The following is taken from an email from the USGBC relating to taking comments in relation to certified wood.  Friday August 8, 2008, the USGBC opened the first 30-day Public Comment Period for proposed revisions in how the LEED Green Building Rating System awards points for the use of certified wood.  Comments are being sought on: (1) the proposed revisions to the credit’s intent and requirements and (2) the criteria proposed in the USGBC Forest Certification System Benchmark.

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In the Spring 2008, the NY Times commissioned a study to learn how the real estate market and economy may be affecting people’s attitudes towards buying a home.  Their study skewed young, affluent, and New York/Metro area (with roughly 250 NY participants).  It was also conducted in two-stages with the online study portion first and a follow-up interview second.  They concluded the study with Five Core Insights, with the following two points relating to environmental concerns:

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If you’re like me, the architecture and sheer grandiosity of Beijing 2008 Olympics is blowing your mind.  Gotta give props to what’s going on over there, seriously.  The precision, planning, and persistence of this machine is quite compelling.   With all the new and temporary structures now built, it’s hard to discuss everything — but you’ll find some interesting images and information below.  Notably, China might have raised the bar for future cities that are presented with the opportunity to host the Olympics.  China’s work isn’t done, I mean, pollution is unreal and the country is now the world’s largest CO2 emitter, but this article is an attempt to recognize positive efforts.  When future Olympic cities start to build up infrastructure, transportation, and venues, as they invariably will, this website thinks China has presented some new lessons in how to be bold, economic, and green. 

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Back in January of this year, I posted an article about the stylish, affordable GreenMobile® design by Mississippi State University Professor Michael Berk.  Since that time, I’ve received countless emails and a few comments (aside: why do readers email rather than comment?) asking when the GreenMobile® would be available for purchase.  So I’ve come to realize that people, including myself, really want to buy a GreenMobile.  I mean, it’s kind of cool.  The demand for affordable, modern living is really quite incredible (see: 100k House, e-House, Make It Right, etc).  But the long and short is, I emailed Professor Berk and he was nice enough to extensively respond via the below email, which I’ve edited slightly for formatting. 

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For background on the video, make sure to check out this Dot Earth interview.  The point being made is quite poignant, probably making you feel as though there’s an environmental pickle with nary a solution.  But we’ve got to do better than that — we have to find solutions and turn this ship around.  So what’s the next step? 

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