Since 2003, the number of cities with green building programs has risen from 22 to 92, for an increase of 418%.  This figure, as well as others below, comes as a result of a study commissioned by the AIA.  Their newly published report, Local Leaders in Sustainability, analyzed 661 communities’ best practices, strategies, and trends, and provides recommendations for cities that are looking to implement green building programs.

• 1 in 7 cities surveyed currently have green building programs
• Number improves to 1 in 5 by next year with current projections
• 39% of citizens live in cities with green building programs
• 36 cities are in an advanced stage of developing a green building program

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Last week, former President George H. W. Bush installed a 33-foot tall, Skystream 3.7 wind turbine to provide energy for the Bush’s Kennebunkport home.  The Bushes were courted by Southwest Windpower, one of the forerunners in small-wind innovation, and after looking at the pros and cons, they decided to take the plunge.  The turbine is connected to the grid and feeds excess power to the system. 

Since the home is their summer home, it will probably have a substantial credit from all the energy they’re feeding into the system during the winter.  The Bushes decided to purchase the turbine for financial and environmental reasons, but they’re also setting a good example, too.  Via Portland Press Herald. 

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Recently, Former President Bill Clinton announced a joint partnership of the Clinton Climate Initiative and the City of Chicago that will give the 1,450 feet tall building a green makeover.  Through the partnership, the Chicago landmark will be retrofitted, making it more cost-effective and energy efficient.  The project is part of Clinton’s message:  going green can save some green.  He said, “This is not a big bottle of castor oil we have to drink.  This is the greatest economic opportunity that our country has had to mobilize and democratize since we mobilized from World War II."  Clinton also predicts that in the next 18 months, there will be a race to build structures that produce energy instead of consuming it.  The move from energy-consuming buildings to energy-producing buildings is intended, at least in part, to wean the country of its coal addiction.  Let’s hope this momentum continues beyond 18 months, too.  Via Equity Green + Medill.

(S2) = Skyscraper Sunday, a weekly article on green skyscrapers.

• UAE Mandates LEED Buildings, Leads the World.
• To spur second home sales, developers tout environmental attributes.
• The Six Sins of Greenwashing (a report by one company accused of, well, greenwashing).
• A deeply green city confronts its energy needs and nuclear worries.

This is The Zody Chair by Haworth.  It’s an incredible chair.  Best chair I’ve ever used.  It gives you this feeling that’s hard to explain.  It’s kind of like when you get a new pair of shoes at the age of 8 or 9.  Those shoes make you run faster, jump higher, and do more.  Well, this chair is that for business people.  It helps you do more when you’re doing a lot of sitting around.  I feel different in this jet black, super modern, eco-friendly, award-winning chair. 

Today’s that big shopping day with all the crowds:  it’s Black Friday.  If you’re in the market for a quality gift, I honestly think you should just ring in an order for one of these and call your Christmas shopping done.  I’m serious.  I recently toured the offices of a green renovation and they had a room full of Zody chairs.  When they were looking for chairs, they felt the Zody chair was superior in green benefits and had a reasonable price.   

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