| The Kyoto Protocol and the U. S. delegation’s agreement (in principle)
to a 7% reduction of total GHG emissions (a 30% reduction over projected
2015 emissions) focused the nation’s attention on climate change and global
warming. The most significant Greenhouse Gas emitted in the U.S. is carbon
dioxide (CO2) - 82-84% of all U.S. emissions. The industrial sector accounts
for one-third of national CO2 emissions with manufacturing activities accounting
for the largest share of the sector. The top-ranked manufacturing industry
in terms of the total impact of CO2 emissions is the building industry.
The upstream phase of processing and manufacturing building materials and
products causes enormous off-site impacts prior to the building's use.
Minimizing the upstream impacts of building materials must be a part of
a global and national GHG reduction strategy.
To derive a CO2 intensity factor for long-life building materials, the
following methodology was used:
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Subsequent to assigning a carbon dioxide intensity factor to various materials, the net CO2 impact of building products and components made up of a number of different materials can be assessed. For example, the net CO2 impact of small building material assemblies - office furniture and partitions – can be estimated. In addition, the net CO2 impact of a hypothetical small building can be assessed as an example of the methodology applied at a building scale. Finally, the tabulation of the CO2 balance potential of the schematic design of a new 250,000 sq. ft. office/academic building can be summarized and compared with a baseline building. Program and directions:
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Announcements
| FOR SALE - Green Real Estate
You’ve done the environmentally sensitive thing, built a "green" house, but now you want to sell it. Bill Christensen, Sustainable Sources, has developed a great new service. Essentially, it's searchable classified ads for green-built properties. You can list your own - just fill in an online form, and if you have a picture to add, just upload it or email it to them. And the best thing about it is that any properties listed between now and September 1, 1999 are absolutely free. So spread the word! When they do start charging, it'll be a one-time fee. Your listing can run until it sells - all you'll have to do is log in once a month and confirm that it's still on the market. For full details, check it out at http://www.greenbuilder.com/realestate/. We’re looking for a few good folks …
… to support and guide the SBC! Since the SBC’s inception 7 years ago, a very dedicated, small group of volunteers has been providing SBC members and guests with an information-filled newsletter, monthly speakers and programs on current sustainable topics, and an annual membership directory. To ease the load of these volunteers, the SBC is need of some fun loving, self-starters to help keep the SBC vibrant, current, and informative. Some of the potential areas for getting involved include: * Facilities and equipment
If you’re interested in assisting in these or other areas, please call Shellie Reott at 444-0980 or send e-mail to earthly@io.com. We know you’re out there, so please step forward. Cob Survey
Interest in developing knowledge and skills using "cob" (moist soil, sand and straw) to build walls, benches, ovens and dwellings is being expressed from many places to those of us who have been involved with cob. Thus, we are considering offering a sampling of cob building materials and techniques over a week-end this fall. The survey is designed to determine the extent of local interest. Call Yvonne Hansen at 447-0459 geminideas@greenbuilder.com. To respond via phone, state item number (1 through 4) then your answer,
"Yes" or "No". If you want to be on the mailing list, also give your
name, phone
1. I am interested, but know nothing about cob.Y/N
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C.O.A. Green Building Seminars
11:30-1:30 open to Green Building members. Call ahead to Mary at the City of Austin 499-3541. July 15 What’s New in Active Solar Technology
Whole Life Expo October 8
SBC has been offered a most excellent gift: the opportunity to bring attention to the importance of improving architectural performance in the US to achieve the principles embodied in green building materials and process, permaculture, and related fields. SBC's mission has been education, and WLE offers an opportunity to achieve this. We are offered a "furnished" booth that will give us exposure to perhaps as many as 20,000 people. SBC will have a descriptive paragraph in the program guide which is anticipated to reach 500,00 people! We will be mentioned in daily newspapers, radio and tv. A presenter or our choice will have time to speak on a topic we believe is significant. This is a most excellent opportunity to tell others what is possible in terms of healthy living in non-toxic buildings in vibrant neighborhoods, to show what one person, a family, a group, can achieve by making a few informed decisions. This is what is needed: a Planning Project team of 4-5 of you to design and execute our booth; decide on major themes and content (i.e., literature, graphic displays, etc.); volunteers to sign up for a few hours each at our booth; who knows what more? The PP team, and you, will decide. The SBC can contribute additional substance to the international reputation Austin has for green building. Join us! Call Yvonne Hansen, 447-0459 or geminideas@greenbuilder.com Cob Cottage Company Workshops
July 18-Aug 7: A to Zed Cob (a whole cottage) Mayne Island, B.C. July 25-Aug 7: Sustainable Rural Development, Mx Aug 1-5: Earthen Floors and Plasters; Sonora CA Aug 29-Sept 5: Basics of Cob; Breitenbush OR Sept 7-12: Advanced Cob; Breitenbush OR Sept 19-25: Basics of Cob; SE Ohio For information or registration, call (541)942-2005 or visit www.deatech.com/cobcottage Cool House 1999
The Texas solar and green building home tour, "Cool House Tour '99" is scheduled to coincide with the National Tour of Solar Homes on Oct 16, 1999. You are invited to present residential and commercial nominations for tour locations to the tour organizer by the deadline of July 26, 1999. Kathryn Houser Sustainable Living Alliance(tm)
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