thelifesimple

Darwin's Worst Nightmare

Granted, we may know a lot more about what will end our species, global climate change, overpopulation, nuclear holocaust, but it really comes down to the same issue plants and animals have faced for milennia - survival of a species. We think we're different, and we are in that we have a little more responsibility in the cause of our extinction, but really, unless we all pull together and alter the course, we'll be just another extinct species that may never be remembered. Oh and by the way, no worries, the earth will heal itself after a few thousand years. We just won't be around to see it! And unfortunately, we'll probably take down most of the other species with us.

Here's a thought - before you buy that next thing you think you need, whether it's a piece of fruit or a luxury yacht, ask yourself: "Will this purchase hurt or help the planet?" There's only three possible answers: "Hurt" - which should make you second guess the purchase. "Help" - which should make you feel good about your purchase and encourage you to do more of the same. "I don't know" - which should make you postpone the purchase until you do know. I realize this is work and you don't really have the time. I understand because I'm there too, but there is no middle ground anymore. You're either part of the problem or the solution.

We must all become Eco-Social Positive forces, sustaining isn't enough.

simply,

tim

We Are All One - Beautiful video about our future

No better way to begin 2010 than with the message that we are all one.

If you'd like to help this cause, the website is here.

Thanks to my friend @Marcome for showing me this.

Simply,

Tim

SLO Green Build has a New Home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lana Adams
Administrator, SLO Green Build
[email protected], (805) 286-0072

SLO Green Build has a New Home

San Luis Obispo, CA - November 2009. Now in its fifth year of operation, the local, non-profit SLO Green Build has office space that they can call home. In the past, its volunteers and one paid employee have utilized any place they could get their hands on – from coffee shops and restaurants to meeting room space donated by local businesses. All that changes this month; SLO Green Build now occupies space on South Higuera in San Luis Obispo, in the RRM Design Group offices. This new location will provide volunteers and interns a go-to spot for meetings or work.

“This new physical presence in the community is a big step for our organization,” explained Lana Adams, SLO Green Build Administrator. “Our goal is to work from this space for at least a year. Having a physical location will make our volunteers’ lives easier when planning meetings, and also gives us the much-needed opportunity to bring interns in to help on projects.”

The space includes an “L” shaped pod that accommodates four people, as well as the use of conference rooms, a training room, kitchen, outdoor patio, and shared parking spaces.

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More about SLO Green Build:

Formed in 2004 by a small group of professionals from the design and construction industries, community planners, environmental and social services advocates, and concerned residents, SLOGB focuses on the issues of sustainable development and “growing” green building on the Central Coast. SLOGB encourages the use of the most sustainable development methods and greenest building materials possible. www.SLOGreenBuild.org

Submitted for SLO Green Build by:
Beth Fillerup, SLOGB volunteer
FILLERUP marketing communications
(805) 748-2135
 www.get-the-word-out.blogspot.com
 twitter @getthewordout

Bill Hayward Speaks At SLO Green Build Mixer About FSC Certified Lumber

I took in a talk this week by Bill Hayward, CEO of Hayward Lumber and Chair on the board for Forest Stewardship Council, US at Hayward Lumber in SLO. The event was a SLO Green Build mixer that brought together green builders and businesses from San Luis Obispo County.

It was a great opportunity to hear the status of sustainability in forestry across the globe from an expert and very early adopter of the FSC certified products. Hayward Lumber has stocked FSC certified lumber in their lumber yard for many years and has led the way for others to do the same.  

Mr. Hayward's leadership in this industry effort started with himself and his team in the 90's when he took his team to walk the forests of the Northwest and see the difference between FSC certified forests and clear cuts made without sustainable practices. Getting on the ground and walking the forest made his team believers in forestry stewardship and they forged a way to be both profitable and sustainable.

Most inspiring is Mr. Hayward's vision that California builders can lead the way to global change. Starting here, California builders using a reasonable percentage of FSC certified wood in projects would be the tipping point to build demand for more forest certification which would lead to lower costs of certified wood products and increase usage globally.

It's a plan that could work to eliminate poor forestry management globally.  

When you get a chance, take a look at the Forest Stewardship Council website. According to Bill Hayward, the model of governance they have created is being copied in other industries such as Fair Trade. It's worth the look just to understand how each of us can make a difference by asking for wood and paper products that have been certified by the FSC.

Simply,

Tim

SunPower Joins SLO Green Build

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: 
 Lana Adams
 Administrator, SLO Green Build
 (805) 286-0072, [email protected]

Steve Sutton
Project Development Liaison, California Valley Solar Ranch
(619) 917-2184, [email protected] 

SunPower Joins SLO Green Build

San Luis Obispo, CA – November  2009. SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB) recently exhibited its commitment to our local community by joining SLO Green Build as a Redwood Member, the non-profit’s highest level of membership. SunPower designs, manufactures, delivers, and monitors high-performance solar electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial, and utility customers.

SunPower shares SLO Green Build’s belief that San Luis Obispo County is one of the most precious places on earth and shares its commitment to using the most sustainable development methods and greenest building materials possible. As a new corporate citizen of the County, SunPower is honored to join and participate in the organization’s tradition of grass-roots involvement and volunteerism among its membership and the community. The company’s membership in SLO Green Build is an acknowledgement and endorsement of the organization’s vision that “in a sustainable future, every building is a green building.”

SunPower is a major manufacturer and distributer of high energy solar electric modules for roof top and utility scale energy systems.  It is also the developer of the California Valley Solar Ranch.

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For more information about SunPower: http://us.sunpowercorp.com
For more information about SLO Green Build: www.slogreenbuild.org

Submitted for SLO Green Build by:

Beth Fillerup, SLOGB volunteer
FILLERUP marketing communications
(805) 748-2135
www.get-the-word-out.blogspot.com
twitter @getthewordout

The Girl That Silenced The World For 5 Minutes

Thanks to Athen Agana for share this with me on Facebook.

simply,

Tim