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 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 [...]

 
 
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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

 
The saying “Necessity is the mother of invention” has never been more relevant.  The world is facing environmental degradation on one side and economic collapse on the other.  Fortunately, one can counter with the adage of “crisis is another word for opportunity” still holds true.  The Buckminster Fuller Challenge is an annual contest for harvesting [...]

$1.2 million awarded for Gulf Stream plan

From My Fox Orlando
DANIA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Florida Atlantic University will receive nearly $1.2 million from the federal government to continue research into harnessing energy from the powerful Gulf Stream off Florida’s coast.
Democratic Congressman Ron Klein joined scientists on Friday at the school’s Center for Ocean Energy Technology [...]

In an effort to boost renewable energy efforts, Alabama is investing over a million dollars in alternative energy sources throughout the state.  From converting cooking oil to bio-diesel in Henry County to creating electric energy from yard waste in Fultondale; the state is getting serious about finding new cheaper forms of energy.  One of the most [...]

You wouldn’t confuse Alabama as the greenest state in the nation, but they are working on improving their status.  Rep. Frank McDaniel (D-Albertville) recently sponsored a package of several energy efficiency bills, including one that would add incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs, certain natural gas appliances and other energy-saving materials to the state’s sales tax [...]

ORLANDO PICKED FOR FLORIDA GREEN CITIES CONFERENCE
State, County, Municipal, Business and Community Leaders to Ignite Florida’s Green Economy
Seven Star, the world’s largest green events production company, has selected Orlando as the host city for Green Cities™ Florida 2009. The conference, which attracts community, government and business leaders from throughout the region, will be held May [...]