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In Australia’s increasingly important fight against climate change, the country’s leading green building rating system Green Star is continuing to transform the property industry by going further, becoming easier to use, and certifying buildings faster.
The green building industry continues to go beyond best practice. Over 75% of the Green Star certified buildings have achieved a 5 Star “Australian Excellence” or 6 Star “World Leadership” Green Star rating.
There are now eight 6 Star Green Star certified buildings, with six of these projects achieving their 6 Star rating in the past six months. These include the first Green Star certified shopping centre, Queensland’s Orion, and convention centre in Melbourne.
Proving the Green Star is penetrating further into the market, the Green Building Council of Australia has released Green Star tools for more sectors – existing buildings, hospitals, schools and universities, as well as for shopping centres.
Green Star rating tools for industrial facilities and public buildings, such as libraries and museums, are due for release in 2008, with the Green Star – Multi Unit Residential rating tool to be launched as a PILOT on 15 April 2008.
Although already considered a world leading rating system, which has been recognised internationally by the adoption of Green Star in New Zealand and South Africa, the Green Building Council of Australia continues to redefine best practice through its Green Star tools.
The new version of the Green Star – Office Design and Office As Built rating tools, the third in four years, incorporates stakeholder feedback and changes within the industry to be more robust, relevant and easier-to-use.
Evidence that Green Star certification is becoming easier, two projects recently achieved their desired rating after only one round of assessment, including the most recent project in Queensland to achieve a Green Star – Office Design v2 rating, 25 Montpelier Road.
According to Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Romilly Madew “by using experienced consultants and developing their own knowledge of Green Star, project teams can achieve their desired rating after only one round, saving both money and time.”
“This is proof that the industry is understanding what it takes to go green, and in doing so is positioning Australia as a world leader in sustainable design” she said.
There are now 49 Green Star certified projects across Australia, with a further 500 commercial office projects registered for certification.
Sydney-based Todae offers businesses practical advice for cutting down energy and water usage and reducing their environmental impact.
For $A 399, a Todae consultant will come to an office or store and check everything from recycling to heating and cooling systems. The business is then provided with a detailed report that explains how to cut costs and go green. Todae’s service is geared to small to medium businesses looking to save money, be less harmful to the environment and create a “strong environmental brand ethos” amongst customers and staff.
It’s an excellent concept, and Marquette Turner believes many consumers would also be interested in environmental assessments. Plenty of people would like to diminish their negative impact on the earth, but aren’t sure exactly what to do about it. Or are too lazy or busy or both 
Having an environmental expert come to the door and give a home a full check-up would definitely help. Besides compiling a checklist of very specific issues to improve, ‘home greeners’ could of course offer to implement the necessary changes, too. So, set it up, brand it well (how about eco badges for homes?), and start knocking on doors. Before you know it, you’ll be running your own franchise.
P.S. Todae also sells a wide variety of eco products for homes and businesses, both through their website and from a recently opened shop in Sydney’s Glebe district.
Website: www.todae.com.au
The SolarBrick from Hotbeam is a self-contained solar powered light designed for traffic and decorative uses. This device is waterproof, easy to install and can be driven over by vehicles. The SolarBrick is available in 6 bright colours. It comes in 2 standard sizes, 200x200x60mm and 200x100x60mm.
Rechargeable batteries currently used in conventional solar devices need battery replacement every 2-3 years at best. They also have a narrow working temperature range. The SolarBrick uses a ultracapacitor called the EnergyCache to store its charge. The EnergyCache enables the SolarBrick to be used in any environment without maintenance for more than 10 years and has a wide operating temperature range of -40°~75°C.
During the day, solar energy is converted to electricity through the solar cells and stored in the ultracapacitor. At night, the inviting soft glow from the light emitting diode (LED) is automatically turned on. Full charge takes 1 hour under direct sunlight and 6-8 hours under shade. The light stays “on” for more than 12 hours from a fully charged ultracapacitor.
APPLICATIONS
Public Space: Walkways, driveways, pool-side, decks, landscaping, lawns
Commercial: Plazas, shopping malls, showrooms, shop windows
Traffic: Roadsides, airports, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, median strips
Architectural: Building entrances, corporate signage
The SolarBrick can also be installed vertically on the sides of buildings or structures.
FEATURES:
- Stays illuminated for more than 12 hours
- Quick recharge. 1 hour charge under sunlight, 6-8 hours under cloud or rain
- No maintenance. No expensive wiring labour required
- Lasts more than 10 years
- Automatic on/off at ambient illuminance levels of 150~300 LuxHot
- Available in 6 attractive colours: amber, blue, green, orange, red and white
- Super-strong polycarbonate housing with high compressive strength
- Tolerates environmental extremes. Works in temperature range of -40° to 75°C
- Waterproof, UV protected and scratch resistant
- Non-contaminating materials
Find out more from www.hotbeam.com
Researchers at Swansea University are developing a new, eco-friendly technology that could generate as much electricity as 50 wind farms.
Dr Dave Worsley, a Reader in the Materials Research Centre at the University’s School of Engineering, is investigating ways of painting solar cells onto the flexible steel surfaces commonly used for cladding buildings.
“We have been collaborating with the steel industry for decades,” explains Dr Worsely, “but have tended to focus our attention on improving the long-term durability and corrosion-resistance of the steel. We haven’t really paid much attention to how we can make the outside of the steel capable of doing something other than looking good.
“One of our Engineering Doctorate students was researching how sunlight interacts with paint and degrades it, which led to us developing a new photovoltaic method of capturing solar energy.”
Unlike conventional solar cells, the materials being developed at Swansea are more efficient at capturing low light radiation, meaning that they are better suited to the British climate.
A research grant from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh Energy Research Centre (WERC) enabled Dr Worsley to work with leading metals group Corus to investigate the feasibility of developing an efficient solar cell system that can be applied to steel building products.
The success of the study led to the award of a three-year project worth over £1.5 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Swansea University is now leading a partnership with Bangor University, University of Bath, and the Imperial College London to develop commercially viable photovoltaic materials for use within the steel industry.
Paint is applied to steel when it is passed through rollers during the manufacturing process, and it is hoped that the same approach can be used to build up layers of the solar cell system. The researchers’ aim is to produce cells that can be painted onto a flexible steel surface at a rate of 30-40m2 a minute.
Dr Worsley believes that the potential for the product is immense.
“Corus Colours produces around 100 million square metres of steel building cladding a year. If this was treated with the photovoltaic material, and assuming a conservative 5% energy conversion rate, then we could be looking at generating 4,500 gigawatts of electricity through the solar cells annually. That’s the equivalent output of roughly 50 wind farms,” he says.
Dr Worsley will be working closely with Corus to research practical, cost-efficient methods of mounting the system on steel structures, with a view to the eventual commercialisation of the product.
“This project is a superb example of the value of collaboration between universities and industry, and it is definitely important for Wales. We have a genuine opportunity to ensure that Wales remains at the forefront of this technology worldwide, driving the industry and revolutionising our capacity to generate electricity.
“I think it shows great vision from the Welsh Assembly Government that they funded the initial feasibility study. Even if we are only mildly successful with this project, there is no doubt that we will be creating an exciting hi-tech steel product that will preserve the long term future of the Welsh steel industry.”
For more information visit the School of Engineering at Swansea University.
As reported by Mike Preston in Smart Company today, by the end of this year, business should have a clear idea about the extra costs they will face under a carbon emissions trading scheme after a timetable was released by the Government yesterday.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said she will release a green paper setting out what a carbon trading system will look like by July 2008, to be followed by draft legislation in December.
That will be followed in 2009 by a round of intensive consultation with business and community groups, Wong says, before the legislation is passed – although it will require independent support in the Senate – in mid-2009, wuth the carbon trading scheme commencing early in 2010.
“The introduction of emissions trading will constitute the most significant economic and structural reform undertaken in Australia since the trade liberalisation of the 1980s,” Wong said.
By planting fruit with your friends you can help us all make the world a greener place! As well, we’ll shortly be launching some fun gaming features to constantly keep you entertained while doing good!
Our sponsors contribute money to save the Rainforests as you use this application. After expenses we will donate revenue to funding a portfolio of reforestation projects. Thanks for joining us in this mission! We hope you have fun!
The most recent donation was made March 1, 2008 to the Adopt An Acre program of the Nature Conservancy.
The (Lil) Green Patch community, working together, was able to save 8,368,026 Sqft of Rainforest so far! We are very excited about our progress and are confident we can make an even larger impact in the future!
To learn more about this program, please visiting HERE
Business leaders have gathered in Sydney to support
Earth Hour 2008 and its global launch.Earth Hour involves people and businesses turning off lights and appliances for an hour to send a message about curbing destructive carbon emissions.
NSW Premier, Morris Iemma, speaking at the launch accused critics of the event of pedalling ‘utter rubbish’.
‘The critics and sceptics need to get on board,’ he said. ‘It’s utter rubbish to say that symbolism can’t lead to change. Yes it’s about symbolism, but it’s a very powerful one – it’s about saving the planet.’
Mr Iemma announced that all government departments would take part in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29th, and said he had allocated $100,000 from the state’s Climate Change Fund to support the program.
In 2007, 2.2 million Sydneysiders switched off their lights for an hour, a sight which was broadcast across the world.
In 2008, 24 major capital cities will take part, along with hundreds of other smaller cities.
WWF Australia, which is organising Earth Hour says 75 per cent of the top 100 companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, all of the state’s major property companies, 70 per cent of the state’s one, two and three hat restaurants, the top five banks, 85 per cent of the state’s main hotels and the 50 largest local councils in NSW will also take part.
Simon Turner
Back in 2006, Nike generated copious amounts of street cred with techies when it partnered with Apple and released its Nike + iPod Sport Kit, which allowS gadget-loving runners to synch their iPods via a special sensor placed inside their Nike shoes.
Now, the US athletic shoe manufacturer seems determined to win over green-minded customers, too. In January, Nike introduced the Air Jordan XX3, which uses eco-friendly materials. Then in February Nike went a step further with Trash Talk. From the sole to the shoelaces, this shoe is produced not only from ‘environmentally preferred’ materials but also recycled waste, with much of the latter coming from Nike’s own production facilities—scraps that would otherwise have been discarded.
Trash Talk is the brainchild of Nike celebrity endorser Steve Nash.The All-Star guard for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns is a committed green-living advocate. And a retail price of USD 100 aptly illustrates how a company can turn garbage to gold. That’s a lesson which should be well taken by beleaguered manufacturers in the US and other developed nations. As these manufacturers look for ways to compete with lower-cost producers in Asia, they might find the secret to reinventing themselves is stacked up in the trash bins of their own factories. Yet another way for brands to rack up those greenie points
Website www.nike.com
Travelling for business and want to be environmentally responsible? Take along your very own Green PA to help take care of the logistics of eco travel.
Rearden Commerce, creator of the first on-demand personal assistant and the first on-demand platform for services, unveiled the new green-focused Rearden Personal Assistant to provide business travelers and organizations a first-of-its kind Total Green Travel Experience when booking travel and related services.
Its new eco-friendly features and functionality includes an intelligent Carbon Calculator, hybrid car services, and Web and audio conferencing.
“The Rearden Personal Assistant has always saved people time and their companies, money. Now, it’s doing its part to save the environment by minimizing the impact of business travel,” said Patrick Grady, Founder and CEO, Rearden Commerce. “’Visual guilt’ has already proven transformative in helping users make financially responsible decisions for their companies and now we have the opportunity to guide over a million business travelers toward environmentally responsible choices for their planet.”
Read more from Rearden Commerce in the US
Travelling for business and want to be environmentally responsible? Take along your very own Green PA to help take care of the logistics of eco travel.
Rearden Commerce, creator of the first on-demand personal assistant and the first on-demand platform for services, unveiled the new green-focused Rearden Personal Assistant to provide business travelers and organizations a first-of-its kind Total Green Travel Experience when booking travel and related services.
Marquette Turner is especially impressed with some of the features and functionalities that include an intelligent Carbon Calculator, hybrid car services, and Web and audio conferencing.
“The Rearden Personal Assistant has always saved people time and their companies, money. Now, it’s doing its part to save the environment by minimizing the impact of business travel,” said Patrick Grady, Founder and CEO, Rearden Commerce. “’Visual guilt’ has already proven transformative in helping users make financially responsible decisions for their companies and now we have the opportunity to guide over a million business travelers toward environmentally responsible choices for their planet.”
Read more from Rearden Commerce in the US
Water: Not Down the Drain
A guide to using rainwater and greywater at home
by Stuart McQuire
It’s time to think of other ways to secure water for the home. This book shows you how.
Water Not Down the Drain is a comprehensive guide to sustainable water use around the home. With Australia experiencing one of its driest phases in history, everyone has to think about how they use the water available to them and find ways to reduce their day to day water use. The good news is that with rainwater and greywater, people have more water available to them than they think.
Topics include:
- Making the most of the water you have
- Saving water, including tips on how to use less water
- Top water greenhouse savers
- Calculating how much water is available including rainwater, greywater and stormwater
- Where can you use rainwater, greywater and stormwater
- Rainwater tanks and where to place them
- Tank types including under floor tanks
- Regulations
- Rebates
- Selecting a greywater system
- Greywater health and safety
- Watering systems for greywater
- Composting toilets and complete treatment systems such as worm farms
- Wise watering in the garden
- How to use stormwater at home
Water Not Down the Drain includes case studies from author Stuart McQuire’s house, including examples of how he uses rainwater, greywater and stormwater. Useful tips and advice appear throughout the book to help you make changes at home.
About the author
Stuart McQuire’s household used to be above average suburban water users. Since then they have reduced their mains water use by 96 per cent. In fact, they use just two and a half buckets of mains water per day, but still have a thriving garden full of fresh produce. All other water comes from the site either as rainwater or recycled water. Stuart began using rainwater and greywater in the early nineties to save water, and his home has gained a national and international profile for its role in pioneering environmental technologies and sustainable living.
Stuart McQuire is an environmental scientist and past president of the Alternative Technology Association. This is his second book about water. In this book, he shares his journey to sustainable water use and shows readers what he’s done at home. Stuart’s house is surrounded by a permaculture garden with 20 fruit and nut trees, and features grid-connected solar electricity, solar hot water, rainwater tanks, water recycling, composting and chooks. The book includes photos of Stuart’s water smart house and garden.
Retail price only: $29.95
Click here to order your copy.
Now Available in Borders – check both the magazine and book section of the store to locate a copy.
The book is published by the Alternative Technology Association and supported by the Smart Water Fund.
You’ve done everything you can to green your lifestyle, eating and buying the right foods and products, making sure you tread lightly on our earth. But have you thought much about your “return”?
There are a number of international services and products that promote low impact funerals.
Designed in the UK, the Ecopod is a revolutionary design concept to “return to the earth.” Made from 100 % naturally hardened recycled paper ideal for a green burial or a clean cremation.
The Ecopod was designed by Hazel Selina who spent many years working with natural birth. Now that her family have grown up she feels it is time to turn her attention to the primal event of death.
Hazel has had a lifelong interest in Ancient Egypt and the rituals surrounding birth and death. She is also a friend of the earth and concerned about the pressing issues of Ecology.
Hundreds of Ecopods have been successfully used throughout the UK since 1998. The Ecopod is extremely durable – it weighs around 40+ pounds and yet even the small size can carry 200 pounds! It is covered in handmade mulberry leaf and recycled silk paper.
The US also has a variety of services that promote more natural funeral arrangements. The Natural Burial Company in the US offers funeral planning services and also promote the Ecopod. Meanwhile, ARKA offers eco funeral planning in the UK. Because of the pollution involved, many of these services tend to shy away from cremation and suggest burial with tree planting instead.
For more information visit ecopod
Whatever your style, whatever the weather, you can make your US trip green. CALIFORNIA
1. Go wine tasting
You thought the movie Sideways told you all you need to know about Santa Barbara? You thought wrong. There is, for instance, the Sustainable Vine Wine Tour that we’re guessing you haven’t tried. The six-hour, behind-the-scenes look at organic winemaking might include a visit to Demetria Winery, lunch with the owners of Ampelos Cellars, and a grand finale at Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, run by eco-minded wine pioneer Richard Sanford.
Why it’s green You learn about water-saving vineyard techniques and biodynamic practices. And the tour vans run on biodiesel, of course.
Details $125, including tastings, lunch, and transportation to and from the Santa Barbara area; reservations required; 805/698-3911. –Matt Kettman
MEXICO
2. Be a beach bum
The villas at Playa Las Tortugas, 70 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, share 5 miles of creamy beach with nothing but a coconut plantation. When beach-bum fatigue sets in, volunteer to rescue turtle eggs on the beach or to place baby turtles on wet sand, and watch as moonlight sparkling off the waves guides them to the sea.
Why it’s green Your help — and tourist dollars — protects turtles at their most vulnerable time.
Details Nightly turtle releases Jul–Jan; villas from $149; 877/287-8905. –Laurel Delp
UTAH
3. Go spring skiing
Next time you’re planning a ski trip with your ski-hating spouse, consider this: In Salt Lake City, you get sublime skiing plus the fun of a big-city stay. With the Ski Salt Lake Super Pass, you can enjoy all-day access to lifts at the area’s top four ski resorts and base yourself right in town, taking advantage of the best hotels, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and culture.
Why it’s green The pass includes shuttle transportation from downtown — no car required.
Details Buy the pass at most hotels. From $52 per day; 800/541-4955. –Amy Wolf
CALIFORNIA
4. Ground yourself at a spa
At Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Sonoma County, bury yourself under a huge mound of fragrant, fermenting mulch made of ground cedar, rice bran, and plant enzymes. The mixture, which heats naturally, sends you into a warm dream state that’s oddly exhilarating. To prolong the sensation, follow an attendant up a wooded trail to an outdoor pagoda for a massage.
Why it’s green Can it get much more green than a mulch bath? Plus, all paper goods are composted by red worms (“global worming”), which turn waste into garden fertilizer that’s used on-site.
Details From $80 for a standard 1½-hour treatment; from $95 for a 75-minute massage; reservations required; 209 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone; 707/823-8231. –A.W.
UTAH
5. Raft a river
Make like an early explorer: Discover southern Utah’s Cataract Canyon from the vantage point of a raft. The canyon’s red-rock cliffs are every bit as beautiful as the much more crowded Grand Canyon’s.
Why it’s green River outfitter O.A.R.S. has an extensive carbon-offset policy.
Details All-inclusive six-day trip from $1,506; 800/346-6277. –Susan Crandell
A full choice of lenders and rates, plus a rebate to purchase eco-friendly products.
A Norway shopping mall is offering customers carbon offsets for purchase on its shelves. John Acher from Reuters reports that the Stroemmen Storsenter shopping centre outside Oslo began selling the certificates on Saturday, at 165 Norwegian crowns (US$30.58) per tonne for shoppers to pick up with their weekly groceries.In one weekend, more than 300 Carbon Emissions Reductions (CERs) had been sold, and store managers were considering stocking up with more.
The store, partnering with CO2focus (a carbon management firm in Norway, is hoping to make sustainability more accessible to its consumers and is not receiving any return from the sales. “Many people want to buy reductions, but until we started this in the shopping mall, they haven’t known where to get them, but now they are available to everybody,” said Ole Herredsvela, the shopping centre’s technical manager.
Read more from Reuters.
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