News Archive

Green roof are growing in popularity, and New York State's recently enacted tax incentive will help.

Mayor Bloomberg envisions wind turbines atop skyscrapers and bridges in an ambitious plan to help meet NYCs  energy needs.  How about incentives for turbines atop brownstones?

By using the sun's energy to mimick the process of splitting hydrogen and oxygen that takes place in photosynthesis, then recombing the two inside a fuel cell, the process can create carbon-free electricity.

Thomas Friedman's latest Op Ed piece advocates for a strong energy policy to decrease our oil dependence, but does it dance around one key aspcect of global warming -- see Noreen's blog.

Several manufacturers have introduced water-based low or no-VOC paints in the last few years.  Coverage and durability are two issues, but low- and no-VOC paints improve indoor air quality and reduce smog-producing chemicals, so the trade-offs for a healthier environment are worthwhile.  Also see our Article Indoor Air Quality -- Identifying Sources and Making Renovation Choices that Eliminate Contamination. 

Abusive homeowners can be just as bad as "contractors from hell."  See Noreen's blog about tips to both sides for getting along more smoothly.

Ostensibly designing for the trash -- or do "biodegradable" consumer products simply provide justification for wanting more stuff?  Remember, nothing biodegrades in a landfill. 

Child slave labor in China is producing bricks, toys, textiles and electronics.  See Noreen's blog. 

Unlike traditional solar PV systems, researchers are developing ways to gather heat from the sun, which can be stored for hours or even days, to be used to generate steam which will turn a turbine to create electricity.

In the face of rampant inflation, Asian manufacturers are beginning to pass on higher costs to western consumers.  See Noreen's blog about how this may be a good thing for green building.