tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85831193161868761102024-03-13T10:33:48.173-04:00greeneyedcityurban life. green exploration. chthonic rumblings. from ohio's queen city.Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-61399237652199027772011-07-20T15:36:00.002-04:002011-07-20T15:45:14.690-04:00Recyclebank's Green Your Vacation Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMtJz3NlGRg/Tict1KdBcZI/AAAAAAAAAKk/efqFqBCu4IE/s1600/recyclebank.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMtJz3NlGRg/Tict1KdBcZI/AAAAAAAAAKk/efqFqBCu4IE/s200/recyclebank.jpeg" width="110" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recyclebank launched the Green Your Vacation promotion at <a href="http://greenyourvacation.recyclebank.com/">greenyourvacation.recyclebank.com</a>, an interactive contest where members can learn to green their summer plans, earn points, and win prizes including 2 grand prizes:<br />
<br />
A ten day cruise to the <b>Galapagos Islands</b>, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and a stay at the Four Seasons <b>Costa Rica</b> at Papagayo. The contest will last through end of July.<br />
<br />
Please visit <a href="http://greenyourvacation.recyclebank.com/">greenyourvacation.recyclebank.com</a>, and refer friends for multiple chances to win!</span></span>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-14615313693472614482011-05-02T09:50:00.007-04:002011-05-02T10:38:02.454-04:00New On-Street Recycling Containers in Northside<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">Assumed to have been installed to coincide with the Great American Cleanup on April 16th, the Cincinnati neighborhood of Northside has recently added on-street recycling containers along the Hamilton Avenue Business District. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">The new receptacles are sleek, attractive, and easy to differentiate from the uniform trash containers, which can be found throughout the city. The containers were obtained through a grant, assisted by the <a href="http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cmgr/pages/-17659-/">Office of Environmental Quality</a>. Recycling pickup has been contracted through Rumpke Recycling. Hopefully the design choice for the new recycling containers will encourage proper use, not as another place for passersby to throw their trash. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">
<br /></span></div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TEoIq_q1fgk/Tb6_85nUgQI/AAAAAAAAAJw/6MFFLpXkw8M/s320/IMG_4314.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602126039474274562" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Located near Shake-It Records on the north side of Hamilton Avenue, near Lingo Street.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">This measure capitalizes on Northside's growing reputation as one of Cincinnati's greenest neighborhoods. Already in the neighborhood are a variety of services and outlets for reuse, environmental awareness, and alternative transport methods. </span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Eateries <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/melt-cincinnati">Melt</a> and <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/32/1562719/restaurant/Northside/The-Grove-Cincinnati">The Grove</a> feature a variety of locally-source, vegan and sustainable fare.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Fueled by the Easter Seals Work Resource Center, <a href="http://www.buildingvalue.org/">Building Value</a> is the place to reclaim salvaged building materials and furnishings. They give a second life to quality, architectural components. Building Value also enables donors and buyers alike to obtain tax credits and LEED credits for their projects.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://mobobicyclecoop.org/about/">MOBO Bicycle Cooperative</a> is the lone bike co-op in Cincinnati, boasting a membership of 600, as of 2011. Their central location enables reasonable access from all stretches of the city. A membership gives you access to tools, a slew of donated bikes for parts, and technical assistance from the friendly staff. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">MOBO is part of the <a href="http://www.northsidevillagegreen.org/about.html">Village Green Foundation</a>, which is a non-profit garden co-op that aims to grant "access to healthy foods for all the residents of the community.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Even reuse and consignment shops like <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicken-lays-an-egg-cincinnati">Chicken Lays an Egg</a>, <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/casablanca-vintage-cincinnati">Casablanca Vintage</a>, and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/shop-therapy-cincinnati">Shop Therapy</a> offer a cornucopia of pre-loved clothing (the former), carefully selected clothing from the 40's to the 70's (second), and items for the home (the latter).</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/fabricate-cincinnati">Fabricate</a> is a gallery and retail store featuring locally homemade and handmade. Celebrating reuse and creativity!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Many Northside businesses recycle. <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/northside-tavern-cincinnati">Northside Tavern</a>, for years, has diverted nearly all its glass bottle and aluminum can waste. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Let us not forget <a href="http://www.northside.net/GetInvolved/farmersmarket.shtml">Northside Farmers Market</a>, open year-round at Jacob Hoffner Park and North Presbyterian Church. Local organic produce, naturally raised meats, raw cheeses, and more.</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Active Northside residents and businesses celebrate environmental activism, careful reuse of materials, and a sustainable urban neighborhood. Let's hope that Northside's hop to be the first neighborhood with on-street recycling will encourage others to follow suit.</span></div></div></div></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-20029738416179398702011-04-18T17:16:00.000-04:002011-04-18T18:06:49.716-04:00Lost: the Famous "I Love Compost" Magnet<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" >About a week ago, I discovered something that confirmed why my car felt a little strange as of late. Someone had stolen the "I Love Compost" magnet" from the Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District from the back of my 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"></span><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrfaZSmVO4A/Tay1gt_gSWI/AAAAAAAAAJo/_zwlHNY9Hbg/s320/IMG_9442.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597048010621077858" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >They have been one with each other since the Recyclebank press event, back in October, at Annwood Park. Clearly, these buggers found this beautiful magnet to be a valuable find. If you have an extra one, or have any sightings to report of Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District giving these away during Earth Week, send me a line! This is a 21st Century, First World tragedy--yes. But it would be nice to get a replacement!</span></div></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-43752113782825630032011-04-10T16:28:00.010-04:002011-04-10T17:19:45.422-04:00Details on the Great American Cleanup in Clifton (Cincinnati) - Saturday, APRIL 16th (8:30am-1:00pm)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><div style="font-size: 13px; ">**IF YOU FEEL ANYONE YOU KNOW WOULD BE INTERESTED IN JOINING US FOR THE CLEANUP, PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH A FRIEND.**</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S79ure1ZwUI/AAAAAAAAAHc/tsHBz7OMCkc/s320/IMG_4638.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >We are rapidly approaching the Great American Cleanup for 2011. As the founder of the CTM Green Clifton Committee, I really wanted to get Clifton on track with annual cleanup events, after what I understood as a long dormancy. My goal is to make this second annual effort bigger than the last. Before I get into the details of this year's event, I want to thank everyone who has expressed any level of interest.</span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>The basics...</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><u>Date and time:</u> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Saturday, April 16th at 8:30am</span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><u>Meetup place (or home base)</u>: Clifton Plaza (333 Ludlow Ave)</div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><u>Morning kickoff</u>: Please arrive by 8:30am, so that we can coordinate the efforts with team leaders, assign teams for our volunteers, get liability forms signed, and get acquainted over coffee and eats. </div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><u>Duration</u>: We're looking at a 9:00am start time, expecting teams to return to Clifton Plaza by noon. </div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><u>What's next?</u>: I am working on a couple local partnerships within our business district that would provide food for our volunteers after great hard work. No one has any need to worry about not seeing food in front themselves after the cleanup. Lunch will be served from 12pm to 1pm. </div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>The cleanup and supplies...</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><u>What's being picked up?</u> We will be picking up trash and recyclables separately. Keep Cincinnati Beautiful will be supplying all teams in Cincinnati with different colored bags, white for one and clear for the other. Weeding out recyclables from our pickup materials is taken very seriously. </div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><u>Electronics?</u> Yes, electronics <i>are</i> being collected, as a part of the Great American Cleanup. However, they will not be a part of the regular cleanup activities. Instead, KCB has arranged for two drop off locations during the event--one is Blue Ash and another at a still unreported location central to all of Greater Cincinnati's neighborhoods. I will keep you up to date on that piece.</div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><u>Supplies</u>: Based on supplies from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful from last year, volunteers will receive bright KCB volunteer t-shirts. As stated earlier, KCB will also supply separate bags for recyclables and trash, latex gloves, a pocket first aid kit for home base, and posters for the event. You may see some posters around Clifton in the days leading up to the event. Until the Supply Day--<span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Tuesday, April 12<sup>th</sup>--I will not know exactly what we will receive but I planned for supplies for 30 volunteers. Do not fret--KCB overcompensates with supplies for team volunteer estimates, and I will make sure we are not running low.</span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>Routes...</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">You will find a draft map of team routes attached to this email. The highlighted routes are suggested based on main vehicular or pedestrian routes, common cut-throughs, and known problem areas. I would encourage team leaders to cover other neighborhood streets within their zones if time permits. But I think these routes will take up a significant portion of our time. <b><u>I will provide individual route maps on cleanup day.</u></b></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><b>Team leaders...</b></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><b></b>I have already received interest from individuals becoming team leaders. Due to the large expanse of our neighborhood, we may need two or more team leaders per route. It depends on the turnout by 8:30am or so on April 16th. <u><b>Feel free to email me, if you are interested in becoming a team leader. </b></u></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Please let me know if you feel that I am leaving anything out here. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to email me. </div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Very much thanks,</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><span style="font-size: 13px; "><div>Christian Huelsman</div><div>Clifton Town Meeting, board member</div><div>CTM Green Clifton Committee, chair</div><div>GAC Clifton site leader</div><div>christianhuelsman@cliftoncommunity.org</div></span></span>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-34871041378442170522011-02-13T16:01:00.002-05:002011-02-13T16:12:18.534-05:00NPR and PBS are in danger of being eliminated by Congress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://act.credoaction.com/images/campaigns/defend_npr_pbs_200.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 271px;" src="http://act.credoaction.com/images/campaigns/defend_npr_pbs_200.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>
<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Our Republican Congress is aiming to eliminate all funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which would erase National Public Radio, PBS, and other public media from our lives. The cuts are claimed to be due to budget constraints, but a small fraction of a percent of the total budget helps to pay for public media. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">In Ohio, we have already seen strong-armed (and successful) efforts to eliminate statewide rail from the radar, after years of planning and even federal funding allocation. More recently, newly elected Ohio Governor John Kasich has cut $70 million in state transit funding. Now, the possibility of nixed public media is threatening. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Please visit the <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/dont_defund_npr/index2.html?rc=share_email"><i>CREDO action</i> petition site</a> to learn more about looming elimination of public media funding. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Below, I have included my letter to Congress via the petition in the link above. Please, strongly consider sharing your words with Congress.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><blockquote></blockquote><meta charset="utf-8"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></div></div><blockquote><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Respectable members of Congress,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The high cost of eliminating public television and radio is abominable. The higher cost of eliminating public options across the board is stifling and offensive. In the past two months, as an Ohio Resident, I have witnessed years of statewide rail planning quashed by the sentiment of then-governor-elect John Kasich. He has since eliminated $70 of public transit funding in Ohio. Now you want to take away public radio and television for all, in the name of "budget issues". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I am offended by the narrowly representative interest of Republicans in Congress, who aim to take action against an "overinflated government". However, it is the government-aided non-profit organizations, institutional and public construction projects, and others that defend a public process and provision for all. In the case of PBS and NPR, listeners and viewers keep them afloat but government funding keeps it alive. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">We need public radio and television to maintain last remaining near-non-partisan media outlets. Private enterprise has changed the way we are delivered the news--special interest groups with enormous lobbying power, former big oil/ag/industry executives appointed to government positions, and so on. These decisions are not in the interests of Americans but in the interests of the sovereign well-dressed and self-interested. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Please do not take away from us what millions actively support and value. </span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Sincerely,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">XXXXXXX</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote><div>
<br /></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-26728987757341148762011-01-11T15:11:00.005-05:002011-01-11T15:17:22.874-05:00Win 2,011 RecycleBank Points! What's your green resolution?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/TSy6i0VT5BI/AAAAAAAAAJc/pECzYlH6puA/s1600/RB-ButtonWqBgsY.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 107px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/TSy6i0VT5BI/AAAAAAAAAJc/pECzYlH6puA/s320/RB-ButtonWqBgsY.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561024747222066194" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span">To those of your with RecycleBank accounts, and to those who have yet to register for an account: this is for you. It is no mystery that I am one of two members of the Cincinnati RecycleBank team. A common goal of ours and yours: to increase recycling rates in our city.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Pledge to make 2011 your greenest year ever on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RecycleBank">Facebook.com/RecycleBank</a> and be one of 20 weekly winners. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">We want everyone to make this their greenest year ever. Each week in January, we're asking our Facebook fans to share their green resolutions. Every Monday at 11 AM EST we'll post a new topic to start the conversation. From that post, we'll pick 20 lucky fans to receive 2,011 RecycleBank Points! The giveaways started this week, so make sure you "Like" us on Facebook and join the conversation to enter!</span></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-66905000064252247322010-12-15T12:59:00.005-05:002011-02-11T18:59:36.937-05:00RecycleBank in Cincinnati<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"> <title></title> <meta name="Generator" content="Cocoa HTML Writer"> <meta name="CocoaVersion" content="1038.35"> <style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} </style> <p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span">Cincinnati is enhancing their recycling service by partnering with RecycleBank - a rewards program that motivates people to take greener actions, like household recycling, by rewarding them with points that are redeemable online for rewards from local and national retailers, restaurants, pharmacies, grocers and more. Similar to frequent flier programs, the more a community recycles, the more RecycleBank Points participating households earn. Single or multi-family residences with Cincinnati curbside trash service are eligible to participate in the program free of charge. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">• You must register to redeem rewards. To sign up for RecycleBank: visit <a href="http://www.recyclebank.com/">www.RecycleBank.com</a> or call </span>1-888-727-2978</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span">• All eligible households have received their new recycling carts - to find out which phase you are in and which week you will be picked up, check out the City’s enhanced recycling program overview at: <a href="http://www.cincinnatirecycles.org/">www.cincinnatirecycles.org</a> or call 513-591-6000.</span></p>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-10377956726988343922010-10-26T10:39:00.004-04:002010-10-26T10:49:35.641-04:00Recycling: Blow-molded vs. injection-molded plastics<span class="Apple-style-span" >This excerpt is from the <a href="http://www.dswa.com/programs_dropoff.asp">Delaware Solid Waste Authority</a> (DSWA) website, which does a particularly good job at delineating blow-molded and injection-molded plastics. A waste hauler's ability to recycle and find markets for these materials differs. I have substituted <a href="http://www.rumpkerecycling.com/">Rumpke Recycling</a> below, as they hold the same guidelines as DSWA. Perhaps Rumpke or the City of Cincinnati can post something similar on their respective websites. As a RecycleBank outreach intern, I get a number of questions regarding "bottles vs. butter tubs." I invite you to visit the DSWA, for additional insight on the similarities and differences of recycling programs abroad.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><blockquote>[Rumpke Recycling] <strong>only</strong> collects narrow-neck plastic bottles in both its Curbside Recycling Program and Recycling Drop-Off Centers. Narrow-neck plastic bottles such as water or soda bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles are accepted regardless of the recycling number found on the bottle and usually contains liquid contents. A narrow-neck plastic bottle is one that has a neck smaller than the body of the bottle. [Rumpke Recycling] does not accept wide-mouth plastic containers such as butter or yogurt containers because the manufacturing process differs from narrow-neck bottles. Narrow-neck bottles are what are referred to as blow-molded plastic while the butter tubs and yogurt containers are injection-molded plastics or a "punched" plastic. While the types of plastics for both blow-molded and injection-molded plastics is still the same, the manufacturing process is different. This results in each plastic having a different melt index, which means that they melt at different temperatures. There are not many markets for other types of plastics, which do not have a narrow-neck in the regions around [Cincinnati]. Without a market to accept the items, [Rumpke Recycling] does not have a resource that will accept and process this type of plastic.</blockquote></span></b></span></span></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-34481322108207087692010-07-07T17:00:00.008-04:002010-10-26T10:55:47.359-04:00The seriously silent revolution (hums like an air conditioner)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/TDT7wIf8vrI/AAAAAAAAAJI/0vzH5TKv2zA/s1600/losingourcool_cover.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/TDT7wIf8vrI/AAAAAAAAAJI/0vzH5TKv2zA/s320/losingourcool_cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491290650005257906" /></a>Today's post is very much sparked by a recent MaddowBlog <a href="http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/07/07/4632049-air-conditioning-ruined-america">entry</a>, which paraphrased a Salon article titled, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Losing Our Cool": The high price of staying cool. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Salon spoke to Stan Cox, the author of the new book, </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.thenewpress.com/index.php?option=com_title&task=view_title&metaproductid=1784">Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World (and Finding New Ways to Get Through the Summer)</a></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. It discusses the impacts of air conditioning on American population shifts, since the 1960s. The interview and book also (more than) allude to political implications for mass movement to the South and West, and how it corresponds to Republican constituency.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As should be typified by greeneyedcity, I prefer to assess the impacts of air conditioning--and, by association, overall quest for comfort--on our natural and social environments. Nature has incurred our wrath mostly in the last century or so. We consume and waste more as a nation than any country on earth. The international response among developing countries has been less than favorable. At international summits, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">lesser developed countries</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> are reluctant to adopt carbon standards unless nations like the United States follow them too. The big boys seem to want to play by their own rules, reaping the benefits of industrialization and consumerism long after their peak. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the United States, we continue to consume about as much as we always have, relative to the number of cars on the road and number of miles to our jobs and supermarkets. Subsidization allows for lower quality, lower-priced products and services. Despite environmental disasters, we continue to drive down the street for milk. When we idle our automobiles, we leave our air conditioners running full blast. Despite the mindful construction of hundred-year-old buildings, we scramble for window units, when the temperature reaches eighty degrees. In other cases, central cooling systems are always running during hot days, because newer buildings do not have passive systems for temperature regulation. In fact, most of them rely on electric-dependent systems. Meanwhile, as Cox's book states, our A/C consumption causes climate change, and we respond by using it more as the temperatures rise.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/TDT6dPHLxMI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Jr9hFAzwvEk/s1600/1817915098_5410c54c20.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/TDT6dPHLxMI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Jr9hFAzwvEk/s320/1817915098_5410c54c20.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491289225851290818" /></a>What about the social side of air conditioning? As funny as that sounds, the quest for comfort confines us to our own spaces, which have become more personalized than ever. When air conditioning first appeared in performance and movie theaters, they were <b>the</b> places to seek refuge from the heat. But they were also places for people to meet, share leisure, and patronize local businesses. Theaters were centers of attraction when business centers turned dark, but they were certainly destinations during the day. What are our Twenty-first Century attraction centers? Nearly every private residence or multi-unit building has air conditioning (or the option to have it). Urban dwellers have less incentive to leave their homes to find both cool air and leisure. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cox mentions how we keep our car windows closed and our A/C cranked, so that we keep automobile emissions out. But the number of road miles and hours of <i>mobile</i> A/C usage consumes gasoline fuel more rapidly than simple fan usage or rolling the windows down. (Keeping the windows down, however, leads to lower fuel efficiency after exceeding about 50 mph.) Either at home or on the road, we demand comfort from air conditioning, thereby contributing to climate change. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Like many contemporary revolutions or uprisings, since the late 1960s, the pushes to cut carbon emissions, protect forests, or regulate post-consumer waste are relatively segmented and unorganized. What impact does one person, not running their air conditioning, have on the environment. Not very much. Indubitably, air conditioning is also competitive edge. Businesses even think of cutting their cooling would suffer financially. Cox pointed out studying showing lower tolerance to hotter temperatures, when people experience long-term exposure to climate-controlled environments. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Are policy, tax, or credit mechanisms the only remedy for the cyclical environmental detriment we create, as we artificially cool our singular spaces? Should residential owners be given less freedom to cool their spaces, while given more incentive for business owners (and municipal entities, of course) to cool their interiors? Could it, in turn, stimulate consumer spending? I am not necessarily arguing that breaking the A/C cycle requires a solution oriented toward economic development. However, short of socialism and strict (and responsible) government regulation of consumption, I do not see an end in sight. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of the most responsive business moves, with regards to climate change, was Britain's new Prime Minister <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/science/earth/02runway.html?_r=2">capping the expansion</a> of the tiny London Heathrow Airport. However, when city-regions are the largest culprits of greenhouse gases and energy consumption, adequate power is not in the hands of municipal governments but with state government, rural, and suburban constituencies. Until we restructure the hierarchical power structure in the United States, are we left with economic development measures to meet our future carbon goals. Or we left relegated to the seriously silent revolutions among individuals, who are left feeling like isolate extremists in a sea of apathetic consumers?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(See a related treehugger post titled, <i><a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/04/the-deluded-world-of-air-conditioning.php">The Deluded World of Air Conditioning Revisited</a>.</i>)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Photo credits: (1) flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24391992@N00/1817915098/">-WHITEFIELD-</a>; (2) <a href="http://www.thenewpress.com/index.php?option=com_title&task=view_title&metaproductid=1784">The New Press</a></span></span></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-19913454815886615302010-04-22T17:52:00.004-04:002010-04-22T18:23:40.755-04:00Obligatory "Happy Earth Day" post<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">Hello, readers! I hope you are celebrating Earth Day in your own respective ways. Living green is not about this one day of the year, of course. I like to think of Earth Day as a time to reflect on how we carry on from day-to-day, as our habits impact the environment. Many holidays are about giving gifts or giving thanks. Today, I encourage you to look at how we all individually impact the lives of others--other humans, all living creatures, and the Earth's composition as it was intended.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">We all succumb to consumer culture, our own busy lives, and the incessant temptation to just do nothing. But it is vitally important to remind ourselves that we can always do more. As a community of any scale, a global village or a neighborhood, we have an abundance of untapped potential. We can absolutely enhance the lives of others through community, while impacting our own lives positively.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I ask you all to find time to become more involved in your communities, this year and every year beyond. As we empower our own communities, we increase the breadth of knowledge and experience--fuel or "people power"--that can be used to affect policy, create and recreate livable spaces, and build more lasting relationships.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I hope to see some of you, this weekend. Great American Cleanup activities will be happening throughout America, particularly in Cincinnati, local readers. Check <a href="http://www.keepcincinnatibeautiful.org/index.php/main/show/618">Keep Cincinnati Beautiful</a> to find a cleanup or landscaping project in your area. Carry your positive energy beyond today and this weekend. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Always thankful,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Christian Huelsman</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Clifton Town Meeting, board member</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">CTM Green Clifton Committee, founder + co-chair</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">greeneyedcity, founder + proprietor</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-33101468654502170622010-04-17T18:24:00.011-04:002010-04-18T08:52:29.296-04:00"Nature as an attraction": Have we gone too far?<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S8o4VyDJW6I/AAAAAAAAAIE/I8vuZlP8XV4/s320/u01.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461239445003525026" /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S8o4WG9reSI/AAAAAAAAAIM/W4eqy9K9vec/s320/u04.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461239450617739554" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://bloglikeyourgiveadamn.blogspot.com/">Blog Like You Give a Damn</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"> is the official blog of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://architectureforhumanity.org/">Architecture for Humanity</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"> in Minnesota, a local chapter of the volunteer non-profit organization that promotes architecture and design in social and global crisis intervention. The blog features interesting vignettes from other online publications exhibiting innovation, communication, and alternative interpretation of architecture and design through culture. Several posts provide a glimpse into the architecture and media community in the Twin Cities, but BLYGAD taps both design and alternative culture stimuli. As blogger Colin Kloecker states in the first of three posts on December 14th, while describing the supplemental use of tumblr, BLYGAD is about, “predicting the present to better design the future.”</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <a href="http://bloglikeyougiveadamn.blogspot.com/2008/01/work-of-artist-ilkka-halso-zoo-of.html">January 17th entry</a> particularly caught my eye, which highlights the recent work of Finnish artist Ilkka Halso. His work "examines the tensions between our natural and built environments and ultimately, how we act to save and/or destroy both.” Included are several manipulated photographs that feature natural environments within scaffolding or enclosed altogether with structural elements. His work reminds me of how we treat priceless architectural works, which are now monetarily or environmentally cost prohibitive. The historic preservation movement and discipline arose when we began—especially in the United States—to treat our built environments as highly disposable and replaceable. Although we are no longer faced with the apathy we experienced with the height of 1960s urban renewal, multiple generations of sturdily built structures (with exceptional craftsmanship) continue to be sacrificed for supposed greater efficiency. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just how efficient is it: to bulldoze a site every thirty years, to use cheaper materials that degrade or fall apart faster, or to shift so drastically to composite construction materials that cannot be reused or recycled (nor can many of them degrade under natural conditions, after they are disassembled from a building)?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ilkka Halso shows our current brand of nature romanticism through a lens that exemplifies nature as a museum attraction. Today we sacrifice our natural environments in the name of growth, prosperity, and economic development. Globalization allows small communities to “have what she's having,” resulting in a homogenous built environment from one populace to the next. Much like past generations of architecture, nature often cannot be replaced once it has been degraded or eliminated. No matter how exhilarating it would be to visit a preserved section of the Kitka River (shown above) in a controlled environment, what would the surrounding areas of the museum look like?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nature is an infinitely complex, non-linear network of systems. Urban theory has been formulated for centuries on subjects such as “central place theory,” grids systems, view sheds, and public space. The latter certainly applied to a much smaller time span, but both nature and architecture have become subjects of case-by-case fascination. We must think of our environments as highly contextual, or quality of life will go the way of the do-do.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(Both photos shown above were taken from BLYGAD's January 17th for context.)</span></div></span>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-82728799546601806752010-04-09T14:03:00.020-04:002010-04-09T19:57:25.025-04:00Clifton Plaza is now open!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">After more than a year in the making, the site of the former, nondescript, one-story building Bender Optical is now Clifton Plaza. Temporary fencing was removed from the public space and opened at approximately 12:45pm today. The plaza features scattered granite bench seating, circular table seating, two bar-style standing tables, and a solar-powered trash compactor. A can for recyclable plastics, glass, and metal containers will be installed at a later date. The finished product is perfect, attractive and modern public space for visitors and Clifton residents alike. The new plaza provides a more pleasant and accessible connection between the businesses on Ludlow Avenue and the merchant parking lot on Howell.</span></div>
<br />You will find additional details about the project in the coming days. Thank you to everyone involved with the project--workers and CTM Plaza Committee members alike!
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<br />Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-27357401075132047932010-04-03T16:58:00.015-04:002010-04-03T17:38:23.501-04:00DANCE_MOTHERNATURE and neighborhood bar recycling<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">By now, many young and hip Cincinnatians know what the first Saturday of each month brings. Since 2008, local art, film, and event collective </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://theprojectmill.com">PROJECTMILL</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"> has been running the monthly </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://dancemf.theprojectmill.com">DANCE_MF</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"> event at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.northside-tavern">Northside Tavern</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"> to a healthy crowd. To keep things fresh and interesting, each month's event comes with a theme. The April 2010 edition of DANCE_MF is all about green. From the associated </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100696489972328&index=1">facebook invite</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"> description:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><blockquote><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S7ezqG9jNnI/AAAAAAAAAHM/hEHr0AuPd8Y/s320/Screen+shot+2010-04-03+at+4.16.11+PM.png" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456027009587295858" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>PROJECTMILL's Gone Pagan!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Spring has sprung so come celebrate your chosen sun and rock and twig gods with a sweaty raindance this Saturday at NST, where we bring you... DANCE_MOTHERNATURE!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Green is the new black, so wear it! Also bring your old cell phones to drop in a box and be recycled by the zoo... something about chemicals in the SIM card or something... we're not sure but we support it!!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Only recycled dance moves acceptable this time, mf-ers.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>See you there! Save the world!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Reduce, Reuse, Re-Running Man,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>PM</i></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, greeneyedcity felt the need to get with the program, so to speak. There is always a need to improve recycling options and participation among bars and restaurants. However, the response from power wielders has left much to be desired.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking to Northside Tavern owner Ed Rush, the Tavern was once part of a city pilot to augment recycling among bars. However, a changing of guards left a handful of public officials unwilling to support the project (which can be added to the mound of other useful projects that have been scoffed at by various elected officials). Rush, however, felt that Rumpke Recycling had reasonable rates. So the recycling of tons of beer bottle empties continued.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the DANCE_MOTHERNATURE event, attendees are expected to wear green, bring in their old mobile phones for recycling (thanks to the <a href="http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/earth/cellphone_recycling.html">Cincinnati Zoo's Cell Phone Recycling Program</a>), and recycle those dance moves that only come out on special occasions. Perhaps some classics and mashups can be expected from the DJ.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition, greeneyedcity--with the help of <a href="http://www.hcdoes.org">HCDOES</a>--will have installed several "clear-tainers" in the front and back bar areas. The tavern already recycles but many may not be aware of their longstanding commitment. The installation is symbolic of the unified support of waste reduction by the folks of Northside Tavern, PROJECTMILL, and greeneyedcity. Picture a multilayered array of back patting through progressive community brainstorming, and you're there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hope to see you out there on the dance floor.</div></span>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-32157939781665931882010-03-12T15:01:00.004-05:002011-07-20T15:50:44.800-04:00Propounding on the documentary No Impact Man<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LIZNWnNZRKI/TicxEuNQWYI/AAAAAAAAAKo/kXjt2pS476A/s1600/no+impact+man.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LIZNWnNZRKI/TicxEuNQWYI/AAAAAAAAAKo/kXjt2pS476A/s320/no+impact+man.jpeg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">"Can you save the planet without <br />
driving your family crazy?"</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">UC Sustainability recently screened the Colin Beaven documentary, No Impact Man, with which I completely fell in love. The film documents Colin, a New York City-based writer, and his journey through a year-long experiment to achieve net zero environmental impact, which began in November 2006. Prior the the film and book of the same name, he wrote a series of entries on his </span><a href="http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/what-its-all-about.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">blog</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> about his decision to take personal action, instead of waiting for “the senators and the CEOs to change the way we treat the world.” Colin thoroughly acknowledged that this transformation </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">en masse</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> was a marketing tactic for his next book. His transformation, however, had deeper implications—it had a profound effect on how his wife-with-child and he conducted themselves on a daily basis.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">This film draws parallels to my own life as an evolving environmentalist, at times emphasizing “mentalist”. Over the past two years—especially since moving to my current apartment in Clifton’s Ludlow Business District—I have made the lives of my girlfriend and my friend-roommate more difficult. First it was simply recycling and minimizing how many times I ended up taking the trash out to the dumpster. That correlated with takeout and leftover food waste taking up room in the refrigerator. Now we use 100% recycled, post-consumer toilet paper and parsley infused surface cleaner. I buy bulk grains and use UV-sensitive, biodegradable kitchen trash bags. We now have an indoor composting bokaski unit. But Colin’s experiment was the truest test of his wife’s patience, love, understanding, and willingness to learn. Perhaps No Impact Man is not the conventional love story, but it is a story about love and all those other things.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">A strong critic—and there are certainly many out there—might slight Colin simply for living in New York City. However, the fact that he conducted the experiement in NYC </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">made it entirely possible</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">. Access to healthy food is a heavy variable for anyone to impact his or her waste. (This is not to say that the same experiment could not work in Cincinnati, but it may be entirely impossible in a suburban community.) Colin and his wife Michelle regularly visited farmer’s markets, and eventually connected well enough with one to spend their vacation </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">at the farm</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> (using the plentiful commuter rail in the region). The couple got rid of their flat screen television and other frivolties. About halfway through the experiment, they cut the lights. All the while, they had a large network of associates and friends, trains and buses, which is a by-product (but not necessarily guaranteed in all cases) of living densely. That network was a helpful support system to keep their marriage and project intact. That network enabled Colin and the family to balance negative environmental impact with positive impacts, and to reach net zero.</span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">An important piece to note is that Colin’s experiment was designed to work in stages. Stage one was to figure out how to create no garbage waste, including packaging and disposable products. The second stage was to create a smallest environmental impact with their food choices (which, for a short while, included using unsuccessful, primitive cooling techniques instead of living with a actual refrigerator). The third stages involved consumption of only necessary items, and learning how to do it sustainably. </span></o:p></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-36239696849451250422010-03-09T06:46:00.013-05:002010-03-09T07:20:06.481-05:00Planning for Sustainability: Six hours with Price Hill Will ... and beyond<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Last Saturday afternoon I spent six hours roaming the neighborhood streets of Price Hill. The Census officer never showed up at the Corryville Branch Library, so my contention for a temporary job would have to wait. Thus I got an earlier start to working for Price Hill Will (PHW), a non-profit development corporation in East Price Hill. Through my current co-op with Community Building Institute, I connected myself to various organizational partners through the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">place matters <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Comprehensive Community Initiative they manage. My volunteer opportunity spawned from several visits to PHW Eco-neighborhood Community Action Team (CAT) meetings. Emily Horning, a community organizer for PHW, regularly mediates and delegates at meetings. The neighborhood business district is due for streetscape improvements in the summer, so this presented a perfect opportunity for some first-person fieldwork.</span></span></b></div> <!--EndFragment--><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S5Y1bJwj62I/AAAAAAAAAF0/-rMJ8Nu8Rnc/s1600-h/cbitophw.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 74px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S5Y1bJwj62I/AAAAAAAAAF0/-rMJ8Nu8Rnc/s320/cbitophw.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446599539943533410" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S5Y5M8pKSII/AAAAAAAAAGs/v0BEAyF1k8A/s320/eph_metroroutes.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446603693951174786" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">PHW’s Beautification CAT identified several projects that would benefit from my initial mapping of the business corridors. These included:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1. Old, painted municipal waste containers along Warsaw are fading and falling into disrepair. I was to map them and show examples of those in poor shape. The mapping would be use to identify redundancy with other municipal waste facilities and where they are current lacking.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2. The Beauty CAT is working with Metro to consolidate bus stops with benches and shelters in Price Hill. Once again though, there may be a problem with advertisement benches in locations not zoned for them. Some are zoned; some are not (“parasitic as in nature,” as Emily put it). I was to map and photograph the benches in Price Hill, who owns them, and if they are authorized. Those that are not can be relocated or eliminated altogether. This may reduce eyesores in the community and augment Price Hill’s reputation as a “Cincinnati’s greenest community”.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3. Compile a photographic inventory of each block from Warsaw and Grand through Glenway and Crookshank.</span><span style="font-family:Times;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><p class="MsoNormal">So, what were some of my findings?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S5Y3ofExOQI/AAAAAAAAAGM/FifdAWV2950/s320/eph_busstopexample.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446601968026990850" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S5Y3_sVQgnI/AAAAAAAAAGU/myzK544SFDA/s320/eph_busstopexample2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446602366722802290" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul><li>There is an unusual oversupply of bus stops throughout East Price Hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I would venture to say that every other stop could be eliminated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every block?</li><li>Advertising benches are not as plentiful as I expected, which could be a good or a bad thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many bus stops simply do not have seating for waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, in higher traffic areas—as I mentioned Emily stated—they are “parasitic,” abundant and redundant.</li><li>Near one pocket park I found unnecessary duplication of waste facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Four were located on park property, while two were found immediately off park property on the sidewalks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were even recycling containers for plastic + glass and aluminum cans on park property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the park closes, are we no longer allowed to legally recycle?</li><li>As I mentioned in recent business association and community council meetings throughout the city, public recycling drop-offs seem to be located in very auto-oriented areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In Price Hill these resources are especially sparse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Behind Holy Family School are two ABITIBI Paper Retriever containers, a clothing drop, and one Rumpke Recycling ommingled container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In this case, however, the drop-off location is quite walkable by comparison.</li><li>No systematic scheme is apparent in the placement of municipal waste cans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some are midblock; others are at corner bus stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And, as stated earlier, style and condition of the facilities are inconsistent. </li><li>In one specific case, there is a defunct bus stop on Seton Avenue, afront the long-abandoned KFC location at Five Points (Warsaw, Glenway, Seton, and Quebec).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A bare signpost still remains without a Metro route sign badge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Its corresponding municpal waste can was empty on a Saturday, even though Emily and I both believe that trash is pick up on Mondays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many other trash facilities are located at Five Points.</li></ul><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S5Y4ZHg1H3I/AAAAAAAAAGc/i3rv-F_JY_g/s320/eph_nobusstop.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446602803515826034" /><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The sidewalk redo on Warsaw Avenue should be underway in Summer 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hope is that bus stop consolidation, augmented litter control, and bus stop safety measures will conincide with the project. I will provide you all with an update when the comprehensive inventory, survey, and index are complete.</div><p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify;margin-left: 0in; ">You are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">always </i>invited to any of Price Hill Will’s Community Action Team meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The next Beautification CAT meeting is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">this Thursday</b>, March 11th at 6:30pm at Price Hill Chili.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The next Eco-neighborhood CAT meeting will be held <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">tonight</b> at 5:30pm at PHW, as last week’s meeting was rescheduled. </p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span><br /></div></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-44851978746290281042010-02-12T19:59:00.004-05:002010-02-12T20:04:54.387-05:00Propounding on the new documentary Tapped and our world of plastic (bottles)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3X6f75-EaI/AAAAAAAAAFs/TdZd1UfXCAM/s1600-h/tapped-documentary.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3X6f75-EaI/AAAAAAAAAFs/TdZd1UfXCAM/s320/tapped-documentary.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437527551683465634" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Brought to us by the those who brought us Who Killed the Electric Car, <a href="http://www.tappedthemovie.com/">Tapped</a>—a documentary mostly about bottled water—recently screened as part of the UC|Sustainability Film Series for Winter 2010. The film exhbited where bottled water is sourced, which companies are behind the various brands of “natural spring water”, the containers in which it is sold, and the generally hidden impacts of bottled water on our environment and health. Although I was aware of the concerns of plastic packaging, as well as the unnecessary use and waste of water resources, Tapped was an engaging work that seemed to impact all in attendance. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Several topics in the film caused my innards to sink. It was the same disgust when I feel when the following ingredients are applied to the same recipe: individual ignorance by choice and corporate apathy. It is fairly simple for someone to point the finger solely at the insiders’ club—vile industry and the government at its mercy. But several times during the film, it was expressed that voting with our feet is ever so important. In this case, it is all about voting with our wallets. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">One topic that disturbed me was environmental degradation in the name of plastic, If I recall correctly, 30 million plastic bottles are disposed every day, but only half make it into the recycling stream. The other half makes its way into landfills, rivers and streams, and even wash up on distant islands in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The film exhbited one such beach that no longer had the pure white sand it solely featured for thousands of years. Instead, it was littered with millions of small pieces of plastic. Our consumer choices translate into loss of habitat for marine life. Our culture of convenience translates into a lower quality of life for fellow humans and entire ecosystems alike. This is precisely the big picture thinking that I fear lacks in collective society only days after seeing realm-rocking documentaries about real life quasi-chaos.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My primary concern leads me to borrow a couple terms from the business world, both of which I picked up an Organization Theory course. After seeing several environmentally focused documentaries like Food Inc, The Age of Stupid, No Impact Man, and others, I cannot help but think of a class discussion on the difference between “corporate responsibility” and “corporate responsiveness”. Companies like Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Nestle likely will not alter their practices of virtually stealing water from local water bodies, (which was shown to result in “overharvesting” even during droughts), unless they are trounced with government regulation. Their image of “pure” and “clean”, and their sleek bottle design is about as bad a Starbucks’ recent greenwashing. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Corporate responsibility usually comes into play when a company comes under fire for objectionable practices. It is a chicken-and-egg issue though. The film interviewed a former EPA official, who quit the agency after being told that he was not permitted to take action against a petrochemical company (those which make the petroleum-based resin used in plastic production), which was causing adverse health effects in residents of nearby Corpus Christi. However, if enough people complained to the agency, he would then be allowed to enforce penalties. But where do we obtain that critical mass, when much our bountiful news and informational sources tell us what they want us to know? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">However, I would actually like to concurrently mention both my concerns by replacing “corporate” with “environmental”—and not just our natural environments. Both industries and communities must find a way to coexist in good health somehow. Leveraging partnerships with big corporations seems to be a key ingredient of establishing sustainable relationships, no matter how large or small your neighbors really are. Perhaps it could be via institutions with government as a silent figure at the table—a mediator of sorts. The creation of a long-term plan to live in harmony with each other—that is necessary, I feel. But like the uprising against tobacco companies and their evil mind tricks, government must play a facilitiating role. Government has regulatory measures in place to prevent the free market from taking over our societal reins. It seems that we run into problems when an adminstration comes along that deregulates the corporate realm. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">We are ingrained in a culture that responds to chaos but does not do a very good job at using preventative measures, that is, until tragedy strikes. That is environmental responsibility, motivated by a range of factors tied to consequence. Environmental responsiveness—I believe—in achieved when two or more partners engage in a long-term commitment to address the always-looming issues in our lives. The different is that environmental responsiveness can be an antidote to the cynical response that laymen have against the limited scope and results of environmental and corporate responsibility. In the case of bottled water, government can help to take back our local waters. There is evidence that it is always working. </span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-21833626202311245522010-02-10T21:10:00.022-05:002010-02-11T00:19:06.242-05:00greeneyedspotlight: Cincinnati-based emersion DESIGN's LEED Platinum HQ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3ONOh80fGI/AAAAAAAAAFk/2E0EYZL-9YU/s1600-h/IMG_2086.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3ONOh80fGI/AAAAAAAAAFk/2E0EYZL-9YU/s320/IMG_2086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436844455937473634" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">When one visits Cincinnati-based emersion DESIGN's <a href="http://www.emersiondesign.com/">website</a>, they notice the plethora of services they currently offer. The architecture firm also offers engineering, interior design, and planning services, as well as building inspections and drafting. Oh, but you say you have seen such a firm before. What makes emersion DESIGN and its team of eighteen designers special may be the space in which they work. After all, does the space make the person make the space, or does the space make the person?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Located in Norwood and within walking distance from Xavier University, the Hamilton County Business Center has been home to the emersion DESIGN office since 2007, where <a href="http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/10/01/tidbits1.html">former KZF owners</a> and architects and the nine-member team began. In 2007, after just five months of operation, the firm realized the need for more space to accomodate its influx of projects. The sprint for a LEED platinum-rated renovation was a no-brainer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The result: <b>emersion DESIGN became the first architecture and engineering firm in the world to achieve LEED platinum status for its office</b>. The team carefully researched its options to achieve a maximum rating, while remaining focused on practicality and cost efficiency. No LEED Platinum certification is easy to obtain. The key is a cross-balance of credits and utilization of existing resources. Their answer was a salvage and module design purposed for disassembly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>Sustainable Sites: </b>Although site selection is a typical category in any LEED rating system, in emersion DESIGN's case, it seems they had the certification in mind all along. Their location in a historic building trumps new construction in terms of a sustainable vision; utilization of a former brownfield site is yet another. The workspace's centerpiece is the large work table near the north-facing windows, taking advantage of daylighting. Proximity to a walkable neighborhood and transit both provide a suitable capstone. All these features are built-in advantages to the firm's vision.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3OLtdTnrFI/AAAAAAAAAFU/roKo7yOTIn8/s200/IMG_2076.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436842788243614802" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Also worth noting is the firm's lease renegotiation to limit the number of parking space to the minimum required by code (11 spots for 18 employees). The firm would also pay a base rent with utilities as a usage cost. Thus, the emersion DESIGN paid for their energy consumption, rather than an artificially constant, incorporated rate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>Water Efficiency:</b> Other than relocation of a sink from the general work area to the front vestibule (which also houses indoor composting and recycling facilities), few credits were acquired through Water Efficiency. However, the retrofit included low flow integration.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>Energy + Atmosphere:</b> From the ceiling still hung the original fluorescent lighting, abundant and redundant as ever. Task lighting and reduction of overhead lighting accounted for a 35% reduction. 90% of their equipment was also EnergyStar eligible. Motion sensors for lighting also save on wasted energy in their meeting space. emersion DESIGN also earned the elusive Enhanced Commissioning credit to ensure that appliances and energy-hogging equipment worked properly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3OHWT3UvBI/AAAAAAAAAE0/UBYI054mByo/s200/IMG_2078.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436837992525511698" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3OHVwVnEjI/AAAAAAAAAEs/bDjA0S2xg1M/s200/IMG_2077.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436837982988866098" /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><b>Materials + Resources: </b>This one was where cost really came into the picture. The firm's focus for attaining Platinum certification was in renewable materials and recycled waste. The long work table is made from sheets of renewable bamboo plywood, which amounted to $800 for each of twelve sheets. That's more than the combined cost of some of the office's salvaged material furnishings! Icing on the cake (an understatement) was that all wood was FSC-certified.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>Indoor Environmental Quality: </b>The aforementioned daylighting pitched in for IEQ credit, as well as E+A and Materials. Using salvaged 2x2 ceiling tiles from a Cincinnati Public School, sunshades were installed between the north-facing windows, saving the eyes of hard-at-work designs from the rising and setting summer sun. Although they originally preferred to do without carpets or rugs, they also chose to install removable, non-VOC rugs to earn a Low-Emitting Materials credit. Use of non-VOC paints and improvements to the ventilation (cleanout out duct space, modified roof unit) earned emersion DESIGN a couple more stars for doing their homework!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3OC2LQhH2I/AAAAAAAAAEc/D91CORDjWgM/s200/IMG_2072.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436833042412937058" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3OC2mRnWXI/AAAAAAAAAEk/joAbWBg6zHc/s200/IMG_2071.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436833049665296754" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><b>Innovation + Design Process: </b>When you leap for Platinum certification, there are bound to be some Innovation credits. emersion DESIGN's pinnacle achievement was that 99% of project waste was recycled, reused, or repurposed, excusing two BAGS (18 pounds) of foam from around two TONS of waste!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">From their website: "Key contributors include: BC&E, HA Kahler, Urban E, HCBC, HGC, APG Office Furnishings, Applied Lighting, Masland, Smith & Fong and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.buildingvalue.com/">Building Value</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">."</span></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Whew! Well, if you are interested in replicating the results of emersion DESIGN's renovation pursuits, the firm also specializes in LEED certification. For more information on services that emersion DESIGN provides, visit <a href="http://www.emersiondesign.com/services.html">http://www.emersiondesign.com/services.html</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3OJ_0OS8sI/AAAAAAAAAFE/XQXcBH2jCiM/s200/IMG_2074.JPG" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436840904609690306" /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3OJ_cmWzAI/AAAAAAAAAE8/RT8osFtrNlg/s200/IMG_2075.JPG" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436840898268154882" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S3OMY1A1biI/AAAAAAAAAFc/XYqAQ6zhaqk/s200/IMG_2088.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436843533341650466" /></span></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-84897154008735581272010-01-31T15:02:00.004-05:002010-01-31T15:34:33.758-05:00Resource tab: Multi-Family Recycling Assistance Program<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The following is a flier produced by the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District. This is part of an effort to consolidate information about recycling, composting, reuse, and waste reduction in Cincinnati.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><hr style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Multi-Family Recycling Assistance Program</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.hcdoes.org/SWMD/">http://www.hcdoes.org/SWMD/</a></span></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District can help apartment owners and condominium associations provide their residents with recycling! Through the Multi-Family Recycling Assistance Program, the District will work with you and your waste hauler to coordinate the easiest and most efficient method of recycling for your property. The District will then pay for the first year of your recycling contract if you agree to pay for the following two years.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">With the Multi-Family Recycling Assistance Program, you will receive:</span></span></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Consultation meeting and a customized recycling plan</span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Coordination of recycling services with your waste haulter</span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">First year of recycling contract paid</span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Education about recycling for residents</span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Recycling could save you money! Property managers can often reduce their total solid waste management costs if residents recycle enough material to reduce their trash container size or collection frequency. This is because many haulers collect recycling at a lower cost than collection and disposal of an equal volume of trash.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Why recycle? Recycling saves energy, conserves natural resources, and creates new products.</span></span></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Recycling one aluminum can save six ounces of gasoline!</span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Recycling one aluminum can saves six ounces of gasoline!</span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Recycling five plastic bottles can make one sq. ft. of carpet!</span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For more information or to determine if your property is eligible, please contact Michelle Balz at 513-946-7789 or michelle.balz@hamilton-co.org.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-37513542043515052862010-01-19T00:52:00.010-05:002010-01-19T01:56:11.676-05:00Municipal recycling infrastructure: A Chicago Case Study for Cincinnati<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This past weekend, several friends and I took a trip to Chicago. megabus ran a promotion for free seats, back in December, and we decided to take a 24-hour trip to the Windy City. I had plans to visit old standbys like Reckless Records, but also visit sustainable spots I found online. Unfortunately, our time ran short for running to Green Grocer Chicago, 360SEE, and Crop to Cup Coffee Company. I did, however, satiate my desire to find green assets in Chicago by doing photographic research for my upcoming presentations in Cincinnati neighborhoods.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The following are some new and old examples of recycling infrastructure in Chicago. Of course, these examples cannot be found all over the city, but they exhibit clear evidence of the power of partnerships.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VOfcq-wkI/AAAAAAAAADs/NRp9jme-tLs/s1600-h/IMG_1283.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VOfcq-wkI/AAAAAAAAADs/NRp9jme-tLs/s200/IMG_1283.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428331228044378690" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VPF1UFEHI/AAAAAAAAAD0/QgxFVaBp-OQ/s1600-h/IMG_1450.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VPF1UFEHI/AAAAAAAAAD0/QgxFVaBp-OQ/s200/IMG_1450.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428331887494238322" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Corporate-sponsored newspaper bins:</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">First is a basic newspaper recycling drop, which can be found in nearly all CTA transit stations, indoor and outdoor. Tied to Chicago's former Blue Bag Recycling Program, the bins originate from an agreement in 1997, between the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Tribune. The newspaper provided the CTA funds to both purchase and install them in stations (<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-19712116.html"><b>link</b></a>), which obviously resulted in advertising in prominent locations. Over the next year, 300 containers were placed at 90 stations. (The photo on the left, as you can see, does not have the feature the Tribune logo. I could not find evidence that reflected this change to the design of the newspaper bins.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Currently, Cincinnati's Government Square does not currently have recycling bins installed at its bus bays. Perhaps Metro could benefit by leveraging partnerships with The Cincinnati Enquirer or Cincinnati CityBeat. In Cincinnati, we only have a single daily newspaper, which no longer has competition. (Business functions were actually handled by the Enquirer, since the Post entered a joint operating agreement in 1977.) Nonetheless, CityBeat and the Enquirer cater to opposing political views, and compete for ad revenue. As little ad space I have seen used above the seating on Metro buses, I believe that ad-supported or corporate sponsored recycling infrastructure is a great opportunity.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VQAOGABzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/M6xP-m57X44/s1600-h/IMG_1260.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VQAOGABzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/M6xP-m57X44/s200/IMG_1260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428332890578487090" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VP_iuHpBI/AAAAAAAAAD8/wggkDnNfqKo/s1600-h/IMG_1259.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VP_iuHpBI/AAAAAAAAAD8/wggkDnNfqKo/s200/IMG_1259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428332878935598098" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ad-supported sidewalk recycling bins:</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The bins pictured at the right were found in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. After a visit to <a href="http://www.eco-andersonville.org/"><b>eco-andersonville.org</b></a>, I found that the Andersonville Development Corporation formed a committee to develop the Eco-Andersonville initiative. The idea was to create a certification program designed scaled for small businesses. Their sustainability efforts now cover the following areas: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sustainable Business Certification Program</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Business district recycling</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Energy audits</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Green and sustainable events</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Community and commercial composting research</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The initial funding for the purchase and installation of the bins was made possible by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Recycling collection is made possible by the sponsorship of its 15 bins. They illustrate the importance of leveraging public resources and private partnerships to create attractive public spaces. Additionally, the installation exhibits a wonderful visible sense of neighborhood pride. (Although the bins shown above accept only paper, Eco-Andersonville's bins line the business district to accept paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It should also be noted that eco-Andersonville's partnership with the Chicago Resource Center has made it possible to boast a 99% recycling rate in the neighborhood.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Instead of waiting for the city to fund and fulfill our sustainable visions, neighborhood community councils and development corporations can leverage resources and partnerships to create more sustainable urban corridors.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VRUYQ9wiI/AAAAAAAAAEM/6EHFTn34L08/s1600-h/IMG_1296.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/S1VRUYQ9wiI/AAAAAAAAAEM/6EHFTn34L08/s200/IMG_1296.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428334336417841698" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Book exchange bins:</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And finally, just the for heck of it, how about book exchange bins? The installation of these bins, as was found outside Quimby's Books in Chicago's Wicker Park, can be as easy as salvaging non-functioning newspaper boxes. Where *did* all those Cincinnati Post boxes end up anyway, after the paper folded in 2007?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As we have seen over the past couple years, reuse and mobile markets have proven to be popular in several Cincinnati neighborhoods. <a href="http://www.parkandvine.com/?p=1210"><b>Northside Up for Grabs</b></a>, an annual "free market" enables anyone to bring unwanted items in exchange for others. The new <a href="http://www.sharesomesugar.com/"><b>Share Some Sugar</b></a> -- a Cincinnati-based, online borrowing service -- also provides opportunities in the realm of waste reduction. Book exchanges can be a very inexpensive addition to a bustling neighborhood center.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-58453844484202473662010-01-06T23:11:00.004-05:002010-01-06T23:34:10.317-05:00Sustainability on Crack: The Trash Diaries<div>Ahem, make that "trash diar<b>y</b>".</div><div>
<br /></div>So, as some of you know, I am pursuing a degree in urban planning as well as a minor in sustainability. Even though I am on co-op (a paid internship) this quarter, I am taking a introductory sustainability course in DAAP, which is not necessarily going to count toward any of my goals. The director of the Sustainable Urban Environments program is usually missing in action, over in Africa or some other exotic location. Thus, I'm not certain whether this course will actually work in substitution for the Intro to SUE. *However*...<div>
<br /></div><div>In the course requirements, there are five projects from which we must choose two to complete. While it's a risk in itself that I am taking this class, it's another that I will overcompensate by completing all five projects. I mean, how could someone *not* give me credit for the course, after I go apeshit on five projects in ten weeks? </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I will own this class.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So, included in the list of projects is to keep a trash diary:</div><div></div><blockquote><div>For 2 straight weeks, throw nothing away, and keep a diary of the trash you have generated. At the end of the 2 weeks, submit your Trash Diary indicating itemized list of trash generated with total weights of paper, plastic, glass, metal and food that you created. Follow the rules and guidelines as identified by the blog 365 Days of Trash – available here:</div><div><a href="http://365daysoftrash.blogspot.com/2008/03/frequently-asked-questions.html">http://365daysoftrash.blogspot.com/2008/03/frequently-asked-questions.html</a></div></blockquote><div><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote></div><div>That means that from January 6th to 19th, I will be logging my trash, my recyclables, and my food scraps composted. Each piece of waste will be photographed and filed by date. The results will be tallied by weight, and will end up in an in-class, Pecha Kucha presentation. It goes without saying that this is going to be an exercise and a challenge to create the least amount of waste I can. I. Am. Stoked.</div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>
<br /></div><div>So, for today, I have only created one piece of waste: a box from the spaghetti I made tonight. Throughout the day, I carried an organic cotton washcloth for runny noses. I ate at Aquarius Star & Om Cafe, which features local and organic fare with a cloth napkin. My purchase did not require a receipt. Later in the day, I had a doughnut from the Expressmart in TUC, on UC's campus, for which I paid cash and declined to use the wax paper. So far, so good. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, which should be hell for most commuters. That means I get to work from home, eat my bulk food items, and get into a better program by drinking more water.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I will be covering more of my trash diary endeavor, as well as my other sustainability class projects, regularly. Fortunately, that will also give me more motivation to post about my neighborhood initiative....tomorrow.</div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-51765636553993998682010-01-02T08:09:00.006-05:002010-01-02T08:46:09.053-05:00Bring your own containerSkyline and Sigg. The paths of these two staples in my life have finally converged. None of us are saints--certainly not green saints. As a long-standing Cincinnatian, and a resident who lives across the street from a Skyline Chili location, the question is not *if* it's Skyline Time but rather "dine-in or carryout". <div>
<br /></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>Earlier last year, I decided to significantly reduce my carryout trips. However, it is Skyline's carryout packaging makes me cringe. (I rarely visit fast food establishments, and most locals would agree that Skyline doesn't exactly qualify as a try fast food eatery. It's a <i>chili parlor</i>.) Coneys (which is what I'd ordinarily order to-go) come in polystyrene foam containers. Ways come in #5 plastic re-fastening containers. The corresponding grated cheese and oyster crackers come in plastic baggies, sealed with sticky fasteners. Put that all in a brown take out bag or two.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/Sz9H60KjYPI/AAAAAAAAABc/YHZrQvHZyLQ/s320/IMG_0842.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422131552138256626" /></div><div>No thank you. That is why I went for round two of my Sigg lunch container experime</div><div>nt. The first time around, I asked the cashier if I could have my order of coneys placed into my Sigg container instead. He said they could not do it because the health department would have a fit. Well, I certainly don't like being told no. This time, I was encountered with a "what...are you doing?" by my regular server. I told them that I didn't want to consume any more Styrofoam containers. I live right across the street, so I regularly refuse drink straws, napkins, and bags. In the end...they actually admired my stance! So, as long as I don't expect them to do accommodate me during the bar rush or after a UC game, I'm golden.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>As for the health department excuse that I got, the first time around? The staffer assembling the meal still must change his plastic gloves, after handing an outside container. The food must also be placed in the outside container away from the serving island. Even so, it comes down to two plastic gloves in the trash or a polystyrene container, at the very least.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I would also recommend bringing your Sigg drink bottle to your favorite establishment. If you're like me, and still helplessly fixed on a certain carbonated beverage, restaurants are actually more willing to fill your drink container. Of course it's better to eat at home, eat local, avoid meats, and avoid sodas. But we also have our weaknesses for traveling consumer food products. Every one of those times deserves an offset.</div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-18550519567696060002009-12-28T20:06:00.003-05:002009-12-28T20:38:05.882-05:00Dawn of a new era2010 will mark a new era for me, which technically began just a few months ago. Since September, I realized that I became so restless with my desire for a more sustainable community. Although the City adopted its Green Cincinnati Plan and Climate Protection Plan in 2009, I still do not feel that we have a strong, comprehensive, city-wide effort. Our neighborhoods can be greener. Our transportation priorities can be much greener. Our concept of localism can be much greener. <br /><br />In November 2009, I decided to start the conversation of creating community green opportunities for our neighborhood, particularly in Clifton. At Clifton Town Meeting, I presented a slideshow on various possibilities of how our neighborhood can partner with other entities to achieve greater recycling volumes, community composting, better connection between residents and community gardens, and overall waste reduction. My bit was so well-received, in fact, that the trustees of Clifton Town Meeting requested that I setup a green subcommittee under their umbrella. Over the past two months, I have been working to assemble a working team that will address these issues in our community.<br /><br />Little did I know the attention that my presentation would receive. Soon after, after many carbon copy e-mails, I was requested to do a similar presentation for the CUF Neighborhood Association meeting. The reception of that engagement overwhelmed me. I could not even get through my slides, as hands flew into the air. One man said he could not even remember the last time then had a presentation effect everyone in attendance to such magnitude. The e-mails also reached representatives of other community councils in Uptown, who have a vision of a larger, regional green strategy.<br /><br />Now I and many others envision a collection of green assets for our region. It will be used to help recognize our existing strong points and areas of greater desire, such that money may be leveraged for more sustainable neighborhoods. It matters where a neighborhood gets its food, where it is sourced, and who benefits or suffers from the current system. It matters where our waste goes, how much energy is required to get it there, and what alternatives we can find to redraw our waste stream. Food, post-consumer waste, personal energy exerted, and our physical limitations--measuring and gauging how these types of energy are wasted, reused or diverted is vital to the enhancement of our natural environments and communities. <br /><br />The above is primarily a proclamation, but it is also the beginning for a new focus of this blog. Up until now, I felt that my aforementioned efforts were not mature enough to spout about it here. I anticipate that I will have a lot to say my own personal goals to live more sustainably as well. Plastic will play less of a role in my life. The local grocery and farmer's market will have greater priority in my daily grind. The new, local, food delivery co-op also has caused me to reassess how I get my food. The way that information is dispensed to others can also exhibit a more sustainable path. The oft-encountered crossroad of "less sustainable and more sustainable road" can depend on which results in a greater net benefit. The mind swirls with these thoughts, but I feel that I am close to attaining that green confidence I have been wanting. Even so, always more can be done.<br /><br />Until next time...soonsoon.Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-86735662355860342852009-07-17T11:35:00.005-04:002009-07-17T11:58:38.966-04:00Project anxiety and neighborhood pickup therapy.So, I have an independent study during this summer quarter, for which I chose to examine the economic opportunities of an urban agriculture property run by the university. Thus far, however, I have made little progress. My mind has been muddled with so many thoughts: my current classwork demands, my girlfriend's impending move to Cincinnati, and the fear-based anxiety of doing something I have never done before--not even close. <br /><br />At this moment, my grumbling stomach is in alliance with the work that is being done at the farm. Both long for a greater availablility of healthy, organic food in area. I ate so well yesterday, until I was tempted by my girlfriend's run to Skyline Chili. I should have gone out to the farm earlier this morning, but waking up early has become more difficult over the past few weeks. Meanwhile, I sit here at my desk, watching the fickle storm clouds volley between sunshine and torrential downpour. Of course I do not want to be caught in middle of the west side in a downpour on my bike. <br /><br />The weather is interfering with an alternative to my trip out to the farm site: something I have not done in a while is a neighborhood pickup. I remember riding my bike between my former residence and a chain-linked, vacant site at Calhoun and Vine, picking up several bags worth of glass and plastic bottles. Bus riders waiting for the 46 or 78 buses--or late night bar hoppers on the way to or from their cars--would throw their garbage over the fenced property. Setting aside a couple hours in Over-the-Rhine or in what I call The Northern Liberties would be very theraputic. Since I have never done a pickup down there before, I wonder if the neighbors will perceive me as being helpful or looking down on them for letting their neighborhood become so littered.<br /><br />Emilie is leaving for Rochester tomorrow, but she will be back on the 29th. As much as I hate to say it, I tend to get more work done when she is not around. Even though she has been in Cincinnati for the past month, I attribute my corresponding work ethic to the newness of our experience. Nonetheless, I intend to capitalize on the time between her departure tomorrow and her return at the end of the month.<br /><br />I will have more to say after my trudge through...and maybe even a bike ride anyway!Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-9168735352156270842009-07-14T10:40:00.007-04:002009-07-15T17:05:22.987-04:00Live Green Cincinnati is throwing in the towel<p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Local Cincinnati green advocates-and-more <a href="http://www.livegreencincinnati.com/">Live Green Cincinnati</a> are deciding to exit stage right from the virtual world, deciding to move on to other aspirations. It is not clear what those aspirations will be, but LGC was certainly one of our greatest virtual neighbors. Though postings dropped off significantly over the past six months, Live Green Cincinnati acted as a messenger for everyone from local waste and recycling public entities to grassroots efforts. The site also offered a great collection of green resources and events throughout the region. They will be missed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/SlyasOLQxwI/AAAAAAAAAAw/7ru8u6pKXsQ/s1600-h/468x60wht.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 51px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vLBkrA5BbR8/SlyasOLQxwI/AAAAAAAAAAw/7ru8u6pKXsQ/s400/468x60wht.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358327741174302466" border="0" /></a><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Live Green Cincinnati will close its doors on July 31st.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span> <quote><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">A little over two years ago, LiveGreenCincinnati.com was started to fill a real need in the area: to connect everyday Cincinnatians with the things, news, events, ideas, and other people needed to live an environmentally conscious lifestyle.</span><div class="entry"> <p style="font-style: italic;">Within that time, local green awareness has grown leaps and bounds. The City has a Green Plan, the local news outlets are keyed in to what people need to know, organizations and groups are evolving to protect and improve our lives, and area businesses are participating and offering ingenious products and services.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">The tag line we’ve used, “It can happen here” is no longer applicable. We should now be saying “It is happening here”.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Thanks for the opportunity to learn and grow with you. We will be moving on to other pursuits and will say our goodbyes today. LiveGreenCincinnati.com is leaving the web on July 31st. We part with you here, and look forward to a ‘greater, greener Cincinnati’ in the future.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">As a last order of business, I’ll take the opportunity to pass on the torch to anyone who wants to help Cincinnati move into a greener future. As this site is taken offline, we have a number of green Cincinnati URLs for sale. If interested in purchasing any of these web addresses, please contact us at info@livegreencincinnati.com before July 31st.</p> <p><span style="font-style: italic;">Many thanks for the chance to share your interests and passions.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~ The Live Green Cincinnati Team - Brianne & Suzanne</span></p></div></blockquote></quote>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583119316186876110.post-52395202357502050172009-07-13T19:47:00.002-04:002009-07-13T20:45:26.811-04:00The Struggle.<span style="font-family: verdana;">My emotions and energy levels have been wishy-washy lately, as they relate to personal responsibility and environmental sustainability. Several days in advance, I cajoled several friends into going to the Esquire Theatre for an opening night screening of Food Inc. I knew what to expect from the film. but I could not have predicted my emotional response to several parts of the feature. Several times my eyes welled with tears. I immediately knew why.<br /><br />Back to that point in a bit. First--I have high standards for others (and even higher standards for myself), which makes it difficult for some people to stomach my advice or criticism. My judgment is not based upon hatred or disdain but simply wanting people to challenge their limits, ideals, and ability to do more as global citizens. When I first became an environmental activist, I would have never admitted to it. I began to see the value of recycling and personal responsibility, as I became more uncomfortable witnessing a lack of both through off-campus living arrangements. <br /><br />Upstairs neighbors in a house on Bishop Street had parties regularly. They would throw the countless bottles from their drinking games into the recycling bin, from the front porch, over the railing. Caps, labels, and whatever else would remain littered to the side of the house, between the porch and the driveway until I (or the landlord's parents) decided to pick them up. Even though I was brought up on having a recycling bin, at all but the last house in which I lived with my mother, I did not think so much about the volume of resource consumption or waste until my first independent domicile. Then, it was more an issue of personal responsibility and pride for one's abode. <br /><br />While the aforementioned still holds true, since last summer, I have grown very sensitive about the conservation of post-consumer material resources. Since I moved into this apartment last September, I have diverged an unspeakable volume of recyclable materials from the garbage can. At the same time, more than ever, I notice the great deficiencies in our urban landscape of the simplest form of green street infrastructure: recycling containers.<br /><br />Now, the reason for my emotional reaction to Food Inc. Despite all my activism--avoiding certain types of packaging, recycling, individual silent neighborhood and campus academic hall divergence campaigns, my current (yet fruitless, so far) research on urban agriculture at the UC Urban Farm--I feel like a hypocrite and I feel weak. I'm currently drinking a Mountain Dew Voltage, first allured by the beautiful color of the beverage, and next by the delicious taste. Before that was a Red Bull Simply Cola. When I think about my perceived hypocrisy, celebrity and political backlashes come to mind. Those people are vulnerable to the most petty insults, coming from those who are hardly perfect themselves. Now, me? It is what I battle inside my own head everyday--the self-criticism. (Not that I talk to myself but:) "Christian, seriously? A single-serving beverage? Wouldn't filling your Sigg bottle be more economical and sustainable?" Ohh, but sometimes that caffienated, sugary (sugar-like) sweet drink just grabs you by the neck and pulls you in. "Christian, did you really need to buy that 20 oz soda...that fountain Pepsi during break from class?" "Christian, why did you need that magazine? Oh, because it has a feature on urban farming?" Gotcha, self...that time.<br /><br />One of the reasons why I refocused this blog was that I could be more transparent, struggling "greenie". Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from plastic, I'd like to say. Our habits are so ingrained yet despite my occassional break from my own ideals, I get frustrated with my roommates, when I cannot even count on them to check the plastic they are either throwing away, or placing into the recycling container for the right number. Twenty-four hours per day, I am conflicted about doing the right things--doing the things in which I believe. Consumerism is stilll alive and well though, and it is very hard to transform myself overnight into someone who packs his lunch everyday, phases out disposable towels, refuses every straw at a restaurant. <br /><br />I nearly cried that night in the theatre for two reasons: I am a hypocrite and I have given in to the inherent customs of modern consumption and service. My tears also symbolized the endless struggle I have continued to assume, encouraging people I appreciate to buy into what I see as selfless desires. As those who know well my history of anxiety and academic struggles, I am a glutton for punishment. I do not desire to reach perfection, but I never see my efforts as being enough. I...we can always do more, but we rarely do. Despite the complaints about life's tribulations, most of us live a life of leisure by our own rules. We are inexplicably linked to the lives of others though, and we have a responsibility. It leads me to end with to self-manufactured adage to posted above the sink, about two months ago.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Please wash your own dishes. <b>YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AFFECTS US ALL.</b>"<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My mind and nerves are in a constant state of motion and activity.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div>Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04814770705368735207noreply@blogger.com1