Three dollar gas is impacting the American psyche, but in ways you’d never have expected. You might think we’d see dramatic changes in the way we live and drive, yet the opposite is true. Instead of market price slowing consumption, the price must still not be high enough to make anyone second guess their driving habits. I’m shocked.

Despite almost four thousand dead US servicemen and women, despite rising gas, despite world economic climate, the price of gas does not seem to be openly effecting us. And drivers where I live aren’t slowing down.

Again, energy issues capture the headlines and again we see a call for fuel conservation. Isn’t it amazing how often we return round about back to where we’ve started–with no real change or action to be seen?

During the past year–as we were hit by $3 a gallon at the pumps–I noticed a strange phenomenon. Despite casualties and mayhem in the mideast, as I drove around town, it seemed that traffic was not easing up. People didn’t slow down, in fact, I think drivers got testier. Racing to the next red light is still an American past-time.

Bill Young, a researcher and disaster relief expert at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), will give a free presentation for the general public on disaster preparedness using renewable energy technologies on February 22.

The event will be held in the FSEC auditorium at 1679 Clearlake Road in Cocoa, on the campus of Brevard Community College and UCF in Cocoa. The doors will be open at 5:45 p.m. and the hour-long presentation will begin at 6:15 pm.

I’ve been following transportation and energy news for quite some time–and it seems impossible to see real change in our lifetimes. Yes, we see new technology, we experience glimmers of hope, but ultimately nothing changes. That’s why recent news in Brazil is so exciting. World economy is built upon energy infrastructure–and that means oil. For transportation, though, there is a simple fix.

Progress in efficiency–or lack thereof–in the automotive sector is huge indicator that the forces that be like us staying under 30 miles per gallon. For the last thirty years we have seen no real change in fuel economy despite the computer revolution. What a statistic! VW Rabbits in 1975 got 50mpg, and today GM touts that it has more products than any other manufacturer that gets almost 30. Progress?

For years we’ve known about the inportance of using recycled papers and the environmental hazards of the printing process. And for years, some have made excellent progress in the field, while many are still unaware of the benefits of printing cleaner and greener.

While talking with our favorite printer, we asked where the industry was in relation to being more responsible to Mother Earth. From these chats, the Hopper Press Project was born.

Hopper Press was created to shine a light on better ways to print. We think we can make a profound impact in how we print, by targeting the three audiences who most influence what gets printed: clients, designers and print shops.

The Green Guide is a great place to find information about green products and services. Practical, reliable, easy-to-use, a one-stop-information-shop, the Green Guide is “the first place I go for real green product information and advice,” says Maria Rodale, Vice-Chair of Rodale, Inc and founding editor of Organic Style magazine.

The Green Guide and thegreenguide.com are two highly integrated information products published by The Green Guide Institute (TGGI), a national non-profit, 501(c)(3) environmental consumer research and information organization.

Florida’s DEP, or Department of Environmental Protection, is an amazing resource for our state. Not only are they constant advocates for Florida’s eco-health, they are continually leading the charge on many sensitive topics, including alternative energy, sustainable development, conservation, preservation and greener living.

Today in their news feed, I received this and wanted to pass it on. Not just New Year’s resolutions, but green New Year’s resolutions.

Small changes make a big difference to the environmentPreserving and protecting the state’s natural resources takes great commitment,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Florida’s citizens can help make a positive impact in 2006 by adopting environmentally-friendly practices.”

Engineers, Architects, Land Developers, Contractors, Building Owners, Facility Managers, Government, and Private Sector Professionals are gathering at an event that assembles built environment experts and cutting-edge resources all in one location - Washington D.C..
Work Together. Make a Difference

The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council’s Ecobuild Federal is a Built Environment conference and exhibition, with special focus on those who work with or within federal, state and local government projects.

The organic movement, if you will, is growing steadily in popularity and recognition. Not too long ago, it was a rare site to see organic anything. In the past 10-15 years it has been making its way into our homes little by little, until now. Organic cotton companies alone are reporting product sales growing at more than 40 percent a year.

No too bad considering organic products used to be considered the proverbial “red-headed step child“. Now, consumers are more aware and savvy as information about chemical toxins used in the growing and processing of our foods and clothing is more easily accessible. With the explosion of the internet in the past 10 years, information is a mere click away, and people are clicking.

Southface Energy Institute is an amazing resource on all things green. In the southeast US, they are the go-to people, instrumental in bringing sustainable practices to our region.

Dennis Creech, Executive Director, relates, “Since 1978, Southface has helped people save energy and water and conserve natural resources.”

“Southface’s programs and services are based on sound science and are inclusive of all members of our community. These programs and services reached about 40,000 people last year, and our media impressions exceeded 200 million. None of our accomplishments would have been possible without the support of our members and others in nonprofit, foundation, corporate and government sectors. “

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is pleased to announce the creation of the “Florida Energy Achievement Awards.”
This new annual award will recognize a company, organization or individual that has made a significant achievement in the efficient utilization of energy, energy conservation, energy education or renewable energy in the state of Florida.

The award will be presented each October to recognize statewide leadership in sustainable energy savings. The selected winner will have achieved significant results in energy efficiency, conservation, energy education or the use of renewable energy in their facility or program.

Soaring energy costs, increased international demand for cheap fuel, and in-your-face realities of global warming all add to one conclusion: America needs renewable energies in a big way, and we need it today, not another 20 years down the road.

Industry has simply proven that they are unwilling to produce on a scale that brings down prices. For 30 years, the mantra of the technologies is that solar is not cost effective. For thirty years, industry has been saying it’s just around the corner, in ten years we will have viable product. I am sick of the wait, and think we can ill afford to wait any longer.

Florida Solar Energy Center Engineer to Present Workshop on Disaster Relief

A workshop on the “Basics of Using Solar Energy in a Disaster” will be presented at the Solar World Congress in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, August 12, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. The course will be taught by Bill Young, a senior engineer at the Florida Solar Energy Center. Participants in the workshop will learn about the uses of solar energy for response, recovery and mitigation functions following disasters.

According to the US EPA, every gallon of gasoline your vehicle burns puts 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and contributes to global warming. If you drive a vehicle that uses gasoline, or any fossil fuel, then you can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change. You can reduce (or offset) the effect your driving has on the environment by supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gases anywhere in the world, and effectively make your vehicle “Greenhouse Gas Neutral”.

Pella Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of premium-quality windows, entry door systems, storm doors and patio doors. What makes Pella newsworthy is their vision and environmental ethic.

Pella’s Commitment To Environmental Stewardship
Pella is a responsible corporate citizen committed to responsibly using resources, as well as safeguarding the communities and environments in which Pella operates. Pella takes a comprehensive approach that maximizes recycling opportunities, minimizes waste and pollution, reduces consumption, employs the latest in waste management and recycling strategies, and ensures that products made by Pella are made to last.

How to you help spread the word about green building? How can professionals work together and adopt best practices, products and materials? By working together, of course.

The importance of industry partnerships has long been a strategic cornerstone of the Community Greenhouse Foundation (CGF), helping to fulfill our mission. CGF exists to raise awareness about sustainable development and smart growth. We work to facilitate and speed the adoption of green-building best practices, products and materials.

Community Greenhouse Foundation Partners with Private Sector, Creating Educational Program for the Public

The Community Greenhouse Foundation, a 501(c) 3 not for profit organization, has partnered with Riverside Commons, LLC producing an “Educational Demonstration Program” that will raise awareness and promote the utilization of Smart Growth principles for the State of Florida.

Riverside Commons, has agreed to let the Community Greenhouse Foundation utilize their project for the “Educational Demonstration Program” due to their belief and support in Sustainable Development.

Where can you learn about Smart Growth and Greenbuilding? Ecobuild America is an international expo focused on sustainable development. And GreenOrlando has free passes to get you inside.

What is smart growth? Smart growth is a concept, a movement, an idea, that we can better plan and manage how we grow. From my house, I can walk or ride a bike straight to my son’s school, safely without ever having to cross a major road. That’s smart growth.

DEP helps state government offices protect the environment, save money
Working to provide more opportunities for environmental stewardship, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is partnering with the Department of Management Services (DMS) to establish a statewide recycling program for State office buildings. White office paper and corrugated cardboard will soon be collected and recycled from all State offices in the Tallahassee area.

“The State can now enjoy both the environmental and financial benefits generated from recycling office supplies,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “With a program in place at State office buildings, paper and cardboard materials can be recycled and reused by State employees.”

Ecobuild, with long standing success in Asia, is proud to announce the debut of its’ newest event… Ecobuild America, the environmental systems technology conference and exhibition. The event will take place June 20-23, 2005 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, one of only 4 certified Florida Green Lodging locations.

GreenBrevard supports the event as a media sponsor and there is still time to be an event sponsor, gaining you tremendous international visibility.