[All] Fwd: Bruce Peninsula Research Centre
Robert Milligan
mill at continuum.org
Tue Jul 20 02:53:36 EDT 2010
FYI
R
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Robert Milligan <mill at continuum.org>
> Date: July 20, 2010 2:50:22 AM GMT-04:00
> To: Arlene Kennedy <circleartsarlenekennedy at gmail.com>
> Subject: Bruce Peninsula Research Centre
>
> Arlene,
>
> I very much appreciated reading your leading Letter to the Editor in
> today's WR Record newspaper, http://kitchenerwaterloorecord.ca/Opinions/LettertotheEditor/article/745883
> . And I found our phone conversation additionally informative re:
> your praiseworthy intentions.
>
> The essence of your letter -- and project proposal -- seems to be
> that you wish to establish a "Bruce Peninsula Research Centre" that
> would be associated with an established institution of higher
> learning possibly as an outreach campus. Here "Environmental issues
> must come first" but conceivably would also involve the related
> dimensions of society and economy -- all 3 being part of the triple
> bottom concept which has valid application to Life activities
> generally.
>
> You wish the Centre to emphasize direct application but with some
> undirected research involving possibly some creative free-thinking
> (outside-the-box and established framework) and contemplation -- the
> latter you say may lead to "future but as yet unforeseen
> applications". Knowledge would be generated by both local residents
> and (formal) researchers as it is now.
>
> Also, as you say, a consideration might be a formal association with
> the existing Knowledge Forum where in May (university?) researchers
> presented their local efforts at the Parks Canada visitor centre.
>
> The below REPORT may have some IDEAS that you can use in developing
> your project proposal. Also, the REPORT will help give you courage
> and confidence because it demonstrates that a creative thinking
> person outside the university -- if they give the necessary time and
> effort -- can develop a proposal full of IDEAS that a university may
> find valuable.
>
> A caution: some at the university may be open to your IDEAS but
> others may not -- something like Life. The key is to find the right
> professor -- one interested professor can be sufficient -- who will
> run with you IDEAS.
>
> Best wishes,
> Robert Milligan
>
> PS: 1. I felt for privacy reasons that I should edit my REPORT to
> remove reference to the US university recipient of my pro-bono
> research efforts. In case that process was imperfect, please
> complete the editing before circulation. (Sorry that this may
> detract from readability.)
> 2. While the College had been proceeding, a new State Governor put
> things on hold. But, they are now continuing with the evaluation/
> development process again under the President's enthusiastic
> leadership.
>
>
>
>
>
> THE (GREEN SATELLITE CAMPUS) REPORT FOR A US LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE
>
>
> President ***********,
>
> In your Apr. 7 (2009) reply to my ****** email, you said, "I too
> hope this works out. We will be looking over the site very shortly
> and drafting a proposal for DEP. Seems an excellent opportunity
> given the nature of ****** College and our educational programs."
>
> After a visit early on, the Executive Director of the Rachel Carson
> Council (RCC) expressed an interest in the environmental education
> potential of this site. Wise vision and love of Nature had inspired
> Rachel Carson to tell a more complete truth about the environmental
> health dangers from the overuse and dependence on pesticides. The
> great popularity of Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" detailing
> her work ignited the environmental movement in 1960's.
>
> Rachel Carson's "vision of a world in which, humankind lives in
> harmony with other life on the planet still awaits
> fulfillment ..." (see below) and the spirit of her work suggests the
> need for a unique transformative environmental center where: 1) its
> knowledge is a penetrating signal for world citizens about the
> extreme environmental dangers to Planetary Life; 2) its knowhow
> indicates potential solutions to these environmental problems; and
> 3) it achieves this by multifarious participation/collaboration --
> including key public/private partnerships -- building from ** to
> the US and the World.
> (http://www.rachelcarsoncouncil.org/uploads/brochures/rcc_cent_brochure_web.pdf
> )
>
> After I was asked to assist with the ***** project at the Bioneers
> Satellite Conference in New Bedford MA last October (2008), I
> volunteered to help with my skills as an environmental consultant
> and educator.
>
> Initially I contacted just ***** University and ****** Community
> College because they were already involved in ****** County -- *****
> in oceanic research and ***** in some job training.
>
> Elsewhere, ***** University is involved in Green Technology -- via
> their Eco***** & Center for Green *****. They had suggested that an
> emphasis on Green Jobs would help attract government funds to any
> environmental advancement project.
>
> **CC had expressed an interest in being involved with courses for
> practical Green Jobs at the ***** site. They were also particularly
> interested in integrating sustainable ways of growing local organic
> food year round into their Culinary Arts program.
>
> The presence of **** College through environmental research &
> programs on the *** site -- possibly in cooperation with **** & **CC
> -- could help the most locally in 2 ways by: 1) teaching skills in
> green jobs while creating new types of green jobs (see Green
> IDEA#6 ); and 2) fostering sustainable community development (see
> Green IDEAs #7 & 8).
>
> Stakeholders will likely include all levels of locally serving
> politicians, the business community, faculty, citizens and ***
> College Board members. But, perhaps the most important stakeholders
> are those *** College faculty involved in the leading-edge
> Sustainability Initiative (SI) program. Measures to attain their
> support might include designing the new green venture so as to: 1)
> not increase SI faculty time demands, e.g. by a uniquely designed
> virtual ** campus re: the *** College learning component; and 2)
> complement but not compete with the SI program.
>
> The project could be greatly enhanced at little cost (i.e. synergy,
> or more with less) to *** College if other colleges and universities
> were involved in very inventive ways. Even some National stage
> players such as an Al Gore, William McDonough, or David Orr might
> be project &/or program advisors. This ** County green venture could
> be much more cost-effective by these types of collaboration.
>
> These thoughts and ideas were greatly influenced by consultation
> with local serving politicians and citizens; **DEP staff; faculty
> and administrators of ** College, **University and ** Community
> College; State of ** sustainability researchers and
> consultants, ... . Hopefully the below rationale and suggested Green
> IDEAS will be helpful to yourself and *** College in creating and
> realizing a Green Dream for the *** site.
>
>
> My very best wishes,
> Robert Milligan (519-696-2288)
>
>
>
> GREEN IDEAS FOR A ****** COLLEGE ****** (COUNTY) CAMPUS
> A proposed new-concept GREAT GREEN VENTURE with state, entrepreneur,
> community and other college/university participation
>
>
> "We have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth.",
> Gov. ****
>
>
> GREEN TRANSFORMATION BY ACCELERATED GLOBAL GREENING: Jobs &
> businesses for transforming buildings, agriculture, landscapes,
> vehicles & more
>
>
>
>
>
> The site being considered for a new campus on approx. 20 acres (of
> the 253 acre former Golf Course site) where the main building, the
> former mansion, supportive buildings, non-golf sports facilities,
> and 3 houses are located. The new Green IDEAS being proposed
> include various other (food security) buildings and demonstration
> open air sites. (Complete details in body of report.)
>
>
>
> The **** Complex (main building) ~ Located on 253 acres of land in
> ****, near Historic *****
>
>
>
> CURRENT CONTEXT (re: urgency & Green Transformation)
>
> "Leading international scientists ... at an emergency climate
> conference in Copenhagen ...
> (have demanded) that governments move fast as worst-case predictions
> of
> (irreversible ) global warming start to come true. ... " London's
> Daily Mail newspaper, 13 March 2009 http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1161686/Act-fast-face-decades-upheaval-war-climate-scientists-tell-governments.html
>
> "Lord Stern (the former World Bank chief economist whose Stern
> Review two years ago enumerated the cost of climate change) recently
> said the climate crisis so urgent (5C+ for global average increase)
> that we must reduce carbon dioxide emissions as fast and as soon as
> we can. ... It will transform where we live. Some places will be
> deserts, others will be racked by storms. It will involve the likely
> movement of hundreds of millions, possibly billions of people, and
> extended conflict." London's The Independent newspaper, 31 March
> 2009 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/stern-kingsnorth-should-be-shelved-1658035.html
>
>
> "(Our) efforts are aided by a team-based culture ... aligned with
> the organization’s vision of being environmentally responsible. ...
> Once you get people excited that they can have an impact on making a
> green transformation in their organization, … it just keeps
> going. ... (T)he organization’s core values must reflect its
> respect for the environment and guide its decisions. " Patricia
> Calkins, vice president of sustainability for Xerox in the panel
> discussion, "Transformations: How Big Companies Are Designing Green"
> at GreenByDesign" conference June 13, 2008, in Alexandria, Va.
> http://moss07.shrm.org/Publications/HRNews/Pages/RootGreenEffortsinBusiness.aspx
>
>
> "There is increasing awareness that human activity may threaten
> delicate ecological systems (by) global warming to ... water and
> soil toxicity. ... New technologies, processes and laws relating to
> carbon emissions and other environmental issues will come forth and
> seriously affect how companies operate in the future. Green
> transformation is increasingly a key management initiative in a
> corporate response to climate change. The software tool, Green
> Transformation Workbench: 1) can help companies work toward (green)
> goals in logical, manageable stages; 2) is a framework that aligns
> processes, people and infrastructure of an enterprise to realize
> targets on carbon emissions; 3) analyzes green transformation
> opportunities; 4) makes business cases for transformation
> initiatives ... . " From IBM's "Green Transformation Workbench: a
> Practitioner’s Tool for Carbon Management in Data Centers http://domino.watson.ibm.com/library/CyberDig.nsf/papers/B6EAC04C92D4B94D85257599005337
> 6E
>
>
> "To achieve widespread green transformation will require a vision,
> policies and practices that go beyond a notion of “upgrading” or
> improving a decaying system. What is required ...
> in the global effort to save the planet is: 1) a restructuring of
> economic and political relationships to recognize the essential
> contributions of the most marginalized groups;
> 2) local efforts to make our cities and communities more livable; 3)
> new business and finance models that capture and retain value within
> communities; 4) new approaches to wealth generation that integrate
> job creation with community enterprise and with better management of
> resource flows within and between communities; 5) fundamentally, a
> new mindset that sees sustainability not only in terms of carbon
> reduction but also in terms of resource generation and social
> inclusion; and 6) casting of this moment as one of plentiful
> opportunity, not just resource scarcity." The Green Hub at MIT Dept, of
> Urban Studies http://greenhub.dev.oneltd.co.uk/file_download/2/GreenEquity_Equation_Dec08.pdf
> .
>
> "... we are on the verge of an exciting “green” transformation
> of our economy. The key is to identify how we can make this
> transformation happen—as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
> The question also is how these efforts can best be linked to those
> of the international business community so as to realize this
> transformation on a scale, at a pace and all across the globe. The
> Green Jobs Initiative is ready to work with the business community
> to facilitate the greening of jobs and workplaces as part of
> corporate sustainable development policies and other relevant
> corporate initiatives. CEOs are encouraged to set in motion
> practical assessments of opportunities within their own companies
> and sectors for the further greening of jobs and workplaces...
> Investors and stockholders are increasingly demanding that companies
> assess how they are responding to the challenges of climate change
> — and development of green jobs and workplaces needs to be part of
> that process" UNEP Background Paper on Green Jobs 2008
> http://www.unep.org/labour_environment/pdfs/green-jobs-background-paper-18-01-08.pdf
> .
>
>
> A Green Transformation Leader: "William McDonough is an
> internationally renowned designer and one of the primary proponents
> and shapers of what he and his partners call ‘The Next Industrial
> Revolution.’ Time magazine recognized him ... as a ‘Hero for the
> Planet’, stating that “his utopianism is grounded in a unified
> philosophy that -- in demonstrable and practical ways -- is changing
> the design of the world.”"
> http://www.speakers.com/listing.asp?sid=2092
> "Imagine a world in which all the things we make, use, and consume
> provide nutrition for nature and industry—a world in which (a
> different type of) growth is good and human activity generates a
> delightful, restorative ecological footprint.
> "While this may seem like heresy to many in the world of sustainable
> development, the destructive qualities of today’s cradle-to-grave
> industrial system can be seen as the result of a fundamental design
> problem, not the inevitable outcome of consumption and economic
> activity. Indeed, good design—principled design based on the laws
> of nature—can transform the making and consumption of things into a
> regenerative force."
> From "A New Paradigm" http://www.mcdonough.com/writings_new_paradigm.htm
> See also "Re-inventing the World" http://www.mcdonough.com/writings_reinventing.htm
> "
>
>
>
> THOUGHT & ACTION
>
> Leading climate scientists and economists are very concerned and say
> that we must act soon and rapidly to stop climate change. Leading
> knowledge-economy organizations like Xerox, IBM, MIT and UNEP imply
> that a Green Transformation in the way all our organizations think
> and act is needed. This means at least that Humanity must urgently
> Accelerate Global Greening to decelerate climate warming.
>
> If we and most species are to survive, then all the leaders around
> the World -- political, economic, educational, ... -- must
> passionately speak up and urge World media to more
> effectively focus Humanity's attention on 1) the looming Climate
> Catastrophe and 2) the necessary Accelerated Global Greening that
> must be done. In fact, every knowledgeable Human has a
> responsibility to do their utmost to help so direct Humanity's
> attention -- they
> must even prod docile leaders and media into action.
>
> In Oct. 2007 Nobel Laureates were attempting to do just that with
> their poorly reported
> Postdam Memorandum which stated in part, "The traditional model of
> industrialization must be replaced by a novel global paradigm for
> sustainable development, based on alternative energy generation,
> increased resource efficiency, accelerated innovation, and a more
> equitable growth of wealth. ... This transformation must begin
> immediately!"
>
> Specifically, all Humans and their organizations must dedicate
> themselves to creatively think and act so as to learn, devise,
> implement in their homes, businesses and communities ways to rapidly
> help Accelerate Global Greening. Through media and formal educational
> institutions people must learn what to best do and how to do it. New
> Green Jobs and businesses -- and the greening of existing ones --
> will be an essential part of the Accelerated Global Greening process.
>
> But how might a **** Campus for **** College play a meaningful and
> useful role in helping to Accelerate Global Greening? Perhaps by
> intensively focusing on very inventive ways to accelerate the
> Greening (especially re: Jobs & Businesses) of ***** area and
> *****. Simultaneously, because of the urgency of the Global crises,
> there could be a focus on ways to catalyze Accelerated Greening
> around the World at the Local-State-Nation levels in an integrated
> manner.
>
> I am proposing -- after consulting many in NJ and beyond -- a
> combination of bold, timely and creative Green IDEAS to help
> Accelerate Global Greening towards an appropriate Green
> Transformation of all human thought and action.
>
> Some Green IDEAS are proven, some are new. Perhaps some of the
> unique Green IDEAS that I am suggesting -- combined with many others
> from sources around the World -- could be incubated, actualized and
> showcased (to the World given ****'s tourism status) at this locally-
> needed **** Campus.
>
> A strong emphasis on such Green IDEAS -- ones with great potential
> for Accelerating Global Greening towards a Green Transformation --
> may help increase the funding potential from government (green
> economic stimulus) and private sources (IBM, Xerox,
> Apple, ... ).
>
> Hopefully also some of the Green IDEAS that I am suggesting will
> contribute to the ascendency of ****** towards being the top Green
> College in the US, especially by helping to realize extensive
> Green Transformation. But more, such an honor would be indicative
> of Stockton College doing its all to help "rescue" the World -- much
> as ****** was willing to give his all to help save a struggling
> "America".
>
>
>
> SUMMARY OF GREEN IDEAS
>
> IDEA#1 -- The ***** Campus could be referred to as the "Green
> Inventive Campus" because of very creatively unique but practical
> educational approaches to the World Environmental Crisis on its land
> (253 acres) and buildings, but mostly electronically (WebTV,
> internet generally).
>
> IDEA#2 -- Create a new type of Green "school" with novel approaches
> to learning, knowledge and research. Such a "school"could be
> called, the Green Transformation Institute (GTI). Its motto could
> be, "Advance sustainably by accelerating global greening".
>
> IDEA#3 -- Greatly increase the outreach and significance of ****
> College-founded Green Transformation Institute at the ***** Campus
> by offering **** College courses virtually (over the internet) that
> are for credit (initially based just on existing courses but also
> newly developed ones and imports from elsewhere when approved) and
> not-for-credit (Green Jobs & Volunteer Work). [Compare with #7 ]
>
> IDEA#4-- The Green Transformation Institute could create a
> practical but research-
> based Accelerated Greening program in collaboration with ****, *****
> and possibly other colleges, universities, institutes. .... This
> could help foster new Green Jobs (by existing job development or
> inventing new jobs), Green Businesses and related Sustainable
> Community Development -- thus attracting federal stimulus funds.
>
> IDEA#5 -- Students could learn in primarily a self-directed way --
> but guided by a **** College(+) (see #8) Advisory Team -- via Green
> Transformation projects. They could be free to 'consult with'/'take
> courses in' Leading-Edge Academic Programs from around the World
> that directly and indirectly help Accelerate Global Greening --
> especially for the virtual campus.
>
> IDEA#6 -- Use as (part time) universal program advisors professors
> from proven leading-edge academic programs from US, Canada, ... that
> directly and indirectly help Accelerate Global Greening --
> especially for the possible virtual campus.
>
> IDEA#7 -- Implement the best ideas to Accelerate Global Greening on
> the "Green Inventive Campus" from other Colleges, Universities, etc.
> Many would likely be those who received high rankings in the
> Princeton Review's "Green Rating" of colleges.
>
> IDEA#8 -- GREEN MODELS FOR UNIVERSAL REPLICATION: To help catalyze
> Accelerated Greening in other local communities in **, the
> US, ... , the Green Transformation Institute could create a model
> Accelerated Greening Center (AGC) on the **** Campus possibly using
> the motto of "Think/act with Nature locally thru to Globally". Then
> AGC's be diffused across the US and beyond as local non-profit
> organizations (possibly using the franchise approach from the profit
> sector).
>
> IDEA#9 -- Involve in the creation and operating of the Accelerated
> Greening Centers local communities, municipalities, and State
> officials in various ways, from those where there are precedents to
> those which are very unique.
>
> IDEA#10 -- Within the virtual part of the Accelerated Greening
> Institute, set up a very ambitious Green Academics Laboratory with
> the objective of gradually 'linking to'/'grounding in' the Natural
> Environment all ***** (and beyond) academic courses and disciplines
> so that they can better contribute to -- high effectiveness, low
> risk --
> Accelerated Greening.
>
> IDEA#11 -- ***'s Earlier Draft Plan for the 253 acre **** Site Be
> Implemented as an integral part of the Green Transformation
> Institute and of the ecological restoration of the site's large
> Natural area -- in Cooperation with ****.
>
> IDEA#12 -- The ***** main building -- the initial core of this new
> type of Green campus -- could be named The Rachel Carson
> Environmental Complex to honor the founder of modern day
> environmentalism (with permission from the Rachel Carson Society).
> Without a Rachel Carson, humanity could still be in denial of the
> need for an accelerated "Green Transformation'.
>
>
>
> INSPIRATION & DIRECTION
>
> “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is
> limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination
> embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and
> understand. ... (Therefore) never underestimate the power of a new
> idea. Albert Einstein
>
> "***** is ... designed to provide a distinct alternative to other
> more traditional modes of undergraduate education through programs
> in the arts, sciences and professional studies."
> "*****" by Dr. ******
>
> "The goal of these varied programs is to educate and empower
> students to help shape a more sustainable future and to provide
> positive examples of responsible energy use and environmental
> management." *****
>
> "Knowledge is faith mediated by symbols. ... Spirit is a form of
> life in which values are consciously universalized. ... Human
> imagination compensates for the limitations of understanding."
> George Santayana
>
> Guiding us in the creation/production of Green Ideas are thoughts
> such as:
>
> Advancing sustainably requires a harmonious reframing of the higher
> purposes/values of individuals, of cultures and of nations, so that
> profit and wealth can serve but not rule. Then, the lower-level
> divisions and conflicts that threaten the survival of humans and all
> other species may be minimized. (When President Obama talks about
> the need for higher
> purposes and takes a more harmonious approach to the World, then he
> is moving in
> the above direction.)
>
> In the spirit of Janine Beynus's "Biomimicry", Nature as exemplar
> for humanity's future success suggests (using "analogously" Nature's
> implicit values of survival and bio-diversity):
> 1) Sustain Life Ecologically (by Accelerating Global Greening);
> 2) Complexify Human Consciousness (by Infinitely Diversifying &
> Unifying Knowledge)
> See http://www.biomimicry.net/ & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomimicry
> .
>
> We could differentiate the various types of growth into 3 streams:
> materials, energy and information. We can conceive of 'heightening"
> processes other than growth such as developing, advancing, evolving,
> complexifying, ... each of which could be a "substitute".
> depending on the situation.
>
> Further, information is both a general label for but also a
> participant in a series of "information" concepts of increasing
> complexity, viz: signal, sign, data, information, knowledge,
> consciousness, spirituality
>
> Then using this conception, we can say that survival on a finite
> Planet requires growth/...
> of "information"so that we can better minimize -- in harmony with
> nature -- our use of materials and energy.
>
> Further -- shifting/complexifying from information to knowledge --
> we are moving towards a Nature-Integrated Knowledge Society/Economy
> that all must effectively participate in so as to optimize our
> chances of survival.
>
> "***** ... (is) designed to provide a distinct alternative to
> other more traditional modes of undergraduate education ...". In
> that spirit, ***** could have as a mandate to:
> 1) re-represent (as necessary) knowledge (http://www4.psychologie.uni-freiburg.de/esf-lhm/tf2-missn.htm
> ) so it is more generally accessible; 2) design knowledge media (http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/programs/index.asp?key=38
> ) so as to take into consideration the varying best learning styles
> of students; 3) make available to all students on the internet,
> courses & methods that will directly (e. g. Harvard developed
> "Spark" [http://johnratey.typepad.com/]) or indirectly optimize
> their learning potential and curiosity (e.g. as many students feel
> under constant stress & may have related sleep problems from
> elevated cortisol levels, then an organic Ayurvedic herb Tulsi or
> Holy Basil [http://www.holy-basil.com/] can be of great help) .
>
> This sustainable Nature-Integrated Knowledge Society/Economy, with
> its new worldview, may help prevent "cultural" wars (between: haves
> and have nots, strong and weak, extremists and moderates, smart and
> "dumb", ...). That is, it could lead toward a necessary cooperative/
> collaborative relationship between those who formerly had
> unresolvable differences.
>
>
>
>
> GREEN IDEAS DETAILED
>
> IDEA#1 -- The **** Campus could be referred to as the "Green
> Inventive Campus" because of very creatively unique but practical
> educational approaches to the World Environmental Crisis on its land
> (253 acres) and buildings, but mostly electronically (WebTV,
> internet generally).
>
> This "Inventive Green Campus" approach could include giving
> students -- in a guided manner -- the transdisciplinary learning
> environment, the appropriate green technological tools and the
> creative transformation potential generally needed "to seize the
> moment to (help) develop a Green Economy" (Lisa Jackson to P3
> Student Teams, 5th Annual National Design Expo, Wa.)
>
> The high degree of risk posed by the accelerating climate crisis
> means that humanity must
> make changes in our way of Life at a level of WWII multiplied many
> times over. Our survival
> demands that we re-think and re-invent just about everything.
> http://www.mcdonough.com/writings_reinventing.htm
>
>
>
> IDEA#2 -- Create a new type of Green "school" with novel approaches
> to learning, knowledge and research. Such a "school"could be
> called, the Green Transformation Institute (GTI). Its motto could
> be, "Advance sustainably by accelerating global greening".
>
> In the spirit of a "Green Inventive Campus", its distinctive focus
> could be on innovative ways for humanity to appropriately green
> itself very thoroughly and very quickly, This great rapidity of
> greening is a requisite for Humanity to continue to advance
> sustainably. The GTI motto of "Advance sustainably by accelerating
> global greening" would indicate Earth's key survival need of greatly
> increasing the rate at which we are Greening (Culture & Nature) on
> Planet Earth.
>
> If people around the World do not use all means possible to speed-
> up, to accelerate, the slow rate at which we are "solving" the
> Global Environmental Crises -- all serious Life threatening problems
> are both Global and Environmental -- then we risk exceeding
> catastrophic tipping points. In climate change alone, we have been
> exhorted by Climate Scientists, Financial Experts and Nobel
> Laureates to act quickly and effectively to transform our
> disharmonious way of Life.
>
> Until Humanity's gross industrial intervention, Nature was a
> millions-of-years success story. Obviously, Nature has lessons for
> us on longevity. The learning of these lessens is perhaps best
> described by the new meaning of "Greening" inferred by recent usage:
> 1) a greater inclusion in Human Culture of Nature itself, its
> designs, its processes, its "values", ... , and 2) the healing of
> the damaged parts of Nature assisted by ecological reclamation &/or
> restoration. (Somewhat supported by usage here: http://www.yourdictionary.com/greening.)
>
> The very unique Green Transformation Institute could represent the
> major focus of ****'s new ***** Green Inventive Campus. GTI could
> serve as an academic/practical "central core" to which other initial
> Green IDEAS could be related. Further, ***** could vigorously and
> continuously seek to include/integrate the best new Green IDEAS in
> GTI -- and when proven, on the main campus (and beyond), as
> appropriate. This would help hasten the time when ***** becomes --
> and then continued to be -- the greenest college/university in
> America by helping to continuously make all colleges and
> universities optimally Green.
>
> GTI could implement the maximum number of leading-edge proven &/or
> *****-"invented" Green IDEAS for its buildings, landscape, courses/
> programs, campus groups, and faculty/student/staff collaborations
> with the local community, governments (all levels), ethical
> businesses, other educational institutions (all levels), ... .
>
> Also, GTI could help realize Humanity's critical survival need to
> "Accelerate Global Greening" by serving as a clearinghouse for
> accelerative Green IDEAS that could be shared with the World via the
> internet and WebTV.
>
> The Green Transformation Institute could also be unique by
> encompassing a very broad focus in programs from the highest
> academic to the most practical, and from involvement with the
> spectrum of age-levels of those who had accelerative Green IDEAS to
> contribute.
>
>
> IDEA#3 -- Greatly increase the outreach and significance of Stockton-
> founded Green Transformation Institute at the **** Campus by
> offering courses virtually (over the internet) that are for credit
> (initially based just on existing Stockton courses but also newly
> developed ones and imports from elsewhere when approved) and not-for-
> credit (Green Jobs & Volunteer Work). [Compare with #7 ]
>
> Just as our attempts to Accelerate Greening need to focus especially
> on existing buildings and existing vehicles (convert them to
> electric), educational institutions can best help to Accelerate
> Greening by focusing not only on the current student population at
> all levels but the majority non-student adult (18+) population.
> Further, the World under America's leadership has much environmental
> catching up to do and America needs to improve its World prestige
> generally.
>
> Consequently, I am proposing as America's gift to people --
> students and adults -- around the World, a virtual (internet, open)
> educational institution. Programs/courses could be available to for
> credit (nominal fee) or non-credit (free). The prime objective could
> be to Accelerate Global Greening. (Perhaps even high school
> supplementation could be offered.)
>
> A virtual form of the Green Transformation Institute could be very
> appropriate for this role. Initiated by ****, it could include
> various collaborating colleges & universities, the State of **, the
> US government, UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program, ... .
> The necessary very high level of quality and choice of this World-
> reaching virtual Green Transformation Institute could further
> enhance the educational experience of all students.
>
> Green Transformation Institute courses offered virtually will have a
> very small energy footprint per course than ones held full time in a
> building to which students have to travel. Building use would be
> limited to course management, occasional "in person" meetings, and
> some library involvement (increasingly on-line books). Canada's
> accredited Athabasca University has functioned very successfully for
> many years as just a virtual university.
> (http://www2.athabascau.ca/aboutau/index.php)
>
>
>
>
> IDEA#4-- The Green Transformation Institute could create a
> practical but research-
> based Accelerated Greening program in collaboration with ****, ****
> and possibly other colleges, universities, institutes. .... This
> could help foster new Green Jobs (by existing job development or
> inventing new jobs), Green Businesses and related Sustainable
> Community Development -- thus attracting federal stimulus funds.
>
> The Green Transformation Institute could appropriately "house"/
> encompass possible joint ****, *****, **** Centers: Center for
> Green Job Development (see proposed Green Jobs below), the Center
> for Sustainable Community Development (SCD? http://www.sfu.ca/cscd/what_is_scd.html)
> , the Center for Business and the Environment, the Center for Green
> Building Design, the Center for Green Technology (Proving,
> Evaluation and Demonstrtion)
>
> Initially GTI could be "housed" in the Rachel Carson Environmental
> Complex. A
> future development could to have its own separate new building (on
> mansion site OR?). It could be a very Green, very cost-effective and
> quickly constructed large bermed monolithic dome (http://www.dometech.com/
> ).
>
> The GTI could model -- physically & on the internet -- the latest in
> proven Green Technologies for homes and communities. This could be
> done through the Center for Green Technology
>
> Also, the GTI could recruit people -- including unemployed youth --
> for Green Job Training &/or learning how to operate a small Green
> Business. Dedicated computers in libraries,
> community centers and even "popular" restaurant hangouts could be
> used.
>
> **** University and **** Community College have expressed an
> interest especially in Green Jobs programs at the site. Both ****
> and ***** could collaborate with **** to create new Green Jobs
> course content, sometimes based on the invention of new types of
> Jobs based on **** assisted R&D. **** could deliver the resulting
> practical and trades programs component and ***** the "higher" level
> courses. (More *****/**** details in IDEA#10 -- GREEN MODELS FOR
> UNIVERSAL REPLICATION)
>
>
> Here are some ideas for possible Green Jobs:
>
> 1. Green Renovation Technician: can green renovate homes & other
> buildings, and learns to innovate by participating in research
> activities to push the limits, such as using straw bale & straw clay
> (the existing 4 buildings necessary as "evolving" examples of
> leading-edge green- renovated buildings) [less CO2 means a more
> weather-stable environment for wildlife and a less acidic (CO2/H2S)
> ocean];
> 2. Green Building Assessor: can do a building energy/health
> assessment with recommendations.
> 3. Green Landscaping Technician: can organically naturalize (or bio-
> diversify) yards, parks, ... to save water, beautify land, avoid
> 'time wasting'/'exhaust polluting'/'energy wasting mowing, produce
> "permaculture" food, ... (all of the 253 acres could be naturalized
> where Nature needs to be supplemented, e. g . by removing alien
> species)[as land becomes more naruralized in **, more wildlife
> habitat will be created on private properties and the avoidance of
> toxic lawn chemicals will -- totaled over ** -- make a safer F&W {as
> in ***} habitat];
> 4. Green Microbial Energy Technician: can build/install fermenting &/
> or composting units for homes, farms, wild harvesting
> cooperatives, ... -- and/or manage their operation -- to produce
> alcohol or methane, e.g. use in furnace&/or sell to municipality
> utility [ bio-sequestering CO2 in a solar greenhouse and avoidance
> of very toxic chemicals (re. phragmites) benefit F&W];
> 5. Green Agricultural Technician: can build/'grow (organic) food'
> involving a radically new form of no-energy input Underground Solar
> Greenhouse (greenhouse experts from ****
> could help prove various designs and crop varieties);
> 6. Green Harvesting Technican: can weed/harvest very problematic
> invasive alien species
> -- like phragmites -- by manual/mechanical {in development} means --
> for fuel, feed, and fertilizer (might use all NJDEP natural areas
> and other properties under contractual agreements);
> 7. Green Mechanical Technician: can convert combustion cars to
> electric using existing & new kits (need space for adjacent 3-
> bay(?) green garage) [cleaner air and less acidic ocean environment/
> habitats];
> 8. Ecoforestry Technologist: can harvest & manage forest in a
> sustainable manner so that a minimum of energy is used (horses) and
> the biodiversity of the forest is maintained ("ln forested areas,
> ecoforestry and sustainable forest management can facilitate
> effective management of protected areas by expanding opportunities
> for income generation and sustainable livelihood enhancement for
> local people. Potential sources of income from forests include
> artisanally logged timber and a wide range of non-wood forest
> products, as well as ecotourism and the services needed to sustain
> it.. " http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5558e/y5558e04.htm) [ Would
> use all State
> forests and State-owned forested areas.]
> 9. Eco-restoration Technologist
> 10. Green Reclamation Technologist
> 11. Green Job & Business Councillor
>
>
>
> IDEA#5 -- Students could learn in primarily a self-directed way --
> but guided by a ****(+) (see #8) Advisory Team -- via Green
> Transformation projects. They could be free to 'consult with'/'take
> courses in' Leading-Edge Academic Programs from around the World
> that directly and indirectly help Accelerate Global Greening --
> especially for the virtual campus.
>
> Perhaps one of the best examples of a very innovative self-directed
> program is that in Sustainable Community Development (SCD) at
> Prescott College in Arizona. As they describe it, "Program Overview:
> The invitation to students in the Sustainable Community Development
> (SCD) Program is to study, design, apply and evaluate principles of
> their particular interest toward a quality of life that secures the
> created human community in cooperation with local ecosystems and
> native life forms.
>
> The undergraduate SCD Program at Prescott College, born in 1996, is
> one of the oldest programs of its kind from an accredited college.
> It evolved from students in the Adult Degree Program (ADP)
> expressing a need for a program of study to explore ways to offer
> integrative service to human and natural communities. That need for
> truly interdisciplinary lifework metamorphosed into the SCD’s
> Butterfly Curriculum whose four wings symbolize core categories of
> learning. Students bring to the program their passionate focus in
> sustainability and use the curriculum as a supportive frame for
> creation, with the collaboration of faculty, of their complete B.A.
> degree program of study.
>
> The Four Realms of the Sustainable Community:
> The following is an elaboration on the Sustainable Community
> Development (SCD) curriculum framework. Courses may be created from
> these categories and the student’s own design. The SCD framework is
> necessarily interdisciplinary, inviting study in natural and social
> sciences, communications, and the humanities which roughly
> corresponds to the contemporary Liberal Arts curriculum. Students
> often find that their life vision naturally feels more at home in
> one (or more) of the realms and are encouraged to make that vision
> the center of their program curriculum, seeking balance through
> studies and projects in other realms.
>
> The Four Realms include:
> 1. Natural History of the Region
> 2, Appropriate Technologies and Assessment
> 3. Social, Spiritual, and Philosophical Foundations of Community
> 4. Communication, Celebration, and Education in the Community"
> See http://www.prescott.edu/academics/adp/programs/scd/program_overview.html
>
>
> IDEA#6 -- Use as (part time) universal program advisors professors
> from proven leading-edge academic programs from US, Canada, ... that
> directly and indirectly help Accelerate Global Greening --
> especially for the possible virtual campus.
>
> An approach for fast cost-effective implementation could be
> establish a program/student collaborative advisor relationship with
> the key professor(s) associated with various 'other college/
> university' programs which are either in their entirety or partially
> related to Accelerated Greening in a significant way. This could
> involve those professors spending sabbaticals/'summer vacations' in
> **** to assist, in addition to shorter visits and phone/internet
> communication. Further, an approach to managing these new multi/
> transdosciplinary programs could be via a Center as is done at both
> U. British Columbia and U. Waterloo, but in virtual form
>
>
> 1. Center for Ecosystem Health
>
> If a degraded Natural system is to undergo Accelerated Greening in
> the sense of ecological
> reclamation &/or restoration, then indicators of its "state of
> health" are important both for
> initial evaluation (and as a base point) and throughout the
> Accelerated Greening process
> both to minimize harm and to measure progress. Ecosystem health
> indicators can be of some assistance here.
>
> [U. of Western Ontario, http://www.uwo.ca/biology/undergraduate/ecosystemhealth.htm
> or Professor David Rapport (ret'd), perhaps the leading ecosystem
> health expert in the world, who said that he would be available to
> help establish an undergrad program at an American university.] More
> sophisticated knowledge is required by all environmental
> professionals about the state of health of species and ecosystems.
> Humans generally must know better the bio/eco-effects of their
> current way of life. Could initially be an undergrad program.
>
> 2. Center for Knowledge Integration
>
> To better see the simulated effects beforehand of a proposed complex
> Accelerated Greening project and to better monitor the effects of
> such a project as it is realized, knowledge of the project context
> that is more integrated will give a more accurate and
> complete picture of the those effects. The increased power and
> ubiquity of especially some
> proposed Global technological Accelerated Greening projects demands
> that we know better the fullness of what we might be doing, e.g.
> carbon particles in the atmosphere, or solar
> mirrors/cells in fixed position beaming microwave energy down to the
> surface.
>
> [University of Waterloo, http://www.ki.uwaterloo.ca/] In the fall of
> 2008, U. Waterloo initiated the university-world's first program in
> KI leading to a BKI degree.
> The Director/Creator of this program said that he would be willing
> to work with an American
> University to help implement a similar program. More integrated
> knowledge is needed as a
> "medium" to better enable humanity to "see" the effects of its past
> and (potential) future actions -- especially the effects on our
> environmental life support system.
>
> 3. Center for Sustainable Community Development (SCD)
> [Compare to Prescott College's SCD program in #7]
>
> The natural environment is a big part of such a program. This import
> from Canada's Province of British Columbia would appear -- with an
> attendant SNJ Center for Sustainable Community Development (CSCD) --
> to be a very appropriate fit for the new ***** Campus at the ****
> site in **** County. The fit is right because of the high level of
> unemployment and attendant crime and family instability. especially
> in the **** area of **** Township I know that this is an important
> interest of many local citizens, municipal
> politicians, businesses and most certainly is an interest of both
> Senator **** and President *****.
>
>
> 4. Strategic Foresight (or Future Studies)
>
> As our Global Culture and Environment increasingly accelerate into
> the future, our need to have correspondingly better foresight --
> more accurate, faster perceived & further ahead --
> becomes greater. We ignore the future to our peril.
>
> This very unique program area is also very much environment related.
> I have
> been a Futurist myself for many years and consider it a program that
> should be at every
> college and university -- perhaps 'combined with'/'an extension of'
> history and contemporary
> studies (where it exists). Possible resource persons: Dr. Peter
> Bishop at the Masters Program for Future Studies in Commerce,
> University of Houston
> (http://www.advancement.uh.edu/magazine/winter08/lastword.html); Key
> members of the World Future Society; Ontario College of Art &
> Design's Master of Design program in Strategic Foresight and
> Innovation [http://www.ocad.ca/programs/graduate_studies/mdes_strategic_foresight_innovation.htm
> ]
>
> 5. Sustainable(/Ecological/Environmental/Human ) Economics. New
> Green approaches are needed for economics but also for
> (interrelated) accounting. [Center for Green Economics and Accounting]
> Economics and accounting -- and their underlying ideologies --
> together determine how the most powerful individuals and
> organizations view the World
>
> http://www.geog.mcgill.ca/faculty/brown/ (a whole new approach
> to economics)
> http://www.sustainableeconomics.org/
> http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC32/Gilman.htm (Design for a
> Sustainable Economics)
>
> http://www.articlesbase.com/accounting-articles/environmental-quotgreenquot-accounting-primer-756095.html
>
> 6. Environment & Business Such programs exist at some universities
> in US, Canada, ...
> (http://www.snre.umich.edu/degree_programs/mba)
> (http://www.environment.uwaterloo.ca/business/)
> (http://www.otago.ac.nz/subjects/env_studies/env_and/business.html
> )
>
> 7. Values Development The key area for a viable direction towards a
> sustainable future.
> (http://www.carleton.ca/cove/ethical_analysis.html)
> (http://vitalhub.net/vp_values.htm)
> (http://www.valuestech.com/sub/OmegaFactor4.pdf)
> (http://www.integralstrategies.org/envirocommunication.html)
>
>
> 8. Urban Agriculture In cooperation with both ACCC and Rutgers.
> (http://www.ruaf.org/node/1560)
> (http://www.ryerson.ca/foodsecurity/projects/urbanagriculture/index.html
> )
> (http://www.celsias.com/article/urban-agriculture-career-path/)
> (http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/srr/BACUA/center_for_urban_agriculture.htm
> )
> (http://www.gardencitylands.ca/PDF/KentMullinix-UrbanAgricultureEducation.pdf.
> )
>
> 9. Green Building Design as a necessary complement to ****'s Green
> Building Construction & Renovation program and in cooperation with
> ****'s Center for *****.
>
>
>
>
> IDEA#7 -- Implement the best ideas to Accelerate Global Greening on
> the "Green Inventive Campus" from other Colleges, Universities, etc.
> Many would likely be those who received high rankings in the
> Princeton Review's "Green Rating" of colleges
>
> Many colleges and universities -- even high schools -- are heeding
> the call to "Go Green" or become more sustainable. These ideas need
> to be evaluated and diffused fast when found exceptional. Perhaps a
> GTI Center for Green Technology Assessment, possibly working in
> collaboration with Princeton Review's "Green Ratings" could
> physically incorporate the best if these Green IDEAS (http://www.princetonreview.com/green.aspx
> ) and also re-create them
> virtually. GTI could also be a first-user of new exceptional Green
> Technologies.
>
>
>
> IDEA#8 -- GREEN MODELS FOR UNIVERSAL REPLICATION: To help catalyze
> Accelerated Greening in other local communities in NJ, the
> US, ... , the Green Transformation Institute could create a model
> Accelerated Greening Center (AGC) on the *** Campus possibly using
> the motto of "Think/act with Nature locally thru to Globally". Then
> AGC's be diffused across the US and beyond as local non-profit
> organizations (possibly using the franchise approach from the profit
> sector).
>
> The Accelerated Greening Center (AGC) idea as an initial project for
> the Green Transformation Institute was conceived of to initially
> serve the specific sustainability needs of the ***** tourist area,
> ***** -- partially those of **** University and ***** Community
> College -- and the State.
>
> AGC's primary role would be to implement the research-based
> practical green jobs, green entrepreneurship and business programs
> developed at the GTI initially by **** (lead), ***** and ***** .
> This project could be a phycical model or "green pilot-plant" for
> other similar Centers in the State and beyond.
>
> Complementary partner **** University could use its green research,
> green knowhow/knowledge and green advocacy skills to provide
> additional innovative green leadership. **** could bring its very
> practical course development skills along with its
> interest in campus and program greening. All 3 educational
> institutions will be able to
> better serve their local communities through their implementation of
> this pilot AGC.
>
> As they diffuse across** and beyond, the AGC's could initially be
> part of existing training centers using mostly a virtual approach.
> In time they could realize the full physical model at the *****
> Green Inventive campus site, as deemed appropriate. Now, in a more
> narrative manner, just imagine:
>
> Using physical exhibits &/or multi-media -- inspired by biomimicry
> (Nature's harmonious designs & processes ) and a concern for Planet
> Earth -- the AGCs could feature green technology for: homes and
> businesses, landscapes and food (organic & permaculture) production,
> waste treatment and toxin removal, year-round low/no energy
> greenhouses, and renewable energy, ... . All these wonderful green
> technologies would be showcased, demonstrated, and experienced
> through the AGCs.
>
> On-site and on the internet could be freely available talks, panel
> discussions, lectures, seminars, courses, coaching sessions, free
> exploration, ... -- all to encourage a new green way of life. Some
> may even find it like a more serious but fun "Disney World"
> experience.
>
> Biomimicry-based design integrated with smart growth, with its open
> space reserves, could provide and create a year-round healthy local
> food capability -- this means more green businesses and jobs.
>
> The Center could demonstrate both toxic remediation by natural
> processes and ecological restoration. A more innovative tie-in would
> be to link composting toilet (the water pollution solution) produced
> methane/hydrogen to a hi-efficiency gas furnace whose CO2 was bio-
> sequestered in backyard organic solar greenhouses, thus accelerating
> the crops growth rate. Many common sense unrealized green ideas are
> possible when citizen inventors &/or entrepreneurs are given
> encouragement by their communities and governments.
>
> The main focus of the AGC could be on the interrelated areas of
> urban sustainability, food sustainability, energy sustainability and
> environmental sustainability generally. This focus could be
> practically realized in part through preparation for jobs in: 1)
> green building renovation; 2) green urban/'near-urban' agriculture
> (via low/no energy solar greenhouses*); 3) green landscaping
> (naturalization* of the urban landscape); 4) green mechanics
> (vehicle combustion engines to electric initially using kits*); 5)
> green harvesting (harvesting of invasive plants such as
> fragmites*for fuel by burning as a coal replacement or fermenting
> into ethanol, thus avoiding the use of very toxic chemicals).
>
> This enhanced greening of **'s businesses and communities would
> likely be aided by Federal Stimulus Funding. ****' major purpose in
> this venture would be -- through research to prove these new green
> technologies -- to ramp-up helping to turn the state-wide (existing
> and developing) environmental sustainability crises into
> opportunities.
>
> The urban, food, toxins, energy, ... crises would become
> opportunities to create a new green way of sustainable living. The
> AGC, as an extension of *** & ***, would help to catalyze the
> creation of primarily green jobs but also green businesses and green
> lifestyles.
>
> Green and sustainable project cooperation with leading-edge ***
> could help enhance
> various *** programs. An environmental policy program and a possible
> new Environmental & Business program could benefit from association
> with ***'s leading-edge green entrepreneurial/transformative
> research (Eco****). A possible new program in Green Building Design
> could benefit from ****'s' green building research, advocacy, and
> education activities of the Center for ****.
>
> *** and **** could collaborate to provide unique coherent
> integration of green knowhow/knowledge. This could play a critical
> role in providing proven very distinctive content to the Center's
> activities. The AGC could also be a green 'public/business'-friendly
> outreach of *** & **** to the State, the Country, and the World.
> Increasingly other
> colleges and universities could be invited to join as major or minor
> partners in a great
> Global Green Transformation.
>
>
> IDEA#9 -- Involve in the creation and operating of the Accelerated
> Greening Centers
> local communities, municipalities, and State officials in various
> ways, from those where there are precedents to those which are very
> unique.
>
> Very innovative means to optimize collaborative processes that
> accelerate global greening -- as though our Life depended on it --
> will be absolutely necessary if we are to avoid critical
> climate (and other) tipping points. Traditional artificial barriers
> that discourage private and
> public organizations -- and their employees -- collaborating with
> knowledgeable and skilled citizen volunteers in very creative ways
> that improve Life quality must be removed.
>
> Perhaps the State of **** through participating in the GTI and its
> AGC could use office space in the RCEC for rotating designated
> leading-edge experts from the DEP and other departments having
> educational, agricultural, tourism, and building responsibilities.
> Also, volunteers from various organizations -- including *** itself
> -- and the general public could collaborate with academics and
> professionals in the GTI/AGC experimental projects and ventures.
> Some volunteers could even help operate GTI/AGC.
>
>
> IDEA#10 -- Within the virtual part of the Green Transformation
> Institute, set up a very ambitious Green Academic Integration
> Laboratory with the objective of gradually 'linking to'/'grounding
> in' the Natural Environment all **** (and beyond) academic courses
> and disciplines so that they can better contribute to -- high
> effectiveness, low risk -- Accelerated Greening.
>
> Quantitative "growth" of 'energy/material'-intensive structures and
> processes (with a short life span) is the dominant way of
> "advancement". This excessive waste of relatively scarce resources
> must be replaced by redesigned but environmentally sustainable
> living systems.
> Ecological design leaders as William McDonough and Janine Benyus
> could help show how to best proceed with the time-proven wise
> example of Nature as a guide.
> See (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janine_Benyus) &
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McDonough)
>
> If we are to enable Life to be sustainable on Earth, then a more
> qualitative "advancement" --in harmony with Nature -- must be
> developed (or invented). The primary emphasis would be on the
> development of knowledge, consciousness and spirituality -- 2
> theoretical physicists, Sir Roger Penrose and Fred Alan Wolf
> respectively, are suggesting such paradigm shifts. We would rapidly
> move towards a 'Knowledge+' economy and society -- lack of
> sufficient practical methods of financial gain is a major current
> impedimant.
>
> However, we have a large problem. Our current knowledge is not
> integrated nor does it link with Nature. This makes our knowledge a
> potential weapon against ourselves and all living
> systems -- from "good" microbes to Life's Earth home. So, to de-
> weaponize knowledge and
> transform it into a long-term sustaining and advancing resource, we
> must integrate it and
> link it with Nature.
>
> This is a very exciting, challenging but essential Green venture
> that -- in an exponential manner -- we must think more about and act
> on. This will help us to Accelerate Global
> Greening with much less risk of negative consequences, particularly
> for global diffusing but
> potentially irreversible technological "solutions". A great
> opportunity exists for Stockton via a very inventive Green Academic
> Integration Laboratory, to set a Global example and thus catalyze a
> very necessary movement. (Note the less ambitious U. of Waterloo's
> Centre for Knowledge Integration, Dept. of Env & Resources, Faculty
> of Environment, http://www.ki.uwaterloo.ca/).
>
> IDEA#11 -- ***'s Earlier Draft Plan for the 253 acre **** Site Be
> Implemented as an integral part of the Green Transformation
> Institute and of the ecological restoration of the site's large
> Natural area -- in Cooperation with D**.
>
> Collaboratively, the Green Transformation Institute and the***'s
> Division of *** (D**) could develop, feature and actively interpret
> to visitors displays of *** fish and wildlife. But more, the GTI
> could show how the Accelerated Greening of Human Culture will
> greatly also will benefit fish and wildlife.
>
> Suggested to be an integral part of the RCEEC, a summary of the D**
> Draft Plan (from some 5+ yrs. ago) is as follows:
>
> "The D** also wants to restore the property by creating and
> enhancing the habitat there, but with a serious lack in government
> funding, no one knows when it might happen. This restoration project
> at “Ponderlodge” is desperately needed. "... Wildlife Foundation
> ***
> (**** students and the community, assisted by external funding, can
> help realize DEP's objective.)
>
> "This plan outlines the habitat restoration activities that DFW will
> carry out at the **** Golf Course. The plan guides the restoration
> and enhancement of habitats and will result in the creation/
> enhancement of 140 acres of forests, 15 acres of wetlands. 22 acres
> of grasslands, 14 acres of meadow, 16 acres of scrub-shrub habitat
> and 5 vernal pools in this wildlife management area (WMA).
>
> This plan takes advantage of many of the existing features on the
> property and adds valuable acres of habitat for migratory birds and
> other wildlife. The proposed design of this project maximizes use of
> the site for wildlife, outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing and
> environmental education and could result in a showcase WMA that
> receives high visitation. ...
>
> The goal of any environmental education program is to advance the
> public's understanding of the natural world and their connections to
> it, and to foster a sense of stewardship. To do this we must help
> people establish personal connections. Wildlife is the carrot that
> will help establish those connections. ... Volunteer programs could
> be established to help monitor bird populations and build a sense of
> ownership and responsibility for the site. ...
>
> One option for the main lodge is to seek capital funding to repair
> and renovate it. Then the lodge could be used as an environmental
> education/visitor center and possibly a conference center. Another
> option for the main building is for D** to consider partnership with
> an outside entity. ...
>
> Preliminary evaluation of the property indicates that a new roof is
> needed on the lodge, or at a minimum. the cedar shake roof and the
> lights be repaired. Costs could run between $100,000 - $200,000
> depending on the extent of damage. Other general maintenance and
> repair issues for the lodge could run as high as $200,000 depending
> on the degree of repair needed.
>
> Funding to mitigate for the loss of Critical Wildlife Habitat in the
> coastal zone is available and could appropriately be used to cover
> the expenses associated with restoration, pond enhancement, asphalt
> removal and building demolition on the ****. In some preliminary
> discussions on this topic, the Division of Landuse ... (DLU*) seemed
> amenable to allowing roughly $700,000 of Critical Wildlife Habitat
> mitigation money to be used as part of the **** restoration. We are
> currently working on the DLU* to get a
> firm commitment of this funding.
>
> Several federal sources of funding could also be applied for to
> cover the habitat restoration portion of this budget. Programs like
> the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund and the Wildlife
> Habitat Incentive Program could provide funding for this effort. The
> **** Wetlands Mitigation Fund is another potential funding source.
> The costs associated with the repair and restoration of the main
> lodge and maintenance building could best be covered with money from
> the **** State Preservation Fund or other capital improvement money.
> " (If needed, copies of this D** Draft Plan are available
> from local environmentalists.)
>
>
>
> IDEA#12 -- The **** main building, the initial core of this new
> type of Green campus, could be named The Rachel Carson Environmental
> Complex to honor the founder of modern day environmentalism -- with
> permission from the Rachel Carson Council. (Without a Rachel Carson,
> humanity could still be in denial of the need for an accelerated
> "Green Transformation".)
>
>
> The Rachel Carson Environmental Complex (RCEC) building could
> "house" the Green Transformation Institute and all *** Green
> Inventive Campus programs (such as might be offered by ****) and
> research (**** & ****?). Here are some possible specific activities:
>
> In the evening, continuing environmental education for-credit and
> for-interest classes for the community could be made available. An
> organic restaurant and small organic food store could also be
> located on the first floor. While classes, etc, are occurring on the
> first floor, meetings or mini-conferences could be held on the
> second floor for ****, ****, ***** or State officials. Possibly,
> visitors could also observe (by streaming internet) on-going ****/
> ****** (real/virtual) "seminar" classes, discuss on- going student
> projects in the project display room, or even sample an on-line
> green knowledge tuitorial.
>
>
>
>
> ADDENDUM 1: RATIONALE NARRATIVE
>
> My motive in suggesting these GREEN IDEAS FOR A *** COLLEGE ***
> (COUNTY) CAMPUS is to help indicate a way that colleges and
> universities can by greater
> collaboration play a larger and more effective role in "solving" the
> Global environmental crises. If this Great Green Venture (Green
> Inventive Campus, Green Transformation Institute & Accelerated
> Greening Center) proceeds and is very successful, then Life on Earth
> will be the winner.
>
> To help*** further justify this project in its own mind and that of
> its internal and external stakeholders, here is some further
> explanatory narrative about why and what might be done:
>
> The primary purpose of this Great Green Venture could be to research/
> educate/showcase for **, the US, and the World, more environmentally
> sustainable urban -- and meta-urban (www.holcimfoundation.org/Portals/1/docs/F07/WK-Tour/F07-WK-Tour-
> castello02.pdf) -- lifestyles, related products and methods, (low/
> no energy) year-round local food production, wildlife/urban
> harmony, ... .
>
> The GREEN IDEAS have been inspired/influenced by very leading-edge
> sustainability thinking such as ***'s Smart Growth Principles,
> Janine Benyus's Nine Principles of Biomimicry, G. Tyler Miller
> Jr.'S Principles of Sustainability, the Precautionary Principle,
> and Rachel Carson's Environmental Sustainability Criteria (details
> for each in sections at bottom of proposal body).
>
> The ** focused purpose of these GREEN IDEAS is to help address: 1)
> the very high level (re. US) of unsustainable urbanization in **; 2)
> **'s increasing shortage of farmland & farmers; 3) the growing need
> in ** and around to both use less energy for all activities and use
> renewable sources; and 4) **'s degraded natural environment re.
> toxic chemicals, soil loss, habitat destruction,.etc.
>
> Both Rachel Carson and Janine Benyus would advocate that natural
> solutions be used: renewable energy, natural insulation & building
> materials, microbial remediation of toxics, humus or composting
> toilets (http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/CompostToilets.html),
> organic gardening & agriculture, naturalizated landscapes (http://uwsp.feds.ca/nlt
> ), ecological forestry & restoration, wildlife preserve restoration
> and interconnection, ... .
>
> Solutions such as these which use &/or are shaped by nature would
> harmoniously & cost-effectively transform ** urban space & the
> environment for the better. Then ** would continue to thrive and
> prosper -- but with a more sustainable/'aesthetically pleasing'
> quality of life. The accelerated development of Green Technology
> manufacturing and service businesses -- and the greater "greening"
> of existing businesses -- will help fund **'s urban sustainability,
> food sustainability & environmental sustainability transformation.
>
> But why focus on urban sustainability in New Jersey? The 2004 public
> television documentary "The Race for Open Space", narrated by
> Charles Gibson, describes uncontrolled urban sprawl where "new
> housing projects and corporate sites are consuming forest and
> farmland at an incredible rate. ... Research by *** University
> based on the current trend (indicates that) ** will exhaust its
> supply of buildable land in the next few decades. It may become the
> first state in the nation to be .. 'built out' ." So **, the likely
> first built-out State, must at least learn how to sustainably avoid/
> transform sprawl by the appropriate design/redesign of buildings,
> their landscapes, and common open spaces.
>
> This is a period of increasingly interrelated great financial and
> environmental instability More and more, America's financial crises
> will be caused by climate catastrophes and the increasing cost of
> and pollution by fossil fuels. The need for "dirty" oil from
> Alberta Canada, "mountain and stream destroying" coal from West
> Virginia, and fossil fuels generally must be minimized expeditiously
> towards zero. This can be accomplished only by environmental
> technology that is inspired by and in harmony with Nature --
> otherwise our "solutions" will cause further environmental then
> financial instabilities when resources could be deathly scarce -- we
> may have only one more chance to get it right!
>
> There is a growing awareness that America's future survival and
> progress demand that we create an integrated Global framework for
> sustainable development. This Global framework could be the
> requisite foundation for environmental, social, and economic
> sustainability in America. A step towards such a Global framework is
> the Global Urban Sustainability Solutions Exchange (GUSSE). This is
> "an online place where the world will collectively discuss, review
> and apply the best ideas for sustainable cities". The Green
> Transformation Institute could participate. (See GLOBAL URBAN
> SOLUTIONS EXCHANGE site below in APPENDIX.)
>
> Whatever sustainability solutions happen at the national and
> international level, citizens of
> ** would want their State Government, institutions, businesses, and
> organizations generally, to effectively participate in that Global
> sustainability process -- even if only partially via acting within
> the State. Also ** citizens would want to create for themselves and
> see created for them opportunities to: 1) learn more about how to
> live/work sustainably; and 2) participate through paid and volunteer
> jobs -- to their greatest potential -- to make their community,
> state, nation, and World more sustainable. This Great Green Venture
> in the ** area is one very affordable and potentially very effective
> way that citizens of *** can make such a contribution to a
> sustainable ** & World.
>
> Why **? This area is a magnet to lovers of wildlife and Nature, of
> great beaches and
> culture, of fresh air by the seaside and moderate climate, and of so
> many other enjoyments. These high-paying and very influential
> visitors come from not only across America but from around the
> World. Many of them are romantics who want to live in a World that
> that is pleasing to the senses -- not one where nature is ravaged.
> Being very astute people, they know that their Earthly paradise is
> under threat and they want to learn more about what they and their
> organizations can do. This Great Green Venture will attract more of
> these types of people here -- at a time of very great tourist
> competition -- and they will spread what they have learned back to
> their communities around the World.
>
> The most appropriate place in the ** area for this sustainability
> and environmental project is the 253 acre parcel of land formerly
> known as the **** Golf Course. This property has various buildings
> and a large unique natural area. It was bought by the **DEP and
> assigned to its Division of ** (D**) -- primarily as a "Natural
> Wildlife Preserve".
>
> Unlike a traditional Municipal Park with its usual form of
> recreational facilities, the 253 acre
> Great Green Venture area could include the modeling of a new type of
> sustainable parkland -- including nature-inspired recreational
> facilities -- so as to include the Park-use intent of D** but in a
> very innovative 'Smart Growth'/'Wildlife honoring' way.
>
> Further, much could be done to indirectly better protect Wildlife on
> this 20+ acres with D** constructive and visionary cooperation. This
> Great Green Venture -- 'linked to'/'integrated with' the (hoped for)
> Janine Benyus (ecologically restored) Wildlife Reserve -- would
> lead to Wildlife being also major beneficiaries of humans more
> effectively making their urban spaces sustainable. This would be not
> only because of the greater,naturalization of urban spaces, but
> also the resultant more stable climate and healthier environment
> generally would enhance all Life. This Great Green Venture(GGV) will
> make this Wildlife benefit very clear to visitors giving them one
> more reason to live much more sustainably.
>
> A major goal in relation to Wildlife of the owner/manager of this
> 253 acre site, the Division of ** of the **DEP is to create more and
> improved habitat for local and migrating Wildlife. Acquiring this
> site and ecologically restoring it over time with the help of
> volunteers is certainly a very cost-effective and individually
> fulfilling way to proceed towards realizing D*8's habitat
> restoration goals. Demonstrating how our backyards can be helpful to
> birds is very useful. These actions certainly would be supported by
> all nature-lovers.
>
> A complementary and resource-conserving way (in these tough economic
> times) to go much further towards creating more viable Wildlife
> habitat, would be for D** to collaborate/cooperate by providing
> wildlife expertise for joint wildlife-enhancing 'urban
> naturalization'/'forest & meadow restoration' projects with other
> GGV participants
> -- initially in the ** area but with success, around **. These other
> GGV participants may include other departments (re: tourism,
> water, ...) & levels of government (EPA), universities (biology &
> landscape architecture), environmental organizations, green
> entrepreneurs, citizens of various related interests, etc.
>
> D** officials could be "institutionally entrepreneurial" by re-
> allocating some of the $Millions that they have budgeted for
> demolition and re-assign it towards repairing/renovating the ****
> main building -- thus saving money for State taxpayers by avoiding
> demolition costs and retaining/enhancing the value of the main
> building (and 3 single family dwellings).
> Given the intended environmental education use (at least), this
> action by the D** would be
> helping to meet the DEP's mandate to promote environmental values
> for ** citizens.
>
> This different approach would Green-capitalize on this once-in-a-
> lifetime opportunity. In ***, the State of *** and *** could
> create a very unique (proud **** made) major contribution to the
> greater sustainability and wildlife enhancement of **, the US, and
> the World.
>
> The potential ** benefits beyond *** itself of this Great Green
> Venture would be that:
> 1) the State of **** would have a significant new "tool" to advance
> green technology, smart growth, toxics minimization, wildlife
> habitat, tourism, ..; 2) by being a partner, **** University would
> have a Green broad-spectrum 'applied research'/'public outreach'
> benefit to themselves (Eco****, Green **** Center, local low/no
> energy year-round organic agriculture, ... ) and to **; and 3) ****
> would be better able to serve **** County by
> having a larger presence and being able to directly assist in its
> Accelerated Greening.
>
> An important further rationale for this GREAT GREEN VENTURE (GGV)
> -- 'linked to'/'integrated with' the *** Wildlife Management Area
> -- is that Wildlife are also major beneficiaries of humans making
> their urban spaces more sustainable. This is because the resultant
> more stable climate and healthier environment generally enhance all
> Life. The GGV will make this Wildlife benefit very clear to visitors
> giving them one more reason to live much more sustainably.
>
> Also the synergism of including in this very unique (in the World)
> GGV conception the **** Wildlife Management Area will attract more
> tourists to these very inventive Urban/Food/Environmental and
> Wildlife projects and to the ***** area. This at a time, to
> emphasize, when the World tourist industry is increasingly very
> competitive . As a specific example, the drawing-power of these
> very encompassing projects will help to make more successful
> possible Charter Flights from elsewhere in the US and from Canada to
> the nearby **** County Airport -- or from Europe & Asia to the ****
> airport.
>
> Further, the design of the GREEN TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE interface
> with the Wildlife Preserve would be a model for 'naturalized
> spaces' /'Wild Natural area" interfaces. Many of the new Culture/
> Nature interface ideas developed here could apply to the
> 'naturalized spaces' /'Wildlife corridor' interfaces. And
> communities --and their developers -- who come to love their
> naturalized spaces will be more inclined to welcome the Wildlife
> corridors that interlink Wildlife Preserves. Then to migrating
> ground-bound wildlife, as ** becomes more ecologically-Urbanized,
> their habitat will start to feel more like home.
>
> If the Green IDEA possibilities are only partly realizable, their
> value would still merit time to explore further their viability --
> even after a decision to proceed is hopefully made.
>
>
> ADDENDUM 2: **** -- REBEL WITH A VISION {Some mostly descriptive
> but slighty interpretive thoughts):
>
> This involves the specific area too much to be included.
>
>
> ADDENDUM 3: A PERSONAL NOTE
>
> I am a former Business Systems Analyst and Environmental Consultant
> (semi-retired) from Canada who is also experienced in institutional
> entrepreneurship. After a visit to this beautiful site and
> discussions with local environmentalists and other community
> members, I saw the possibility to take their green rennovated
> building/environmental education center ideas to a potentially world-
> impacting level. This might be achieved by developing Green
> IDEAS which helped satisfy the sustainability need for Accelerated
> Global Greening.
>
> The lead Green IDEAS include the "branding"/"function indicating"
> names of Green Inventive Campus and Green Transformation Institute.
> Most exciting, I saw that both could be virtual and very
> collaborative (grow towards linking with global colleges &
> universities that have sufficient readiness). The great opportunity
> for global environmental good works -- through **** & this site --
> helped motivate me to donate my time and experience to this very
> challenging project.
>
> I have been influenced by the work of two great American
> environmental heroes. The first was Rachel Carson who in "Silent
> Spring" drew the world's attention to the need to better regulate
> toxic chemicals as they were then and even now, greatly harming
> human and environmental health. Endocrine disrupting chemicals in
> watercourses is an example of modern day regulatory inadequacy. Made
> worse by water scarcity, Southern NJ is rife with toxic chemicals in
> the ground, in ground water and in surface waters. I'm sure that
> Rachel Carson would have a few choice words for those responsible
> for both their cause and clean-up.
>
> The second is Janine Benyus, a more recent environmental hero (2007
> TIME MAGAZINE award). In her 1997 book "Biomimicry: Innovation
> Inspired by Nature", she named and framed the emerging discipline of
> biomimicry. It seeks sustainable solutions by emulating Nature's
> designs and processes, thereby helping to make a more sustainable
> world. Biomimicry is integral to our project proposal. We have been
> in contact with the Rachel Carson Council and Janine Benyus's
> Biomimicry Guild to seek their advice on our project proposal,
> possibly leading to a future association.
>
>
> ADDENDUM 4: MORE GREEN INVENTIVE CAMPUS (GIC) DETAILS
>
> Note: For the very specific and unique please see theAPPENDIX.
>
> The ****, a very valuable public asset, could be sustainably
> renovated to the equivalent of a LEED++ standard or the new
> National Green Building Standard ICC-700 (See APPENDIX for both).
> The renovated Ponderlodge itself could be showcased as anexample of
> Green Adaptive Reuse of a valuable building. The re-designed
> building could then be used for showcasing and learning about very
> unique environmental technology from **, the US, and the World
> (primary selection criteria: Center relevancy & cost-effectiveness
> re. environmental sustainability).
>
> More specifically, the GIC could by its demonstration sites -- the
> main Complex building, the 3 houses, new types of housing, solar
> greenhouses, human-waste-to-energy conversion units, garages for
> owner/'green mechanic' vehicle conversion, ... and on the balance
> of the 22 acres -- showcase to and help educate/inform clients/
> apprentices/citizens of ** and beyond. This would be done via
> visitor and internet. The main focus would be about the use of
> products, methods, and services related to urban, food, energy,
> vehicular & environmental sustainability generally in areas such
> as: green adaptive reuse of buildings, energy conservation, vehicle
> conversion, composting
> toilets for energy/humus productiion, renewable energy, locally-
> grown year-round organic food (gives food security inexpensively),
> naturalization of properties, etc. for which the best ideas in the
> world could be sought.
>
>
> World-linked environmental technology mini-conferences would be
> broadcast from the Center via its own internet TV channel. This
> would give green entrepreneurs world exposure while minimizing cost
> in time, money, and fuel otherwise spent on air travel. But when air
> travel was necessary --either by green entrepreneurs and their
> distant clients, or for tourists
> -- the nearby "full-size" airports ***** and ***** would be a short
> distance away. For
> private jets and smaller charter flights -- like the under-
> negotiation arrangement with Canada's Porter Airlines -- the
> adjacent local Airport (a former WWII naval airbase station) is
> ideal.
>
> The re-designed large **** multi-use building would have approx.
> 22,500 sq. ft. of display space, meeting hall, offices, and 10 small
> "apartments" on the first floor and approx. 12,000 sq. ft. with a
> large dining room and kitchen on the 2nd floor. A meeting/
> conference center, a small organic restaurant and food store --
> using mostly food grown on the 20+ acre site -- would also occupy
> the first floor. The first floor reception area and the 10 private
> rooms
> with barhs would function as a mini-lodge for VIP guests to the site.
>
> The existing 3 single-family houses on the site could firstly be
> Green Renovated also to LEED++ standards. It could showcase
> initially various possibilities for state-of-the-art Green
> Renovation . But then it could tend towards a continuous state of
> flux as highly unique new green ideas were incorporated (LEED+++).
> People would keep coming back to see for themselves how exciting new
> green technology ideas described on the Sustainability Center's
> website actually worked in practice.
>
> Also new ways will be modeled for living with Nature in and near our
> urban spaces so that the relationship is one of enhanced harmony.
> Biomimicry (http://www.biomimicry.net/) means using as a guide
> Nature's wisdom inherent in its long-proven design's and processes.
> If used when applicable in humanity's projects, bio-mimicry will
> help to ensure greater harmony. Specifically, bio-mimicry in
> housing design (organic architecture) involves the significant use
> of natural forms and materials -- even natural ventilation.
>
> Natural materials such as straw bales and straw clay to super-
> insulate the walls of existing homes while soy-based foam could be
> sprayed in the attic. Natural sources of energy -- the sun, wind and
> the ground -- would be used to heat, cool and produce electricity.
> In landscaping design, bio-mimicry means naturalization in which
> native plants are ecologically restored ideally in a very
> biodiverse manner. The increased use of bio-mimicry
> ideas reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides in the world.
>
> Permaculture ideas could be integrated into such a landscape. Food
> could be grown year-round with little or no energy input in solar
> greenhouses of a geodesic (bio-mimicry design) or an underground
> type respectively. Solar greenhouses would better protect/secure the
> crops/animals from weather extremes such as drought, hail, winds,
> animals, ... in any internal artificially-created climate.
> Additionally, the solar greenhouse could bio-sequester carbon
> dioxide from a fossil fuel source, possibly accelerating plant growth.
>
> * -- See APPENDIX
>
>
> APPENDIX (Background information)
>
>
> ***** ECOCOMPLEX (Environmental Research and Extension Center):
>
> The EcoComplex, dedicated April 23, 2001, is the nation's first
> research, technology development, teaching and outreach center that
> is dedicated to enhancing the environment and agriculture through
> education, outreach and "green" business development.
>
> The EcoComplex is a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary
> environmental center that harnesses research and education resources
> towards the development, and industrial application, of innovative
> environmental technologies.
>
> Our mission is to promote economic development in the environmental
> arena, including the remediation and protection of environmental
> quality, and the compatible sectors of food and innovative
> agriculture. By targeting these areas with integrated programmatic
> thrusts in research, education and economic development, the
> EcoComplex provides a distinctive focus. By harnessing the strengths
> of multiple institutions, the EcoComplex presents an array of
> capabilities unique in the nation.
>
> Environmental innovation is a springboard for economic development.
> The EcoComplex is dedicated to moving science from the lab to real-
> world applications in our state's businesses and industries, and to
> promoting New Jersey as a center for environmental innovation and
> enterprises.
>
> The Center is a partnership with the **** County Board of
> Freeholders, which performs research and develops new technologies
> to address the pressing environmental, solid waste, and resource-
> recovery issues faced in the State of ****. The EcoComplex functions
> as a hub of education and outreach for the entire environmental
> community.
>
> Because we integrate the best that academia, government, and the
> private sector have to offer, we are stronger than any one
> institution can be alone. This pooling of resources and expertise
> leads to faster, smarter, and more sound solutions to environmental
> problems.
>
>
>
> ***** CENTER FOR GREEN BUILDING:
>
> The ***** Center for Green Building promotes green building through
> research, advocacy and education. The Center conducts applied
> research utilizing planned and existing green building projects,
> works with industry and government to promote these concepts, and
> develops undergraduate, graduate and professional education
> programs. It seeks to establish itself as the pre-eminent
> interdisciplinary center for green building excellence in the
> Northeast, while serving as a single accessible locus for fostering
> collaboration among green building practitioners and policy-makers.
>
> The ***** Center for Green Building, housed at the **** School of
> Planning and Public Policy, forms a common umbrella for existing
> and proposed initiatives being carried out through separate Centers
> at the ***** School, the School of Environmental and Biological
> Sciences (formerly **** College), the School of Engineering and
> other *** Universwity units that are integral to developing and
> implementing innovative green building strategies.
>
> The Center conducts applied research utilizing planned and existing
> green building projects, works with industry and government to
> promote these concepts, and develops
> undergraduate, graduate and professional education programs.
> Initial funding was provided by the **** University Academic
> Excellence Fund and subsequently by our strategic partners and
> clients and through various grants. The **** Center for Green
> Building seeks to establish itself as the pre-eminent
> interdisciplinary center for green building excellence in the
> Northeast, while serving as a single accessible locus for fostering
> collaboration among green building practitioners and policymakers.
>
> The **** Center for Green Building has developed capabilities in
> applied green building research that entail modeling the life cycle
> cost and environmental impact of buildings, post occupancy study
> tools including survey research and building operating data
> analysis, financial methodologies to better estimate green building
> value and has produced a series of reports documenting best
> practices in green building. The Center furthermore produces regular
> green building training and education modules and participates in a
> wide array of green building advocacy activities.
>
> Note: In our project proposal reference is made to the Center for
> Green Building and that our project proposal is most interested in
> the green renovation -- including for adaptive reuse -- of the
> existing building stock. However, our thinking does include very
> innovative community housing concepts such as naturalized
> communities of entirely-bermed monolithic domes that are largely
> self-sufficient re. energy, waste, & even food (via food grown
> inside house -- a former Canadian community college president [&
> international businessman] has plans of such an architect-designed
> home -- and in the yard in no/low energy solar greenhouses).
>
>
>
> NEW JERSEY SUSTAINABLE STATE INSTITUTE (NJSSI): Towards a
> Sustainable Future, for New Jersey
>
> Randall E. Solomon is the founder and Executive Director of NJSSI
> while Clinton Andrews serves as Co-Chair of the NJSSI Board of
> Governors and is leading the research team for NJSSI's Energy
> Sustainability Project. For more staff details, please see,http://njssi.org/about.asp?Level2ItemID=6
> .
>
>
> Challenges:
>
> "New Jersey faces the critical challenge of ensuring that future
> generations will have a State that is environmentally healthy,
> economically efficient and socially just: a Sustainable State.
> Achieving this complex goal in New Jersey is essential and requires
> the best available science and data, innovation, careful judgment,
> and the balancing of diverse interests.
>
> Responding to this challenge, the State of, New Jersey has provided
> seed funding for the newly created New Jersey Sustainable State
> Institute (NJSSI). The Institute is a cooperative venture of the New
> Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey Future and Rutgers, the
> State University of New Jersey. The culmination of several years of
> effort by the State of New Jersey, New Jersey Future and thousands
> of citizens and organizations, NJSSI inherits the hard work and
> trust of pioneering individuals. Their dedication provided
> scientifically credible, publicly discussed, and easily understood
> information about trends impacting New Jersey's capability to
> achieve sustainability. Indeed, the Institute starts its work with
> an already existing track record that has been well recognized in
> the sustainable development field.
>
> The New Jersey Sustainable State Institute will help guide New
> Jersey's pursuit of long-term economic prosperity, social equity
> and environmental quality, and the achievement of specific
> Sustainable State goals. The Institute will undertake a three-fold
> task to pursue its mission:
> ■ Conduct research and public fact-finding;
> ■ Provide the public with credible and understandable information
> relating to sustainable development;
> ■ Work to establish and strengthen institutional mechanisms in the
> public and private sectors to ensure achievement of the goals and
> benchmarks for a Sustainable State.
>
>
> Goals, Indicators and Benchmarks:
>
> The Institute will be the anchor organization for the New Jersey
> Sustainable State goals, indicators and benchmarks. Key
> sustainability goals and indicators have already been established
> (see Living with the Future in Mind; Governing with the Future in
> Mind1999&2000 -- websites below)
>
> A major function of the Institute will be to continue to review and
> update the Sustainable State goals and indicators through a public
> and consultative process. The Institute will thus be instrumental in
> developing targets or benchmarks and possibly new goals and
> indicators and in ensuring that they are widely publicized and
> understood. The Institute will also facilitate public dialogue with
> citizens, government, mass media, higher, education, and other
> sectors about the challenges New Jersey faces in becoming a
> Sustainable State.
>
>
> Coordination with and support for State Government:
>
> The Institute will assist New Jersey's public institutions and thus
> the citizens they serve, and private entities in continuing
> progress toward sustainable development. The Institute will serve as
> a public policy advisor on sustainability issues. It will receive
> and act on recommendations for new research and changes in the
> goals, indicators and benchmarks as contained in the reports cited
> earlier and their successors. It will act in partnership with state
> government to identify and address questions of public concern
> relating to sustainable development, especially where there is a
> need to generate and apply scientific or technical information.
>
> Policy advice from the Institute will encompass both already
> available but underutilized win/win solutions to issues and
> problems, as well as bold innovative proposals for the long-term
> quality of life.
>
>
> Research:
>
> The Institute will serve as the focal point for identifying and
> addressing the most pressing information needs of New Jersey to
> achieve sustainable development. The Institute will develop a
> priority research agenda for this purpose. Research priorities will
> be based on an assessment of the information necessary, but not
> currently available, to help make better decisions leading to a
> sustainable state. The Institute will mobilize and allocate
> resources to promote research that addresses priority needs. It will
> also serve as a clearinghouse to facilitate the identification of
> scientific and technical expertise and the commissioning of research
> in fields relating to sustainable development or the Sustainable
> State, goals.
>
> Governance:
>
> The Institute will be led by an accomplished Executive Director who
> is experienced in the areas of sustainable development and
> performance-based indicator systems, knowledgeable about New
> Jersey issues, entrepreneurially oriented, and able to work well
> with diverse interests. The location of the Institute's office will
> be determined after, the Executive Director has been selected. A
> Governing Board will provide strategic direction and oversee the
> operations of the Institute. The Board will reflect a diverse cross-
> section of New Jersey interests, including NGOs, business,
> academia, state government and other, stakeholders. The members of
> the Board will be selected to represent a balance of economic,
> environmental and social issues and interests, and will include some
> of the people responsible for New, Jersey's early success in
> pursuing a Sustainable State.
>
> Source:http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/governing/booklet.PDF
> ♦Reports obtainable from websites indicated in brackets:
> Living with the Future in Mind. 1999 [www.njfuture.org]
> * Updated in 2000 [www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/sustainable-state]*
> Governing with the Future in Mind [www.state.nj.us/dep] Recently
> issued companion report.
>
> Other ref: http://gin.confex.com/gin/archives/2002/papers/010121Watts.pdf
> http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/governing/
>
>
>
>
> GREEN TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE -- NEXT STEP:
> [Work-in-process]
>
> A great deal of thought has also been given to a possible future
> development of GTI into having also a think-tank dimension. It
> could be similar in function to the Hudson Institute -- but
> ideologically more progressive.
>
> More specifically, the GTI could then use integrated/intuitive
> foresight and complex real-world analysis to develop (ecology/
> progress-based) sustainability values/principles/policies/
> regulations recommendations. These could help ameliorate Earth's
> sustainability issues problems, but also give direction to
> solutions. Perhaps Princeton could be invited to collaborate at some
> future date. Other possible dimensions of the GTI project in this
> section will help further indicate its local to Global
> sustainability potential, particularly if realized in the ** area.
>
> **** is a World-class location that is a most interesting yet ideal
> relaxed place to think in because of its unique features : 1) the
> **** flyway stopover with numerous nature preserves and wildlife
> refuges for birders and butterfly lovers; 2) US's oldest seaside
> resort with sandy beaches and waves for surfers; 3) proximity to ***
> Bay and its fishing; 4) entire city is designated as a National
> Historic Landmark with many **** homes. In adddition, it has an
> adjacent smaller jet airport. while regular international airports
> in *** and *** are, reasonably close.
>
> A think-tank component for GTI would better help ameliorate the
> sustainability crises in the State of **, the US and the World.
> Further, the partnering with *** University would further help
> realize President ****'s "ambitions for the university" to see
> "teaching and research focused on global human problems". This
> larger intention for GTI could lead to very prestigious high-level
> collaborations with the World on sustainability matters such as
> regulations, laws, policy, principles, values, ...
>
> The integral think tank within GTI could provide opportunities for
> GTI "thinkers" to balance their thought processes. by observing,
> discussing, suggesting practical ideas, and otherwise participating
> in the different sustainability on-site projects generally, This
> would also help inform environmental sustainability policy, ...
> development through direct experience with the latest environmental
> technologies that necessarily shape future-looking policy.
>
> Also, these GTI "thinkers" could have a much better connection
> with the broader World because of GTI's Global interface. If also,
> the more bennefital/effective approach to sustainability issues of
> "think/act locally to Globally" was used, it would have a greater
> possibility of realization in an upgraded GTI.
>
> Further, two key related ideas are those of biomimicry (learning
> from Nature) and biophilia (loving Nature). These two ideas together
> and separately can inspire various insights.
>
> For example, if humans can be taught to love Nature -- and feel the
> joy of loving the other -- will they not then be able to better love
> other very diverse humans? How might this be done. Perhaps taking
> both children and adults into diverse Nature reserves can initially
> lead to a feeling of wonder of Nature -- especially with an
> inspiring interpreter or guide. Then this feeling of wonder may
> create a readiness for developing a love of Nature.
>
> Further, in observing how Nature operates, we notice that, left on
> its own, it tends towards diversity, i.e. biodiversity, and harmony
> (diverse species functioning in a cooperative/competitive balance to
> their mutual long-term advantage). Are not diversity and harmony 2
> "values" (or "secrets") from Nature that -- among others -- we can
> use to help insure that the human species also lives millions of
> years?
>
> Cannot the greening -- or re-greening -- of the Earth mean for
> humans that by learning of Nature's ways, we can become better human
> beings?
>
>
>
> USEFUL PRECEDENTS (Re. Degree of innovation on sustainability issues):
>
>
> 1. Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES),
> U. of British Columbia, Cda.
>
> The Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES)
> is both an interdisciplinary research institute and a major
> interdisciplinary graduate education program at the University of
> British Columbia.
>
> Our mission is to foster sustainable futures through integrated
> research and learning about the linkages among human and natural
> systems, to support decision making for local to global scales.
>
> IRES is a unique place at UBC: An issue-driven interdisciplinary
> research institute with interest and expertise in a wide range of
> environment and sustainability issues. IRES is also home to a major
> interdisciplinary graduate education program (RMES) with 80 doctoral
> and 40 master students.
>
> We work in close collaboration with a large variety of stake-holders
> - from local enterprises and decision makers to governmental bodies,
> NGOs and international businesses - to produce high quality research
> in areas of topical societal interest.
>
> The research conducted at IRES falls within three major domains:
> water, ecosystems and communities; energy, technology, health and
> society; and local and global environmental change. Within and often
> among each of these three domains faculty, staff, and students work
> on integrated activities and specific research projects that are
> either led by the Institute or closely affiliated with it.
> http://www.ires.ubc.ca/
>
> 2. Sustainable Cities Doctoral Research Initiative (SCDRI) , U. of
> Texas, Austin
>
> An interdisciplinary team composed of faculty and graduate students
> from four divergent areas at The University of Texas at Austin has
> received $500,000 from the University of Texas System to develop an
> integrated approach to solving issues associated with rapid
> urbanization and sustainability.
>
> The School of Architecture's Center for Sustainable Development and
> the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, in partnership with
> colleagues from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Cockrell
> School of Engineering, will merge disciplines to forge new
> approaches to research, policy and practice in the realm of global
> change and environmental challenges.
>
> The project, titled "The Sustainable Cities Doctoral Research
> Initiative," focuses on integrating research and practice in the
> fields of urban planning, architecture, environmental and
> architectural engineering, landscape architecture, urban design,
> community engagement and public policy.
>
> "In today's rapidly changing global environment, it is crucial that
> our faculty and students have the opportunity and resources to
> tackle urbanization issues in an integrated context," said William
> Powers Jr., president of The University of Texas at Austin. "This
> grant will strengthen our ability to help solve critical issues
> facing society, while at the same time teaching our students the
> importance of cross-disciplinary problem solving."
>
> The $500,000 grant will support doctoral students working within
> three interdisciplinary teams, each tackling sustainability on a
> different scale.
>
> Graduates of the proposed program will be prepared to teach and
> conduct research on a set of seminal questions of importance to
> society:
>
> What are the fundamental changes that need to be made in how we
> build, plan and govern urban regions in order to sustain
> environmental systems, maintain local economies, preserve local
> cultural practices and improve social equity?
>
> What changes do we need to make in how we conceptualize and organize
> research on urban problems and formulate solutions?
>
> How can various disciplines and professions involved in shaping the
> built environment work together in new ways to stimulate these
> changes?
>
> "Participation in active and ongoing cross-disciplinary research
> teams will provide students the opportunity to analyze problems more
> holistically and to work alongside faculty mentors from different
> disciplines," said Elizabeth (Liz) Mueller, director of the Center
> for Sustainable Development. "This experience will uniquely prepare
> them to be leaders in future research on urban sustainability, as
> disciplinary lines continue to blur and overlap."
>
> Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center: www.wildflower.org
>
>
>
> LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design):
>
> "Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building
> Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for environmentally
> sustainable construction. Since its inception in 1998, LEED has
> grown to encompass more than 14,000 projects in 50 US States and 30
> countries covering 1.062 billion square feet (99 km²) of development
> area.The hallmark of LEED is that it is an open and transparent
> process where the technical criteria proposed by the LEED committees
> are publicly reviewed for approval by the more than 10,000
> membership organizations that currently constitute the USGBC.
>
> Individuals recognized for their knowledge of the LEED rating system
> are permitted to use the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) acronym
> after their name, indicating they have passed the accreditation exam
> given by the Green Building Certification Institute (a 3rd party
> organization that handles accreditation for the USGBC).
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design
>
>
> National Green Building Standard ICC- 700:
>
> ICC-700 provides a benchmark for green building in the residential
> market, serving as a new and needed starting point for comprehensive
> approaches to green residential construction
> Press Release
> February 3, 2009
> HousingZone
>
> The National Green Building Standard, known as ICC-700, was approved
> last week as an American National Standard. The new Standard
> provides guidance for safe and sustainable building practices for
> residential construction, including both new and renovated single-
> family to high-rise residential buildings. This is the first and
> only green standard that is consistent and coordinated with the Code
> Council’s family of I-Codes and standards.
>
> Code Council Board President Adolf Zubia said, “this is an enormous
> step forward in bringing focus to green practices for the built
> environment. ICC-700 provides a benchmark for green building in the
> residential market, serving as a new and needed starting point for
> comprehensive approaches to green residential construction. This is
> the result of many months of hard work by our members and our
> partners around the country.”
>
> Code Council CEO Richard P. Weiland said, “the development of high
> performance ‘greener’ housing can have a tangible and positive
> impact on our environment and communities. This new tool for state
> and local governments fills an important gap to provide a measurable
> framework for efforts to produce green and sustainable housing. In
> concert with energy codes such as the International Energy
> Conservation Code, and rating systems such as the LEED Green
> Building Rating System, Energy Star, the CHPS Criteria, Green Globes
> or similar programs, application of ICC-700 can contribute to
> greater energy, water and resource efficiency along with reduced
> long-term costs to consumers and to our planet.”
>
> The International Code Council and National Association of Home
> Builders developed the Standard with broad input from several
> thousand stakeholders, ranging from code officials and other
> building professionals to the entire spectrum of the green building
> community. This new standard provides a practical route to green,
> sustainable and high-performance construction, especially in
> communities with little if any green/sustainable buildings or
> guidelines to build green. The standard also promotes homeowner
> education for the maintenance and operation of green residential
> buildings in order to ensure long-term benefits.
>
> The standard’s rating system allows builders, designers and
> communities to choose the levels of high-performance green buildings
> that best suit their needs. Key provisions include:
>
> Land conservation
>
> Rainwater collection
>
> Construction of smaller homes to conserve resources
>
> Energy performance starting at 15% above the baseline requirements
> of the 2006 International
>
> Energy Conservation Code
>
> The use of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) materials and
> detached garages or carports to improve indoor environmental quality
>
> Homeowner education on proper maintenance and operation to maintain
> its green status throughout its life cycle
>
> ICC-700 is available along with related ICC publications through the
> Code Council website at www.iccsafe.org/700.
>
> Training on ICC-700 already is available, including a special
> session March 23-26 at Codes Forum in New Orleans. Additional
> training is also available on related topics such as current green
> building practices and their relationship to the International
> Codes, overview of the LEED green building rating systems, and
> developing green building ordinances to help governmental
> departments and agencies tasked with establishing sustainable
> building programs.
>
> The Code Council is finalizing its Green Building Technologies
> Certification program for building officials, inspectors, planners,
> zoning personnel, mayors, city council members, developers and other
> interested parties. The exams will be available in March. These
> certifications will demonstrate the ability to understand the
> application of green building technology and assess adherence with
> green building programs.
>
> In addition, the International Code Council Board has approved the
> creation of a Sustainable Building Technology Committee to support
> the Council’s many ongoing efforts in green, sustainable and safe
> construction.
>
> A Code Council subsidiary, ICC-Evaluation Service, has developed the
> Sustainable Attributes Verification and Evaluation (SAVE) program to
> provide independent confirmation that evaluated building products
> are sustainable and may qualify for points under ICC-700 as well as
> major green rating systems such as LEED or Green Globes. A SAVE
> evaluation involves both inspection of the manufacturer’s
> production process and reviews of independent product testing, where
> required. Manufacturers that successfully complete the evaluation
> process receive a Verification of Attributes Report in one or more
> of nine key categories. Design professionals will be able to use the
> reports as evidence that products or systems they select qualify for
> points under those programs.
>
> Another Code Council subsidiary, the International Accreditation
> Service (IAS), offers accreditation to testing laboratories,
> inspection agencies and product certifiers in several fields related
> to energy and sustainability to support manufacturers and regulators
> involved in green building development and approval. IAS also
> accredits curriculum developers and training agencies focused on
> green initiatives.
>
> The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated
> to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to
> construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and
> schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the
> International Codes, building safety codes developed by the
> International Code Council.
> http://www.housingzone.com/article/CA6634369.html
> http://www.iccsafe.org/e/prodshow.html?prodid=9551S08
>
>
> OFFICE OF SMART GROWTH (OSG):
> Coordinates planning throughout the State of **** to protect the
> environment and guide future growth into compact, mixed-use
> development and redevelopment. The Office implements the goals of
> the State Development and Redevelopment Plan to achieve
> comprehensive, long-term planning; and integrates that planning with
> programmatic and regulatory land-use decisions at all levels of
> government and the private sector.
>
>
> SMART GROWTH:
> The term used to describe well-planned, well-managed growth that
> adds new homes and creates new jobs, while preserving open space,
> farmland, and environmental resources. Smart Growth supports
> livable neighborhoods with a variety of housing types, price ranges
> and multi-modal forms of transportation. Smart Growth is an approach
> to land-use planning that targets the State’s resources and funding
> in ways that enhance the quality of life for residents in ***.
>
> Smart Growth principles include mixed-use development, walkable
> town centers and neighborhoods, mass transit accessibility,
> sustainable economic and social development and preserved green
> space. Smart Growth can be seen all around us: it is evident in
> larger cities such as **** and ****; in smaller towns like **** and
> ****, and in the rural communities like **** and ****.
>
> In ****, Smart Growth supports development and redevelopment in
> recognized Centers—a compact form of development—as outlined in
> the State Development and Redevelopment Plan, with existing
> infrastructure that serves the economy, the community and the
> environment.
>
>
>
>
> PRINCIPLES OF SMART GROWTH:
>
> • mixed land uses,
> • compact, clustered community design,
> • range of housing choice and opportunity,
> • walkable neighborhoods,
> • distinctive, attractive communites offering a sense of place,
> • open space, farmland, and scenic resource preservation,
> • future development strengthened & directed to existing
> communities using existing infrastructure,
> • transportation option variety,
> • predictable, fair and cost-effective development decisions,
> • community and stakeholder collaboration in development decision-
> making,
> http://www.smartgrowth.org/about/principles/default.asp?res=1024
>
>
>
> CRITICS OF SMART GROWTH:
> This (below referenced) paper evaluates various criticisms of Smart
> Growth. It defines the concept of Smart Growth, contrasts it with
> sprawl, and describes common Smart Growth strategies. It examines
> various criticisms of Smart Growth, including the claim that it does
> not reflect consumer preferences, infringes on freedom, increases
> traffic congestion and air pollution, reduces housing affordability,
> results in socially undesirable levels of density, increases public
> service costs, requires wasteful transit subsidies and is
> unjustified. Some specific critics’ papers are examined. This
> analysis indicates that many claims by critics reflect an incomplete
> understanding of Smart Growth, and inaccurate analysis. Critics
> identify some legitimate problems that must be addressed to optimize
> Smart Growth, but present no convincing evidence to diminish the
> overall justification of Smart Growth.
> http://www.vtpi.org/sgcritics.pdf.
>
>
>
> PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE:
>
> The precautionary principle is a moral and political principle which
> states that if an action or policy might cause severe or
> irreversible harm to the public or to the environment, in the
> absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not ensue, the
> burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action.
> The principle implies that there is a responsibility to intervene
> and protect the public from exposure to harm where scientific
> investigation discovers a plausible risk in the course of having
> screened for other suspected causes. The protections that mitigate
> suspected risks can be relaxed only if further scientific findings
> emerge that more robustly support an alternative explanation. In
> some legal systems, as in the law of the European Union, the
> precautionary principle is also a general and compulsory principle
> of law.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precautionary_principle
> http://www.sehn.org/precaution.html
>
>
>
> JANNINE BENYSUS'S 9 PRINCIPLES OF BIOMIMICRY:
>
> ("Janine Benyus named and framed the emerging discipline of
> biomimicry which seeks sustainable solutions by emulating Nature's
> designs and processes. Janine has received several awards including
> Rachel Carson Environmental Ethics Award, the Lud Browman Award for
> Science Writing, the Science Writing in Society Journalism Award,
> the Barrows and Heinz Distinguished Lectureships, and has been
> honored as one of TIME MAGAZINE'S International Heroes of the
> Environment. Janine is
> a summa cum laude Rutgers University graduate in natural resources
> and english/writing. Among many other involvements, she works
> towards restoring and protecting Wild lands -- and promoting Smart
> Growth")
> 1 Nature runs on sunlight.
> 2 Nature uses only the energy it needs.
> 3 Nature fits form to function.
> 4 Nature recycles everything.
> 5 Nature rewards cooperation.
> 6 Nature banks on diversity.
> 7 Nature demands local expertise.
> 8 Nature curbs excesses from within.
> 9 Nature taps the power of limits.
> Source; http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Janine-Benyus
>
>
>
> RACHEL CARSON'S ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA:
>
> ("Rachel Carson (1907-1964) has been called one of the “[20th]
> Century’s Greatest Minds” (TIME MAGAZINE, Mar. 29, 1999), one of
> the “Most Influential Americans of All Time” (The Atlantic
> Monthly, Dec. 2006), and “mother of the modern environmental
> movement.” (Irish America, 1999) Today the world needs the
> inspiration of a Rachel Carson. Her ideas remain as fresh and valid
> as when she first pronounced them. She was a courageous advocate
> speaking truth to power; a visionary using her writer’s gift to
> support better protection for children, wildlife and the earth from
> chemical contamination; and a caring observer of nature imparting
> her own sense of wonder through the power of her words. Carson’s
> core message that all life on the planet is interrelated, needs to
> be considered in virtually every major policy decision we make.
> Following Carson’s warnings about the hazards of pesticides,
> certain governments banned DDT and other chemicals. These limited
> environmental actions, beginning in the early 1970’s saved the Bald
> eagle and other birds from extinction. At present, we are facing a
> far more serious environmental crisis that could well lead to the
> extinction of human society. Turning to Rachel Carson, we can find
> advice to avert disaster.")
>
> 1. Our Need for Nature: We must immediately begin to cultivate a
> respectful, harmonious relationship with nature in all spheres of
> society, acknowledging the primacy of nature’s services that
> provide clean air, pure water, healthy food, and also help regulate
> climate.
> 2. Progress Redefined: Progress must be measured, not in short-term
> economic gains, but by the extent to which society’s needs can be
> integrated successfully within nature’s complexity.
> 3. Global Warming Reduced: Rachel observed that the earth’s
> “climate is changing ... into a warmcycle of unknown
> duration.” (The Edge of the Sea, 1955) Since Carson’s day this
> change has accelerated, now almost reaching the point of no return.
> We need to: (a) Replace polluting power sources (carbon-based and
> nuclear) with sustainable energy solutions. (b) Reject
> ecosystemdestruction that reduces diversity and may even wipe out
> entire species. Nature’s many life-forms make our planet habitable.
> 4. Benefits of Preserving Nature: For people of all ages, contact
> with nature has been found to benefit them and help them lead
> healthier lives. Wild places can provide the services essential for
> our society to function. If the present rate of degradation
> continues, it is probable that these services will be significantly
> diminished in the future. Preserving wild places and species (for
> example: frogs, bees and fish) is as therapeutic for humanity as it
> is vital for nature.
> 5. Keeping Within the Capacity of Planet Earth: With regard to
> increasing human population pressure, and the resultant resource use
> and waste production - the capacity of our planet to care for future
> generations should be a paramount consideration.
> 6. Safety of Chemical Products and Technologies: Those involved with
> developing chemical products (for example: pyrethroid and
> neonicotinoid pesticides) or technologies (for example:
> nanotechnology and genetic engineering) should be required to prove
> safety to both human and ecological health, before they are released
> into the environment. If data is incomplete, appropriate action
> should be taken to avoid possible harm. Any chemicals or
> technologies threatening public health or the environment should be
> banned. Remedial action must be taken when chemicals in the
> environment combine to produce hazards, regardless of their
> individual toxicity profiles.
> 7. Other Roads: Rachel Carson’s “The Other Road:” advises us to
> use biological, low-risk methods to control unwanted organisms
> (pests), to“assure the preservation of our earth.” (Silent
> Spring:, Chapter 17) Today’s “green” alternatives in
> manufacturing, construction, and in designing communities lead in
> the direction of Carson’s “Other Road.”
> 8. The Right to Know: • Multiple chemical and/or technological
> exposures: The risks associated with exposure of humans or wildlife
> to multiple chemicals and/or multiple technological developments
> must be researched, and then fully disclosed. (“Lack of data”
> does NOT necessarily mean “lack of harm.”) • Adverse effect
> monitoring: Monitoring adverse effects of a chemical or product
> needs to take place both before and after it is on the market. These
> findings need to be available to users. • Disclosure of hazardous
> components: All hazardous components, present in a product should be
> disclosed no components should be hidden. So-called “inert
> ingredients” in pesticide products should be identified.
> 9. Habitat Preservation: Habitats, need to be protected from
> hazardous contamination. Neither people nor wildlife can be healthy
> in toxic environments. 10. Speaking Truth to Power: For individuals
> with environmental awareness, speaking out should be both a
> privilege and a duty.
> http://www.rachelcarsoncouncil.org/index.php?page=centenial-brochure
>
>
> G. TYLER MILLER Jr.'s PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINAIBILITY (Learning from
> nature):
> Source: "Sustaining The Earth", 6th ed'n; G. Tyler Miller, Jr.; pg.
> 71 (slight modification)
>
> (G. Tyler Miller, Jr., has written 54 textbooks for introductory
> courses in environmental science, basic ecology, energy, and
> environmental chemistry since 1970. They include ENVIRONMENTAL
> SCIENCE, LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINING THE EARTH, and
> ESSENTIALS OF ECOLOGY. Since 1975, Miller's books have been the
> most widely used textbooks for environmental science in the United
> States and throughout the world. They have been used by almost 3
> million students and have been translated into six languages. Miller
> has a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and has received two
> honorary doctorate degrees for his contributions to environmental
> education. Currently, he is President of Earth Education and
> Research. He explains his hopes for the future as follows:
> "... I have learned (much) in trying to understand over more than
> four decades environmental principles, problems, connections, and
> solutions. If I had to pick a time to be alive, it would be the next
> 75 years. Why? First, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that
> we are in the process of seriously degrading our own life support
> system. In other words, we are living unsustainably. In doing this,
> we are likely to cause the premature extinction of up to half of the
> world's species during this century. Second, I believe that within
> [students'] lifetime we have the opportunity and the responsibility
> to learn how to live more sustainably by working with the rest of
> nature instead of trying to conquer it mostly for our own species. .."
> http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Environmental-Science/G-Tyler-Miller/e/9780495014751
>
> 1. Power mostly by sunlight. Most ecosystems use solar energy as
> their primary
> source of energy. Thus a sustainable society would be powered mostly
> by current sunlight and not ancient sunlight stored as polluting
> fossil fuels;
> 2. Prevent/reduce matter & energy waste. All living-matter designed
> by nature, efficiently uses energy as it serves useful ecosystem
> functions, then is bio-degraded with minimum energy. (Note: this
> explanation was added.)
> 3. Recycle/reuse resources. Ecosystems replenish nutrients and
> dispose of wastes by recycling chemicals. There is almost no waste
> in nature because the waste outputs and decomposed remains of one
> organism are resource inputs for other organisms;
> 4. Conserve biodiversity. (This is achieved) by protecting
> ecosystems and preventing the .. extinction of species. Biodiversity
> (1) helps maintain sustainability and ecological functioning
> of ecosystems and (2) serves as a source of adaption to changing
> environmental conditions.
> 5. Reduce births. This will control (1) population growth and (2)
> resource consumption, and both will prevent environmental overload
> and depletion of natural resources. In nature there are always
> limits to population growth and resource consumption. The population
> size and growth of all species are controlled by their interactions
> with other species and with their non-living environment.
> 6. (Consume frugally. This will help (1) prevent disease and (2)
> conserve resources, and
> both will lead to a more harmonious and balanced relationship with
> nature. In nature a
> healthy organism always functions more appropriately. And in nature
> healthy organisms do
> not destroy their habitat and source of resources.)
>
>
>
> GLOBAL URBAN SOLUTIONS EXCHANGE (GUSSE):
>
> Where cities meet cities
>
> Imagine you're a city manager in Kigali (Rwanda), Kowloon (Hong
> Kong) or Kamloops (British Columbia) faced with a water quality
> crisis or waste policy issue. How can you quickly scope the latest
> ideas and proven solutions? Consultants are expensive. Google isn't
> the answer. Academic databases are impenetrable. The sustainability
> noise is deafening — where can you find a signal?
>
> Now imagine an Amazon-like online destination where the 'products'
> are sustainability solutions and the conversations of countless
> consumers, like you, continuously identify the best solutions —
> all of which are free! The world has never had an opportunity to
> share and build the sustainability knowledge already within our
> cities. GUSSE is an innovative online website that brings together
> the most current, valuable and trusted solutions for urban
> sustainability, then refines and applies them within a ‘social
> networking' framework that harnesses collective wisdom on a global
> scale.
>
> GUSSE was launched in June 2006 at the World Urban Forum 3 in
> Vancouver, which attracted over 11, 000 delegates from around the
> planet who have an interest in the urban environment. Communicopia
> was deeply involved from the inception of this project, and led the
> business requirements, brand mantra, identity creation, website
> design, as well as provided overall project management and vendor
> coordination for the project. Like many of our favourite projects,
> this was a collaboration among numerous amazing people including
> content lead Elisa Campbell at the Design Centre for Sustainability
> at UBC, visionary Dr. David Vogt (who we also work with on Mobile
> MUSE), host UBC, technology genius Stephen Forth at OPN Design,
> and Nola-Kate Seymour at International Centre for Sustainable Cities.
>
> The site is still in prototype stage and is looking for further
> funding to take the idea global. It still has some kinks but is
> intended to show what is possible with further development.
>
> Visit the prototype site today at www.gusse.org and add your voice
> to the discussion!,
> http://www.communicopia.com/related-content/our-work/design-portfolio/gusse-prototype-site
> , http://www.ahva.ubc.ca/WUF/program/gusse.html
>
>
>
> INTEGRATED KNOWLEDGE:
>
> The approach to knowledge that we are advocating is
> "interdisciplinary" in the sense of integrated knowledge. I have
> been a strong advocate of integrated knowledge for many years. The
> major implementation difficulty has been that such a body of
> knowledge has not existed in a complete fashion.
>
> Recently, the U. of Waterloo in Ontario Canada has taken the very
> innovative approach of teaching the students how to integrate
> knowledge through their new program and Centre For Knowledge
> Integration. I consider a gradual creation of a body of integrated
> knowledge as very important to help make possible a more reliable
> effects analysis(http://www.osler.com/resources.aspx?id=14376) .
>
> Possibly some form of program in 'knowledge integration' at ****,
> such as at USC &/or U. Waterloo could be a valuable contribution
> towards President *****'s "goal of advancing **** College to the top
> tier of American green colleges and universities".
> http://www.ckid.org/
> http://www.ki.uwaterloo.ca/ on 'knowledge integration'
>
>
> TRANSFORMATIVE RESEARCH & the NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF):
>
> Aspects of what we are proposing may meet the NSF's new criterion
> for 'transformative research' (e.g. the no-energy-input underground
> solar greenhouse has the potential to revolutionize local (near/in
> cities) agriculture around the world). This information is from a
> previous innovative university project, viz.
> http://www.nsf.gov/news/speeches/bement/07/alb070104_texas.jsp
> http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/in130/in130.jsp
> http://research.musc.edu/inklings/1007/nsf_trans.html
>
> The new NSF emphasis on transformative research will, in my mind,
> help overcome some of the "natural" institutional resistance to
> change in some quarters of the scientific community. At the highest
> levels of thought, this will mean that potential shifts in paradigms
> and worldviews will suffer less irrational rejection
>
> The Association for Psychological Science has some interesting
> commentary about some resistance to TR, but more significantly about
> who supports the idea:
> "There is some debate as to whether a push for transformative
> research is really necessary. Some feel it's best left to the
> academic institutions to foster revolutionary science, without being
> told to do so from the feds. Besides, the transformative nature of
> research often isn't appreciated or even understood until 10 or 20
> years after the fact.
>
> On the other hand, the National Science Foundation Board, which made
> the recommendation, is composed of working scientists who feel that
> the research community needs encouragement, both financial and
> ideological, to move in this direction. For now, the only change has
> been in the intellectual merit criterion, but there may be targeted
> money set aside in the future."
> http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=2298
>
>
> POSSIBLE ADVISING &/0R PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS: (Will be adding
> to)
>
> *** EcoComplex
> **** Center for Green Building
> **** Department of Landscape Architecture
> **** Cooperative Extension Program
> *** Institute of Marine and Coastal Science
> NJ Sustainable State Institute
> ** Conservation Foundation
> Rachael Carson Council (Barbara Skinner is a board member.)
> Biomimicry Guild (http://www.biomimicryguild.com/)
> Biomimicry Institute (http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/)
> Environmental Defense Fund (http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=71)
> ECOCITY Builders, Oakland, Calif. (http://www.ecocitybuilders.org/about.html
> )
> PANNA (Pesticide Action Network of North America)
> NWCAP (North West Coalition Against Pesticides)
> PACHAMAMA (An environmental organization stressing climate change &
> role of N. Amer.)
> Wetlands Institute
> Clean Ocean Action
> Surfrider Foundation
> ***** River Keepers
> Sierra Club
> Nature Conservancy
> Audubon Society
> American Littoral Society
> **** National Wildlife Preserve
> Federal Fish & Wildlife Commission
> Heads of Local high school's environmental courses
> Local 4-H Groups (for club meeting of nature groups)
> EPA
> DEP
>
>
>
> FEATURES OF A MODEL ACCELERATED GREENING CENTER:
> Note: Reference is made below to a solar greenhouse (underground &/
> or geodesic) which enables food to be grown year round -- with no &
> little energy respectively. Both can also be scaled-up for
> commercial growers on the periphery (i.e. local food ) of our
> cities. Thus Solar Greenhouses have great FOOD SECURITY potential
> for America -- and the World!
>
> Energy Efficient Design
> Passive & active solar heating*
> Super-insulated walls with cellulose (recycled paper)
> Straw bale/clay* walls
> Out-side insulated foundation walls*
> Bermed building walls (natural insulation)*
> White light-steel roof (w. strapping)*
> Green roof -- water conserving vegetation*
> Electricity
> Photovoltaic (solar electric system)
> Wind-energy turbine
> Battery back-up with excess to grid*
> HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, & Air Conditioning)*
> Solar heating and hot water
> Open-loop radiant floor heat system
> On-demand propane back-up
> Geo-thermal heating (& cooling) -- vertical (well) & horizontal
> (trench or pond)*
> Natural (non-mechanical) ventilation*
> Hi-efficiency (modified for CH3 & H2) gas furnace*
> Non-toxic and Natural Materials
> Natural materials building methods
> Natural materials interior and exterior finishes
> Non-toxic paints, stains, primers, and caulks
> Lumber from ecologically managed forests
> Water Management Systems*
> Composting/'energy producing*'(methane/hydrogen) toilet
> Constructed wetlands (reeds*, Todd "living machine"*, ... )
> Low-2-flush toilet (with enhancements)*
> Reduced-sized leach field w. aerated tank*
> Rain water capture*
> Gray water filtration & re-use*
> Conservation
> Super-efficient appliances
> Compact fluorescent light fixtures &/or LED* lights
> High-performance windows
> Exterior insulated & ultra-water-proofed foundation*
> Foraged rocks (walks/pathways, foundation, misc. walls)*
> Locally harvested lumber
> Engineered lumber products
> Colored and scored concrete flooring
> HCFC-free polyisocyanurate insulation
> Soy insulation*
> Recycled Materials
> Houses & multi-use facility from pre-existing buildings
> Recycled fiber carpeting
> Recycled roofing material
> Recycled plaster wallboard*
> Salvaged lumber
> Recycled, all-wood-fibre flooring material
> Recycled lumber furniture
> Organic &/or Biodynamic Gardening
> Indoor distributed edible & air-filtering plants*
> Indoor greenhouse
> House lean-to underground solar greenhouse*
> Outdoor solar greenhouse -- geodesic & underground*
> Permaculture garden in solar greenhouse*
> Hydroponics in solar greenhouse*
> Herb gardens in solar greenhouse*
> Edible flower gardens in solar greenhouse*
> Naturlalized Landscaping*
> Diverse water conserving &/or edible vegetation*
> Distributed permaculture*
> Bird & butterfly friendly plants*
> Small Food Animals (organic &/or biodynamic)*
> Chickens in large fenced space (free range)*
> Rabbits in movable cages*
> Edible fish (aquaculture) in all-season geodesic domes & existing
> large pond*
> Urban Interior/Periphery Agriculture*
> Medium scale operations with larger solar greenhouses & minimum/no
> till outdoor crops*
> Larger food and draft animals -- goats, sheep, deer, cattle, oxen,
> horses, ...*
> Future Public Transportation Vehicle*
> Demonstration mini-monorail system networking throughout the site,
> including the Wildlife Preserve (as a means for the elderly &
> disabled to less-invasively appreciate the wonders of Nature) --
> with a public transit link and future extension into ***** City *
> Education+*
> Garden therapy program*
> General emphasis on sustainable self-sufficiency including all
> topics related to above +*
> Tutorials, town hall meetings, courses (incl. on-line), seminars,
> talks, fair & exhibition, .... *
> Volunteer organic restaurant /'food store' run by healthy food
> preparation/marketing program*
> Other Volunteers: Master Gardiners, Gardiners, Construction Workers,
> Naturalists, Nature
> Lovers, Interested Citizens, ...*
> Organic farmer's Saturday market and organic farmshare(?) opportunity*
> Association with: **** Eco-Complex, Center for Green Buildings,
> Landscape
> Architecture Dept; related/interested associations, societies,
> clubs, ...*
> Sources: To best indicate the potential of part of what the *****
> Group is proposing (for the sake of expediency as time is short),
> I've taken the liberty for the FEATURES section to be guided by
> another urban sustainability center's FEATURES description -- the
> very successful Rhode Island Apeiron Center (http://www.apeiron.org/new/thecenter/index.php
> ). I built on the form of that part of their web-page but
> significantly enhanced/'added to' their content with new
> possibilities (indicated by asterisk).
>
>
>
>
> VAN JONES:
>
> How one solution can fix our two biggest problems: climate and
> recession
>
> Van Jones' new book , The Green Collar Economy, is a prescription
> for a sustainable stimulus package that can fix the two big problems
> of our day: economic exclusion and economic recession, and a
> dangerous addiction to fossil fuels that's choking the climate.
>
> As a civil-rights lawyer and community activist, Jones has a voice
> that stands out in the chorus calling for climate change solutions
> as well as the chorus across the street crying out for social
> justice and equality. At the core of his message is the idea that
> the good jobs we need to cut climate-warming pollution can also keep
> marginalized youth out of jail and put them on solid career tracks.
> "We have a chance to connect the people who most need work with the
> work that most needs to be done." These are green collar jobs. And
> to make it work, Jones insists, those two choruses-and others as
> well-will need to walk across the street and start harmonizing for
> the first time.
>
> Jones' green collar economy is one where we don't need to make the
> heart-wrenching choice between our children and their immediate need
> for a viable economy right away and our grandchildren and their long-
> term need for a viable planet. He believes it's a false choice.
>
> Basically, his point is this: Climate legislation is on the way; and
> it will transition our economy away from dangerous and expensive
> fossil fuels, requiring local workforces across the country to make
> it happen. "We have to retrofit a nation," he writes. He told
> aSeattle audience earlier this year that "no magical green fairies
> are going to come down and put up all those solar panels or install
> insulation. This is going to take skilled labor. We can make a green
> pathway out of poverty." In his vision, hundreds of thousands of
> jobs will be created, weatherizing and building efficiency into
> every building in the country. Jones says we can finance this work
> with auctioned pollution permits under a cap-and-trade system.
> Capping emissions puts a firm limit on emissions while generating
> revenue for efficiency programs, technology investments, and
> consumer rebates.
>
> And, writes Jones, we should start now, "at the pace of wartime
> mobilization." For those who've already grown tired of green-collar
> hype, Jones points out that demand today already exceeds supply-
> employers can't find enough trained, green-collar workers. The work
> is out there. A huge green economy is already developing despite
> inadequate and inconsistent support from a public sector that is
> "still easily cowed by the big polluters." The numbers Jones gives
> don't lie: In 2006, renewable energy and energy-efficiency
> technologies generated 8.5 million new jobs, nearly $970 billion in
> revenue, and more than $100 billion in industry profits-and the
> numbers are growing fast. He also debunks the notion that a green
> work force is decades away-an army of computer technicians tinkering
> in futuristic laboratories on technologies we haven't even invented
> yet. No. The main piece of technology in the green economy, Jones
> writes, is a caulking gun.
>
> The book lays out a bold, comprehensive, New Deal-style program to
> build a clean energy economy that can do both - one that seems to
> echo President-elect Barack Obama's vision for a green economic
> stimulus and energy independence. Jones shows the way from a "gray"
> economy to a bright, new, shiny green one. What occasionally borders
> on sloganeering in this book is redeemed by thorough analysis and
> thoughtful, detailed descriptions of how to overcome obstacles,
> build the necessary coalitions, and take steps to push the right
> policy through. And to be fair, Jones understands the power of a
> good slogan or two to move people and policy. He has a knack for
> translating what is wonky and abstract into prose that is visual and
> concrete - and into stories that are easy to relate to. And that's
> exactly what most of us need because climate change isn't easy to
> imagine and climate policy is complex.
>
> To get there from here, Jones emphatically calls for more eco-
> populism and less eco-elitism. He doesn't shy away from a blunt
> rebuke of the environmental establishment for consistently cutting
> low-income people and people of color out of the picture. Sure, we
> could build a green economy in which the economic patterns of the
> past are institutionalized yet again, one in which certain people
> prosper and others are shut out. But why would we repeat the
> inequalities of the very dirty, gray capitalism we're trying to
> shed? We must instead make a choice to build an economy that takes
> us beyond what Jones calls eco-apartheid.
>
> The climate movement needs Van Jones. It particularly needs the
> moral grounding that he articulates. He grew up in the black
> churches of the rural South, and is at ease making comparisons
> between the urgency and moral strength of the climate movement and
> that of the Civil Rights movement. He is an agile ambassador
> bridging relatively segregated worlds of faith, labor, environmental
> justice and "traditional" environmentalism. He understands -better
> than most of us working on climate policy-that people who already
> live in a constant state of personal crisis are not moved by gloom
> and doom messages about polar bears and melting glaciers. But when
> we speak of opportunity, jobs, and economic solutions, we all find
> common ground.
> http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2008/12/02/van-jones-green-collar-economy
>
> This post is adapted from a book review that was published in the
> Winter 2009 edition of Yes! Magazine.
>
>
>
> GREEN CITY, A SPECIAL REPORT:
>
> By Azriel James Relph
> Azriel.james.relph at gmail.com
>
>
> Photo by Dwaine Lee
> Trainees in Sustainable South Bronx’s BEST (Bronx Environmental
> Stewardship Training) program weatherize a roof.
>
>
> The global economic crisis casts a dark cloud over neighborhoods
> like Hunts Point and Longwood, where unemployment, already around 24
> percent, is four times the national average. “Every cloud has a
> silver lining,” the saying goes, but for South Bronx residents,
> that lining may actually be green.
>
> President-elect Barack Obama has promised to invest $150 billion
> over the next 10 years in clean technology and vowed to create five
> million “green collar” jobs—jobs that reduce waste, curb
> pollution or save energy.
>
> But long before “green jobs” became a mantra for presidential
> candidates from John McCain to Hillary Clinton to Obama, several
> area organizations were working to create them locally. Their work,
> they say, offer a double payback. They clean up neighborhoods that
> have been dumping grounds. And where jobs are scarce, they create
> opportunity.
>
> Sustainable South Bronx’s BEST program (the initials stand for
> Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training) is preparing a green
> collar workforce, while The Green Worker Cooperatives recently
> started a worker-owned company selling salvaged construction material.
>
> Per Scholas, also based in the South Bronx, trains people to become
> computer technicians by refurbishing used computers and then
> providing them to families that otherwise couldn’t afford them.
>
> The promise of reusing, recycling and retrofitting has many
> participants in the South Bronx’s green economy programs feeling
> optimistic.
>
> Joan Byron of the Pratt Center for Community Development calls this
> “an incredible source of employment” for the area, because
> “labor intensive jobs equal good jobs.”
>
> Cutting edge work like retrofitting apartment and office buildings
> in New York to save energy, for example, will require a huge pool of
> labor that could ease unemployment in the area and reduce poverty.
> Byron quoted Van Jones, founder of the California organization Green
> for All: “Change comes from the barrel of a caulking gun.”
>
> As Antoinette Smidth, a participant in BEST’s program, remarks,
> “I don’t care how bad the economy gets, they’re always going to
> need people to clean up the environment.”
> http://fm.hunter.cuny.edu/huntspointexpress/?p=428
>
>
>
>
>
> PEACE CORPS IDEAS TO (GREEN) HOMETOWN IN NEED:
>
>
> Pam Fessler/NPR
>
> Mark Rembert, 24, was set to go to Ecuador with the Peace Corps when
> the largest employer in his hometown of Wilmington, Ohio, made a
> decision that left thousands without jobs. He decided to return home
> instead.
>
> “As soon as the announcement came out I knew, wow, this is going to
> be some sort of case study in how a small community deals with, you
> know, an incredible economic shock.”
> Mark Rembert
>
>
>
> Pam Fessler/NPR
>
> Taylor Stuckert, 23, who spent time with the Peace Corps in Bolivia,
> says he hopes he and Rembert can help bring lasting economic change
> to their hometown.
>
>
> Comments from the NPR Community
> The energy that ENERGIZE Clinton County brings to the table is
> infectious! Never have I felt more motivated to get something to
> happen. Movers and shakers... thats what you guys are.
> –Chas Wiederhold (ChasWiederhold)
>
>
>
> Morning Edition, March 3, 2009 · With every disaster comes
> opportunity: That's what two young men from Wilmington, Ohio,
> thought when they saw the economic devastation in their hometown,
> where thousands have lost their jobs.
>
> Mark Rembert and Taylor Stuckert decided to put aside work in the
> Peace Corps to see what they could do to help fix their own
> community — and they hatched a plan to start an environmentally
> friendly project that they hope will put hundreds back to work.
>
> The two are as surprised as anyone to find themselves back in
> Wilmington, a rural community southeast of Dayton. When they
> graduated from the local high school in 2003, they couldn't get out
> fast enough.
>
> "If you asked me six months ago if I would want to live in
> Wilmington, Ohio, if it meant that I got to work closely with the
> community, be around my family, you know, earn nothing, when I had a
> really high-paying job in New York, I would say, no, absolutely
> not," says Stuckert.
>
> A Hope For Lasting Change
>
> Stuckert, 23, has a still-boyish face and blond, wavy hair. Until
> last fall, he was in the Peace Corps in Bolivia, but he had to be
> evacuated because of unrest there. Earlier, he had worked at a law
> firm in New York. He was trying to figure out what to do next when
> his good friend urged him to return home.
>
> "I was like, you have to come back. There's so much energy here
> right now," Rembert says.
>
> Rembert is 24, with dark hair and a beard. He almost bounces with
> enthusiasm. He also was accepted to the Peace Corps and was set to
> go to Ecuador. But then, DHL Express, Wilmington's largest employer,
> announced it was going to shut down its domestic air-freight
> operations, leaving thousands without jobs.
>
> "As soon as the announcement came out I knew, wow, this is going to
> be some sort of case study in how a small community deals with, you
> know, an incredible economic shock," Rembert recalls. "So I came
> back, and I immediately started a blog."
>
> That was his way of trying to figure out what to do. Rembert and
> Stuckert like to talk things over a lot. And they began to think
> that maybe some of the Peace Corps philosophy, of helping
> communities help themselves, might be just what Wilmington and
> surrounding Clinton County needed — that this might be a chance for
> some real economic change. Something, Stuckert says, that would last.
>
> Energizing Clinton County
>
> "We think of development as building homes and putting people to
> work. But if the home doesn't stand up throughout the years and if
> the job doesn't stay, then the development wasn't really development
> because it wasn't sustainable," Stuckert says. "And that was
> something the Peace Corps really taught, and that it's not about
> going in and doing these huge projects."
>
> It's more about teaching people, through smaller projects, how to
> take charge of their own economic fate, and not to be dependent on a
> single employer. So last fall, Rembert wrote a letter to the editor
> of the local paper with an idea.
>
> "Let's designate Clinton County as the first green-enterprise zone.
> We had no idea what that meant," he says with a laugh.
>
> But it did get people talking, which is what they wanted. Soon they
> had a Web site and an organization called Energize Clinton County. A
> local businessman gave them an empty storefront to set up shop.
> Rembert and Stuckert developed a more specific plan: to get funding
> to weatherize thousands of county homes. They say it will create
> more than a thousand jobs and save homeowners $3 million a year in
> energy costs.
>
> Stuckert says it can also be a model for the nation.
>
> "What if we come to this understanding that, wow, weatherizing a lot
> of homes at once creates a quick return, a huge economic stimulus,"
> he says. "Then we don't have to have this debate in Washington about
> whether or not weatherization is a viable economic stimulus. We'll
> know."
>
> Community Support
>
> So now, they are waiting to hear whether their bid for $30 million
> in federal stimulus funds will be accepted by the state. They have
> also proposed tax incentives for green businesses and are working on
> a plan to create community gardens.
>
> Local leaders, such as Wilmington Mayor David Raizk, have been
> supportive.
>
> "I watched those kids in high school," Raizk says. "And, you know,
> they've come up with an idea. We're going to make sure that we can
> do whatever we can to try to help them with that idea. I couldn't be
> prouder to be mayor of a community like that."
>
> And at this point, people in Wilmington are willing to try almost
> anything. Rembert says he knows that he and Stuckert might not be
> getting so much attention if people weren't so desperate — and
> scared — because none of the old rules seem to be working.
>
> "The rules in Clinton County were, if you work hard, you show up to
> work on time, you'll have enough money to have a decent life, to
> send your kids to college. Sort of the American contract," he says.
> "And that rule doesn't apply to a lot of people now in this county,
> and people are trying to figure out what's the new rule."
>
> That's where Rembert and Stuckert hope they can help — with some
> ideas and energy, and maybe some inspiration. They think the current
> economic crisis will be their generation's defining moment, and they
> wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
>
> Related NPR Stories
> March 2, 2009
> Training, Benefits Aim To Save Sinking Communities
>
>
> Comments
>
> Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see theCommunity
> FAQ for more information.
>
> Chas Wiederhold (ChasWiederhold) wrote:
> The energy that ENERGIZE Clinton County brings to the table is
> infectious! Never have I felt more motivated to get something to
> happen. Movers and shakers... thats what you guys are.
> December 13, 1901 3:45:52 PM EST
> Recommend (4)
> Report abuse
>
> B Rafol (a_space_alien) wrote:
> To Mark Rembert, Taylor Stuckert, and all others out there infected
> with the innovative spirit, determination, and love for their fellows:
>
> w0000000t, YOU are the true American lifeblood today! Instead of
> whining and complaining like a few too many of us (particularly some
> of us commenters here), you ARE doing something to help out! Proud
> of you! Go for it!
> December 13, 1901 3:45:52 PM EST
> Recommend (4)
> Report abuse
>
> James Stewart (ArtbyStewart) wrote:
> A story of true leadership and very inspirational!
> The community gardens idea is great as well.
> December 13, 1901 3:45:52 PM EST
> Recommend (5)
> Report abuse
>
> Story McQueen (Story) wrote:
> I'm so happy to see many responses to this feature. What a great
> story. I hope many more contribute to their own towns. The peace
> corps ideals are universal. Thank you for reporting airing story.
> December 13, 1901 3:45:52 PM EST
> Recommend (5)
> Report abuse
>
> Craig Zamary (GreenEnergyTVcom) wrote:
> This is great news, Positive news! I am with GreenEnergyTV.com and
> we air videos of what people are doing to be green, plus we are an
> Ohio Company based in Youngstown, so if you get some fottage of what
> you are doing to be green, we are happy to help expose what you are
> doing in your community.
> Good luck and keep up the great work!
> Stay Green!
> Craig Zamary
> December 13, 1901 3:45:52 PM EST
>
> View all comments (25)»
> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101362474&ft=1&f=100
> "
>
>
>
>
> YEAR-ROUND LOW-E FOOD POTENTIAL OF GROWING DOMES
> First check out http://domes.crestonecolorado.com/
>
>
>
> Greenhouse allows you to grow fresh vegetables, flowers and herbs
> year round. It's the most energy-efficient, hobby greenhouse kit
> available today.
>
> The Growing Dome Greenhouse kit is a significant improvement in
> solar greenhouse design. The Growing Dome is able to provide a year
> round growing environment with little or no extra heating or
> cooling. You can enjoy your indoor garden in a beautiful nurturing
> protected space throughout the changing seasons, in your own Growing
> Dome. Much more than a greenhouse; it's a way of life.
>
> Enjoy the Many Benefits
> of Having a Growing Dome in Your Life
>
>
> Health: Growing your own fresh food, free from pollutants is a
> precious gift you are giving to yourself and your loved ones.
>
> Security: No matter what happens to the economy, food is as close as
> a walk down your garden path.
>
> Harmony: A Growing Dome bring us in touch with the seasons and the
> environment in which we live.
>
> Beauty: You can delight in having a warm, lush nurturing environment
> on your own property. People love to sit and relax inside the Dome.
>
> Connectedness: Puttering around in your Growing Dome is a wonderful
> way to relax at the end of a stressful day and renew your connection
> with the earth and the natural world.
>
> Abundance: Plants grow in profusion in the moist, warm interior of
> the Dome. You can grow an abundance of fresh, nutritious produce for
> family and friends.
>
> Self-Sufficiency: Unlike regular greenhouses which require large
> amounts of energy to heat and cool, the Growing Dome is solar
> powered, saving you money, and perfect for off the grid living.
>
> I have endeavored to make the Growing Space's Growing Dome the best
> insulated greenhouse that is available in kit form in the U.S. The
> wall of the greenhouse has an R value of R12, the north wall has an
> R value of R10, but it could be increased to a value of R20. The
> problem is that any material that transmits light (i.e. glass,
> plastic, polycarbonate, acrylic) actually has a very poor resistance
> to heat loss. As a greenhouse is designed to grow plants, it needs a
> lot of light.
>
> In our Growing Dome we have endeavored to create a correct balance
> between insulation and glazing. We also use a triple wall
> polycarbonate glazing which we consider to be the best value for the
> money of all the insulated glazing's currently available on the
> market. Also the advantage that our Growing Dome has over a regular
> greenhouse is that it has two method of storing the heat captured in
> the day to augment the heating system you may install. These
> features are: The under-soil heating system and the water tank.
>
> We find that overall our Growing Domes need approximately a third of
> the amount of heat a regular greenhouse would use. The amount of
> heat lost from a structure at night is proportional to the minimum
> surface area of the structure, and the temperature difference
> between the interior and the exterior. In this regard a dome
> structure is very energy efficient because it encloses the maximum
> volume for the surface area.
>
> --Udgar Parsons
>
>
>
> Gardening in the Growing Dome Greenhouse
> Over the last twelve years, Growing Dome Greenhouse owners have
> experimented and found the Growing Dome to be a wonderful space for
> year-round indoor gardening. Greenhouse gardening is a little
> different than growing outside. The protected environment has its
> own unique qualities.
>
> Growing Dome Gardening Hints
>
> Benefits of the Growing Dome Greenhouse
>
> Growing Dome Bed Layouts
>
> Garden Design
>
> Check out the Featured Dome of the month for more ideas
>
> Information on Growing Dome Maintenance
>
> Solar Heating and Cooling in the Growing Dome Greenhouse
>
> • Winter Growing
>
> • Cooling the Greenhouse
>
>
> POSSIBLE ADVISING &/0R PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS: (Will be adding
> to)
>
>
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