Green your home office February 22, 2007

So you’re working at home – good for you! Whether it’s because you’re an entrepreneur, telecommuting, or just catching up on work from the office, you are part of a growing trend. This means you’ll be spending quality time at home with your laptop and other gadgets. The good news is you’re not spending time on the road, contributing to the pollution (and inhaling it!). Even better news: you can control your work environment and make it healthier so you can make work even more enjoyable. Here are some ideas — I’m sure you’ve heard many of them before, and now it’s time to implement them!:

• Recycle paper (and use recycled paper!): For every ton of paper that is recycled, we save 17 trees, 42,000kwh of electricity, 26,000 of water and about 27kgs of air pollutants. That’s a lot of good we can do by throwing the paper in one bin versus another. Keep a scrap box for paper that still has one blank side, and use it for photocopies, printouts or faxes (thermal paper is a no no). Use the double-sided print feature on your printer, and the print preview function on your computer. And of course, purchase chlorine-free, 100% recycled paper.

• Reuse supplies: Reusing not only applies to paper, but also to binders, envelopes, refill pens, tape dispensers, and files. You can reuse most of these items multiple times, and the next go-round, buy supplies with recycled content.

• Be energy efficient! Shut down your computer — it it will take less energy to reboot it than to set it to sleep mode. Turn off and unplug any electronics that are not in use. Even when electronics are off, they are still consuming electricity (see the Energy Suckers blog entry). Also, turn off the lights when you’re not in the room and, of course, replace incandescent lights with CFLs (compact fluorescent lights).

• Purchase Energy Star electronics: Using energy-efficient equipment saves money, up to $180 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours of energy and can cut the electricity bill by up to 80%. When you eventually replace your products, invest in an Energy Star laptop, printer, fax or copier. In addition, electronics emit EMFs, which may be harmful to your health, so keep at a good distance whenever possible (that also translates to take a break from your computer!).

All in all, steer clear of materials that are toxic, heavily packaged, not recycled, or not recyclable. And, as always, abide by the recycling mantra: reduce, reuse, recycle!

Green homes across the globe February 16, 2007

Here are some examples of green homes in the US, Australia and the UK, provided to give you some ideas of what is being done around the world. There are many more examples out there, so this is just a start!

USA – Casas de San Juan

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Casas de San Juan provide eco-friendly solutions to new housing and are designed as affordable housing with energy efficiency measures. Rather than include expensive features such as wind turbines, which may not be suitable for a suburban context, these houses focus on thermal efficiency, such as double glazing, a high efficiency boiler, radiant heat and weather-sensitive sealants. The architect, Greg Walke, also ensured that locally produced materials were used wherever possible, reducing the energy costs of transport and providing the houses with an exterior style that reflects that of the region. Mature trees on the site were carefully build around and preserved, further lending to the environmental sensitivity of the building work.

At $80 per square foot, these houses were cheap to build even by local standards. This proves that being environmentally aware does not have to be expensive. Quality is maintained throughout, with careful finishes (that were also specified to be low-VOC and made from CFC-free products). The houses passed the test; they were awarded the Parade of Homes Judge’s Choice Award for houses under £250,000. The Casas de San Juan may well set the benchmark for future constructions, for using environmental and architectural savvy to create an eco-friendly home at a reasonable price.

Australia – Mount Best

At Mount Best, in southern Australia, the principles of conserving energy and self-sufficiency come together to create the paragon of a ‘green home’. 100% energy and water self-sustainable, the house uses a combination of solar and wind power, garnered from turbines and panels on the roof, to provide all the power needed for the house. Solar power also heats the home in winter – mirrors on decks surrounding the house double the amount of light energy that enters the home, and efficient insulation keeps the warmth in. At the same time, solar panels on the roof directly heat water that is stored in insulated containers for use throughout the day or night. Additional heat is provided by geothermal energy, through the transfer of heat from the ground to water tanks under the earth’s surface. A wood stove provides extra warmth in the living room; if this doesn’t seem environmentally friendly, consider that it is 70% efficient, which is nearly 20% more efficient than the burning of fossil fuels. Moreover, trees are a more readily sustainable resource than oil or coal; the Mount Best site was orginially covered in thick forest, which was ruthlessly cleared in the 19^th century. Now, the owners of the house have committed to restoring the natural woodland, thus replacing precious habitat, as well as providing a renewable resource on their doorstep.

These measures come at a high initial cost, but more than pay for themselves in terms of energy savings over the long term. Government subsidies, especially in areas receiving plenty of sunlight hours for solar panels and wind turbines can help offset this initial cost and make greening up your home even more accessible to the average homeowner. If you are living in the US and are interested in installing solar panels, take a look at the incentives your state offers and whether this investment versus another eco-friendly alternative makes sense for you.

United Kingdom – EcoHome

Although one of more densely populated countries in Europe and in the midst of a chronic housing shortage, the United Kingdom is still looking for innovative to solve these problems using green solutions. One symbol of this effort is EcoHome, the country’s first environmentally friendly showhome. Although inhabited, the house is primarily an advertisement for the green movement, and since opening in 1989 has seen more than 100,000 visitors. Energy-saving and ecologically friendly ideas and touches are everywhere, from the organic garden to the roof-top solar panels to the compost toilet. Ms Bull, who lived in the house for a while, said ‘it was inspiring to see how easy it was to live like this’.

Britain has witnessed a surge in interest in environmental issues in recent years, and encouragingly, this has manifested itself not only through popular desire for green enterprises, but in pledges to support the environment at the government level. With regards to housing, late last year the Communities Secretary, Ruth Kelly, stated the government’s aim to ensure that all new houses will have to be carbon neutral in 2016. Responsible for 27% of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions, this will be a significant step towards the longer term aim to cut emissions overall by 60% by 2050.

If you’re interested in making some eco-friendly changes, check out the tips in the other blog postings. And, for some more inspiration, take a look at these examples and resources, and, of course, the EPA site.

Going from Red to Green: Make the environment love you on Valentine’s Day February 9, 2007

In the dark winter days between Christmas and Easter, Valentine’s Day is a time to remind your loved ones how much they mean to you, and many choose to do so by sending cards or flowers, or perhaps by buying their special someone a present. The sentimental effect this has on the recipient is easily understood, but environmental impact may pass unnoticed. Specifically, this impact can be divided into two main categories – the energy required to produce the goods bought by consumers and the waste that these items create after the day is over. Here, I’ll outline a few of the major issues within each of these broad categories, as well as provide suggestions and alternatives for how to minimise your environmental impact this Valentine’s Day. This way you can say ‘I love you’ to the planet as well as your Valentine!

Producing presents and flourishing flowers

Gifts are a standard consumer good, produced year-round for many occasions other than Valentine’s Day. However, the 14^th of February becomes a day when the pressure to give a gift for a loved one results in a surge of consumerism. The most common presents exchanged on Valentine’s Day are items of jewellery, chocolates and flowers, each of which has the potential to impact the environment at varying stages of manufacture. Cards represent a whole other class of environmental impact, which I’ll come to in the next section. It’s important to remember that while these negative impacts can be great, they don’t have to be, so take on board the guidelines for choosing eco-friendly Valentine’s Day presents so you can still celebrate the day in style!

Jewelry: ‘Nothing says I love you like diamonds’; De Beers’ slogan captures perfectly our society’s romantic fascination with gemstones. However, what few of us realise is how gritty, environmentally degrading, and often socially and ecologically exploitative it can be to extract precious stones and metals. The social impacts of the diamond trade in Africa is becoming better known to the public, thanks to movies such as ‘Blood Diamond’. Still less well publicised is the equally horrific environmental destruction that can follow in the wake of mining. For example, one technique still widely used for mining gold and silver involves pouring a cyanide solution over the ore-containing rock. Sulphuric acid then removes the excess mineral, leaving just a sludge of the precious metal. However, the run-off can still be extremely hazardous, and can infiltrate water cachement areas as well as damage wetland ecosystems. Mining for gemstones can also produce environmental side effects, in terms of erosion from hydraulic and hard-rock mining, but also from the infrastructure required to support a working mine, which can involve destroying tracts of forest and unsustainable hunting to house and feed mine workers. This does not mean that we should all forgo wearing jewellery; instead, we must be more aware of the techniques used to produce our necklaces, earrings and rings, and insist that they conform to international standards for environmental and social responsibility. The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices represents a consortium of gold and diamond produces committed to ensuring that these standards are met by all their members. Similarly, Green Karat is dedicated to responsibly produced jewellery, with items available for purchase online.

Chocolates: The production line resulting in a box of delicious chocolates can also have unexpected environmental effects. Cocoa production is confined to the tropics, with the result that much of the world’s chocolate originates in developing countries. Again, there are a myriad of social issues associated with cocoa production (such as the use of child labour to pick cocoa beans in the Cote d’Ivoire) as well as negative environmental impacts, such as the conversion of vast areas of natural landscape into cocoa plantations, with a resulting loss in biodiversity and increased threat of extinction for many tropical species. Closer to home, in conventionally cultivated cocoa, there is a risk of pesticide residue being present in the final wrapped product. Although low in concentration, these chemicals can still be potent and hazardous to human health. The EPA even allows certain levels of various toxins to be present in cocoa powder, despite the known risks. One way to avoid promoting the social and environmental impacts is to buy certified organic, Fair Trade chocolate. Many of these producers are also committed to integrated approaches to plantation farming, which protect biodiversity loss. An example of such a product is Endangered Species Chocolate which explains and executes an integrated and socially responsible approach to chocolate production.

Flowers: A bunch of red roses is, and will always be, a perennially potent image of Valentine’s Day. The romantic effect might be somewhat lessened if buyers knew the extent of cultivation required of cut flowers, together with the subsequent social and environmental consequences. The cut flower industry is worth $16 billion annually in the United States alone, and flowers are among the most pesticide-dependent of crops. As with jewels and chocolate, the majority of cut flowers in the US come from less economically developed countries, with 60% being provided by Ecuador alone. The use of pesticides is detrimental to the workers’ health, as well as to the delicate ecosystems bordering on the flower plantations, which are being degrading through expansion of the flower farms as well as pesticide run-off. Furthermore, the energy required to transport the cut blooms is enormous; the air-conditioning alone needed to keep the flowers fresh produces significant carbon emissions. The good news is that the flower industry has recognised the need to go green, and the increase of organic and sustainable flowers has followed accordingly. There are various labels to look out for when buying flowers; ‘Veriflora’ and ‘Eco-Bouquet’ signify that the flowers were produced sustainably; the USDA has the power to certify flowers as organic. Furthermore, at the growers’ level, there exist organisations in Colombia and Ecuador which also certify their products. Organic Bouquet only sells products certified by all of the above, and also promises to offset the carbon footprint of any flowers it transports.

What to do with the waste? Remembering the 3 Rs!

The 3 Rs are a standard environmentalist mantra, but it’s worth remembering them in particularly in the context of Valentine’s Day, when waste from wrapping paper and cards can build up quickly. Standing for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, each can be applied to Valentine’s Day to reduce your environmental impact this holiday.

Reduce: Why send a paper card when an e-card says it just as well? Electronically sending Valentine’s greetings can be easily personalised, and delivered in an instant, so you don’t have to worry about the mail coming late on the 14^th!

Reuse: When your partner carefully wraps a present for you, don’t rip it up. Save the paper for another occasion, or even squirrel it away until Christmas. Or better, why not use yesterday’s newspaper or magazine as an alternative to wrapping paper?

Recycle: Paper items can easily be recycled, so don’t throw away old cards unnecessarily. Last year’s cards might even become incorporated into a new Valentine’s Day card the following year, as many card manufacturers are eager to use recycled materials. Great Green Goods has cards which are certified 30% post-consumer waste and are acid-free. Similarly, why not make your own Valentine’s Day card out of recycled goods? The recipient of such a personalised greeting is sure to appreciate the effort! CRAFT Magazine is running an online competition for the best Valentine’s Day card made using recycled materials.

In all, without too much trouble you can ensure that your Valentine’s Day this year means something special to your loved ones as well as the environment.

Allergies on the rise: how to combat respiratory allergies in your home February 4, 2007

When people think of respiratory allergies, they often think of mild hayfever; slight stuffiness of the nose, maybe watery eyes, but nothing particularly serious. The reality, for many people, is far different; they can suffer from much more severe attacks, caused by a myriad of often unknown factors. In fact, respiratory allergies are one of the highest causes of morbidity in the US.

Respiratory allergies, and specifically hay fever, are the 5^th leading chronic disease in American adults. This results in approximately 4 million missed work days each year, which translates as more than $700 million in lost productivity. In children, respiratory allergies make up more than 50% of all allergic cases. Moreover, there are direct costs associated with allergies; medications alone cost almost $6 billion, and doctor/hospital visits add another $1 billion (Source: “Chronic Conditions: A Challenge for the 21^st Centrury,” National Academy on an Aging Society, 2000). Other sources, such as one study by the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases, put the total cost of allergies at $18 billion, with approximately half for respiratory cases. These figures show clearly that allergies are not a trifling matter; furthermore, and worryingly, in the United States and many other parts of the world, they are on the increase across all age groups and ethnic groups, but in particular in less economically stable communities, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

As mentioned briefly above, there are a large number of potential triggers for respiratory allergies. The most common include dust mite residues, pet dander, dust, pollen, mold and spores, all of which can be found in the home, at surprisingly high levels. Moreover, other household items can create fumes or situations which aggravate existing symptoms; these include cleaning products containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and malfunctioning extractor fan systems in the kitchen, which fail to reduce smoke levels effectively.

With all these potential hazards around, how can your allergic reaction to your own home be minimised? The few simple steps outlined below tackle several of the major factors implicated in respiratory allergy suffering in the home.

1) Prevent mold from growing in your home by keeping humidity down. It should ideally be at no more than 60% (and no less than 30%, as dry air can also aggravate respiratory conditions). Leaks and condensation are signs that mold might start growing; shore up leaks immediately and look for the sources of drips and condensation. Shower curtains are a favourite spot for mold growth, due to the damp, warm conditions in many bathrooms; an efficient extractor fan and/or dehumidifier can keep humidity down, and changing your plastic shower curtain for a more mold-resistant material may also prevent mold growth.

2) Approximately 10-20% of Americans will develop sensitivity to dust mites in their lifetime. Because dust mites tend to thrive in warm bedclothes and linens, we often come into close contact with them, which explains the high frequency of symptoms deriving from their presence. However, there are numerous control mechanisms and measures that are easy and relatively cheap to implement in the home. For example, bedding made of certain materials, such as latex or wool, is more resistant to mite infestation than cotton. Similarly, mite-shielding bed covers are readily available on the internet or in department stores. Finally, simply washing bedding in very hot water, and airing it in direct sunlight, can often be enough to control the presence of dust mites, and thus reduce allergic reactions.

3) Keep your house as free from toxic, volatile chemicals are possible. These fumes are often highly hazardous and are irritants that can exacerbate symptoms and lead to serious respiratory conditions. Always work with chemicals such as paint strippers and bleaches in well-ventilated areas, and avoid exposure as much as possible, or replace with non-toxic alternatives. Washing detergents, drain cleaners and air fresheners which all may contain VOCs can be replaced by natural products, such as borax and vinegar for drains and bathrooms and essential oils or incense to mask bad smells.

For more info, check out the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.