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Green Building24 Feb 2010 05:01 am

2009 Trends Report: Residential Design & Build

Author: Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP
Website: http://www.blogger.com/profile/07495457719901726105

Residential Design & Build magazine’s 2009 Trends Report has the latest data on home design and building trends (reporting on 2008).

One of the charts in the article lists items, features, and materials where clients cut back when their budget is tight. Not surprisingly, our history in dealing with architectural design clients indicates these are the same areas where our clients make adjustments when going through budgeting and cost comparisons.

The biggest adjustment we see clients make to meet budget requirements is reducing the overall square footage of the home and only designing as much house as they need. Homeowners are willing to cut down on the actual living space to cut costs. Small homes generally cost less, which means less money financed; require less energy for heating and cooling, which means lower energy costs; have smaller, more efficient systems (furnace, AC, plumbing, etc.), can earn points toward energy program certification for small size, and will require less…

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http://greenhomedesignarchitect.blogspot.com/2010/02/2009-tr…

Green Living24 Feb 2010 05:01 am

iPhone, Cell Phone, Portable electronics Solar Charger

Author: easy eco blog
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/easyecoblog/~3/JTirgwMElg0/

Low cost iPhone, Cell Phone, and portable electronics Solar Chargers with batteries are now available for under $40. Leave it out in the Sun to charge, then use it when you are out of power. iPod, iPhones, BlackBerry’s, Kindles all eat batteries fast. Solar Panels charge and maintain 1400 mAh of battery power present in this unit. Full Solar Charging takes from 5-7 hours. Most units have USB connectors to charge various devices like the Nintendo DS game console.

Be green and use the sun’s energy to power your gadgets.

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Sustainable Travel24 Feb 2010 05:01 am

Sir Richard Branson declares ‘War on Carbon’

Author: Joe Ascanio
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2010/02/22/sir-richard-branson-dec…

For too long, both the public and private sector has placed blame on financial interests and responsibilities for their lack of commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

In an effort to combat these claims, famed business man and philanthropist, as well as big-time environmentalist, Sir Richard Branson is putting together a program to provide both the public and private sector the financial means to effectively improve energy efficiency.

Branson believes efforts by local governments and businesses to achieve energy savings targets are hindered by a lack of access to investment capital.

Branson’s “Carbon War Room” is looking for 10 cities to participate in the program’s 30-month pilot – headlining its ramped-up approach against climate change with a call to civic governments to become global leaders in cutting fossil fuel emissions.

The global non-profit initiative was launched in August 2008 to help communities, businesses and financial institutions develop a common set of tools for…

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For more information click the following article source link for the full story:
http://www.terracurve.com/2010/02/22/sir-richard-branson-dec…

Green Living24 Feb 2010 05:00 am

Green Jobs

Author: Rachel
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2010/02/green-jobs/

In today’s current economic situation, there has been a lot of hope (and hype) inspired by what’s being called “green-collar jobs”. This self described new industry would appear to be the much needed solution to not only the depressingly high unemployment rates, but also the need for alternate energy sources and even a more general, [...]