I love that Charlottesville has this type of event – supposedly the most successful book festival to come into existence in decades…. This concept is one that I have been interested in for sometime, but have danced around without having the catchy phrase, “conscious capitalism.”… She addressed four trends that she sees as “next” – two of which – The rise of conscious capitalismBoom in socially responsible investingreally resonated with what is happening in one segment of the real estate industry…. Do you think that those running Nature Neutral are in business solely for the altruistic gains – the karmic payback?… The market for green materials, sustainable housing and alternative fuels will be huge. Sure, there is a “feel-good” factor, but “feel-good” will only carry an idea so far…. There is a profitable market here – there is no doubt.I have read neither book (yet) but there seemed to be some inherent parallels between Ms. Aburdene’s theories and those of Crunchy Cons. One of the most compelling statements she made was that the “moral rebirth of capitalism cannot be achieved through regulation – you may end up with a culture of compliance, maybe – the rebirth must come from the people – from the grassroots” (quoted as accurately as I could).
Browsing Category Green
Advertising is moving to the web. (and this is news?)
It’s no wonder that internet startups are poised to blow the doors off traditional real estate business models.
Treehugger’s Ball, etc.
This weekend has a host of real-estate related activities – The Blue Ridge Home Builder’s Home ShowThe Treehugger’s Ball (text courtesy of Dave Norris’ site)We are excited to announce that the Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts (LEC) and Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation (ACCT) are teaming up to host the 1st Annual TREEHUGGERS BALL, a party to celebrate community, environmental awareness, meaningful education and alternative transportation…. The Treehuggers Ball will take place on Saturday, March 11, 2006 from 7-11pm, in the Old Michie Building-609 E…. This glittering event will include performances by two locally-famous bands, delicious food and drink, interactive festivities for party-goers young and old, and a silent auction…. The event is designed to raise funds and draw attention to the work of LEC and ACCT…. For more information, contact: Alia Anderson, 295-6554 or Ernie Reed, 971-1647.”Solar how water system presentationSolar hot water systems are an efficient, economical and elegant way to heat water for home, commercial and industrial use. Come learn more about their history, design and applications at the Charlottesville Community Design Center on Saturday, March 11 from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Local experts Roger Voisinet and David Watkins, owners of the area’s largest solar firm in the 1980’s: Virginia Solar Contracting Services, will give a presentation on the basics of how solar hot water systems work, how they are designed and installed, and how much money they can save on water heating costs.I can’t pinpoint the time that 1) I knew about things such as the Treehugger’s Ball or 2) when I started to care. All I know is that if I weren’t showing property all day tomorrow and Sunday, I’d have good things to do this weekend.
Hybrid Home Completely Off the Grid
Awesome. Via Gizmodo.Hybrid Home Completely Off the Grid:Hybrid Technologies is almost finished building what it calls the Hybrid Living Home, a concept house that shows off hundreds of energy-saving and smart-home features. Using wind turbines, solar energy, earth tubes and high-tech electrical storage, the house is designed to be completely self-sufficient, achieving that holy grail that’s commonly called being “off the grid.” Hybrid Technologies is a company that develops a lithium battery-powered vehicle, and this house is designed to be compatible with that, too. Would it be nice to give the finger to the electric company, and all those other utilities.
“Green” bills in VA House
At least somebody is looking for ways to encourage sustainable housing. Directing the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission to study the feasibility of enabling legislation to authorize localities to provide real property tax incentives to encourage buildings to be constructed using “green building” or “sustainable” designs consistent with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Ironic that the Coal and Energy Commission is responsible for studying green feasibility.
Green building
Making “green” choices -There is an upward trend in the number of “green” products available and inWhen one chooses to purchase green products, one typically is choosing to pay more than a competetive, non-green or traditional product.
“The Greenest School in America”
Right here in Charlottesville. This is so cool. I wrote a bit more about the green movement when I was finishing up my Eco-Broker certification. I’m just glad to see C’Ville leading the way.The “best place to live in America” is on its way to featuring the “Greenest School in America.” Charlottesville Virginia’s new Charlottesville Waldorf School is in the midst of a $6.2 million capital campaign designed to help the school become the first LEED Platinum elementary school in the country. It will feature a completely integrated “green” design featuring straw bale construction, a rammed earth wall, a living roof, geothermal heating and cooling, water reclamation and passive solar technologies.LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council and reserved only for those projects and builders who adhere to the ultimate standards of environmental responsibility. The certification is based on a checklist of environmental factors in six categories: sustainable sites, energy and atmosphere, water efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process.Courtesy of Yahoo.