All entries by this author

Orlando Going GREEN and Moving Out of Asbestos

Jul 22nd, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

What is harmful to the earth is ultimately harmful to humanity.  The removal and irradication of asbestos has been long a focus of many organizations.  Asbestos is in the news again, but now new technologies and the cost saving aspects of green building may finally spell the end of the harmful substance .  Joe Lederman of the [...]



Flipside Florida: Florida’s Race for Green Oil

Jul 20th, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

Karen Gardner of Flipside Florida, the online business magazine covering Jacksonville and northern Florida, is an avid supporter of Green Cities.  We are thrilled to feature her latest story on the future of petroleum alternatives producers in Florida.  Who know the yucky green material floating in the water could yield so much potential.
Florida’s Race for [...]



New LEED Standards Target Energy Consumption

Jul 9th, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

Beginning this week all construction projects pursuing LEED certification will be subject to new, stricter standards. The biggeset change is how energy usage is reported. Building owners must now report their total annual energy and water consumption or be recertified every two years. The idea is more reporting [...]



Green Retrofits for Some of Our Nation’s Most Iconic Buildings

Jul 7th, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: New York, What's News

When does a trend become the new status quo? 2009 will have to be considered a major turning point for the green building industry. Fresh off the news that the iconic Sears Tower (soon to be renamed Willis Tower) is set to undergo a $350 million dollar green retrofit; just reported is the Empire [...]



Local Green Projects Meet Opposition

Jul 2nd, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

 
Green Cities is founded on the idea of activating local citizens and government officials to improve their surroundings and ensuring their future.  Despite how popular the green movement may be there are still the naysayers, dare I say “haters” who oppose moving forward with sustainability.  Build Baby Build recently ran a story about local opposition [...]



Florida’s Green Economy Arrives at a Crossroad

Jun 30th, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

 
 
A recent Pew study shows that Florida’s green economy is growing, but still needs to clear a few hurdles before it can make the next big shift.  The biggest hurdle is investment, followed by policy support.  The study puts Florida’s green economy in the top 10, but also points out the state’s failure to pass [...]



This Week in Our Green City

Jun 26th, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

Here are a few articles from around the super information highway that tripped our alarms this week: 
 
Downsizing your dream home.  New home buying trends lean to the green.  (ABC News)
eVolvo Skyscraper Competition is ready for entries: (Inhabitat)
Chicago’s Sears Tower to receive $350 million green facelift:  (AP )
Sustainable Industries Top Green Products of 2009 (Jetson Green)  
Konstructr TV [...]



What is Sustainability? Interview with Robin Cape

Jun 24th, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

Robin Cape, Asheville Councilwoman and sponsor of the city’s Committee on Energy and Environment, offers her perspective on sustainability from a local government level.  “Change starts at home” is an old saying, but it is still relevant. We often forget how important local government agencies and officials are when we aim  to change our communities.
Ms. Cape gives us [...]



EcoFactory One-on-One with Joseph Malki

Jun 16th, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

Joseph Malki of Seven Star is the Founder of Green Cities™, and from my brief meeting with him it’s easy to see he has big ideas about bringing the green movement to cities and homes across the world. I was amazed at how deeply he understood the core issues of the green movement, and how [...]



EcoFactory Interviews Apollo Alliance’s President Jerome Ringo

Jun 15th, 2009 | By derekgordon | Category: What's News

Our partners over at EcoFactory were able to catch up with Jerome Ringo of the Apollo Alliance for a few quick questions at Green Cities Florida. Fresh off his workshop “The Color of Green: The Next Inconvenient Truth “, Mr. Ringo addresses several issues. A personal favorite is “The problem of nature vs. Nintendo” and [...]