurance for buildings and vehicles, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company has introduced hybrid upgrade auto insurance. The coverage allows policyholders to move up to a hybrid model or … Continue reading →

Posted in Green Business, Transportation | Leave a comment

The Bottled Water Business Takes Another Licking

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Laura B.

Read the full story in GreenBiz. Bottled water has had a tough run of it lately; for a while, bottled water became the public face of waste. Expensive, resource-intensive and an unnecessary alternative to municipal water supplies (which, the government … Continue reading →

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