• Greening of college campuses is a grassroots effort.
• Many unhappy with cluster subdivisions. 
• USGBC targets lodging industry with LEED-EB. 
• Green building windows can block cell signals.
• Green building saves on energy and water, uses recycled materials.

BONUS: Newsweek Project Green

• Sky’s the Limit: Green high-rises have better utilities + health benefits.
• Not Just for Treehuggers: Green homes are still red hot.
• Designing Light and Air: the new green Bank of America building.

*WIR = Week in Review; a Saturday showcase of excellent links.

Photo by Internet Power Lunch.

I’ve been thinking a lot about minimalism lately for some reason.  We all have an idea of what "minimalism" is, but I wanted to dig a little deeper.  According to Wikipedia, minimalism describes a movement where "work is stripped down to its most fundamental features … it is rooted in the reductive aspects of Modernism, and is often interpreted as a reaction against abstract impressionism and a bridge to Postmodern art practices."  Strip it down to the fundamentals. 

I like the concept of stripping stuff down to the fundamentals.  You can strip down anything and literally find that "less is more."  Try it.  I honestly believe that with the right amount of less, less can be more.  Why is that?  Well, quite simply because less equals the fundamentals and enjoying the fundamentals — with no excess — feels good.  Let me explain my thoughts on the lifestyle of minimalism. 

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++LEED, follow or get out of the way!! [CP]

On a related note, I realize there are some strong opinions about LEED and its so called issues or problems.  Let’s treat this as an open thread for comments relating to anything and everything you’ve heard that is a potential problem with LEED.  True or not, list the obstacle.  I’m going to be working on something based on the comments below.  Say it don’t spray it. 

• Cashing in on pollution, turning brownfields green.
• LEED Certified versus LEED Certifi-able.
• Green features grow in popularity in home design.
• San Francisco contemplates tougher green building laws.
• 11 Green Companies | 10 Polluting Companies.
• More developers see the financial benefits of eco-friendly building.
• Green car wash stuck in controversy over wind turbine.
• Payback thoughts on the price of going green.

*WIR = Week in Review; a Saturday showcase of excellent links.

I’m happy to announce that Jetson Green has signed on as an official media sponsor for the Ecocity World Summit, which takes place April 22-26, 2008 in San Francisco, California.  I couldn’t be happier to be supporting such a stellar event. 

You should know, however, that this is no ordinary conference.  Ecocity World Summit recognizes it’s time to take a closer look at the largest of humanity’s creations — cities — directly and fearlessly.  Over 85% of humanity currently live in cities, towns, and villages –- the built community of our species.  The Ecocity World Summit challenges and inspires each individual, no matter where we call home, to build something different: the city for ourselves, the city for people and all life on the planet.  For a sneak peak, take a look at some of the projects that will be explored.

Speakers at the event include some of the following:

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