Change Buildings, Save the World

A study has been released (2mb PDF) by Commission for Environmental Cooperation; and Celsias has put up a nice summery for us. They note that a simple way for us to lower our impact on the environment is to change how we construct buildings in North America.

Existing building techniques can be used to improve efficiency of our buildings.

In Canada, buildings are responsible for:

  • 33 % of all energy used;
  • 50 % of natural resources consumed;
  • 12 % of non-industrial water used;
  • 25 % of landfill waste generated;
  • 10 % of airborne particulates produced; and
  • 35 % of greenhouse gases emitted.

In Mexico, buildings are responsible for:

  • 17 % of all energy used;
  • 25 % of all electricity used;
  • 20 % of all carbon dioxide emissions;
  • 5 % of potable water consumption; and
  • 20 % of the waste generated.

Disney Influenced Environmentalists

According to a University of Cambridge professor Disney has helped create the wave of environmentalism that we are currently riding. I’m kinda skeptical about this, but it’s good news nonetheless.

Dr Whitley singled out Bambi, which was released in 1942, as particularly influential, saying that many green activists had credited it as the inspiration that first made them interested in environmental issues.

He said: “Disney films have often been criticised as inauthentic and pandering to popular taste rather than developing the animation medium in a more thought-provoking way.

“In fact, these films have taught us variously about having a fundamental respect for nature. Some of them, such as Bambi, inspired conservation awareness and laid the emotional groundwork for environmental activism.

Eco Luxury Vodka

I’m no fan of vodka, but I am a fan of the environment, which is what makes this so interesting. An American company has created vodka that helps the earth! I wonder if they’ll use the slogan “Destroy your organs to protect the planet!” I doubt it, but if you like vodka you should buy this stuff. In the meantime I’ll wait for eco-beer and eco-whiskey.

Claiming the title ‘World’s first eco-friendly premium spirit’, 360 Vodka is shipped in a bottle made from 85% recycled glass. The whole product incorporates other sustainability “features” like the 360 logo blown directly into the glass, New Leaf 100% PCW paper label, and also using water-based inks vs. petroleum-based inks for label/packaging printing. In addition, the bottle comes with a postage paid envelope hanging around the neck that lets customers mail back the recyclable flip-top closure for re-use, in turn helping lessen landfill waste.

All impurities are removed by distilling the vodka four times using the column distillation process and later it is filtered five times though granulated charcoaled coconut shell filtration system. The state-of-the-art distillery meets or exceeds all EPA air and water quality standards for distilleries. The production process reduced its volatile organic compounds output by 70% and sulfur dioxide emissions by 99% and the company states that it uses 250% less fossil fuel energy during production process.

TED Talks: What Makes us Happy?

TED gets a lot of neat people to talk about the neat things that they do. Lucky for us they post these talks online once the conference is done for the rest of us to enjoy. TED has compiled some themes, and one of them seems made for this site! Find out what makes us happy.

“The Pursuit of Happiness” was 2004’s conference theme, but TED speakers over many years have found themselves driven to understand the nature of happiness.

Daniel Gilbert’s astonishing talk shows how we humans are poor predictors of what will make us happy. Stefan Sagmeister shares how great design contributed to his happiest moments, suggesting that the secret may be attention to detail. And Malcolm Gladwell, tongue in cheek, explores what we might learn about the pursuit of happiness through one man’s quest to make the perfect pasta sauce.

But suppose we understand happiness. How, then, do we find it? Carl Honore says the key is, simply, to slow down. Pastor Rick Warren appeals for a life of spiritual purpose. And Barry Schwartz thinks a little less choice might do us all a lot of good.