Hello world! « Serengreenity

Posted by: serengreenity | December 3, 2008

Hello world!

We are sustainability consultants with a passion for Green Aesthetics. As LEED AP’s and philosophers we are dedicated to greenifying our world from the inside out to initiate a global coherence network. Our conversations range from biomimicry to neighborhood renewable energy.

Deconstructing, reinventing and sifting through what is helpful from what is not.

Posted in Building It Green | Tags: biomimicry, consciousness, green, renewable energy, sustainable

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Our Daily Green

Corporate America prepares for emissions rules.
Corporate America has long been bracing for the day it would be required to sharply cut emissions that cause global warming. That day moved closer Wednesday, when President Obama outlined a national target for such reductions.
China announces plan to boost energy efficiency.
China announced plans Thursday to cut its carbon emissions by up to 45 percent as measured against its economic output--a target aimed at keeping its surging growth while still reining in pollution.
Climate change: Rising sea levels hit Maputo, Rotterdam.
When people talk about the impact of rising sea levels, they often think of small island states that risk being submerged if global warming continues unchecked. But it's not only those on low-lying islands who are in danger.
Climate change to cost trillions, say economists.
Estimates vary widely on the costs of damage from climate change, easing these impacts and taming the carbon gas stoking the problem, but economists agree the bill is likely to be in the trillions of dollars.
Global warming challenging northern infrastructure: Report.
A new report says governments, businesses and residents are woefully unprepared to deal with the destruction of roads, buildings, toxic waste dumps and communications systems that are founded on the assumption that it's cold up there and will remain that way in the years ahead.
Obama to go to Copenhagen with emissions target.
At the international climate meetings in Copenhagen next month, Mr. Obama will tell the delegates that the United States intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions “in the range of” 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, officials said.
CO2 cuts will require nation's transformation.
Pretty much everything you encounter on a daily basis will have to be drastically changed to be environmentally friendly within a decade if Japan wants to achieve its goal of a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990 levels, a national report cautions.
EU, U.S. prepare for climate summit.
As the prospect of a global climate deal this year recedes, European governments worry that their critical industries will be left dangerously uncompetitive.
Can President Obama save Copenhagen talks?
President Barack Obama's decision to drop in on the international climate conference in Copenhagen next month lends some star power to an event that's lost much of its luster -- but at considerable risk for Obama himself.
Beijing slams Europe emissions effort.
China's top climate envoy lashed out at Europe for failing to meet its previous greenhouse-gas commitments, and said reaching an agreement at the global warming summit in Copenhagen next month is essential.
Only a first move by the U.S. can inject momentum into climate-change talks.
So far, Mr. Obama doesn't have anywhere near the Senate votes he needs to implement any agreement that may evolve – sooner or later – from the United Nations climate-change summit in Copenhagen next month.
Indiana coal-gasification plant reaches $2.5B.
Duke Energy Corp. says the cost of the coal-gasification power plant it's building in southwestern Indiana has risen another $150 million, boosting the project's estimated price to $2.5 billion - nearly twice the original estimate. And it won't be the project's last cost hike.
Confronting the role of non-CO2 pollutants in global warming.
Aggressively reducing emissions of non-CO2 climate drivers could forestall abrupt climate change for up to 40 years, according to a recent study. Without such efforts, we will fail to put the brakes on planetary warming.
Climate change to hit water-scarce Arab world hard.
Climate change is likely to hit the water-starved Arab world harder than many other parts of the globe and threatens to slash agricultural output in the area, U.N. and Arab League officials said.
Munich Re says climate one of mankind’s ‘biggest challenges’.
Munich Re, the world’s biggest reinsurer, said climate change is “one of the biggest challenges facing mankind” and must be fought with ambitious targets to curb a costly rise in natural catastrophes.
Uranium crunch?
Fresh questions surface about estimates of economically viable uranium deposits.
Eat less meat, save the planet.
People should eat less meat to reduce climate change and save thousands of lives a year, a Government-funded report has said.
Ecotourism seen as best bet against climate change.
The tourism sector is seeking sustainable ways of doing business in the face of growing concerns over environmental degradation. Climate change is one of the major challenges the sector is facing and has to contend with in order to survive.
Andy Burnham: 'Climate change poses serious threat to health'.
The impacts of climate change on health are a "very real and present danger", the health secretary, Andy Burnham, warned today at the launch of a new report on how rising temperatures will affect the public.
Europe's wild boar population exploding.
Europe is waging war on the boar, whose numbers have been surging as a result of global warming and the large-scale cultivation of maize and rapeseed for biofuel.

New York Times Green Blog

Water Funds Proliferate in Latin America
From Colombia to Brazil, new funds are combining private contributions and state money to help protect the watersheds around cities.
By ROBERT P. WALZER
Heinz Tallies Cuts in Emissions
With innovations such as burning leftover potato peels for natural gas and switching to alternative fuels, the food giant says it has made substantial cuts in emissions and waste, as well as energy and water use.
By JEFFREY MARLOW
Europe Reacts to Obama's Copenhagen Trip
President Obama's decision to appear at a United Nations climate conference in December is under scrutiny in Europe.
By JAMES KANTER
Coal Plant Stirs Passions in Cambodia
A proposed 100-megawatt coal plant has environmentalists, business interests and government officials facing off.
By SIMON MARKS
Obama to Visit Denmark With CO2 Targets
President Barack Obama plans to deliver a speech at next months climate meeting in Copenhagen. The White House also revealed rough emissions targets for the United States on Wednesday.
By JOHN M. BRODER and JEFF ZELENY
Report Offers Plan for Reducing China's Carbon Intensity
A new report suggests that China could reduce its carbon intensity by as much as 23 percent.
By REENITA MALHOTRA HORA
Canada and India Resume Nuclear Energy Trade
Thirty-five years after Canada slapped sanctions on India for using a reactor to help detonate a nuclear warhead, the two countries agreed to resume fuel-grade uranium sales.
By JOHN LORINC
Rethinking Clean Energy Innovation
With energy demand growing quickly, development of clean energy technologies cannot afford to be undertaken in silos, a new report says.
By JIM WITKIN
Agribusiness Chief Slams Organics
When Michael Mack, the chief executive of Syngenta, a Swiss agribusiness giant that makes pesticides and seeds, hears people say that organic food is better for the planet, he has one response: "Au contraire."
By KATE GALBRAITH
Inhofe Seeks Probe of Climate Science
Senator James Inhofe, Republican of Oklahoma, sent letters to many of the scientists whose e-mail messages were made public, asking them to preserve all correspondence.
By JOHN M. BRODER
On Our Radar ...
Wind power in Kenya, hacked e-mail messages, and other energy and environmental news from around the Web.
By R.M. SCHNEIDERMAN
Web Site Honors Sustainable Cooking
The Mother Nature Network identifies 40 young chefs practicing local food sourcing and other sustainable practices.
By COLIN MINER
Green Business and Indigenous Rights
Climate change mitigation must not come at the expense of indigenous peoples' rights, a new report asserts.
By PETE BROWNE
Home Green Home: Reality Check
I was eager to explore my options for bringing green power to my home in Long Island. Turns out, I didn't have many.
By ROBERT P. WALZER
Osmotic Power Debuts in Norway
The world's first osmotic power project opened today, harnessing the saltiness of the sea, along with freshwater, to produce a tiny amount of electricity.
By KATE GALBRAITH

The Guardian – Environmental News

China sets first carbon emissions targets November 26, 2009
Jonathan Watts
The ultimate Christmas gift? Buy nothing November 26, 2009
Array
Gore v Monckton in climate rap battle November 26, 2009
Leo Hickman
What do the US and China's targets mean? November 26, 2009
Bryony Worthington
Cycle hire revolution hits Cardiff November 26, 2009
James Randerson
Lino Lacedelli obituary November 26, 2009
Ed Douglas
Cumbria floods: Soldiers to start building bridge over Derwent in Workington November 26, 2009
Martin Wainwright
Australian camel cull plan angers animal welfare groups November 26, 2009
Adam Gabbatt
Barepot: the town the flood reporters forgot November 26, 2009
Mark Smith
Thirsty camels face bullet after terrorising Australian town November 26, 2009
Array
Copenhagen conference: Chinese PM Wen Jiabao to attend climate talks November 26, 2009
Jonathan Watts
Denmark approves new police powers ahead of Copenhagen November 26, 2009
Felicity Carus
The eco-friendly arms maker | Open thread November 26, 2009
Array
Obama's Copenhagen stopover | Kate Sheppard November 26, 2009
Kate Sheppard
Wild camels face mass cull in northern Australia November 26, 2009
26 November 2009: Northern Territory officials plan a mass cull of about 6,000 wild camels which have converged on the town of Docker River in search of water
Array
Win one of 10 copies of the Rough Guide to Green Living November 26, 2009
Answer the question correctly and you could win one of 10 copies of the new edition of the Rough Guide to Green LivingEnvironment editor
Environment editor
Top 10 green living myths | Duncan Clark November 26, 2009
Duncan Clark
A greener greenhouse November 26, 2009
Lia Leendertz
Battle against climate change begins at home | Grant Shapps November 26, 2009
Array
GoodGuide's iPhone app scans barcodes for green products November 26, 2009
Array

Sustainable Industries

Bainbridge Island creates green building incentives
Bainbridge Island offers incentives to Living Building Challenge developments.
Unrealized potential
The build-out of the smart grid holds opportunities for energy savings and a boon to the green building industry, but only if it connects to ‘smart’ buildings.
Green affordable housing made to order
Green Light cooperative turns development model upside down.
Leftbank cultivates community
Near downtown Portland, Leftbank Project is looking to build a viable community.
Seattle fund fuels efficiency
An investment fund focused on energy efficiency launches.
Built to heal
Human health impacts could soon play a bigger role when sizing up building projects.
Urban Flight
Green building experts bring EcoDistricts to the West Coast.
Living Building Challenge spreads its petals
Version 2.0 of the Living Building Challenge is launching.
Designer pinpoints trends in green building
Seattle designer Lucia Athens pinpoints emerging trends in green building.
Earth Advantage supplies EPS to Seattle
Seattle plans to test software that creates home-efficiency scores.

Architectural Records

Remembering Robert Lautman, 85, Architectural Photographer November 24, 2009
Architectural photographer Robert C. Lautman, Hon. AIA, died of pancreatic cancer in Washington, D.C., on October 20, 2009.
Robert A.M. Stern Unveils Design for Bush Library November 23, 2009
After years of rumors, speculation, and rhetorical jousting, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is finally public.
Greenbuild Recap: Job Growth, Sustainable Products, and Building Performance Among Key Topics November 20, 2009
After growing almost exponentially in recent years, attendance at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, held November 11 to 13 in Phoenix, hovered around 28,000, roughly equivalent to the size of the 2008 conference in Boston.
Real Estate Report Draws Mixed Reactions from Architects November 20, 2009
A recent report by the Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers projects that most development sectors will not recover until 2012 or even 2013.
NYC Supports Green Jobs November 18, 2009
As an expansion of PlaNYC, the sustainability plan of New York City, Mayor Bloomberg has announced a 30-point proposal to bolster the region’s green economy.
KPF Unveils Design for Korean Super Tower November 13, 2009
Despite reports of stalled skyscraper projects across the globe, at least one super tall tower is moving forward: On October 21, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates unveiled its slender, cone-shaped design for what will become one of Asia’s tallest building.
Surprising Move: Terence Riley Resigns as Chief of Miami Art Museum November 13, 2009
In a surprise move Terence Riley, AIA, resigned as director of the Miami Art Museum (MAM) on October 26, just days after unveiling the final design for the museum’s new home, designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
Newsmaker Interview: Donald Albrecht November 13, 2009
Donald Albrecht is the curator of architecture and design at the Museum of the City of New York. In recent years, he also has served as curator of the traveling exhibition Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future, the first-ever retrospective of the influential Finnish-American architect.
Dia Plans a NYC Homecoming, Looking for Architect November 13, 2009
Dia Art Foundation is having a homecoming. On November 6 the nonprofit organization announced it will construct an exhibition space at 545 West 22nd Street, just steps from a facility it shuttered five years ago.
Richard Rogers Wins Stirling Prize for Maggie’s Centre November 13, 2009
It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.
Stimulus Funds Rev Up Lab Project in La Jolla November 9, 2009
Former Employee Opens Fire at Florida A/E Firm November 6, 2009
Teaching By Example: Architecture Programs Get Boost from New Facilities November 6, 2009
CCNY Architecture School Celebrates Historic Moment November 6, 2009
At Last, A Green Light for Foster’s 980 Madison Avenue Scheme November 6, 2009
At Least 50 Tall Buildings Now on Hold November 4, 2009
Philips Spotlights New Applications for OLEDs November 3, 2009
Adrian Smith Develops “Decarbonization” Plan for Cities October 28, 2009
Expansion Plans Put Yale Alums at Odds October 26, 2009
An Unexpected Building Boom in L.A. October 23, 2009

Yale Environment

Agribusiness Executive Attacks Organic Food Movement
Michael Mack, the chief executive of the Swiss agrobusiness conglomerate, Syngenta, says organic farming does far more harm to the planet than conventional farming because organic methods often require 30 percent more land. Given the need to feed rapidly rising populations this century, increasing productivity on existing agricultural land is crucial, which […]
Major Health Benefits Seen From Reduction of Greenhouse Gases
Slashing carbon dioxide emissions has the added benefit of significantly reducing air pollution and could prevent millions of premature deaths each year, according to a series of studies in the British medical journal, The Lancet. The six studies demonstrate that cutting greenhouse gas emissions will significantly reduce air pollutants such as fine particula […]
Decline of Siberian Tigers
A recent survey of Siberian tigers shows that populations of the majestic cat — numbering roughly 500 in the wild in 2005 — may have declined by as much as 40 percent because of increased poaching and habitat loss. The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), working with the Russian government and conservation organizations, said that a survey of […]
Obama Administration to Offer Emissions Reduction Targets at Talks
Obama administration officials say they will offer provisional CO2 emissions reductions goals at the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference, although the targets are likely to be far more modest than those proposed by the European Union and other industrialized nations. U.S. officials, not wanting to show up at Copenhagen empty-handed, said the administratio […]
The Copenhagen Diagnosis: Sobering Update on the Science
On the eve of the Copenhagen conference, a group of scientists has issued an update on the 2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Their conclusions? Ice at both poles is melting faster than predicted, the claims of recent global cooling are wrong, and world leaders must act fast if steep temperature rises are to be avoided. BY ELIZABET […]
Researchers Develop Machine To Recycle Carbon Dioxide Into Fuel
U.S. researchers have demonstrated a technology that uses the sun’s heat to convert carbon dioxide and water into the building blocks of traditional fuels, a reverse combustion process that may emerge as a practical alternative to sequestration of CO2 emissions from power plants. The prototype “Sunshine to Petrol” system, developed by Sandia National Laborat […]
Hacked Climate Change E-mailsReveal Extent of Hostility Toward Skeptics
Scornful of the positions taken by so-called global warming skeptics, climate scientists discussed taking steps to prevent the skeptics’ work from being published in international reports and scientific journals, according to e-mails stolen from Britain’s Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia. The Washington Post reports that the center’s di […]
East Antarctic Ice Sheet Appears to Be Melting Faster, Study Says
East Antarctica’s massive ice sheets, which scientists believed to be relatively unaffected by global warming, have been melting at an accelerating rate since 2002, according to a new study. Using a NASA satellite that can measure gravity and mass from space, researchers from the University of Texas estimated that East Antarctica lost an average of 57 billio […]
As Copenhagen Talks Near, What Are Prospects for Success?
For months, hopes that a climate treaty would be signed at the upcoming Copenhagen conference have been raised, then dashed, then raised again. Now, with prospects waning that a binding accord on reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be reached this year, ten environmental leaders and climate experts outline for Yale Environment 360 what they believe can sti […]
Using Enzymes from Termites To Make Biofuel from Plants and Wood Waste
A U.S. company has come up with a new way of producing biofuels from cellulosic feedstocks, such as agricultural waste: Using enzymes from the guts of termites to more efficiently produce ethanol. The startup company, ZeaChem, says using the enzymes from the wood-eating insects has achieved ethanol yields in the laboratory 35 percent higher than other produc […]
Emergency Rainforest Fund Created by Prince Charles and 35 Nations
Britain’s Prince Charles has struck an agreement with 35 nations to contribute $22 billion to $36 billion to reduce the destruction of tropical forests by 25 percent by 2015. The Prince of Wales said the U.S. has agreed to contribute $275 million to the rainforest protection fund, which will pay countries such as Indonesia and Brazil to preserve forests rath […]
Oceans’ Ability to Absorb CO2 May be Diminishing, New Study Says
A study of the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the world’s oceans from 1765 to the present shows that as humanity pumps more CO2 into the atmosphere, the capacity of the world’s oceans to continue absorbing carbon appears to be decreasing. Researchers from Columbia University and NASA estimate that since 2000, the proportion of fossil-fuel emissions absorb […]
Kenya Evicts Squatters From Beleaguered Mau Forest
The Kenyan government has begun evicting an estimated 30,000 families that have squatted illegally in the vital Mau forest and caused major environmental damage to the one-million-acre woodland. The Mau forest, located in the Rift valley, is Kenya’s largest water catchment area, the source of at least a dozen rivers that feed Lake Victoria, the Masai Mara na […]
Courting Controversy with a New View on Exotic Species
A number of biologists are challenging the long-held orthodoxy that alien species are inherently bad. In their contrarian view, many introduced species have proven valuable and useful and have increased the diversity and resiliency of native ecosystems. BY GREG BREINING
Companies Increase Commitment To Tackling Climate Issues, Report Says
Major corporations in the U.S. have shown an increased willingness to voluntarily reduce their impact on climate change despite a sluggish economy, according to a new scorecard produced by the nonprofit group Climate Counts. Eighty-one of the 90 major companies assessed saw an average increase of 22 percent from last year’s scorecard, with Nike topping the l […]
Massive CO2 Increases Documented in Comprehensive New Study
Emissions of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels soared by 41 percent from 1990 to 2008 and have jumped 29 percent since 2000, according to one of the most comprehensive studies to date of global carbon emissions. The study’s lead author, Corinne Le Quere of the University of East Anglia and the British Antarctic Survey, said that unless these runaway e […]
Increase In GM Crops Leads to Jump in Herbicide Use
The widespread use of genetically modified crops engineered to tolerate herbicides has led to a sharp increase of the chemicals in the U.S. and is creating herbicide-resistant “super weeds” and an increase in chemical residues in U.S. food, according to a new report. As more farmers have adopted variations of corn, soy beans, and cotton bred to tolerate weed […]
U.S. and China Establish Extensive Cooperation on Clean Energy
U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao have announced the creation of a joint program to develop clean energy, including the creation of a $150 million clean energy research center. Meeting in Beijing, the two presidents agreed to a seven-point plan designed to speed the development of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. The […]
Dutch Cabinet Okays Tax Based on Miles Driven by Motorists
In an effort to reduce automobile usage and greenhouse gas emissions, the Dutch cabinet has approved a driving tax that would charge motorists seven cents a mile. The plan, which must still be approved by parliament, would use GPS systems installed in each car to keep track of mileage and automatically bill drivers. The mileage charges would be higher at rus […]
With Copenhagen Pact Stalled, Leaders Look for Climate Treaty in 2010
With the announcement by President Obama and other world leaders this weekend that no binding climate agreement will be reached in Copenhagen next month, numerous officials expressed hopes that a treaty to limit greenhouse gas emissions could be signed by mid- to late-2010. Meeting in Singapore, Obama and other leaders agreed that lack of accord on setting p […]

Serengreenity

Hello world!

We are sustainability consultants with a passion for Green Aesthetics. As LEED AP’s and philosophers we are dedicated to greenifying our world from the inside out to initiate a global coherence network. Our conversations range from biomimicry to neighborhood renewable energy.

Deconstructing, reinventing and sifting through what is helpful from what is not.

Leave a response

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