Hybrid Electric-Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus in Marin

image of bus: AC TRANSIT

I rode on a hybrid electric-hydrogen fuel cell bus last Friday. It was big, boxy and eerily quiet.
I met the bus right outside my apartment.

The bus is on loan to Golden Gate Transit from AC Transit, and costs $2.4 million.

According to AC Transit, I am now one of the "first 0.001 percent of people in the world to take a ride on a zero-emission fuel cell bus."

AC Transit, which is a transit agency in the SF East Bay, has three fare-collecting buses in service. They are the premier demonstrators of the efficacy of this technology for public transit.

http://www.actransit.org/environment/hyroad_main.wu

Dr. James Hansen's letter to Prime Minster Gordon Brown

Prime Minister Gordon Brown
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA

Dear Prime Minister,

"Your leadership is needed on a matter concerning coal-fired power plants in your country, a matter with ramifications for life on our planet, including all species. Prospects for today’s children, and especially the world’s poor, hinge upon our success in stabilizing climate.

"For the sake of identification, I am a United States citizen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University Earth Institute. I am a member of our National Academy of Sciences, have testified before our Senate and House of Representatives on many occasions, have advised our Vice President and Cabinet members on climate change and its relation to energy requirements, and have received numerous awards including the World Wildlife Fund’s Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Medal from Prince Philip.

"I write, however, as a private citizen, a resident of Kintnersville, Pennsylvania. I was assisted in composing this letter by many colleagues, including Europeans, Americans and others, who commented upon a draft letter. Because of the urgency of the matter, I have not collected signatures, but your advisors will verify the authenticity of the science discussion.

"I recognize that for years you have been a strong supporter of aggressive forward-looking actions to mitigate dangerous climate change. Also the United Kingdom has been active in pressing the international community to take appropriate actions. We are now at a point that bold leadership is needed, leadership that could change the course of human history.

"Global climate is near critical tipping points that could lead to loss of all summer sea ice in the Arctic with detrimental effects on wildlife, initiation of ice sheet disintegration in West Antarctica and Greenland with progressive, unstoppable global sea level rise, shifting of climatic zones with extermination of many animal and plant species, reduction of freshwater supplies for hundreds of millions of people, and a more intense hydrologic cycle with stronger droughts and forest fires, but also heavier rains and floods, and stronger storms driven by latent heat, including tropical storms, tornados and thunderstorms.

"Feasible actions now could still point the world onto a course that minimizes climate change. . ."
more

Source: Solar Times (Box 1061 Stinson Beach CA; solartimeseditor@gmail.com), First Quarter, 2008 pp. 16-17.

Link:
http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/20071219_DearPrimeMinister.pdf

Tree Seder/Arbor Day: Not Too Late

A Jewish Seder for Trees will take place at 6 p.m., on Tues. the 22nd of Jan. at Potrero Hill Community Center, 950 DeHaro, SF (#19 Polk Bus line goes right there).
from Frances Lee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arbor Day first took place on April 10, 1872. It was an shared by Julius Sterling Morton (1832-1902), who served as President Grover Cleveland's Secretary of Agriculture.

Morton was a ardent greens warden. He decided that a could be dedicated to the honoring and planting of trees.

One of the Nixon Administrations achievements was the proclamation of the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day..

This Arbor Day -- April 25 -- decide to help the environment by planting some trees. This will benefit your community. And add more oxygen to the atmosphere. More on this.

Check this out: http://americanforests.org

------------------------------------------------------------

NATIVE HABITAT RESTORATION--Carleton-Oberlin Alumni joint event
SF, Saturday, January 19, 2008, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presidio Native Plant Nursery www.parksconservancy.org
follow link to Native Plant Nurseries.

Nanosolar Solar Cell: from Organic Bytes

SUSTAINABILITY NEWS OF THE WEEK: SOLAR POWER GETS AFFORDABLE "A new company in California's Silicon Valley has begun production on a new electricity generating solar cell that many are considering to be revolutionary. The company, Nanosolar, prints the solar cells on aluminum film in an inexpensive process that will supposedly make solar power as affordable as electricity from coal. Nanosolar says its order books are already full until 2009." Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9375.cfm from ORGANIC BYTES #125 Written and edited by Craig Minowa and Ronnie Cummins http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.cfm

Nanosolar site

Cool Cities Climate Action Plan Forum: Links

Visit:
www.coolmayors.org or
Cool Cities Climate Action Plan Forum:
http://coolcities.us/forum/viewforum.php?f=11

Golden Gate's ZEB

In partnership with AC transit, the East Bay transit agency, Golden Gate Transit will soon be receiving a zero- emission, hydrogen fuel cell bus, shortened to ZEB, for demonstration runs.
Email events@goldengate.org or call 511, and request the Green brochure for more information.

California to ban raw milk? Take action today

A new proposed rule in California (AB 1735) will ban raw milk sales as of January 2008.
All key assembly representatives support overturning AB 1735.
However, your assemblymen have expressed concern that we do not have the support of the California Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. A.G. Kawamura.
He appears to be the last raw milk challenge standing.

Contact the CA Secretary of Agriculture immediately!

Please call him today and send out as many letters and faxes as possible.

A.G. Kawamura Secretary of Food and Agriculture

1220 N St., Suite 400

Sacramento, Ca.  95814

(916) 654-0321 or (916) 654-0433
Fax: 916-654-0403

The message to him should be very strong, yet respectful. The talking points we suggest may sound harsh but they reflect the truth (see "Background" below). The Secretary needs to know what has happened on his watch:

---Certain corrupt staff members within CDFA have personal prejudice against raw milk. They have participated and conspired in an illegal, secret, and silent process to deny California consumers their access to raw milk.

---Demand that the Ag Secretary use his power to immediately suspend or reverse AB 1735 and the "less-than-10 coliform" standard for raw milk in California.

---Demand that the CDFA staff who misrepresented raw milk science and snuck the groundless coliform standard into AB 1735 be dismissed immediately.

Background:

We have discovered that certain staff members in CDFA actually committed crimes by "introducing negative language into a bill which would be applied to an industry which it regulates." This is outrageous illegal activity; it defies written administrative policy and must not be tolerated within CDFA. The normal legal process requires CDFA to bring any legislative language to the attention of the governors office prior to contacting an assembly committee. CDFA misrepresented facts, claiming AB 1735 was so insignificant that it could be handled "as a consent item"  and did not require discussion or debate. Other substantial and material misstatements of fact also occurred to keep AB 1735 secret and silent.

This is the big event we have all been working towards. It may be the last effort needed to overcome AB 1735. Please call today and send your letters.

Organic Consumers Association <ronniecummins@organicconsumers.org> wrote:

about biofuels

Congress set to increase automotive mileage standards for the first time in decades

Washington, DC - By a vote of 235 to 181 the House today passed H.R. 6, The Energy Independence and Security Act, one of the most significant overhauls of our nation's energy policy in decades.  The legislation, which will help move the nation towards a responsible energy policy, includes increased mileage standards for automobiles, a commitment to increase the development of renewable energy sources, and a bi-partisan proposal put forth by Bay Area Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) relating to the research and development of biofuels.  Woolsey's proposal would ensure that as the cultivation of biofuels continues to grow, their production is done in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

"Biofuels have the potential to diversify our energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but only if we pursue this path with a full understanding of the implications of biofuel production and processing," Woolsey said. "That's why my proposal specifies that in producing and developing new sources of biofuels we must ensure that their production is sustainable, and result in lower greenhouse gas emissions."

The cornerstone of the new energy policy is the first increase in fuel efficiency standards since 1975, ensuring that cars and trucks receive a minimum of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.  Not only will such an increase save American families money at the pump, on average between $700 and $1,000 annually, but it will be the environmental equivalent of removing 28 million of today's cars and trucks from our roads.

The legislation also includes a landmark mandate to ensure that 15% of our nation's electricity comes from renewable energy sources by 2020.  This mandate, coupled with increased efficiency standards for household appliances, will result in massive consumer savings of between $13-18 billion by 2020, and will reduce our nation's global warming emissions by at least 84 million metric tons per year by 2020.  Such a reduction is the equivalent of taking an additional 10-15 million vehicles off the road, and is aided by $9 billion in tax incentives aimed to spur the production of renewable energy sources and provide tax incentives to consumers who choose more efficient vehicles and appliances.

"When it comes to much of what's being proposed in this legislation, the nation is just catching up to some of the projects going on in Marin and Sonoma Counties, which are leading the way when it comes to environmental responsibility," Woolsey said.  "Many of our firms and public works projects are experimenting and developing environmentally friendly projects using cutting edge technologies such as buses that run on liquefied natural gas, increased efficiency standards in our building codes, clean and renewable energy resources at The Geysers, increased usage of solar energy by our local public utility firms, and building sustainable electric cars.

"But this bill raises the bar nationwide, setting higher standards for all of us, and all I can say is 'it's about time.'  It's about time that we have a nationwide renewable energy standard, such as the one I've put forth for biofuels, since renewable energy opportunities are available not just in Marin and Sonoma Counties, but in every corner of this nation.  This bill will help us invest in those opportunities, and make them work for a cleaner future for our children."

Part of that investment must come from the development, and commercialization, of alternative energy sources.  That's why the legislation provides funding for the research and development of alternatives such as solar; wave; geothermal; and hydrogen energy sources.

In addition to the production of alternative energies, the bill focuses on energy savings.  Besides those seen by increased appliance and automotive efficiency, the legislation calls for increased standards in the building sector, as well as in the energy usage in federal and public buildings.

"This is a good bill and we can only hope that the Senate will help get it to the President's desk," Woolsey said.

COOL CITIES ADVANCED GHG INVENTORY SOFTWARE TRAINING.

Hello Everyone

I am pleased to announce we will be holding the much anticipated ADVANCED Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory and ICLEI Clean Air and Climate Protection Software (CACPS) Training before the end of the year. We have teamed up with a technical expert from ICLEI to bring this training to Cool Cities. Creating GHG emissions inventories are a critical step in reducing GHGs, so we look forward to having you participate.

If you have attended the introductory training from Cool Cities on GHG Inventories and CACPS, and foresee the possibility that you will play a role in helping your city collect and synthesize the data necessary to complete your municipal or community wide GHG inventory, then this webcast training is for you!  If you would to gain a more in depth knowledge of GHG Inventories for local governments and communities, then this webcast is also for you!

The training will be more involved than past trainings because of the volume of material that we will cover, but you will learn about the CACP Software function in much greater detail, as well as strategies for collecting and working with GHG emissions data.  This training is also appropriate for city staff that may be working to complete a GHG Inventory. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about the training: stephanie.cutts@sierraclub.org

We will be holding another introductory training on GHG inventories early in the New Year, as well as another opportunity for the advanced training.

ADVANCED GHG INVENTORY AND ICLEI SOFTWARE TRAINING
When: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Time:   7 - 10 pm ET, 6 - 9 CT, 5 - 8 MT, 4 -7 PT  *NOTE: We have allotted 3 hours, but plan on going through content in 2 hours and then opening up for about 30 minutes of questions and answers. We can use the whole time if we need it.
Technology Requirements: Computer with internet access and a telephone (Webcast details will be distributed before the training)
Instructors: Alex Ramel, Program Officer, ICLEI and Stephanie Cutts, Policy Analyst, Cool Cities
RSVP: Please respond to Stephanie Cutts, stephanie.cutts@sierraclub.org by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14



Stephanie Cutts
Policy Analyst, Cool Cities Campaign
Global Warming and Energy Program
Sierra Club
stephanie.cutts@sierraclub.org
http://coolcities.us


Stephanie.Cutts@sierraclub.org wrote:

Re: [thizzled] from Natural Logic: Green Tomorrow

Thanks, Gil
[http://www.natlogic.com]

"Join futurist Jamais Cascio for a stimulating exploration of how the sustainability revolution will transform our politics, our economics, and our lives. . . . "This webinar is part of the ongoing Carbon Neutral Learningâ„¢ program from Natural Logic, bring you engaging, practical, up-to-date guidance from leading practitioners." Series host: Gil Friend, Natural Logic CEO. Register now! Date: December 20 Time: Session begins at 1:00pm ET (12:00pm CT, 11:00am MT, 10:00am PT) Length: 60 minutes Cost: $129 per session (per location, not per person - feel free to gather your colleagues around a computer and a speakerphone) About the presenters "Jamais Cascio is co-founder of WorldChanging.com and a founding fellow at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. "Cascio writes about the intersection of emerging technologies and cultural transformation, focusing on the importance of long-term, systemic thinking. "He speaks around the world on issues including the global environment, technological transformation, and political change. "In 2003, Cascio co-founded http://www.WorldChanging.com, the award-winning website identifying models, tools, and ideas for building a "bright green" future. "In March, 2006, he started http://www.OpenTheFuture.com as his online home. "Cascio presently serves as a research affiliate at the Institute for the Future, as Director of Impacts Analysis for The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, and as a Senior Associate at Natural Logic. "Gil Friend is president and CEO of Natural Logic, Inc., a sustainability consulting firm helping clients build economic advantage through exceptional environmental performance. . . . Friend blogs at http://blogs.natlogic.com/friend." Carbon Neutral Learningâ„¢ Natural Logic PO Box 119 Berkeley, California 94701 510-248-4940 www.NatLogic.com

--
Posted By carl macki to thizzled at 12/07/2007 02:01:00 PM

Re: Carl, The Environment Thanks You

This year Goodwill of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties was able to: Divert over 17 million pounds of waste from landfill through reuse and recycling. Recycle & refurbish 59,863 computers, through our partnership with Dell, Inc. Prevent 844,478 pairs of shoes from going into the waste stream. Find new readers for 1,640,968 books. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! You can even fill out a donation form online ahead of time, to ensure those end-of-the-year tax credits. We accept almost anything in good, clean, working condition. As a guideline, if you would give it to a friend or hand it down to a relative, it's perfect for Goodwill! Thank you for your continued support, Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo & Marin Counties	Our Mission & Van Ness store is now open.   Come visit us at: 1580 Mission Street San Francisco, CA
(Click to view this message in a browser) Donations are tax deductable. For more information, call (415) 575-2116 or visit sfgoodwill.org.

Goodwill Industries of San Francisco San Mateo And Marin Counties 1500 Mission Street San Francisco, California 94103

from Goodwill Industries Goodwill_Industries@mail.vresp.com

Re: BOOK LAUNCH: Green Building for Dummies

Green Building for Dummies <events@organicarchitect.com> wrote:

RSVP NOW

ORDER THE BOOK

PRESS RELEASE

 

Tuesday, December 11, 2007
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

You're invited:
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY: "Green Building for Dummies"

Join architect and author Eric Corey Freed for the launch of his new book, "Green Building for Dummies."

Eric will be signing copies of the book while you drink and mingle with all of the green gliterati.

LOCATION: Temple SF Nightclub, 540 Howard Street (between First and Second), San Francisco
COST: Free
RSVP: dummies.eventbrite.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To unsubscribe from: Green Building for Dummies, just follow this link:

http://www.ecotecture.com/cgi-bin/mojo/mojo.cgi?f=u&l=dummies&e=carlmacki@yahoo.com&p=5724

Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

Ethanol discussion thread from change.org

from change.org an interesting and exciting new website and idea:

A New Step in the Ethanol Revolution?

via www.esnips.com posted by Danny M. 5 months ago visit site

"Brazilian government-funded researchers said they have perfected a method of producing cellulosic ethanol that drastically reduces the cost of processing. At this point, the assertion is unconfirmed. But should it prove true, the world could well be peeking over the horizon at a massive geopolitical, not to mention economic, shift. Cheap ethanol -- meaning cheap enough to compete favorably with gasoline -- is one of those world-changing technologies that comes only once in a generation."

I was particularly struck by the geopolitical shift this would lead to - the countries that could produce the most ethanol are NOT the countries that currently supply the world's energy needs. Countries like Ukraine, France, India, and especially Brazil and the United States would dominate the new energy industry. Countries like Mexico, Argentina, Canada, and Russia would also do pretty well. Meanwhile, many of the countries currently in OPEC would face an economic catastrophe.

It's also worth noting, "According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if one takes into account all production and transport for gasoline and ethanol, cellulosic corn-based E85 reduces the greenhouse gas output by 15 percent to 20 percent."

GrowninMarin.org

This website provides access to info about Marin County farms, ranches, and businesses that provide organic, farm fresh, fruit, vegetable and animal products. You may discover new Farmers’ Markets, our County's agricultural bounty and where to go to visit the farms you want to patronize.

growninmarin

USGBC LEED Workshops

USGBC Homepage Events Calendar Education Resources

Register Now!
Spaces are still available in these upcoming LEED workshops. Visit the USGBC Web site to register today!

LEED for General Contractors/Construction Managers (8:30am to 12:30pm)
December 14, 2007: Albuquerque, NM

Energy Modeling for LEED for New Construction Projects (8:30am to 12:30pm)
December 5, 2007: Sacramento, CA

LEED for Homes Technical Review (8:30am to 5:00pm)
December 7, 2007: Albuquerque, NM

LEED for Existing Buildings Technical Review (8:30am to 5:00pm)
December 7, 2007: Sacramento, CA

LEED for New Construction Technical Review (8:30am to 5:00pm)
December 19, 2007: Riverside, CA
January 11, 2008: San Francisco, CA
January 17, 2008: Tacoma, WA
January 30, 2008: Novato, CA
February 7, 2008: Tucson, AZ
February 22, 2008: Orange, CA

***
For full workshop descriptions please visit the USGBC Workshop Descriptions page on our website.

To learn more about the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED, please visit our homepage at www.usgbc.org.

We hope to see you at the next workshop in your area!

USGBC Workshop Registration fees:

LEED for New Construction, Existing Buildings, Commercial Interiors, and Schools Technical Reviews (Full-day)
Early Registration Fees:
$345 National Member and $445 Non-Member
Late Registration Fees:
$375 National Member and $495 Non-Member*

LEED for Homes Technical Review (Full-day)
Early Registration Fees:
$225 National Member and $275 Non-Member
Late Registration Fees:
$255 National Member and $325 Non-Member*

All Half-day Workshops
Early Registration Fees:
$175 National Member and $225 Non-Member
Late Registration Fees:
$205 National Member and $275 Non-Member*

*Please note that late registration rates take effect one week prior to workshop date.

Sending several employees to a workshop?
If you have 10-14 employees that are going to attend the same workshop, you may receive a 10% discount while 15 or more attendees may receive a 15% discount on each individual registration fee. Prior to registration please contact workshop@usgbc.org for more information and to receive a discount code to use when registering as the discount is not retroactive.

Re: Which Eco Celebrity Are You, Home Green Home and More....

National

November 14, 2007
Current Issue • Product Reports • Tips • Green Home Makeover • Smart Shopper's Cards
Home Green Home: The Recycled House Is green building only for the rich? In the premier post of our new eco-reno blog, Kathy Shorr sticks to a budget as she revamps her house made from other people's junk. More>> Which Eco Celebrity Are You? We just couldn't resist. With all the celebrities jumping on the hybrid bandwagon, we thought we'd let you see how you stack up. More>> 10 Questions for House Hunters In this buyer's market, know what to ask to find the most energy-efficient, healthy and eco-friendly home. More>> Tip of the Week: Detecting Radon Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., but with proper maintenance and a good detector, there's no need to worry. More>> Products A-Z: Bathroom Surface Cleaners Steamy showers can lead to polluted lungs if you're using a not-so-green cleaner to cut through mildew and soap scum. Breathe easy with these safer scrubs. More>>   Email us at info@thegreenguidecom.

from Grist: Hillary Clinton: Green Energy Plan

As I receive them I will be posting the green positions of various cadidates. They are in no special order. The posting of these messages does not indicate an endorsement. I am doing it for reference purposes and to educate myself and others. I do recommend you check out Grist directly. Carl Macki

Hillary Clinton's climate and energy plan

The full text of Clinton's plan

Posted by David Roberts at 9:36 AM on 05 Nov 2007

Read more about: Hillary Clinton | politics | climate | energy | elections | presidential race 08

Tools: print | email | + digg | + del.icio.us | + reddit | + stumbleupon

Here is Hillary Clinton's comprehensive new climate and energy plan, just introduced:

-----

Powering America's Future: Hillary Clinton's Plan to Address the Energy and Climate Crisis

Hillary understands that we face two immense energy and environmental challenges: a growing climate crisis, and an increasing reliance on foreign oil that is driving up energy costs for Americans. She also knows that Americans have always demonstrated the will and the ingenuity to confront the problems of their times, from the New Deal, to the Cold War, to the Space Race. Today, global warming and dependence on foreign oil are two of the biggest challenges of our time, and as President, Hillary will set three big goals to meet them:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% from 1990 levels by 2050 -- the level necessary to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.
• Cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from projected levels by 2030.
• Transform our carbon-based economy into an efficient green economy, creating at least 5 million jobs from clean energy over the next decade.

Hillary Clinton's plan to promote energy independence, address global warming, and transform our economy includes:

• A new cap-and-trade program that auctions 100% of permits alongside investments to move us on the path towards energy independence;
• An aggressive, comprehensive energy efficiency agenda to reduce electricity consumption 20% from projected levels by 2020 by changing the way utilities do business, catalyzing a green building industry, enacting strict appliance efficiency standards, and phasing out incandescent light bulbs;
• A $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy. The SEF will finance one-third of the $150 billon ten-year investment in a new energy future contained in this plan;
• Doubling of federal investment in basic energy research, including funding for an ARPA-E, a new research agency modeled on the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
• Aggressive action to transition our economy toward renewable energy sources, with renewables generating 25% of electricity by 2030 and with 60 billion gallons of home-grown biofuels available for cars and trucks by 2030;
• 10 "Smart Grid City" partnerships to prove the advanced capabilities of smart grid and other advanced demand-reduction technologies, as well as new investment in plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies;
• An increase in fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and $20 billion of "Green Vehicle Bonds" to help U.S. automakers retool their plants to meet the standards;
• A plan to catalyze a thriving green building industry by investing in green collar jobs and helping to modernize and retrofit 20 million low-income homes to make them more energy efficient;
• A new "Connie Mae" program to make it easier for low and middle-income Americans to buy green homes and invest in green home improvements;
• A requirement that all publicly traded companies report financial risks due to climate change in annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
• Creation of a "National Energy Council" within the White House to ensure implementation of the plan across the Executive Branch.

see more

from the SF Chronicle November 14 2007

Links to check out:

http://nextten.org/

"Next 10 is an independent, nonpartisan organization that educates, engages and empowers Californians to improve our state's future.Next 10 is an independent, nonpartisan organization that educates, engages and empowers Californians to improve our state's future."

"The Green Innovation Index is a new report by Next 10 that analyzes key economic and environmental indicators to help us better understand the role green innovation plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming while growing our economy. "

http://aceee.org
Consumer guidelines on less greenhouse emissions and energy use in general.

http://consumerenergycenter.org
Tips on a more efficient home.

Jacque Fresco

Jacque Fresco

a nonagerian radical futurist
presents his vision for a culture shift with The Venus Project, a resource based economy not based on scarcity, i.e., money rationing. For specifics, please visit http://www.thevenusproject.com/

 

GreenerBuildings :: November 9, 2007

The resource center for environmentally responsible building development
News    |    Tools    |    Organizations    |    Books    |    About GreenerBuildings.com
NOVEMBER 9, 2007 Special GreenBuild Conference Issue Greetings from the U.S. Green Building Council's GreenBuild Conference in Chicago. This special issue brings you news and developments announced here amid the 20,500 or so souls gathered at McCormick Place West. As it seems to do every year, GreenBuild unleashes a flurry of new products, initiatives, and partnerships aimed at commercial and residential builders, developers, architects, and their myriad allied companies and organizations. The excitement here is palpable. The green building industry has now reached maturity, with every major buildings-related company now thinking about, if not actively engaged in, green building products, projects, and practices. (The maturity of the industry is also reflected in the widely expressed sentiment that GreenBuild has gotten too big -- every plenary and breakout session turns people away due to lack of space -- and that the model may need to be reconsidered. It's all good, of course, and just minor growing pains in the life of a movement that has become a very big market. -- Joel Makower, Executive Editor P.S.: As always, a full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online. THIS ISSUE'S SPONSOR Want to be a GreenerBuildings News sponsor? Click here. GreenBuild Roundup Day Two: Codes, Carpets and Certificates The second day of the 2007 GreenBuild Conference and Expo brought new green building codes from the city of Portland, Ore., new guidelines for certifying sustainable carpet products, and the release of the first of the new LEED for Homes certificates. Aldo Leopold Legacy Center Wins FSC Award The FSC will honored the Baraboo, Wis., project Thursday at the GreenBuild Conference and Expo. Seventy-eight percent of the wood used for the project was FSC-certified, the majority of which was harvested on site. GreenBuild Roundup, Day One: Partnerships, Studies and Awards Former President Bill Clinton kicked off GreenBuild's opening day by announcing projects with the city of Chicago and GE Real Estate. Two studies released at the event show green building is fueled by client demand and is driving up occupancy rates while GLI Systems, Rain Tube won the 2007 Sustainable Product Award. Milliken, EnOcean Among BuildingGreen's Top 10 Products for 2007 For its annual list of the top 10 green building products, unveiled at the GreenBuild conference, BuildingGreen singled out products including formaldehyde-free particleboard, Cradle to Cradle-certified wall coverings, energy efficient dishwashers and ultra-low-flush urinals. GreenBuild Day Zero: New Websites, New Tools, New Building Designs One day prior to today's grand opening of GreenBuild 2007, the U.S. Green Building Council announced a redesigned home website and a million-dollar new education website, while CertainTeed released a reference guide for green products and Whirlpool unveiled a collection of 3D sustainable home designs. What GreenBuild is Bringing to Chicago World-class speakers, a multitude of panels on every topic imaginable, awards ceremonies and product announcements: here's what to expect at next week's Greenbuild 2007, the country's biggest gathering of green buildings professionals in a city that's striving to be the greenest of them all. > MORE HEADLINES Tools & Resources Green Building Studio Carbon Neutral Design Tools Green Building Studio V3.0 is an updated web service that is geared toward the designers of carbon neutral buildings. Its carbon neutral building check can predict the feasibility of a building reaching carbon neutral status using local grid emission data. > MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES	FEATURED BOOK The Philosophy of Sustainable Design by Jason F. McLennan Part Sustainable Design 101 and part manifesto, this book lays the groundwork and philosophical basis of the green architecture movement, helping people to understand and shape the ways that sustainable design will become the future of all design. > BUY IT! | READ MORE FEATURED EVENT Asian International Real Estate Expo and Conference Host: Conference and Expo Promotion, Inc. Date: Dec 6-10, 2007 Location: Manila, Philippines The First Asian International Real Estate Expo & Conference (AIREEC) 2007 will bring to Asia real estate developers, practitioners, trade organizations, speakers, investors, professionals, government sectors and end-users, gathering nearly 10,000 participants and 400 corporations from 54 different countries. SUBMIT YOUR EVENT YOUR AD HERE! Become a GreenerBuildings News sponsor or advertiser, reaching tens of thousands of businesses every week. Click Here to receive more information. Please e-mail content queries to the Editor.
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