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Journal Entry #11

A few weeks ago Dustin Karsin from Sustainable Solutions Inc. visited our class and presented on several different ways to get your building certified as "green." It was good to hear about some options other than LEED. He talked about BOMA Best and Gogreen, BREEAM and the Green Globes program.


Last week we had another presentation by Lisa MacDonell, the Executive Director from the Manitoba Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council. She mainly spoke about how to become an official green building professional with LEED accreditation.

If LEED certified (and the like) and LEED building professionals are going to be the way our society goes in the future, I wanted to find a bit more about the "cons" and/or complaints about LEED buildings. Our class has heard a lot about the "pros" obviously, but what do other people think outside the environment industry?

One article I read was about tenants hating their LEED apartments because of things like:

• they could not control the A/C
• low water pressure
• the common area/elevators had no A/C
• lack of elevators (perhaps due to budget cuts to fund solar panels? -was the tenants guess)
• movement triggered lighting inadequate in parkade (safety issues)

So, are these legitimately the fault of LEED design? No. LEED is not an excuse for incompetent design work or poor designer/owner decisions. Unfortunately, it just becomes a scapegoat or an excuse to cover up mistakes in a building. Here is a quote from a commenter on the blog that really rings true for me. People can't expect that just because a building is LEED that it's going to be perfect.

"I have a collegue who created a LEED Platnium apartment & townhome complex and was on the board. His comment: "The worst thing about green buildings is managing tenants expectations. I think that people feel they are moving into utopia that is also a net zero building. Unfortunately green buildings are still prone to leaks, deficiencies and other issues. I think the other challenge is that green systems require work on behalf of the owner to manage their environment (i.e. thermal mass timing, turning off lights…) as it is not as ‘easy’ as the automatic engineering we are used to. Occupants think: Really, why would I have to put on a sweater in my own house?"" (Consilience: The Blog, 2011)

Some people think LEED does not "go far enough." LEED basically works with the existing building codes and perhaps does not really require a total re-think of our building practices. There is a very interesting article here, which talks about another green building standard called the Living Building Challenge. Of course, I am one who likes to really push the boundaries of "acceptable." Most people will definitely find a building with LEED standards easier to accept than a building made out of rammed earth tires...





This course has really opened my eyes to the environmental aspects of the buildings and cities around me...which I hadn't considered much previously. Even though I know I will never be a LEED professional (although green building is of interest to me, it's not really my passion), I do find all the information I've learned very valuable because buildings will always be a part of my life...whether it's my home, workplace, or the coffee shop down the street. From now on I am going to may more attention and support sustainable development with my vote and voice whenever possible!



Cited References:

Consilience: The Blog. The Blog of Real-Estate Professionals and Academics Coming Together Across Disciplines. Tenants Hate LEED Apartments? Weigh In. Found at: http://www.consilienceblog.org/consilience-the-blog/2010/7/18/tenants-hate-leed-apartments-weigh-in.html?goback=.gde_112189_member_25223261 Retrieved on: April 1, 2011.

Darfield Earthship. I'm Building a Sustainable House, Aren't I? Found at: http://www.darfieldearthship.com/2010/09/im-building-a-sustainable-house-arent-i.html Retrieved on: April 1, 2011.

Policy

Journal Entry #10

This week in class we discusses governmental policy as related to green building and planning. I have already ranted about our lack of policy before, but last class we learned about some great incentives being promoted by our government. They included discounts and rebates on items and systems like HVAC, geothermal heating, light bulbs, low-flow shower heads and much more.



On a very much related note...in a few short months something exciting is going to happen. Oh yes. It's a FEDERAL ELECTION! I guess it's a well known fact that most people aged 18-25 don't find this exciting at all. But I have always found this to be a huge huge pity and something that ultimately leads to HUGE losses both for our age group personally AND the environment. I have noticed that there is a considerably larger proportion of young individuals who care about the environment than the older generation. (This is not an official statistic or anything, just my observation from discussing issues with people at my workplace, within my family, university etc.) I think this is because we have grown up with more and more emerging environmental issues all the time. They're becoming a part of our internal conscience/morality.

Tree-hugging generation! =)

So that means....we need to vote. Desperately! Because it's clear that the politicians don't care unless we do...and they're the ones creating the policy. Rick Mercer says it best in one of his rants. (Please watch it here...RMR- Rick's Rant- VOTE) I have posted this video on facebook and sent it to everyone I know because this country so badly needs some change, and we have to be the ones to make it happen! I feel like my planet is dying and nobody important will listen...this is one way to make our voices heard.



Cited References:

Government of Canada. Canada Election 2011. Found at: http://www.electionalmanac.com/canada/ Retrieved on: March 29, 2011.

Out and about in Winnipeg

Journal Entry #9

Last Friday we went on the Green Building and Planning field trip! It was great to get out of the classroom and see some of the green technologies we've been talking about in real life. We saw some different places than where Kristina usually takes her classes, but everything we saw was really interesting. We visited Fort Whyte Alive first where we ate a delicious meal then heard about their greenhouse. Next we drove by a "solar wall" downtown, on our way to the West End Cultural Center. Then to the Plug-In ICA building downtown, followed by the Equilibrium duplex project. It was really nice that we got to see a variety of public, commercial and residential buildings. It was also fun to chat with some classmates and get to know them better.

The building I really enjoyed the most was the Plug-In building at the corner of Osbourne and Portage. It is a building that was built quickly and on a tight budget. Despite these limitations, they have managed to incorporate some amazing green technologies, architectural designs, and social aspects into the building. This is very inspirational and should give future home builders a lot of hope because it shows that it is possible to build green on a budget, it's just a matter of priorities and looking at the long-term picture.

The Plug In ICA building.

Why is it so hard for humans to consider their actions from the long-term perspective anyway? It seems that we get so wrapped up in our little worlds that we forget we are part of something must bigger and longer lasting than our short time on earth. I think we are getting better...if only out of necessity.

This week I discussed green technologies with my cousins, who are a diverse group of individuals. I like to discuss these things with people outside of the enivornmental field for a more "well-rounded" discussion/debate. In any case, among my cousins are a doctor, statistician, English literature master's student, computer programmer, high school math teacher, home assessor, university students in engineering and law, a power engineer, high school student, and myself, an environmental scientist (in training)! We always have great debates on all sorts of issues, and sometimes our opinions can diverge quite a bit.

However...being smarter about the environment is one thing we can agree on (for the most part- my power engineer cousin works in Fort MacMurray on the oil rigs). As some of us have gotten married and plan to get married in the future, we talk about our "dream houses." We all agree that investing in technologies (and other various purchases) that will provide long-term financial and environmental gain is the smart choice.

There are at least 13 environmentally concious future homeowners in my family. That makes me proud!





Works Cited:

Fort Whyte Centre. Nature Discovery Center. Found at: http://www.homeandabroad.com/s/siteImages/125/169505_CANWpg_FortWhyteCentre01_LNorman.jpg Retrieved on: March 21, 2011.

Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. Found at: http://plugin.org/turnon/sites/plugin.org.turnon/files/images/IMG_1413.JPG
Retrieved on: March 21, 2011.

Sustainability at Stanley Knowles School

Journal Entry #8

Last Friday I and several of my classmates had the opportunity to facilitate discussion with teachers at Stanley Knowles School. They are beginning a 3 year sustainability program, and needed help coming up with ideas to integrate sustainability and environmental issues into their teaching curriculum and school policies/programs. It was a wonderful experience to speak with these teachers who are so eager to increase their students environmental awareness. I helped facilitate discussion with a small group of Grade 8 teachers.

A topic we discussed at length was regarding children's exposure to the outdoors. Many teacher's are finding that students are coming to school exhausted from playing videogames all night...and yet never go outside and play, which would allow them to be the "good-old-fashioned-kind" of exhausted. It is a huge problem because urban students are losing their connection to nature, and their health is also at risk.

One of the big problems is lack of space for the children to play outside. There is just not enough green space in the area. Even the school itself is located way out in suburbia, with just a highway and asphalt pad to play on. When I was growing up on the farm, I was lucky enough to have the "whole world" to play in. I could play in the forest, wade in the sloughs, dig in the garden, run around with the dogs and cats, observe wildlife such as deer, coyotes, birds, foxes, raccoons, ducks, geese, and more in their natural habitat (and sometimes even as pets!), enjoyed hunting and fishing....And I did some combination of these things and more EVERY SINGLE DAY! When I think about the severe limitations on city kids, it makes me really sad that they won't have these opportunities.

But that's what the teacher's at Stanley Knowles school hope to change. They want to bring nature a little closer to these kids. Some ideas we discussed were vermicomposting, indoor and outdoor gardening, projects on the full lifecycle of "stuff" and food.

Hopefully it will ignite a little spark in them, some small interest in the environment that might blossom someday. When I think back to my teachers in elementary and high school, I feel so grateful for the things they taught me. I especially remember the ones who put in that extra bit of effort, who were truly passionate about what they taught. And not only that, but I remember what they actually taught me as being important. I know these kids will someday feel the same way too.

Cited References:

Ecole Stanley Knowles School. Found at: http://www.wsd1.org/stanleyknowles/index.htm

Retrieved on: March 17, 2011.

Building a Greener Future...Case by Case.

Journal Entry #7: Case Studies Week

It's interesting to notice that some of the most interesting case studies have arisen from the rubble and tragedy and natural disasters.

The situation in Greensburg, Kansas is particularly amazing. Their town was devastated by a tornado. Afterwards, they decided to rebuild it into a dream town with high environmental, economic and social ideals. Every building is either in the process, or already is LEED Platinum certified.

Another example is the situation around the Gulf of Mexico, where Hurricane Katrina caused her destruction. Yesterday we heard a presentation on the energy efficient "Assembly Line House Construction" that arose from the need of the people who lost their homes.

And Frank and I's presentation on the "Tiny House Movement" is also related to Hurricane Katrina. Since they are so small and cheap,they have become an excellent choice for people who are homeless and don't have a lot of cash to burn.

I love the idea of a fresh start, moving on from the past, and being able to build something so much better than before. But it makes me wonder why it takes a natural disaster to stand up and fight for better alternatives. These cities must have surely faced severe financial strain, yet still decided to make a better long-term choice. So what is our excuse? We already have so many buildings downtown that are standing empty and unused. It would be far cheaper to gut and renovate them "greener" than to build a whole new city in the first place, right? What are we waiting for?

I know that things ARE slowly beginning to change. We have been given money in the recent past to revitalize the downtown area. And in the future, Portage will be given further boosts... a "SHED" or "Sports, hospitality, and entertainment district" are in the works! Projects like these do give me some hope!

I am looking forward to the rest of the Case Studies next week to give me further inspiration!

The Human, Nature, and the Bureaucratic Relationship

Journal Entry #6


This week we saw the last of the Green Technology presentations. I will add to my dream house wish list...it should be made out of straw bales! We also had a lecture that was very interesting to me, it was about the relationship between humans and nature. Studies show that nature in the workplace (plants, windows to the outdoors, etc.) are linked to fewer sick days, greater job satisfaction, improved attention and scores on proofreading tasks, and even faster healing when sick! This is simply amazing to me, but honestly not surprising at all. Nature just makes people feel good inside. When they feel good, they are less likely to get stressed or upset. And that means they're less likely to get sick, and can be more productive and energetic.

Sick buildings make sick people!


We also discussed the reason why green building design isn't incorporated more often, espcially since it makes so much sense since you can save a lot of money over the long-term. The problem is that apparently a lot of the time the money for construction is controlled/overseen by a seperate person than the money for maintenance and the long-term costs of the building is. So since incorporating many of these green features would cost more to originally construct (but save more in the long-term), the builder doesn't take the long-term savings into account. All he knows is that he has a budget to meet. Ridiculous, isn't it? Theoretically it is the same person/corporation paying for the construction AND maintenance. So why can't they communicate a little better?

The relationship between humans and nature seems governed by bureaucracy. As discussed above, it can be corporate. It can also be governmental. I have heard about zoning bylaws quite a bit, and how they really hinder mixed use developments.

But the government also has the ability to help. Or, I should say, government employees. After all, the government is made up of people too. THOSE people have the ability to help, if they only have the courage. Unfortunately, it seems that they are ruled by fear of not being elected next year...so they will satify people's short-term desires just to get a vote. I would like to send a message to politicians. I am not a child. I can see much farther ahead than you give me credit for. Propose some policies to me that do not insult my intelligence!!

Can we build an office like this for me to work in? Please??!?

Green, Greener, Greenest! Part 2

Journal Entry #5: Wishing and Hoping

Hearing about all these green technologies is really making me excited for the future! I am totally building my dream house in my mind as I listen to everyone's presentations. Actually I have been building it for a while as I've learned about other interesting ideas as my degree has progressed.

It will have:
-an intensive green roof
-a composting toilet
-passive solar heating
-indoor water recycling
-a lawn planted with native prairie species
-backyard chickens

Not everyone is quite as thrilled with my grand ideas as I am though! The opinions of my future husband do matter...and frankly, he thinks I'm a tad crazy. He is definitely not relishing the thought of being the crazy neighbors on the block with a lawn on their roof and chickens cackling in the backyard! ...Or rotting poop in the basement, haha!

But he is actually a great sport when it comes to my growing environmental passion. When we first started dating I wasn't nearly as "into it" as I am now. I always did compost, hated people who litter, loved gardening and the outdoors, but now I am definitely taking it to a whole other level. Every time I mention a new green idea he gets a frightened look on his face, but then slowly nods and says, "sure, we can try that." I think he might love me a little bit!

Honestly though, he loves his modern conveniences. His parents immigrated to Canada to give him a chance at a better life, and he grew up poor while dreaming big. He has dreamed of the suburbs all his life. I sometimes have a difficult time with the idea of taking that away from him. But I really believe that the quality of life of ourselves and our children will be enhanced. It's much more difficult to accept changes if you focus on what you are giving up, rather than what you are gaining.