Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Building GREEN
WHAT IS A GREEN BUILDING?
Fundamental Principles of Green Building and Sustainable Site Design
Defining Green...
There are many definitions of what a green building is or does. Definitions may range from a building that is “not as bad” as the average building in terms of its impact on the environment or one that is “notably better” than the average building, to one that may even represent a regenerative process where there is actually an improvement and restoration of the site and it’s surrounding environment. The ideal “green” project preserves and restores habitat that is vital for sustaining life and becomes a net producer and exporter of resources, materials, energy and water rather than being a net consumer. A green building is one whose construction and lifetime of operation assure the healthiest possible environment while representing the most efficient and least disruptive use of land, water, energy and resources. The optimum design solution is one that effectively emulates all of the natural systems and conditions of the pre-developed site – after development is complete.
Breaking the Myth that Green Always Costs More...
While many green materials and technologies do cost more, it has been demonstrated that many green strategies and technologies actually cost the same and some even cost less than traditional “not-so-green” technologies. By blending the right mix of green technologies that cost less with green technologies that cost the same or slightly more, it is possible to have a very green building project that costs the same as a conventional one. Often the key to a cost effective green building and site design lies within the interrelationships and associated cost and performance trade-offs that exist between different building systems. For example, the use of high performance windows and window frames increases the first cost of the building envelope, however the resulting reduction in the size and cost of the buildings heating and cooling system more than offsets the added cost of the better glazing system. The result is a building that has a comparable or perhaps even a lower first cost, a higher comfort level, lower energy use, and lower energy bills and operating cost for the life of the building. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA/DEP) recently completed two green buildings – the DEP South Central Regional Office Building in Harrisburg, PA, (USGBC LEED Bronze certified) and the DEP Southwestern Regional Mining Office in Cambria, PA, (USGBC LEED Gold certified), that are living examples of cost effective green building projects.
Decision to Build Green...
It is critical to make the decision to build a green building early in the design process in order to maximize the green potential, minimize redesign, and assure the overall success and economic viability of the green elements of the building project. Making a commitment to build green and establishing firm environmental objectives for the project must be done as early as possible because opportunities for incorporating green technologies and design solutions become less and less available and increasingly costly to implement as the project design and construction process progresses. Ideally, the decision to build green should be made before the site is selected, as many of the green criteria are affected by site characteristics and some sites are inappropriate for certain green projects.
Setting Green Goals and Objectives...
Once the decision to build green has been made, one of the first steps in the green design process is to establish firm environmental goals for the project. This is often done during what is called a goal setting or targeting session. During this session, it is important to set specific measurable goals for things like energy efficiency, water conservation, on-site treatment of rain water and storm water, material and resource management, construction waste management, and to assign responsibility for meeting these goals to specific members of the design team. Each goal needs a champion who will see that objective through to the end. If the building is to be built in accordance with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, it will be helpful to review the requirements of LEED as part of the green project goal setting session, begin targeting which elements of LEED are going to be pursued, and establish firm criteria for meeting those goals.
Building a Green Team...
Hiring a design team with prior green design experience is highly desirable, but not essential provided that the design team is augmented with architects or engineering consultants who do have experience in green building and site design principles and technologies. The collective knowledge, experience, and dedication of the design team will determine the overall success of the green project. All members of the green team should participate in the project goal setting session. Once the goal setting process has been completed it may become obvious that meeting certain goals may require expertise that lies outside the current design team. Specialized consultants may need to be engaged for specific elements of the design and construction process or to oversee all elements of the green design program. These specialists will be able to bring new ideas and solutions to the table for consideration and should be included in the project as early as possible.
Integrated Design Process...
Building a green building is not just a matter of assembling a collection of the latest green technologies or materials. Rather, it is a process in which every element of the design is first optimized and then the impact and interrelationship of various different elements and systems within the building and site are re-evaluated, integrated, and optimized as part of a whole building solution. For example, interrelationships between the building site, site features, the path of the sun, and the location and orientation of the building and elements such as windows and external shading devices have a significant impact on the quality and effectiveness of natural daylighting. These elements also affect direct solar loads and overall energy performance for the life of the building. Without considering these issues early in the design process, the design is not fully optimized and the result is likely to be a very inefficient building. This same emphasis on integrated and optimized design is inherent in nearly every aspect of the building from site planning and use of on-site storm water management strategies to envelope design and detailing and provisions for natural ventilation of the building. This integrated design process mandates that all of the design professionals work cooperatively towards common goals from day one.
Overview of the Five Elements of a Green Building Project...
The following pages summarize key principles, strategies and technologies which are associated with the five major elements of green building design which are: Sustainable Site Design; Water Conservation and Quality; Energy and Environment; Indoor Environmental Quality; and Conservation of Materials and Resources. This information supports of the use of the USGBC LEED Green Building Rating System, but focuses on principles and strategies rather than specific solutions or technologies, which are often site specific and will vary from project to project. For more information on the USGBC LEED rating system – visit www.usgbc.org.
Fundamental Principles of Green Building and Sustainable Site Design
Sustainable Site Design
Key Principles:
Minimize urban sprawl and needless destruction of valuable land, habitat and green space, which results from inefficient low-density development. Encourage higher density urban development, urban re-development and urban renewal, and brownfield development as a means to preserve valuable green space. Preserve key environmental assets through careful examination of each site. Engage in a design and construction process that minimizes site disturbance and which values, preserves and actually restores or regenerates valuable habitat, green space and associated eco-systems that are vital to sustaining life.
Key Strategies and Technologies:
• Make more efficient use of space in existing occupied buildings, renovate and re-use existing vacant buildings, sites, and associated infrastructure and consider re-development of brownfield sites. Design buildings and renovations to maximize future flexibility and reuse thereby expanding useful life.
• When new development is unavoidable, steer clear of sites that play a key role in the local or regional ecosystem. Identify and protect valuable greenfield and wetland sites from development.
• Recognize that allowing higher density development in urban areas helps to preserve green space and reduce urban sprawl. Invest time and energy in seeking variances and regulatory reform where needed.
• Evaluate each site in terms of the location and orientation of buildings and improvements in order to optimize the use of passive solar energy, natural daylighting, and natural breezes and ventilation.
• Make best use of existing mass transit systems and make buildings and sites pedestrian and bike friendly, including provisions for safe storage of bicycles. Develop programs and incentives that promote car-pooling including preferred parking for commuters who carpool. Consider making provisions for re-fueling or recharging alternative fuel vehicles.
• Help reduce the urban heat island effect by reducing the building and site development footprint, maximizing the use of pervious surfaces, and using light colored roofs, paving, and walkways. Provide natural shading of buildings and paved areas with trees and other landscape features.
• Reduce impervious areas by carefully evaluating parking and roadway design. Pursue variances or waivers where local ordinances may unintentionally result in the over-design of roadways or parking.
• Optimize the use of on-site storm water treatment and ground water recharge. Minimize the boundaries of the construction area, avoid needless compaction of existing topsoil, and provide effective sedimentation and silt control during all phases of site development and construction.
• Use landscape design to preserve and restore the region’s natural habitat and heritage while emphasizing the use of indigenous, hardy, drought resistant trees, shrubs, plants and turf.
• Help reduce night-time light pollution by avoiding over-illumination of the site and use low cut-off exterior lighting fixtures which direct light downward, not upward and outward.
Fundamental Principles of Green Building and Sustainable Site Design
Water Quality and Conservation
Key Principles:
Preserve the existing natural water cycle and design site and building improvements such that they closely emulate the site’s natural “pre-development” hydrological systems. Emphasis should be placed on retention of storm water and on-site infiltration and ground water recharge using methods that closely emulate natural systems. Minimize the unnecessary and inefficient use of potable water on the site while maximizing the recycling and reuse of water, including harvested rainwater, storm water, and gray water.
Key Strategies and Technologies:
• Recognize that the least costly, least time consuming and most environmentally preferable design for site and storm water management is often the one in which the design of buildings and site improvements respect the existing natural flows and features of the land, instead of designing the building and site improvements with total disregard for the site, which results in needless, extensive, disruptive, costly and time consuming excavation and earthmoving.
• Conduct a thorough site assessment and strategically locate buildings and site improvements so as to preserve key natural hydrological features. Special effort should be made to preserve areas of the site that serve as natural storm water retention and ground water infiltration and recharge systems. Preserve existing forest and mature vegetation that play a vital role in the natural water cycle by absorbing and disbursing up to 30% of a site’s rainwater through evapo-transpiration.
• Minimize the building’s footprint, site improvements and construction area, and minimize excavation, soil disturbance and compaction of existing topsoil as this soil in its natural uncompacted state serves a vital role in absorbing and storing up to 80% of natural rainfall until it can be absorbed by vegetation or enter the site’s natural sub-surface ground water system.
• Design and locate buildings and site improvements to optimize use of low-impact storm water technologies such as bio-retention, rain gardens, open grassy swales, pervious bituminous paving, pervious concrete paving and walkways, constructed wetlands, living/vegetated roofs, and other technologies that support on-site retention and ground water recharge or evapo-transpiration. Storm water that leaves the site should be filtered and processed naturally or mechanically to remove trash and debris, oil, grit and suspended solids. Use “hold and release” technologies such as dry retention ponds only as a last resort as these technologies do not preserve the natural water cycle, have little or no benefit in terms of ground water recharge and result in needless additional site disturbance.
• Establish a water budget for the building and implement a design that minimizes the use of potable water by using low-flow plumbing fixtures and toilets and waterless urinals. Harvest, process and recycle rainwater, site storm water, and building gray water and identify appropriate uses within the building and site. Use on-site treatment systems that enable use of rain water for hand washing, gray- water for toilet flushing, rain and storm water for site irrigation, cooling tower make-up and other uses.
• Conserve water and preserve site and ground water quality by using only indigenous, drought resistant and hardy trees, shrubs, plants and turf that require no irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Fundamental Principles of Green Building and Sustainable Site Design
Energy and Environment
Key Principles:
Minimize adverse impacts on the environment (air, water, land, natural resources) through optimized building siting, optimized building design, material selection, and aggressive use of energy conservation measures. Resulting building performance should exceed minimum International Energy Code (IEC) compliance level by 30 to 40% or more. Maximize the use of renewable energy and other low impact energy sources.
Key Strategies and Technologies:
• Optimize passive solar orientation, building massing and use of external shading devices such that the design of the building minimizes undesirable solar gains during the summer months while maximizing desirable solar gains during winter months.
• Optimize building orientation, massing, shape, design, and interior colors and finishes in order to maximize the use of controlled natural day lighting which significantly reduces artificial lighting energy use thereby reducing the buildings internal cooling load and energy use. Consider the use of light shelf technology.
• Use high performance low-e glazing, which can result in significant year round energy savings. Consider insulated double glazing, triple glazing or double pane glazing with a suspended low-e film. Selective coatings offer optimal light transmittance while providing minimal solar gain and minimal heat transmission. Window frames, sashes and curtain wall systems should also be designed for optimum energy performance including the use of multiple thermal breaks to help reduce energy use.
• Optimize the value of exterior insulation and the overall thermal performance of the exterior envelope assembly. Consider advanced/high performance envelope building systems such as structural insulated panel systems (SIPS) and insulated concrete form systems (ICF’s) that can be applied to light commercial and institutional buildings. SIPS and ICF’s and other thermally “decoupled” envelope systems will offer the highest energy performance.
• Use energy efficient T-8 and T-5 bulbs, high efficiency electronic ballasts, and lighting controls. Consider using indirect ambient lighting with workstation based direct task lighting to improve light quality, reduce glare and improve overall energy performance in general office areas. Incorporate sensors and controls and design circuits so that lighting along perimeter zones and offices can be switched off independently from other interior lights when daylighting is sufficient in perimeter areas.
• Use state-of-the art, high efficiency, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing equipment, chillers, boilers, and water heaters, etc. Use variable speed drives on fan and pump motors. Use heat recovery ventilators and geothermal heat pump technology for up to 40% energy savings.
• Avoid the use of HCFC and Halon based refrigeration, cooling and fire suppression systems. Optimize the use of natural ventilation and where practical use evaporative cooling, waste heat and/or solar regenerated desiccant dehumidification or absorption cooling. Identify and use sources of waste energy.
• Use Energy Star certified energy efficient appliances, office equipment, lighting and HVAC systems.
• Consider on-site small-scale wind, solar, and/or fuel cell based energy generation and co-generation. Purchase environmentally preferable “green” power from certified renewable and sustainable sources.
Fundamental Principles of Green Building and Sustainable Site Design
Indoor Environmental Quality
Key Principles:
Provide a healthy, comfortable and productive indoor environment for building occupants and visitors. Provide a building design, which affords the best possible conditions in terms of indoor air quality, ventilation, thermal comfort, access to natural ventilation and daylighting, and effective control of the acoustical environment.
Key Strategies and Technologies:
• Use building materials, adhesives, sealants, finishes and furnishings which do not contain, harbor, generate or release any particulate or gaseous contaminants including volatile organic compounds.
• Maximize the use of natural daylighting. Optimize solar orientation and design the building to maximize penetration of natural daylight into interior spaces. Provide shades or daylight controls where needed.
• Maximize the use of operable windows and natural ventilation. Provide dedicated engineered ventilation systems that operate independently of the buildings heating and cooling system. Ventilation systems should be capable of effectively removing or treating indoor contaminants while providing adequate amounts of fresh clean make-up air to all occupants and all regions of the building. Monitor indoor air conditions including temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels, so that building ventilation systems can respond when space conditions fall outside the optimum range.
• Provide a smoke free building. When smoking must be accommodated, provide completely dedicated smoking areas are physically isolated, have dedicated HVAC systems, and remain under negative pressure with respect to all adjoining spaces. Assure that air from smoking areas does not get distributed to other areas of the building does not re-enter the building through doors or vestibules, operable windows, or building fresh air intakes.. Locate outdoor smoking areas so that non-smokers do not have to pass through these areas when using primary building entrances or exits.
• Design building envelope and environmental systems that not only treat air temperature and provide adequate ventilation, but which respect all of the environmental conditions which affect human thermal comfort and health, including the mean radiant temperature of interior surfaces, indoor air humidity, indoor air velocity, and indoor air temperature. Following these principles and providing a building that is also responsive to seasonal variations in desirable indoor humidity levels, air velocity, and mean radiant temperatures can also result in significant energy savings as improved occupant comfort results in less energy intensive operation of the buildings air-side heating and cooling system.
• Maximize occupant health, comfort and performance by providing occupants with individual space/zone control of heat, ventilation, cooling, day-lighting and artificial lighting whenever possible.
• Prevent contamination of the building during construction. Take steps to minimize the creation and spreading of construction dust and dirt. Prevent contamination of the building and the buildings heating, cooling and ventilation systems during the construction process. Protect construction materials from the elements so that they do not become damp, moldy or mildewed.
• Provide a clean and healthy building. Use biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning agents that do not release VOCs or other harmful agents and residue. Prior to occupancy install new air filters and clean any contaminated ductwork and ventilation equipment. Use fresh outdoor air to naturally or mechanically purge the building of any remaining airborne gaseous or particulate contaminants.
Fundamental Principles of Green Building and Sustainable Site Design
Materials and Resources
Key Principles:
Minimize the use of non-renewable construction materials and other resources such as energy and water through efficient engineering, design, planning and construction and effective recycling of construction debris. Maximize the use of recycled content materials, modern resource efficient engineered materials, and resource efficient composite type structural systems wherever possible. Maximize the use of re-usable, renewable, sustainably managed, bio-based materials. Remember that human creativity and our abundant labor force is perhaps our most valuable renewable resource. The best solution is not necessarily the one that requires the least amount of physical work.
Key Strategies and Technologies:
• Optimize the use of engineered materials which make use of proven engineering principles such as engineered trusses, composite materials and structural systems (concrete/steel, other...), structural insulated panels (stress skin panels), insulated concrete forms, and frost protected shallow foundations which have been proven to provide high strength and durability with the least amount of material.
• Identify ways to reduce the amount of materials used and reduce the amount of waste generated through the implementation of a construction waste reduction plan. Adopt a policy of “waste equals food” whereby 75% or more of all construction waste is separated for recycling and used as feedstock for some future product rather than being landfilled. Implement an aggressive construction waste recycling program and provide separate, clearly labeled dumpsters for each recycled material. Train all crews and subcontractors on the policy and enforce compliance.
• Identify ways to use high-recycled content materials in the building structure and finishes. Consider everything from blended concrete using fly ash, slag, recycled concrete aggregate, or other admixtures to recycled content materials such as structural steel, ceiling and floor tiles, carpeting, carpet padding, sheathing, and gypsum wallboard. Consider remanufactured office furniture and office partition systems, chairs and furniture with recycled content or parts.
• Explore the use of bio-based materials and finishes such as various types of agriboard (sheathing and or insulation board made from agricultural waste and byproducts, including straw, wheat, barley, soy, sunflower shells, peanut shells, and other materials). Some structural insulated panels are now made from bio-based materials. Use lumber and wood products from certified forests where the forest is managed and lumber is harvested using sustainable practices. Use resource efficient engineered wood products in lieu of full dimension lumber which comes from older growth forests.
• Evaluate all products and systems used for their ability to be recycled when they reach the end of their useful life. Preference should be given to products and systems that facilitate easy, non-energy intensive separation and recycling with minimal contamination by foreign debris.
• Recognize that transportation becomes part of a product or building materials embodied energy. Where practical, specify and use locally harvested, mined and manufactured materials and products to support the regional economy and to reduce transportation, energy use and emissions.
***
Building GREEN in Pennsylvania
GGGC
Governor's Green Government Council
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wi-Fi is King!
Survey reveals hotel guests want Wi-Fi over everything else
What is your favorite hotel amenity?
Survey says: Free Wi-Fi.
OK, no surprise there, but according to a new Hotels.com survey, hotel guests would overwhelmingly take Wi-Fi over high-end coffee makers, an iPod dock, video game systems and workout equipment/DVDs. Over high-end coffee makers? That surprised me, but clearly I'm addicted to caffeine.
Many of the 415 guests polled reported that the availability of Wi-Fi factored into their decision on which hotel to book. More than one-third—38%--said free Wi-Fi was a must when staying at a hotel, 35% said it is the single amenity they want to see more of in hotels, and 31% said they want it to become a standard amenity at hotels this year.
"Given the explosion of mobile use in the past few years, it is no surprise that travelers are requiring free and fast Wi-Fi," said Taylor L. Cole, director of public relations and social media for Hotels.com. "Many guests never travel without their tablets, smartphones and laptops. It's as intuitive as packing a toothbrush. Guests use these items in their rooms to plan activities for the next day."
Cole also said she's noticed an uptick in mobile booking the day of a stay. "It is only natural that they'd want to stay connected while in their hotel rooms," she said.
The survey revealed some more interesting tidbits:
***
EcoVillage Video
This video shows the advantages of having an Eco Friendly Village.
It was created by youngsters who partecipate to Eco Youth Lifestyle
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
EcoDesign
Ecodesign
Design for Environment (DfE) or Ecodesign uses life cycle thinking to develop and assess different design options.
Design for the environment
To develop truly sustainable products, you must be able to assess which design solution is environmentally preferable. Often the environmental load is related to simple indicators such as material mass, energy use, and transport volume. Once you have identified your 'hotspots' you can subsequently develop product specific guidelines and evaluate different alternatives.
- Ecodesign guidelines can be used in the creative and conceptual phases of the design process.
- In the problem analysis phase and design phase life cycle assessment (LCA) may be used to obtain more detailed insight.
10 guidelines for ecodesign
- Do not design products, but life cycles
- Natural materials are not always better
- Energy consumption: often underestimated
- Increase product life time
More importantly, try to design the product in such a way people will feel attached to it. Many products are not thrown away because they are broken, but because owners got bored with them.
- Do not design products, but services
- Use a minimum of material
- Use recycled materials
- Make your product recyclable
You can increase the chance that the product is recycled, by optimizing its design.
- Ask stupid questions
- Become an O2 member!
The ecodesign directive
Since 2007/2008, many mass-produced energy-using products (EuP) in the EU must conform to the EuP Ecodesign directive. The Directive establishes a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for all energy related products in the residential, tertiary, and industrial sectors. For each product group, an implementing measure is being developed to define the product requirements. If your product is affected by the Ecodesign Directive it will have to fullfil two alternative sets of requirements.- An energy efficiency criterion: products may not use more than a certain amount of energy in the use phase.
- An ecodesign dossier: suppliers must be able to document the ecodesign efforts made to reduce the overall impact of the product throughout its life cycle. The implementing measure may give a list of key environmental performance indicators (KePIs) that need to be addressed.
10 guidelines for ecodesign
- Do not design products, but life cycles
- Natural materials are not always better
- Energy consumption: often underestimated
- Increase product life time
More importantly, try to design the product in such a way people will feel attached to it. Many products are not thrown away because they are broken, but because owners got bored with them.
- Do not design products, but services
- Use a minimum of material
- Use recycled materials
- Make your product recyclable
You can increase the chance that the product is recycled, by optimizing its design.
- Ask stupid questions
- Become an O2 member!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Eco tourism not a passing fad!
Eco tourism not a passing fad - The West Australian:
Top five things to look for when booking an eco-stay:
• The hotel/resort should have its own onsite organic garden or crops
• It should use solar power
• The hotel/resort should recycle grey water
• It should separate packaging and waste into designated recycling bins
• Guest bathroom and cleaning products should be made from natural ingredients and be environmentally friendly.
'via Blog this'
Top five things to look for when booking an eco-stay:
• The hotel/resort should have its own onsite organic garden or crops
• It should use solar power
• The hotel/resort should recycle grey water
• It should separate packaging and waste into designated recycling bins
• Guest bathroom and cleaning products should be made from natural ingredients and be environmentally friendly.
'via Blog this'
What is EcoTourism?
What is Ecotourism?
Conservation
Offering market-linked long-term solutions,
ecotourism provides effective economic
incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural
diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural
heritage of our beautiful planet.
ecotourism provides effective economic
incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural
diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural
heritage of our beautiful planet.
Communities
By increasing local capacitybuilding and employment
opportunities, ecotourism is an effective vehicle for
empowering local communities around the
world to fight against poverty and to achieve
sustainable development.
opportunities, ecotourism is an effective vehicle for
empowering local communities around the
world to fight against poverty and to achieve
sustainable development.
 Interpretation With an emphasis on enriching personal
experiences and environmental
awareness through interpretation, ecotourism promotes greater understanding and appreciation for nature, local society, and culture. |
The Definition
Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural
areas that conserves the environment and improves
the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)
areas that conserves the environment and improves
the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)
Principles of Ecotourism
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities,
and sustainable travel. This means that those who
implement and participate in ecotourism activities
should follow the following ecotourism principles:
and sustainable travel. This means that those who
implement and participate in ecotourism activities
should follow the following ecotourism principles:
- Minimize impact.
- Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
- Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
- Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.
ECO-TOURISM
TEN COMMANDMENTS ON ECO-TOURISM
• Respect the frailty of the earth. Realize that unless all are willing to help in its preservation, unique and beautiful destinations may not be here for future generations to enjoy.
• Leave only footprints. Take only photographs. No graffiti! No litter! Do not take away souvenirs from historical sites and natural areas.
• To make your travels more meaningful, educate yourself about the geography, customs, manners and cultures of the region you visit. Take time to listen to the people. Encourage local conservation efforts.
• Respect the privacy and dignity of others. Inquire before photographing people.
• Do not buy products made from endangered plants or animals, such as ivory, tortoise shell, animal skins, and feathers. Read now before You Go, your Country Customs list of products which cannot be imported.
• Always follow designated trails. Do not disturb animals, plants or their natural habitats.
• Learn about and support conservation-oriented programs and organizations working to preserve the environment.
• Whenever possible, walk or use environmentally-sound methods of transportation. Encourage drivers of public vehicles to stop engines when parked.
• Patronize those (hotels, airlines, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators and suppliers) who advance energy and environmental conservation; water and air quality; recycling; safe management of waste and toxic materials; noise abatement, community involvement; and which provide experienced, well-trained staff dedicated to strong principles of conservation.
• Encourage organizations to subscribe to environmental guidelines. To urge organizations to adopt their own environmental codes to cover special sites and ecosystems.
****************************************************************
****************************************************************
Travel is a natural right of all people and is a crucial ingredient of world peace and understanding. With that right comes responsibilities. Therefore, we should encourage the growth of peaceful tourism and environmentally responsible travel.
Environmental Guidelines for EcoTourism
A clean, healthy environment is essential to future growth - it is core of the Travel & Tourism product.
These guidelines are recommended to EcoTourism companies and to governments and they should be taken into account in policy formation:
These guidelines are recommended to EcoTourism companies and to governments and they should be taken into account in policy formation:
• EcoTourism companies should state their commitment to environmentally compatible development.
• Targets for improvements should be established and monitored.
• Environmental commitment should be company-wide.
• Education and research into improved environmental programs should be encouraged.
• EcoTourism companies should seek to implement sound environmental principles through self-regulation, recognizing that national and international regulation may be inevitable that preparation is vital.
Environmental improvement programs should be systematic and comprehensive.
They should aim to:
They should aim to:
• Identify and continue to reduce environmental impact, paying particular attention to new projects.
• Pay due regard to environmental concern in design, planning, construction and implementation.
• Be sensitive to conservation of environmentally protected or threatened areas, species and scenic aesthetics, achieving natural landscape enhancement where possible.
• Practice energy conservation.
• Reduce and recycle waste.
• Practice fresh-water management and control sewage disposal.
• Control and diminish air emissions and pollutants.
• Monitor, control and reduce noise levels. Control and reduce environmentally unfriendly products, such as asbestos, CFCs, pesticides and toxic, corrosive, infectious, explosive or flammable materials.
• Respect and support historic or religious objects and sites.
• Exercise due regard for the interests of local populations, including their history, traditions and culture and future development.
• Consider environmental issues as a key factor in the overall development of EcoTourism destinations.
Friday, April 27, 2012
What is an Ecovillage?
What is an Ecovillage?:
'via Blog this'
EcoVillages are urban or rural communities of people, who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more.
'via Blog this'
WHAT IS AN ECOVILLAGE?
 |  |  |
| Findhorn, Scotland | HuehueCoyotl, Mexico | Thlolego, South Africa |
Background
The motivation for ecovillages is the choice and commitment to reverse the gradual disintegration of supportive social/cultural structures and the upsurge of destructive environmental practices on our planet.
For millenia, people have lived in communities close to nature, and with supportive social structures. Many of these communities, or "ecovillages", exist to this day and are struggling for survival.
Ecovillages are now being created intentionally, so people can once more live in communities that are connected to the Earth in a way that ensures the well-being of all life-forms into the indefinite future.
Ecovillages are one solution to the major problems of our time - the planet is experiencing the limits to growth, and our lives are often lacking meaningful content. According to increasing numbers of scientists, we have to learn to live sustainably if we are to survive as a species. The United nations launched its Global Environment Outlook 2000 report, based on reports from UN agencies, 850 individuals and over 30 environmental institutes, concluding that "the present course is unsustainable and postponing action is no longer an option."
Ecovillages, by endeavoring for lifestyles which are "successfully continuable into the indefinite future", are living models of sustainability, and examples of how action can be taken immediately. They represent an effective, accessible way to combat the degradation of our social, ecological and spiritual environments. They show us how we can move toward sustainability in the 21st century (Agenda 21).
In 1998, ecovillages were first officially named among the United Nations' top 100 listing of Best Practices, as excellent models of sustainable living.
Social/Community
The social dimension of an ecovillage
Ecovillages are communities in which people feel supported by and responsible to those around them. They provide a deep sense of belonging to a group. They are small enough that everyone feels safe, empowered, seen and heard. People are then able to participate in making decisions that effect their own lives and that of the community on a transparent basis.
 |
Permaculture project at an ecovillage in Bolivia. In South America, the sense of community as seen in this picture is as an example to any intentional ecovillage in the world.
Community means:
- Recognizing and relating to others
- Sharing common resources and providing mutual aid
- Emphasizing holistic and preventive health practices
- Providing meaningful work and sustenance to all members
- Integrating marginal groups
- Promoting unending education
- Encouraging unity through respect for differences
- Fostering cultural expression
"Among intentional communities, the more socially motivated ones are reacting to the alienation of the individual due to institutionalization of traditional support functions, the breakdown of the family, and the marginalization of the weaker members of society. They tend to emphasize re-establishing "community" and are closely associated to the co-housing movement. The latter is closer to the mainstream and represents the easiest first step for many."
Ross Jackson
Ross Jackson
Ecological
The ecological dimension of an ecovillage
Ecovillages allow people to experience their personal connection to the living earth. People enjoy daily interaction with the soil, water, wind, plants and animals. They provide for their daily needs - food, clothing, shelter - while respecting the cycles of nature.
Ecology means:
- Growing food as much as possible within the community bio-region
- supporting organic food production there
- Creating homes out of locally adapted materials
- Using village-based integrated renewable energy systems
- Protecting biodiversity
- Fostering ecological business principles
- Assessing the life cycle of all products used in the ecovillage from a social and spiritual as well as an ecological point of view
- Preserving clean soil, water and air through proper energy and waste management
- Protecting nature and safeguarding wilderness areas
Culture/Spirituality
The Cultural/Spiritual dimension of an ecovillage
Most ecovillages do not place an emphasis on particular spiritual practices as such, but in their own ways ecovillages respect and support - the Earth and all living beings on it; cultural and artistic enrichment and expression; and spiritual diversity.
Cultural and spiritual vitality means:
- Shared creativity, artistic expression, cultural activities, rituals and celebrations
- Sense of community unityand mutual support
- Respect and support for spirituality manifesting in many ways
- Shared vision and agreements that express commitments, cultural heritage and the uniqueness of each community
- Flexibility and successful responsiveness to difficulties that arise
- Understanding of the interconnectedness and interdependence of all the elements of life on Earth and the community's place in and relation to the whole
- Creation of a peaceful, loving, sustainable world
Economic
The Economic Dimension
As local groups and communities create their own local scrip currencies and exchange systems, they learn about economist’s deepest secret: money and information are equivalent --- and neither is scarce!
--- Hazel Henderson
The Ecovillage economy is quite robust and full of vitality compared to other local economies.
Economic Vitality means:
- Keeping the money in the community,
- Circulating it through as many hands as possible,
- Earning it, spending it, and investing it in member-owned retail and service businesses,
- Saving it in home-grown financial institutions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)