This is a preview of what William McDonough (you know, Cradle to Cradle and Time’s Hero for the Planet) will be talking about this week in Abu Dhabi at the World Future Energy Summit.  Dubbed the "Tree Tower" by Building Magazine, a leading UK construction magazine, the speculative Office Building of the Future was originally just a concept for Fortune Magazine in 2006.  There is no commission for the building, but at the very least, it illustrates principles of good design for all buildings.

Blending nature and man-made construction, the Office Building of the Future will positively impact the environment.  Solar and geothermal power create energy, tree-filled terraces recycle water, and multiple skins weatherproof and insulate the inside of the building.  The building, designed with materials that can either be reused or returned safely to the earth, is made to absorb natural light, too.  In all, it’s a super showcase of principles necessary to build something that doesn’t take more than it gives.  We’ll see if McDonough makes any announcements this week.  Thoughts?

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• UK, Travelodge builds recyclable hotel.
• Subprime crises + expensive gas = End of Sprawl?
• Ten green quotables in sustainable building.
• Report predicts a wave of green tech.
• "Smart Grid" trials found to reduce electricity bills.
• LED lights may show up in homes in under 3 years.
• Do we have the formula for greener drywall?

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

The average American releases about 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.  A large portion of that comes from our homes and wasted, wasted energy.  Matter of fact, according to a recent McKinsey study, the single most cost-effective way to reduce GHG emissions is via building insulation.  Click on over to the Time Earth-Friendly Home graphic and move the lens around for other ideas to reduce GHG emissions and save some dolla, dolla bills.  Before you click over though, I will say, this is pretty basic information, but at least they provide some numbers and illustrate the impact of concerted effort. 

While you’re over there, check out this article, too:
++51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment [Time]

It’s been an incredible year in green news, and coverage on the environment seems to increase every week.  Below, you will find links from the last year that I think are important.  Unfortunately, tons of good stories didn’t make the cut because the links were broken and I couldn’t find an adequate replacement.  Regardless, 2007 has been a great year, don’t you think?  Collectively, we’re taking big steps to respect the environment.  Republicans, Democrats, businesses, individuals, etc.  Everyone wants to do their part.  And even if you don’t click all, er, 151 links below, scan the titles as a reminder of what has been accomplished.  Let’s keep the momentum in 2008. 

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Tom Konrad is an Analyst at Alternative Energy Stocks, where he writes about investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency companies.  This article is a guest post for Jetson Green.

The December 6 Technology Quarterly from The Economist profiles a Dutch office building that is both heated and cooled using heat (or cold) from the asphalt of the road outside the building, as opposed to the more conventional use of solar thermal panels on the building’s roof.  The article optimistically ends:

The result is cheap heating in winter and cheap cooling in summer. And there is a bonus. Summer heating softens asphalt, making it easier for heavy traffic to damage the road surface. Dr de Bondt’s system not only saves electricity, but also saves the road. Expect to see more examples of it, in other countries, soon.

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