Jetson Green

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4

Video: Patagonia's LEED Silver Distribution Center
2007-02-28 17:32:06
[Run time: 5:43 min.]  This is a pretty good video.  If you're in business and in a position to make decisions about facilities, etc., this is a good idea generator.  In fact, that's what Jetson Green is all about: generating ideas for application in a new setting.  Here's Patagonia 's Mission Statement: "Build the best product, do no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis."  This is a good company, working to make a difference in business.  The video covers the following: (1) managing storm-water runoff, (2) landscape and exterior design, (3) water and energy efficiency, (4) construction materials, and (5) green housekeeping, alternative transportation, and recycling.  Note also that Patagonia supports 1% for the Planet. Via.
More About: Video , Distribution , Silver , Cent

United Technologies Ad: First Zero Net Energy Building is Coming
2007-02-28 17:32:06
I just thought I would blog about this real quick because it caught my attention in the latest edition of BusinessWeek.  There was a full page ad saying, "Imagine that.  You can do well in the world without hurting it."  Pictured in the ad is a pretty neat looking building (above), which is interactive at www.utc.com/curious.  Go give it a look...United Tech no logies' (NYSE: UTX) green building page has information on electrochromic glazing, 100% recycled structural steel, vertical axis wind power turbines, photovoltaic solar power arrays, zero VOC paints, green roofs with an integrated reclamation systems, conserving energy, fuel cell power plants, and combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) systems.  Maybe someone should actually build the structure that's in this rendering. 
More About: Building , Energy

$1.3B Carbon Neutral Chinese Eco-City in Dongtan
2007-02-28 17:32:06
In 2009, China is expected to surpass the U.S. as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the world.  Over 26% of the population (roughly 340 million people) lack access to clean drinking water and over 40% of Chine se cities lack sewage treatment facilities.  But the country is trying to innovate solutions for the future.  Recently, USA Today had an interesting article called "China Envisions Environmentally Friendly 'Eco-City .'"  According to the article, state-run developers are building an eco-city in Dong tan, which is 3/4 the size of Manhattan.  Dongtan is located on Chongming Island about an hour from Shanghai.  The $1.3 billion project may be a model for eco-cities all over the world.  The eco-city will be carbon neutral with the main grid of the city designed for walking and cycling, not for cars.  The city will be powered by solar and wind power, biofuels, and recycled organic material.  There will be gree...
More About: Carbon

1926 Hyde Park Home's Green Renovation Televised in This Old House
2007-02-28 17:32:06
Sometimes, I'm amazed at what technology can do.  Recently, I read an article about Michael Klug + Michele Grieshaber's 1926 bungalow in Austin's historic Hyde Park, which was renovated in accordance with the Austin Green Building Program.  The original home was about 1,500 sf, but after renovations and adding some space, the 2,300 sf home uses half the energy of the original.  The house is part of an 8-show feature on This Old House , and you'll be impressed to find a time-lapse video of the renovation project.  The DMN article suggests that the eco-friendly additions to the renovation added a price premium of about 10%, but let's not forget that this home is outfitted with some pretty good stuff, including photovoltaics.  Here are some of the green features:  rainwater reclamation for irrigation and landscaping; spray-foam insulation for added energy efficiency; recycled glass tile and countertops by IceStone; formaldehyde-free wood composites...
More About: Home