GreenClips.179 11.07.01 ACTIVISTS IN LOS ANGELES PUSH FOR GREENER CAMPUSES To environmentalists, the $1.2 billion that taxpayers approved last April for the Los Angeles Community College District to upgrade its nine campuses provides an opportunity to think green. Groups from the Sierra Club to newly formed student chapters of Greenpeace have joined forces to pressure the college trustees to construct their new classrooms and offices as green buildings. The massive project could set a standard for environmentally friendly construction across the state. But supporters and opponents agree the associated costs would mean fewer new buildings in the overcrowded 120,000-student district. Activists estimate that such technology could raise construction costs by 10 to 20 percent, but could reduce energy bills by 50 percent over the long term. District trustees are scheduled to consider the issue on November 14. About 1,000 students have signed petitions and letters to the board of trustees urging members to consider an eco-friendly approach. Although there has not been much vocal opposition, the effort will likely meet resistance when a vote nears. Kris Vosburgh, executive director of Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., said if the public is going to get fewer structures, the district should have told voters before the election in April. Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct 01, by Zanto Peabody. CEMENT INDUSTRY STUDYING SUSTAINABILITY Ten of the world's largest cement producers are collaborating on a two-year, $4 million study of how the cement industry can become more sustainable. Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio, is conducting the research, under the auspices of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, based in Switzerland. The study will provide the cement industry a major user of energy and natural resources with a roadmap to move it closer to long-term sustainability. More: http://www.wbcsdcement.org. Green@Work, Sep-Oct 01, p 12. SPRAWL CONTRIBUTES TO HEALTH PROBLEMS, SAYS CDC STUDY Urban sprawl is not healthy for people, concludes a report by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and released by SprawlWatch, an environmental group based in Washington, DC. Instead of focusing on the bricks-and-mortar effects, the report, titled "Creating a Healthy Environment: The Impact of the Built Environment on Public Health," examines sprawl's impact on flesh and blood. For example, as people have adopted the more sedentary, automobile-based lifestyles encouraged by sprawling developments, the percentage of adults who are overweight or obese has risen from 47 percent in 1976 to 61 percent in 1999. Also, about 850 people died in floods in the last eight years, most often in areas where weak zoning laws allowed developers to drain wetlands and build on floodplains. "We already knew that pollution caused respiratory problems, but I don't think most of us understand that the way we build our cities contributes to other health problems," said Grace Trimble of the Georgia Conservancy. "I hope this signals that people will start taking a deeper look at what sprawl really does." The report calls for "smart growth" policies that take mental and physical health into account, such as designing communities around people instead of cars to increase "walkability." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 02 Nov 01, by Lyle V. Harris. [Download report: http://www.sprawlwatch.org] BUILDING ENVELOPE DEFICIENCIES CAN PROMOTE MOLD GROWTH Mold and mildew are fungi that can grow on the surfaces of building materials, within the pores of building materials, and in deteriorated building materials. Moisture control is the most viable strategy for reducing mold growth. Many recent litigation cases have involved water damage that led to the growth of dangerous types of mold. The following building envelope strategies will help prevent indoor air quality problems caused by water penetration due to building envelope defects: 1) Pay attention to the building use. Buildings that house the very young or the very old may require extra attention to the building envelope. 2) Be aware that combustible building types, such as buildings with wood structural components, contain mold nutrients. 3) Maintain the integrity of weather barriers and flashing. 4) In warm climates, control vapor pressure to prevent hot, humid exterior air from entering the wall cavity. 5) In cold climates, verify that wall cavity insulation is continuous so that moisture-laden air cannot enter the wall cavity from the interior. 6) Eliminate unvented attics or other miscellaneous large cavities adjacent to the building envelope. 7) Maintain the relative humidity below the dew point near surfaces. 8) Be proactive in dealing with emergencies after substantial completion. 9) Resolve known building envelope leaks quickly. [More: http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.html.] The Construction Specifier, Oct 01, p 57, by Richard Rivin. SEATTLE EXHIBIT SHOWCASES WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS "Future@Work: A Sustainable Approach to the Workplace," recently opened its new location in downtown Seattle. The 3,000-square-foot exhibit showcases workplace design solutions that demonstrate the bottom-line benefits of energy-efficient, sustainable buildings and practices. "As the region faces dual pressures of surging energy costs and an economic slowdown, developers, building owners and tenants can go to Future@Work for ideas on how to conserve energy and implement other measures that make the workplace more environmentally friendly," says Andrea Vanecko of Callison, a Future@Work cofounder. The exhibit includes displays illustrating the latest in advanced workplace technology; futuristic lighting and design; and on-line "rate-your-workspace" surveys. Green@Work, Sep-Oct 01, p 12. [More: http://www.future-at-work.org] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GreenClips is free of charge thanks to individual members and these sponsors: C&A FLOORCOVERINGS We choose not to just make carpet but to also make a difference. http://www.powerbond.com EPA'S ENVIRONMENTALLY-PREFERABLE PURCHASING PROGRAM Greening the government, one purchase at a time. http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp GREEN BUILDING SERVICES http://www.greenbuildingservices.com Green Building Services offers environmental design and energy efficient consulting services to help you design, build and market high-performance commercial buildings, through design charrettes, energy analyses and the entire LEED certification process. INTERFACE, INC. More than a carpet company. Much more. http://www.interfaceinc.com WSU ENERGY PROGRAM http://www.energy.wsu.edu Providing objective research, information and solutions. Washington State University Cooperative Extension Energy Program in Olympia, Washington. Subscribe to GreenClips and other mailing lists on energy and the environment at http://listserv.energy.wsu.edu --- You are currently subscribed to greenclips as: craig@neweconomyinvestor.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-greenclips@listserv.energy.wsu.edu .......................... GREENCLIPS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT! Twice a month GreenClips is distributed electronically to over 10,000 readers interested in sustainable building design. But we can't do it without the financial support of our sponsors and members. If you find GreenClips valuable, please consider becoming a sponsor or voluntary member. Email chrishammer@greenclips.com for details. ABOUT THE PUBLISHER: Sustainable design consultant Chris Hammer publishes GreenClips in San Francisco. Ms. Hammer helps her clients with environmentally responsible approaches to urban planning and development, and to building design, construction, and operation. GreenClips is written by Chris Hammer and Jennifer Roberts. To CONTACT THE PUBLISHER: Email chrishammer@greenclips.com or call 415.928.7941. BACK ISSUES Two Internet sites host GreenClips archives for reference and research: http://listserv.energy.wsu.edu/greenclips/visit.html (keyword search) http://www.greendesign.net/greenclips (browse contents) REDISTRIBUTION Please do not redistribute or post copies of GreenClips regularly. Encourage readers who receive GreenClips from you to subscribe directly. Continuing sponsorship depends on accurate reader counts. SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE To subscribe via e-mail send a blank message to subscribe-greenclips@listserv.energy.wsu.edu To unsubscribe via e-mail send a blank message to unsubscribe-greenclips@listserv.energy.wsu.edu .......................... Copyright 2001 Sustainable Design Resources. All rights reserved. Republishing GreenClips in print or on a web site, in whole or in part, or commercial distribution in any form requires advance permission of the publisher.