Archive for February, 2008
February 21st, 2008
Greenest Cars of 2008 from ACEEE
The ACEEE (the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) has released their annual Green Book for 2008 which scores cars on their environmental friendliness. They give a green score for every model and select both the “greenest” and the “meanest” vehicles. It’s a very useful consumer guide to lowering your contribution to global warming via smart auto choices.
The Greenest Cars for 2008
Think the Prius wins? Think again. For the fifth year in a row, the Honda Civic GX is the overall winner with a green score of 57. This is a natural gas vehicle and gets 24 MPG in the city and 36 on the freeway. It’s MPG may be lower than its hybrid counterparts, but because it is a natural gas vehicle, it has super low emissions.
The Toyota Prius wins 2nd place with a green score of 53, and 48 MPG in the city and 45 on the freeway. Honda garners two out of the top three, with its Honda Civic Hybrid coming in 3rd place. The Civic is strong but doesn’t quite match the Prius on the mileage front: it gets 40 MPG in the city and 45 on the highway.
Number four is the zippy convertible Smart Car. The Smart Fortwo gets 33 MPG in the city and 41 on the freeway. You’ll look swanky in it and it starts at under $14,000! 5th place goes to the Toyota Yaris, which is also reasonably priced at less than $13,000. It gets 29 MPG in the city and 36 on the freeway.
To see more of the greenest cars, click here.
The Meanest Cars for 2008
Now the fun part— naming the worst offenders! The worst of the eco-worst is the Volkswagen Touareg, with a green score of 14. It gets 15 MPG in the city and 20 on the highway. Yes, it is actually worse than a Hummer– in fact the Hummer is the 10th worst with a score of 18 (but don’t think that means it’s okay to buy one!!).
Several Mercedes models are in the bottom ten: the GL320 is number 3, the ML320 is number 8 and the G55 AMG is number 9. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the 4th worst, with 17 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the freeway. The GMC Yukon is the 11th worst and gets 12 MPG in the city and 16 on the freeway.
In case you were thinking of putting down the clams for a Bentley, let us assure you that you’ll be an eco-foe. The Bentley Azure and the Arnage both get 9 (NINE!!!) MPG in the city and 15 on the freeway. You may look cool, but you’ll really be a fool.
To see the rest of the worst, click here.
February 20th, 2008
Get Green with Organic Gardening
Today we are joined by Christy Wilhelmi, who is the driving force behind Gardenerd.com, a wonderful resource for gardeners. Her obsession with gardening began in 1996 on the balcony of her Los Angeles apartment. She is a member of Ocean View Farms Organic Community Garden in Mar Vista, California and has served on the Board of Directors for the last 8 years. She has dedicated herself to the study of organic gardening and its benefits, and delights in sharing this information with anyone who will listen. Today she educates on the joys and environmental benefits of organic gardening. Be sure to read to the end to learn about her gardening classes!
**********
We live in a world where most people don’t know where their food comes from. It’s not uncommon to find folks who don’t know the answer when asked where peanuts or potatoes grow (both grow underground). There’s nothing wrong with not knowing, except that by not knowing, we often make choices that don’t serve the planet or our bodies. Organic gardening changes all that.
Once you get into organic gardening, there’s no going back. Suddenly another world of awareness opens up. You’ve heard about buying organic, buying locally grown foods and using non-toxic cleaners in your home. Extending those concepts out into the yard goes a step further. Let me tell you what I mean.
Locavores Unite: You just can’t get more “local” than eating food grown in your own back yard or on your patio. You also can’t get food fresher than that. No truck needed.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: What doesn’t get eaten gets composted, and becomes food for your garden, or your worms (if you have a worm bin). And when you grow something yourself, you’re less likely to waste it. A new appreciation for broccoli stems has been known to happen.
Biodiversity Rules: In the grand scheme of things, our modern grocery industry provides us with a total average of 27 fruits and vegetables. Every store carries the same variety of melon or tomato or what have you. With over 300 varieties of tomatoes alone available to the home gardener, you can help provide diversity for pollinators (insects) and humans alike.
Get Off Petroleum: Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are some of the biggest polluters in the world, in more ways than one. Not only do they leach down into the soil and contaminate our waterways, they also are made by using petroleum. And the U.S. is the number one importer of fertilizers in the world. It takes a little learning to know what’s organic and what’s not (especially these days with the loosening of organic standards by our government), but it’s totally worth the investment of time in the end. To find some good organic fertilizers, click here.
Grow Your Soul: This might sound crazy, but there nothing like a good weeding session in the garden to work out all your frustrations, develop inventions, and most of all, feel connected to the earth. Gandhi said, “To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.” When we think about how often we walk the earth without ever touching it, the comforting thought that a solution lies in the soil, right outside our door (or in that pot), is a saving grace for all of us.
Whether you grow organic food or flowers (another industry tainted by chemical pesticides and fertilizers) you are stepping forward lightly upon the earth. It’s one more way to close the loop and promote a better future for plants, insects, soil, and humankind.
**************
To learn more about organic gardening, why not take one of Christy’s classes?
The Gardenerd Organic Gardening Series
Finally there is a set of basic organic gardening classes that is suitable for both the beginning gardener and the veteran gardener who wants to learn organic methods. Christy Wilhelmi of Gardenerd.com will be covering the following topics:
+ Soil, Soil amendments and Fertilizers
+ Small space and Container Gardening
+ Seed-starting, Transplants and Heirlooms
+ Pruning, Tools and Tool Care
Classes begin February 23, 2008. Details about upcoming classes and registration can be found at http://www.gardenerd.com/classpay.html. Space is limited and registration is required. Visit www.Gardenerd.com for more tips and tidbits about organic gardening.
February 18th, 2008
How-To Tuesday: Install a Programmable Thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the most cost-effective ways to save energy and to cut your carbon 
footprint. In many parts of the country they can cut your energy bills by $100 or more a year, and as a result pay for themselves in your first heating or cooling season. They save on both heating and cooling, so there’s never a wrong time to consider an upgrade.
What are the benefits?
Programmable thermostats save energy and money in several ways. First, they automatically adjust your home’s temperature so that you aren’t over-heating (or cooling) when you’re away from home or asleep. The savings are greatest when there’s no-one home during the day and you can lower the temperature, but they’ll still save at night even if someone is at home. Second, certain models can operate your furnace in ways that maximize efficiency. Finally, some models notify you when your furnace filters need replacing, or when there are malfunctions with your furnace.
Can I Do It Myself?
First, before we get started, this is only a DIY project if you’re comfortable working with electrical wiring and can do so safely. If you have any concerns at all, it’s best to leave it to a professional!
To Do Before Buying a New Thermostat
Before you buy a thermostat, it’s important to know what type you’ll need. So, these quick tips will help you pick the right one.
1) Note what type of heating system you have (boiler, furnace, radiant heating, etc), and what the fuel is (natural gas, electricity, heating oil, etc).
2) Turn off the power to your thermostat at the circuit breaker.
3) Remove your existing thermostat, and investigate how many wires are connected to the back. There could be anywhere between 2 and 10. Don’t disconnect them yet! Also, most thermostats are low-voltage and will have small wires. If you have electric resistance heating (baseboard, for example), you might have a line voltage thermostat. This will have heavier wires attached, and the wires will likely be connected in an electrical box behind the thermostat using heavy wire nuts.
4) Purchase a thermostat that meets your needs:
+ Low or line voltage?
+ Right number of connecting wires?
+ Works for heating, cooling or both?
+ Can be programmed to fit your lifestyle - different program every day (7-day programming), weekday + two weekend day programming (5-1-1 programming) or weekday + weekend only (5-2 programming).
You can see a few versions that we recommend here.
Replacing your existing thermostat
1) Once again, MAKE SURE you’ve turned the breaker for the furnace circuit off at the electrical panel.
2) Unscrew the old thermostat from the wall, but don’t remove the wires yet.
3) Using either masking tape or the labels that come with your new thermostat, note the letter on the thermostat that the wire correponds to and place the tape or label around the wire. Make sure that the wires don’t fall into the wall when you remove them.
4) Most thermostats come in two parts, a wall plate that screws onto the wall and the main thermostat unit that plugs into the wall plate. Mount the wall plate to the electrical box that remains from the old thermostat. Pass the wires through the hole in the mounting plate.
5) Connect the wires to the terminals that correspond to the letters on the wires.
6) Install batteries in the new thermostat unit. If your model allows for it, program the date, time and scheduling (based on your model’s instructions) before attaching it to the wall. Otherwise, attach the unit as shown in the instructions and complete the programming. Programming may seem complex to begin with, so make sure you follow the directions closely. With a little practice, though, adjusting the programs will be a snap.
7) Turn the power to the furnace circuit back on at your electrical panel. Test the new thermostat and make sure it operates your HVAC equipment as expected.
That’s it - you’re now well on your way to lower energy bills, a smaller carbon footprint, and a more comfortable home!
I’ve actually found the websites of several big thermostat manufacturers to be very helpful. Honeywell has this entire section for do-it-yourself thermostats. Aube has information about thermostats organized by heating / cooling type. Click on the relevant model using the menu on the left side of the page, and then you can download the installation and operating instructions before you purchase.
Please let us know if you have any additional tips or tricks by leaving comments below.
February 17th, 2008
Good Green Roofs
You may of heard of green roofs but wondered “How do they work?” or “How can I get one?” We’re here to explain why they are an excellent green building and renovation option, and how you can make one a reality for your green home.
What Is a Green Roof?
A “green roof” consists of a waterproof membrane put over a rooftop and covered with soil and living plants (that’s the green part). There are two types of green roofs: intensive and extensive. Intensive green roofs have soil depths of a foot or more and can support a large variety of plants and even trees. These types of roofs require heavy structural supports due to the added weight of soil, plants and irrigation. They require frequent maintenance and are typically found on commercial structures.
An extensive roof, on the other hand, requires only 2-5 inches of soil and is covered with a more limited array of plants. These roofs require minimal maintenance and may not require structural reinforcement depending on how your house is built, but check with your contractor or structural engineer first! These are the most common type of green roofs found on homes.
Green Roof Atop Chicago City Hall
What Makes Green Roofs Environmentally Friendly?
There are numerous environmental benefits to a green roof. First, a green roof provides extra insulation and energy efficiency for your home. The vegetation and added soil layer on the roof keeps a home (or commercial building) cooler in the summer than does a standard roof. According to the EPA, on hot summer days, the surface temperature of a vegetated rooftop can be cooler than the air temperature, whereas the surface of a traditional rooftop can be up to 90°F (50°C) warmer. In addition to cooling your building, they also serve to cool the area surrounding the building. This can reduce the “heat island” effect, which is when dense urban areas are hotter than surrounding areas of similar climate due to the heat generated by pavement, buildings and rooftops.
There are additional environmental benefits to green roofs:
+ They collect and process rain water and keep large amounts of polluted runoff from heading into our rivers, lakes and oceans;
+ They absorb air pollution, take polluted particulate out of the air, and sequester carbon;
+ They can provide habitats for birds and other animals;
+ They reduce noise pollution reaching the inside of the building;
+ If you have access to your roof and it is flat, a green roof can provide a whole new “garden” for you to enjoy.
How Much Do Green Roofs Cost?
An extensive green roof can range from $8-25 per square foot depending on the kind of roof, system used, plants chosen, irrigation, etc. An intensive roof (found on commercial buildings) is typically in the $25-50/square foot range.
How Can I Get a Green Roof?
You will need to find a designer and/or contractor to help you with the job. Greenroofs.com offers a directory of architects, contractors and consultants skilled in green roof implementations. A few companies across the country we would highlight are:
Central Coast Wilds in Santa Cruz, California
Intrinsic Landscaping, Inc. in Glenview, Illinois
Greener by Design in Pelham, New York
Landsculpture & Design in Houston, TX
You should also check out a couple of interesting companies that are now producing pre-fabricated green roof systems. GreenGrid and LiveRoof create green roof systems that are series of preplanted modules made of recycled plastics that can easily be placed directly on a roof or other structure with sufficient structural capacity. Another company offering a similar type of application is called Green Roof Blocks.
If you are interested in learning how to install your own green roof, or in becoming a green roof contractor, definitely get to know the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities non-profit group. They teach classes on green roof techniques all across the US and Canada.
If you have done a green roof project and have any observations to share, please add a comment to this blog. We would all like to learn from you!
February 15th, 2008
Nine Green Cities & Ocean Dead Zone
There are two environmental articles we’ve read this week that we think you will find very interesting. One is very uplifting and the other quite depressing.
Let’s start with the good news. Jim Carlton of the Wall Street Journal has published an exciting and informative piece called Nine Cities, Nine Ideas. He covers nine cities around the globe that are undertaking ambitious and innovative environmental protection projects. The article covers green roof projects in Chicago, LED street lights in Ann Arbor, underwater turbines in New York City, and air conditioning replacements in Palm Desert. It’s an engaging and encouraging read!
On the sad front, marine researchers at Oregon State University have concluded that an “underwater plague” killing marine life in record numbers of the coasts of Oregon and Washington is a symptom of global warming. In a study released today in the journal Science, the researchers note how low-oxygen waters have expanded north into Washington and even come south to California state line. And, animal deaths appear to be occurring in regular cycles every summer and fall since 2002. To read the full article courtesy of the LA Times, please click here: Dead zones off Oregon and Washington coasts linked to global warming.
February 14th, 2008
Green Haiku Contest
Get ready to dip your writing quill in green ink! We are holding a green haiku contest in honor of the budding of spring. Contemplate the renewal of nature and send in your poems.
For those of you who might like a refresher on haiku, it is a form of Japanese poetry. It is a short and sweet format– the first line is 5 syllables, the 2nd line is 7 syllables, followed by a final line of 5 syllables. They are easy and fun to write!
Something you may not know is that haiku traditionally contain a reference to the season– a kigo, as it is called in Japanese. So what could be more fitting than for Low Impact Living to inspire our dear readers to compose some Spring-themed haiku? For you super-talented writers out there, you can even try to work in some environmental protection themes!
Are there wonderful prizes offered to the winner? Oh please–yes of course there are outstanding prizes!
+ A non-toxic spring cleaning for your home courtesy of Maid Brigade
+ Healthy home cleaning products from J.R. Watkins
+ A Fresh Squeezed personal care gift basket from Lula Organics
+ Biodegradable sponges from Twist
Send your poems to info@lowimpactliving.com by March 1.
Here are some samples to get your creative juices flowing:
The sun warms my face
Only a few weeks until
The ice leaves the pond
Now all about me
The earth is turning greener
And I am smiling
We must lay plans now
To stop global warming’s curse
Move quickly in Spring
Kumquats and cherries
Soon I will be lip-smacking
Oh Spring’s sweet bounty
