"Climate change"

Climate change / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Heating with gas and oil

Why Natural Gas is Being Phased Out of New Home Construction (and When?)

...climate catastrophe. Buildings are responsible for more than 50% of climate change emissions, and all because we have built them to the lowest common denominator – building code minimum performance standards. Because of that short-sighted approach and our carbon-based economy, we are all paying the price for it in term...

Planning and Design

Homes built for Climate Disruptions: A Primer for Home Owners and Buyers

...climate change. In fact, weather is not climate. Weather is what happens day-to-day, where climate trends are long-term patterns based on historical records over large regions. I would be full of hot air if I told you that one early heat wave in any given region is directly caused by climate change. As for long term w...

Wood and organic materials

All about FSC certified lumber & wood products - Why FSC certification is important

...climate change by promoting responsible forest management and the recycling of wood and paper. Forests have a key role in regulating the earth’s climate and removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. When making the choice to buy FSC certified wood products, it guarantees that all the trees harvested are replac...

Renewable energy

What is clean energy?

...change in the economics of rooftop solar in the coming years as PV solar shingles such as the Tesla Solar Roof may actually be the cheapest roofing material over the lifespan of a building when reduced energy costs are factored. What are RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates)? The primary objective of the renewable ener...

Heating with electricity

Heating with Electricity - The Best Choice for High Efficiency & Zero Energy Homes?

...climate change, there is still the issue of what is the most affordable heating system for a house, and the most sustainable for the future. Is buying a new gas furnace a good idea? A gas furnace may last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, but the average life expectancy is 20 years. Also, choosing to add gas to a home mea...

Insulation and soundproofing

Does plastic foam or Styrofoam insulation have a place in green building?

...climate change is to weigh all the variables and make the most informed decisions possible while we balance quality of life with reducing our personal carbon footprint. And, short of parking yourself on top of a compost pile and waiting to meet your maker, there is simply nothing you can do on this planet that will not...

Lifestyle and environment

50th anniversary Earth day 2020 taking place online

...Climate Education Week toolbox, for elementary school, middle school, and high school students. The EPA’s Lesson Plans : The Environmental Protection Agency’s Earth Day website provides great ideas, lesson plans, and tips for Earth Day learning. Check out the lessons, which cover air, ecosystems, climate change, water...

Lifestyle and environment

Save the Whale's (Poop) - Save the Planet !! (And $2m per Whale)

...climate change. The Whale Pump Natural Carbon Reduction Mechanism - how it Helps Climate Change - Courtesy: GRID-Arendal There are even more ways that whales help trap carbon in the ocean. "In addition to being the largest animals on the planet, whales are among the longest-living, with some living over 150 years,"...

Concrete and masonry

Low-carbon concrete by CarbonCure Canada - lowering the carbon footprint of buildings

...climate change, as it prevents the release of carbon into the atmosphere. Currently the only real carbon storage option in green building materials comes from natural building products such as strawbales, wood for framing, cellulose insulation, hemp insulation, insulated wood fiberboard panels, MDF panels made from ric...

Efficient home design

Why building an affordable family home today means choosing to build a Green Home

...climate change become more pronounced every year, it is becoming virtually impossible for the most ardent climate change deniers to dismiss it, despite their valiant efforts. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): "Rising global average temperature is associated with widespread changes in weather patte...

Tiny House with attached and mobile greenhouse - good or bad idea?

...climate change to get a better perspective. This is slightly reminiscent of the Earthship, a housing catastrophe that paints itself as a solution to the global housing and climate change crisis. Poppycock. The world is facing resource depletion and a climate crisis - so we need to keep our eye on the ball and be wary ...