Sustainability and energy guide many aspects of life in Florida. There are many green, eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually.  

The implementation of eco-construction and green energy home solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world. While we all use energy to power us through our daily lives, many people take renewable and sustainable methods for granted. 

Recently, congress passed an economic stimulus package that promotes energy efficiency for home and business owners. The American Recover and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 includes incentives for upgrading to more eco-friendly/sustainable methods of energy and insulation. The move to a greener lifestyle will build on the change to healthier methods of building products, home remodeling and renovation.

Some of the measures eligible for tax credits include:

• Sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce infiltration and heat loss – these should be sealed so as to be consistent with the 2009 IECC.
• Pigmented metal roofs or an asphalt roof with cooling granules must meet Energy Star requirements.
• Window films certified by the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of a “qualifying insulation system.”

Asbestos was highly regarded throughout the 20^th century as an ideal building and construction material. It’s fire resistant, durable and versatile qualities made it sought out by many industries. Asbestos was used in industrial applications such as insulation, piping, roofing and automobiles. As long term cost and technology continues to evolve, so is the need for environmentally sustainable and healthy materials used for construction.

Many homes, buildings and public facilities built prior to 1980 may still contain asbestos and other hazardous materials. In many instances, the best action is no action at all. Disturbing asbestos in good condition may cause its fibers to be released into the air. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to the development of asbestos-related lung ailments such as malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis. There are a number of factors that can impact mesothelioma survival rate. These factors include latency period, age of diagnosis and cigarette smoking.

Most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 to 35 % per year.  Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods. Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Cotton fiber is quickly becoming a favorite for home builders and renovators. Made from recycled batted material, it is also treated to be fireproof.

The U.S. Green Building Council conducted a study which estimated a new savings of $50-$65 per square foot for positively constructed green buildings. As education and technology of green sustainable practices increase, the numbers will continue to rise.

Living in a world where environmental sustainability is a vital concern to the future of mankind, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation. These asbestos alternatives allow for a healthy, safe home, free of health damaging materials.

Florida’s Race for Green Oil - by K. A. Gardner

Believe it or not – algae, that slimy green stuff,  is one hot commodity!  In fact, the race to use “algae oil”  as a petroleum alternative is in full throttle and state universities across Florida are chasing after a very green asset.

Florida’s potential as a industry leader in algal biofuel is huge. The Center for Marine Bioenergy Research was just established in March at Florida State University through a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Energy.   Mike Wetz heads up the center, which is under the umbrella of our friend Dave Cartes‘ Institute of  Energy Systems, Economics and Sustainabilty (IESES).

With our coastline, it only stands to REASON that Florida should be be a leader [in algae biofuel production] in the eastern U.S., Cartes said.

Of course FSU isn’t the only state university in Florida involved in bioenergy research (although news from  University of Florida hasn’t been fully explored).  All eleven state universities make up the Florida Energy Systems Consortium - collaborative  energy research among the universities. They met in May with industry leaders for a Florida overview of the “Algal Industry Survey” conducted in association with the Centre for Management Technology.

The reports’ findings – less than perfect:

1. Secrecy amongst companies in the field that leads to a lack of information sharing between affiliated scientists
2. Lack of rigorous assessments of the entire algal biofuel value chain (i.e., from production to distribution
3. Lack of trained workforce.

[As a guest blogger for the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy's blog, Clean, Mike Wetz posts this overview of marine algae biofuels].

FSU researchers are developing a state-of-the-art algal cultivation operation at a site on the North Florida coast, which includes an off-grid, zero emissions facility that utilizes recycled CO2 (from the processing of algal biomass) and nutrients (from local wastewater sources) to support algal growth.  Since this unique operation will be run by an academic institution, a major goal will be to work towards overcoming problems noted in the aforementioned state of the industry report.

[NOTE:  Not all details of next month's meeting are solidified - a team of industry and state university academia is being put together now - UPDATE later]

Although the state of the industry report may seem mediocre,  Florida does have a number of established algal biofuels companies. Melbourne, Fla.-based PetroAlgae, for example, is a publicly-traded biofuels industry leader. The company received the Sustainable Energy Technology award  at the international Green Power Conference held in Brussels, Belgium this past March.

PetroAlgae is an important player in the state,  said Wetz. I have good interactions with them.

BUT OF COURSE – California also has plenty of coastline AND top-notch research universities …

Asked about California’s progress in algal biofuels, Cartes replied:

We have unique capabilities in FLORIDA. We don’t NEED to go to California to find our expertise.

GAME ON!!

- Karen Gardner

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 will lead to energy consumption reduction as owners will have better information to plan for the future.  The end result will be better “performing”  buildings, operating with optimum efficiency.

USGBC’S LEED program has often been criticized for its shortcomings and inaccuracies.  While the program is far from perfect, the good news is that the USGBC is constantly improving upon the original idea.  This should also improve the future of companies who provide services and technological solutions for maintaining green buildings.  The new standards do not remedy every flaw in the LEED certification process, but do improve the future of sustainable building.

To read more about the new LEED standards click here.

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 State Building’s similar self improvement mission.  Much of the Empire State Building’s concern is curbing greenhouse gas emissions and saving on energy cost as they will be placing insulated windows throughout the building.  Out of the $120 million project, $13.2 has been allotted for investment in green technology, which they expect to be paid off in savings over the next four years.

Why so much attention to sustainability?  The simple answer is that tenants are using their dollars as votes for or against the direction these landmarks are pursuing.  Take this quote from an Associated Press article written by Chris Kahn:

Many high-profile tenants won’t even consider moving into a property without the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, said Allan Skodowski with Transwestern management group. They may not even know what the certification means, he said, but they demand it nonetheless.

“They say ‘We want LEED,’” Skodowski said, “and that’s it.”

Social and political pressure to improve our infrastructure is working.  Whether through conferences of like-minded people, design/idea competitions or government initiatives, the world is responding to a very real problem.   The greening of the Empire State Building and Sears Tower are incredibly significant ideas that will spur further greening of high profile buildings.  To answer the question I posed at the beginning:  I believe a trend becomes tradition only when people, business and government are all on the same page.  The green building movement may have just crossed that threshold.

To read the Associated Press article on the Empire State Building click here.

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 to wind farms, bio fuel plants and other green projects.  The article is a great reminder that not everyone is on the green bandwagon.

Read the Build Baby Build article here.

This is actually good news.  “Green” should not always be considered synonymous with “good” and opposing viewpoints should be welcomed to any idea.   Run a quick internet search for opinions on the proposed “cap and trade” system and you’ll find good points being made on both sides.   We know the importance of starting change locally and how difficult that can be.  Communities aren’t comprised of like minded people nor should they be.  What a boring world that would be.  Instead of isolating or dismissing those with opposing views, we should try to understand where they are coming from and what they stand to lose in a greener economy.  You can’t win everyone over, but knowing why you can’t will often make your position stronger in the long run.

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 legislation (like Gov. Crist’s renewable energy portfolio standard) as a key barrier to further growth. 

So where does the Sunshine State go from here?  Concerned citizens will undoubtedly continue with the tremendous momentum they’ve created thus far, but opposition still remains (read the first comment on the article).  Without further investment the green economy in Florida would be at risk of slowing down, but should the burden of funding fall on the people?  Should the green economy “pay for itself” to prove it is as viable as supporters would have us believe?  Time will tell whether Florida commits to the movement or tip-toes towards the future.

To read the full article click here.

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 Episode 1 (collector’s edition)  (Konstructr)

7 ways to conserve water usage (Treehugger)

Ms. Cape gives us advice on how to approach sustainability and her unique perspective as a public servant makes this a video not to be missed.

This week we highlighted the Malkis’ vision in founding Green Cities and Jerome Ringo’s focus on the human element of sustainability. Creative Loafing’s  Joshua Michael Poll reviews the latest Green Cities event and highlights the 1 MW Solar Electric System at the Orange County Convention Center and Orlando’s Mayor Buddy Dyer’s announcement of “Green Works Orlando”. Here’s a list of posts about Green Cities from this week, in case you missed them:

EcoFactory Interviews Apollo Alliance’s President Jerome Ringo

What is Sustainability? Interview with Georgia Malki

EcoFactory Interview with Joseph Malki

Green Cities in the news this week:

Creative Loafing Recaps Green Cities Florida

Click below for the full video.