More on climate change and sustainablity

"First Living Building Challenge winner" article

I think my favorite part about this building -- other than it being a leader in green buildings-- is the visual picture I received when it was being described to me. They have a waste water treatment system IN the building!!! Which is disguised as a happy little greenhouse! Great stuff!

"Baggage: The Case for Climate Mitigation" pdf article

I love how the author compares climate change to Napoleon invading Russia!!! It is so creative and really illustrates the point. The author states that there is "a human tendency to react to, rather than anticipate, events." This a very true statement and one that may help explain why there has been such a lag in reactions so far. When giving the choice to adapt or mitigate, the author votes that " adaptation, must be a second priority to effective and rapid mitigation that contains the scale and scope of climatic destabilization." I can agree with this and it seems to be the way of things thus far.

 "Hyatt Regency skywalks designer Bob Berkebile is the godfather of green building"

The most interesting aspect of this reading was the personal change that Bob Berkebile went through. It the changes in his favorite cars to drive was more revealing to me about his love for the environment because it didn't seem as work-related to me; more of a personal choice. I think Americans could learn a lot from his story. For one, not everything needs to be flashy! We don't need Porsche's to make us happy!!  I can really respect Berkebile for coming out of such a terrible experience and giving back to the community and the planet in a wonderfully positive way.