TheGreenerHome.com
SUSTAINABLE LIVING RESOURCE FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
Profit from news, events, information and ideas about green building, sustainable living and eco-friendly developments in Asheville and Western North Carolina.
HOW TO USE THE GREENER HOME WEBSITE:
1. Move cursor to the LEFT COLUMN, and click ONCE on highlighted category. 2. Click ONE TIME on any UNDERLINED word or phrase on this useful, informational, journalistic website, such as: Buildings, Conservation, Energy and Earth Day Countdown.
WORTHY LINKS...
* Noteworthy Calendars Click Here
* Listing of Local Groups and Organizations Click Here
* North Carolina Energy Tax Incentives Click Here
* Permaculture Activist Articles Online Click Here
*Greenwashing Articles Online Click Here
CURRENT NEWS...
Take the Grist Online Survey: "How Smart(ish) Is Your City"
Grist.com, one of the nation's top environmental websites for green-minded folks, just released an "urban-dweller's pop quiz" survey that you can take online anonymously to test just how green and smart your city is. It's part of Grist.com's weeklong "Smart(ish) Cities" series. To take the pop quiz, Click Here
Chattanooga Is Doing It Right - and There's A Prayer for Atlanta
Grist.com's "Smart(ish) Cities" current series (May 12 - 16, 2008) include the following articles: "What's a sustainable city, anyway?; "Despite drought and sprawl, Atlanta has a prayer"; "How three more Southeast cities are changing." To read all the "Smart(ish) Cities" articles, Click Here
Green Fact Sheets
Southface's Responsible Solutions for Environmental Living Available Online | Southface Institute, an Atlanta-based nonprofit known nationally for its environmental education and outreach programs, has worked with the U.S. Dept. of Energy to produce a number of practical ways to green up your life. Click Here
Time Goes Green
Time Magazine's April 28, 2008, special environmental issue highlights the critical need to combat global warning, writes Laurie David, founder of StopGlobalWarning.org. Also, Time with CNN offers their Top 15 Green Websites. Click Here
Photo compliments of NASA's Visible Earth Series
Earth Day Countdown for 2009 Continues
365 to 352
TheGreenerHome.com Earth Day Countdown 2009
365: April 23, 2008 - Green Mayors Day
364: April 24, 2008 - Save A Park Day
363: April 25, 2008 - Elect A Citizen Day
362: April 26, 2008 - Pesticide Free Day
361: April 27, 2008 - No Food For Fuel Day
360: April 28, 2008 - Green Certified Remodelers Day
359: April 29, 2008 - Stop Interstate 3 Day
358: April 30, 2008 - Home Energy Savings Day
357: May 1, 2008 - Historic Preservation Day
356: May 2, 2008 - Greenwashing Watchdog Day
355: May 3, 2008 - Wind Energy Day
354: May 4, 2008 - Green Wedding Day
353: May 5, 2008 - Green Retirement Community Day
352: May 6, 2008 - Vote for the Environment Day
Click Here
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TheGreenerHome.com Earth Day Countdown 2009
May 7, 2008: Permaculture Day
TheGreenerHome.com's Earth Day Countdown for 2009 designates May 7, 2008, as "Permaculture Day." More people across the country are learning about permaculture and how to create a food supply that is more ecologically in tune. An excellent magazine about the subject is Permaculture Activist. If you have the time and money, consider contacting Patricia Allison, who conducts permaculture tours and workshops at Earthaven Ecovillage. Click Here
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TheGreenerHome.com Earth Day Countdown 2009
May 8, 2008: Green Building Alliance Day
TheGreenerHome.com's Earth Day Countdown for 2009 designates May 8, 2008, as "Green Building Alliance Day." The Pittsburgh, PA-based nonprofit, Green Building Alliance, continues to do good work to educate Americans about their green building options. Click Here
EMAIL YOUR IDEA TO BE ADDED TO "EARTH DAY COUNTDOWN" 2009
Click Here
Kate Shows Off Ohio University's Eco-House
In Asheville and everywhere, the greener home trend continues to grow. Take a peek at this short, informative video about a cool Eco-House, emailed by OU's Jennifer Krisch. Click Here
New, Free, Green Building Directory Now on the Street and Online
WNC Green Building Council (WNCGBC) and MountainXpress deserve credit for putting out WNCGBC's recently released 2008 Green Building Directory. It is available in print and, for the first time, online. Without question, it's the nonprofit's biggest and best compendium yet -- chockful of informative articles and listings of local green industry folks. The Directory will now be published annually, instead of once every two years, said program director Maggie Leslie. Click Here
FEATURED STORIES...
365 to 1
TheGreenerHome.com Earth Day Countdown 2009
April 23, 2008 - April 22, 2009: Your Daily Reports
To view TheGreenerHome.com's Second Annual Earth Day Countdown 2009, Click Here. To participate with your greener story and news, call or email Greener Home editor-publisher Byron Belzak at 828-768-5600 or Click Here>
Hot Jobs for A Warming Planet
The Sierra Club weighs in. Click Here
Plan and Plant An Edible Landscape
Spring (and fall) is a great time to start planting. Interview with Griffin Abee. Click Here
Sierra Club Ranks Two North Carolina Colleges as "Coolest"
Buncombe-based Warren Wilson College (No. 3) and Raleigh's Duke University (No. 5) received kudos from this environmental giant. Click Here
Photo compliments of EveryStockPhoto.com
Asheville Area Restaurants' Fryer Oil Converted into Biofuel
Blue Ridge Biofuels collects and converts fryer oil into fuel. Click Here
Super Solar Panel Videos
TheGreenerHome.com has selected several solar panel videos worth your viewing time. May they help you bring renewable energy into your home. Click Here
"Fossil Fools Day" Protest: Eight Arrested at Cliffside Coal Plant
Reported by RisingTideNorthAmerica.org. Click Here
* Free Parking on Tuesdays Click Here
Peak Oil Beginner's Guide
"The Wolf at the Door" is an online book with free contents that explains why the end run of peak oil is really bad news. Click Here>
CURRENT NEWS...
Ashevillage Institute Presents Sustainability Workshops
Learn how to live greener by taking one or all of eight sustainability courses offered throughout 2008 by Ashevillage Institute. Topics include permaculture, natural building, beekeeping, capturing rain water, and more. Click Here
All-New GreenSpec Directory 7th Edition
Now Available. Over 2,100 green building products selected by the editors of Environmental Building News. Click Here
Boycott Grows Against Progress Energy and Duke Energy
More grassroots groups continue to protest Duke's proposed Cliffside coal-powered plant in NC and Progress's proposed nuclear power plants in Florida. News posted Feb. 1, 2008, by Canary Coalition Click Here
The Latest Myths and Facts About Global Warming
Authored by Dr. James Wang and Dr. Michael Oppenheimer. Published by Environmental Defense. Click Here
50 People Who Could Save the Planet
It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. The Guardian of the United Kingdom gives their list. Click Here
American Pioneers, Awake
Who's Who in helping the mountains stay green. Click Here
Free Mineral Identification
At Colburn Earth Science Museum. Every Weds., 3 to 4 p.m. Click Here
AAC Block House Is Green and Ideal for D-I-Ys
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) may be in your future, especially if you are a do-it-yourselfer. Interview with SafeCrete with on-hands training available. Click Here
THE GREENER HOME Set to Launch in 2008
Expanded Print Issue of "The Greener Home" will hit the streets and mailboxes in early 2008. It is intended for homeowners and residents of Asheville and Western North Carolina. For more details, contact Byron Belzak at 828-768-5600 for 2008 Advertising Rates & Editorial Policy. Click Here
Photo by Lisa Ring * Copyright 2007 MEDIABEAR.COM
Advantage Innovation 2007 Conference Explores the Energy Future for WNC
AdvantageWest's All-Day Energy Conference at Crowne Plaza in late 2007 Attracts Hundreds Click Here
MORE NEWS...
* PROPOSED U.S. ENERGY BILL Boosts Fuel-Economy Standards Reports Los Angeles Times Click Here
* EXTREME DROUGHT IMPACTS NC and SC Click Here
* NEW GREEN TRANSIT Company Serves Asheville Click Here
* NC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION CALENDARS By County Click Here
*AL GORE'S Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech Excerpts Click Here
* NEW SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COUNCIL of WNC Promotes Greater Citizen's Voice Click Here
* REMODELED GREENER HOUSE Serves As Classroom Click Here
* EVERY TUESDAY: Free Parking at NC Arboretum Click Here
Builder's Guide to Reuse and Recycling
The Sustainable Design Resource Guide
Local Links
Henderson County Arby's To Use Solar Energy
Canary Coalition Posts Photos of TVA's Wind Project
WNC Residential Energy Survey
Southeast Drought Monitor
It Takes An EcoVillage
Live Lightly on Earth
Grow Local, Buy Local
NC Water Conservation Tips
NC Recycling Markets Directory
NC Steep Slope and Landslide Maps
NC Geological Survey Information
National Forests in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions About Saving Energy
Harvest Wind Power on Your WNC Property
See How A Wind Turbine Works
Laurel Valley Watch News
Meet You at the Landfill "Swap Meet"
The EcoBuilders' Passion: Green Building
The Amazing "Eloo" Toilet Comes to America
Alliance for A Sustainable Future
Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth"
Who Killed The Electric Car?
Build Electric Vehicles for Your Neighborhood
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
How to Save the World
Hike An Old Growth Forest
Rare Old Growth Forest Threatened
Where to Hike in Western North Carolina
Know Your Trees of Western North Carolina
Kimberly-Clark/Kleenex Destroys Ancient Forests
Aerial Art and Nature
George W. Bush (Sorta) on Global Warming
My New Year's "Greener" Resolutions
"Is God Green?" Asks Bill Moyers
"Energy Diversity" Speech
Blue Man Group Explains Global Warming
What Can You Do About Climate Change?
Pres. Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative 2006
10 Recommendations for America's Energy
Independence by Sen. Salazar
The Coming Hydrogen Economy
12-Step Program to End America's Oil Addiction
Smart Growth America, The Organization
Vote Solar, The Movement
Know Your Renewable Energy
n A Monorail in Our Midst
A comprehensive state-wide transportation proposal to help reduce air pollution is being circulated by the Canary Coalition Click Here>
n Join the March
Join the Virtual March at StopGlobalWarming.com Click Here>
n "DestiNY" Mega-Mall Dream That's All Green?
Developer Robert Congel has big plans for upstate New York that he says won't harm the environment. Click Here>
n Apollo Offers Report to End Our Addiction to Oil
Apollo Alliance Energy Report urges the President Bush to follow model state energy programs. The report, called "New Energy for States," outlines the best state-based clean energy solutions the feds can adopt nationally. More>
n How To Save Energy
This government website about ways to save money through greater home energy efficiency is timely given dramatically higher energy costs. More>
WORTHY MATERIAL
Passive Solar for Do-It-Yourselfers:
Living in Harmony with Nature
Designing and building with passive solar and sun spaces in mind makes more sense, if saving money and leaving a light footprint on Mother Earth are high on your priority list of things worth doing. Noteworthy is the technique of building with dry stack blocks without mortar that utilize Quikwall or a similar surface bonding product. Nowadays, living in harmony with nature can be as practical as it is beautiful. More.
WORTHY REALTOR
New Category of Eco-Realtors
Ginny Lentz of Beverly-Hanks & Associates, Weaverville, NC, is one of the nation's first designated Eco-Realtors. Her new video is a primer on how she hopes to preserve the mountains. More>
WORTHY BUILDINGS
North Carolina One of Top Six States with Energy-Efficient, Environmentally Safe Buildings
Energy Star status was conferred on more than 2500 buildings in 2005 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All states had some Energy Star status buildings, but most are located in six states with Food Lion leading the way. More>
WORTHY INSTRUMENT
How to Determine Solar Potential on Your Property
The manufacturer of "Solar Pathfinder" said that its affordable technical field instrument can help you determine your site's total annual solar potential in just five minutes. More.
WORTHY PRODUCT
Make Your Roof Out of Photovoltaic Shingles
This article explains how and why some builders are installing PV collectors that resemble traditional roof shingles. More...
WORTHY TV
New Generation of Photovoltaic Cells
PBS and Scientific American have teamed up to offer "Hydrogen Hopes," a wonderful series about what some people are doing to make the world a greener, better place. Noteworthy is Part 3, entitled "Sunshine Hydrogen." The info about a new generation of rugged, thin-film, photovoltaic cells is incredible. More.
WORTHY EFFORT
Asheville's First Public Compressed Natural Gas Station
The community’s first public compressed natural gas station opened in January 2006 for public use. More.
WORTHY DEVELOPMENT
Consortium of Education & Research
Consortium of Education & Research of the Carolinas's mission is to further economic development in the Western Carolinas through education, infrastructure and capital development. More>
WORTHY LEGISLATION
NC "Net Metering" Takes Effect in 2006
North Carolina producers of renewable energy may sell back excess capacity to the power companies on a first-come, first-served basis, effective Jan. 1. More.
WORTHY EXHIBITION
Georgia Nature Center To Feature Solar Power
The Georgia Nature Center, located on 144 acres in Oconee County, Georgia, 20 minutes south of Athens, features exhibits and information about organic farming and solar energy, as well as five miles of nature trails to contemplate a greener home. More.
WORTHY PROGRAM
How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient
Alliant Energy's PowerHouse is an educational program designed to help improve the energy efficiency, safety and comfort of your home. We in the mountains would do well to borrow a page from their book. More.
WORTHY NONPROFIT
Biodiversity Rules
Wild South (formerly Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project) is a favorite among greener advocates in the Asheville Area. If you're looking for a local green group to join, this might be your match. More.
WORTHY SCIENCE
Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice
Some say this book is the seminal text on green chemistry. The concept of lowering risk by reducing hazard rather than exposure is discussed. The 12 principles of green chemistry are described in detail. More>
WORTHY COMMUNITY
Earthaven Develops Village-Scale Economy
Earthaven Ecovillage, an intentional community located in Rutherford County, explains how some of its members earn a living on-site or in nearby Asheville. Tours of Earthaven are available to the public by reservation. More.
WORTHY ORGANIZATION
U.N.'s Sustainable Development Division
The United Nations' Division for Sustainable Development initiates and participates in many "greener" meetings, conferences and initiatives offered around the globe. More>
