GM 1st LEED-Gold for Auto Manufacturing Facility

"August 3, 2006) — General Motors’ new Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant has received a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The building is the only automotive manufacturing plant in the world – as well as the largest facility and the most complex manufacturing site -- to ever receive any level of LEED certification.

Over the first ten years of operations, the facility is expected to save over 40 million gallons of water and 30 million kwh of electricity.

Rainwater from the 1.5 million square foot is collected in cisterns above rest rooms and is used to flush toilets at the new GM Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant."

Source: http://www.acppubs.com/article/CA6447615.html

Green Building Exchange - Redwood City, CA

"Green Building Exchange provides the information and contacts necessary for the public or business professionals to realize any green building project, from initial design to completed structure. The public benefits by having a large choice of qualified vendors in one locale. Ease of selecting appropriate materials, services and qualified professionals for your buildingproject ultimately translates into reduced time and project costs."

Lots of interesting information.

Solar Living Institute - Hopland, CA

"The Solar Living Center (SLC) began as a shared vision among the workers of Real Goods Trading Corporation and company founder and President John Schaeffer. It was a vision of a permaculture oasis where the company could demonstrate the culture and technology of solar living.

The Center’s beautiful main showroom was designed by architect Sim Van der Ryn of Sausalito, California."

Another place to learn how to live and build green AND a building following their prinicpals. Can't wait to go someday!

Green Building Institute - Jessup, Maryland

Another place to learn how to build green. If you go to one of their classes, let me know how it was.

Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Lots of great information... for FREE...
but geared to the Austin, Texas climate and lists their regulations so will need to think before you blindly follow if you are designing elsewhere. Topic organization is a little strange too to me but since it's free I won't complain.

Everdale screening - "Escape from Suburbia" documentary

The next film after "End of Suburbia"... a must see and think film.

A fundraising Event being held for Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre.
$8.00 admission at the door.

1. Tuesday, June 12, 7 pm - 9 pm at the Erin Cinema, Centre 2000
   
2. Thursday June 14, 7 pm - 9 pm at the University of Guelph- Vet College, Rm 1714
   Map & Directions: http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/directions.shtm
   

http://escapefromsuburbia.com/

Canada's First LEED Certified Library (Silver)

Surrey, BC
January 2004
(and I only found out about it now...)

Toronto's CNE Hydrogen Village

I don't usually go to the EX but I guess I will be this year!

More information:

• http://keetsa.com/blog/eco-friendly/torontos-hydrogen-village-at-the-ex/
• http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070526.wxhydrogenvillage26/BNStory/Front
  

Nader Khalili's Eco-homes

Cool!!!!

At the CalEarth Institute, students discover how to build homes which are literally dirt cheap (around $3200 for the design) and some of which are powerful enough to withstand an earthquake. The total cost of one of the larger, more elaborate homes — which can be built and completed by three people within the space of a week — is around $90 000.

Source: http://cooltech.iafrica.com/features/900389.htm

Vote for Your Seven Wonders of Canada

http://www.cbc.ca/sevenwonders/index.html

Cornwall, Ontario - First Green/Sustainable Facility

Local News - Friday, May 25, 2007
by Elisabeth Johns

Ron Chenier joined with Chris Markell (LEED accredited builder), of Bourgon and Associates, to develop Place Dominion Place Inc., a nearly 54,000 square-foot, four-storey building that will incorporate initiatives like: wood from sustainable forests, low flow toilets and in-door bike racks for commuters, complete with change rooms and showers.

The cost for the state-of-the-art building is an estimated $5 million, which will account for a number of green building supplies that will cost more initially, but reduce energy costs, Chenier said. They hope to attain a silver rating for Dominion Place, Markell said.

ABC News - What 2100 Might Look Like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XClNHfmFDog
Dr. James E. Hansen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hansen

"The Heat is On" (U.S.A. Waking Up)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQNwh4nLxws
http://www.heatison.org/content/index

2007 AIA Convention Emphasizes Building Green

Convention and Design Exposition concluded with a keynote presentation by former Vice President Al Gore on the importance of architects taking all necessary steps to help curb climate change. Dr. David Suzuki, environmentalist and author also addressed the convention about steps people can take to help lead a more sustainable lifestyle with less negative impact on nature.

AIA 2007 National Convention and Design Expo

In five years, all buildings -- new and existing -- will be green

May 23, 2007
by Randyl Drummer

"The takeaway from the (Chicago 2007) ULI conference was that we’re at a tipping point," Lord said. "In five years, all buildings -- new and existing -- will be green. Unlike new construction, the greening of existing buildings has to be implemented by the building property management team. New green buildings are about design and construction. Existing green buildings are about operations."

The average building certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program uses 32% less electricity, 26% less natural gas and 36% less total energy. LEED-certified buildings in the U.S. are reducing CO2 emissions by 150,000 metric tons each year -- equal to taking 30,000 passenger cars off the road. Yet the vast majority of the 715 buildings and tenant spaces certified under the LEED program in the U.S. are new construction. Only about 50 are existing buildings.

Source: http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=59F5177C83639C28FF1697AF358BE671

NASA Earth Observatory - Potential Effects of Global Warming

Very interesting section to the NASA Earth Observatory site (ie not a politician or celebrity or even unknown with an ax to grind) with all the famous graphs and global images used elsewhere. This is one of several chapters presented.

The most obvious impact of global warming will be changes in both average and extreme temperature and precipitation, but warming will also enhance coastal erosion, lengthen the growing season, melt ice caps and glaciers, and alter the range of some infectious diseases, among other things...

Also see their section:
Predicting Future Warming (http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/GlobalWarmingUpdate/global_warming_update5.html)

The 11th Hour (documentary)

http://www.11thhourfilm.com/

2007 feature film documentary created, produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprionatural environment. Directed by Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners. Financed by Adam Lewis, Pierre André Senizergues and Doyle Brunson. Distributed by Warner Independent Pictures. World premiere at the 60th Annual Cannes Film Festival.

To be released Fall of 2007.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Hour_(documentary)

Al Gore - Role of Government in Changing Business Practice

Severn Suzuki @ Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro (1992)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAedbD2pIwY

Doors Open Toronto (May 26/27, 2007) - The Green List

Free admission to all sites. Some only Saturday, some only Sunday, and some have photograph restrictions (wow) so check before you go.

From the 150 buildings participating, here's a list of all those showcasing green/sustainable design ideas or principles:

• Beach Solar Laundromat
• Bloorview Kids Rehab
• Cecelia Murphy Building
• Design Exchange
• Eco-suite at Tridel's Element Condominium
• HOK
• Horse Palace: Green Roof
• Levitt Goodman House
• Mountain Equipment Co-op
• Ravina Project
• Robertson Building
• SAS Building
• St. Gabriel's Passionist Parish
• Thomas L. Wells Public School
• University of Guelph-Humber
• University of Toronto: BCIT
• University of Toronto: Multi-faith Centre - Koffler Institute
• Zeidler Partnership Architects Building

Maybe I'll see you at one or two! Can't wait.