Category: Design

The Building Code Problem

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One of the biggest threats to changing what we’re doing to fight climate change – which is no longer “sometime in the future, maybe” … comes from corporate interests to keep things as they’ve been, to maintain profitability.  Change, of most any kind, is a threat.  You might think of building codes as affecting only new construction; it affects everything. Comments afterwards.

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With Time Running Out To Cut Carbon From Buildings, Industry Just Tightened Its Grip

 

Mundane as it may seem, the future of U.S.

… Keep reading

Sustainability & Fun

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I see “Sustainable Living” as living 100% with what Earth provides, in physically sustainable ways – which I’m finding isn’t really all that difficult to do – and also maximizing our quality-of-life experience.  I stumbled on this article from The Guardian about how David Beckham is working with a company that takes great cars of yesteryear – cars with wonderful styling and upholstery – and changes them from gas to electric.

Years ago, I almost bought a cherry red ’55 T-Bird that had been converted to electric. … Keep reading

Biodegradable Plastics

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Plastics have provided considerable packaging convenience for many things. And they’re inexpensive, which makes them disposable.  However, our enormous oceans now have seas of plastic in them that, among other problems, is killing sea life.

Some plastics are recyclable, and companies such as Trex are collecting the kind of plastics used by grocery stores or newspapers and producing boards that are used for outdoor flooring or park benches. However, if we can maintain the usefulness of plastics without their polluting nature, we would then have a great contribution toward living with Earth in a sustainable way. … Keep reading

Easy In-Home Changes

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When I first decided to create homes that operated 100% with what nature provided, I found that the cost to convert existing homes – which pay no attention to north-south orientation – would cost far more to achieve the same end-result. So I initiated Garden Atriums as a net zero sustainable community.  And that effort has been wonderfully successful.  Yet, there are millions of existing homes – and even new homes built by traditional builders – that might also make modifications that improve their sustainability.… Keep reading

Beauty is Key

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These blogs have focused on “Sustainable Living,” which is independent of short-term events. However, the coronavirus pandemic presents an example of what happens when widespread fear, pessimism, discomfort surface.  In the film, “Hit Man’s Bodyguard,” is a comedic phrase that actually has great meaning:

“When life gives you shit, you make Kool-Aid.”

When some great reward comes our way, it’s easy to be joyful.  The challenge is being able to be genuinely joyful even in a down economy or amid a pandemic. … Keep reading