Readers will find information on:

• Global warming and environmental degradation of air, water, and soil
• Sustainable living and how to do it
• Cutting down on carbon output with alternative cars and fuels
• Environmentally friendly home and lawn care products

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Living
$16.95, September
Author: Trish Riley, Sunrise, FL

First off, half of fossil fuel use is for heating and cooling buildings, and for the manufacture of building materials. Also, half of the debris in landfills comes from demolished short life buildings. Most homes cannot handle climate change, extreme weather, storms and floods. They rely on mechanical systems just to remain “liveable”. With rising energy prices, the heating and cooling costs may soon exceet house payment.
In contrast, a sustainable home does not use up the earth’s resources, now or in the future. It is self-sufficient and strong enough to survive wind, hail, ice and floods. It is designed and build to LAST, sheltering many generations. Overall, the sustainable home saves more than it costs.

A new book by John Banta (indoor environmental consultant, with twenty years experience in building biology, building science and indoor environmental quality), Extreme Weather Hits Home, builds on the idea that as global warming continues, nearly 50 percent of North America has a potential for structural damage from shifting moisture in expansive clay soils; a condition that is already costing billions of dollars each year. As well, climate models predict that northern communities are going to become much more humid at certain times of the year, putting buildings in those areas at risk. As the climate changes, and moisture levels adjust, there are a number of proactive steps that can be taken to prevent or lessen expensive repairs.

Some of the areas covered in the book include:

• Risk to your property, due to climate change effects on region and soil
• Extreme weather’s rapid and slow effects
• Site foundation, wall and roof considerations and modifications
• Insurance options
• Anticipated changes for the United States, Canada and Mexico

While what is yet to occur weather-wise is unforeseen, we can take advantage of what scientists have been able to tell us about the years to come. An example of this is water. In many states, rainfall is expected to reduce in the decades ahead; and we’ll see more rain “events” rather than rain periods. This means less rain and what rain does fall will do so in more concentrated bursts.

Given this, many new house will have larger storage tanks and greater roof surface area. Landscaping-wise, it would wise to plant native trees that are the least thirsty of the local species.

The structures should also be strengthened to withstand higher winds than what is required by local regulations. Wind turbines, which weren’t an option before, may become a viable alternative or adjunct to solar panels. Extra expansion joints will be an important feature to cope with extremes in temperature. Even now in some cities; people are reporting huge cracks appearing in brick wall due to drought. Drainage is another important aspect. After a dry spell the ground can be somewhat resistant to soaking up moisture and initial rains can just sit on the surface causing flooding problems.

Just 1 kWh will provide:

• almost 3 minutes of hot water for a shower
• over 16 hours of light from a 60-watt light bulb

If you live in a community where water is metered out and energy costs are high, check out these bonuses:

• 50 kWh saved is enough energy to run a dishwasher 20 times.
• 100 kWh saved is enough energy to run a washing machine 50 times.

An energy and water efficient dishwasher will also conserve water and the energy needed to ehat it. By choosing energy efficient appliances, you can help the environment by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing smog.

So if you are still using older appliances get rid of them because you are not actually saving yourself any money by keeping your old appliances around.

Almost on a daily basis I receive press releases about a new green hotel that has opened up somewhere in the US. The hospitality industry has a large role to play in the green movement. The J.D. Power and Associates 2007 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study shows that nearly 75 percent of all hotel guests are aware and willingly participate in environmentally friendly programs where they are staying.

The survey explains that, “In response to growing concern about global warming and conservation issues, being environmentally responsible has become a top trend in the hotel industry, with properties initiating various “green” programs, such as changing linens and towels only on request and using water-saving bathroom faucets and toilets.”

So next time your travelling check and see if there are any green hotels or bed & breakfasts in the area. One place where you can find a list of green hotels is at the following website: http://www.greenhotels.com/members.htm

The second news release that I found interesting was about a report on the lowering cost of green building. According to the Geneva-based World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), costs for going green may be overestimated by over 300 percent. The findings are disclosed in a new report titled “Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Business Realities and Opportunities,” which illustrates that in a global survey of 1,400 people, the cost of going green was estimated at 17 percent above conventional construction.
In truth, however, costs for green products, materials, and practices have come down tremendously in the past few years, bringing the cost of moving into the sustainable arena to just five percent above the cost of conventional construction.
Why the misperception? Most likely green is still perceived as the costlier option due to the fact that the providers of green goods and services haven’t done enough to market themselves as cost-saving options. Right now, the general perception of going green is that it’s an environmental issue, and that embracing the green movement is good for corporate relations. But the manufacturers of green and sustainable products will generate an amazing amount of momentum if they go straight for what the building community wants—a message that speaks to the bottom line.