Footprint Eco Magazine April / May 08

Your Local Guide to Green Living in the Triangle

April/May 2008

Issue 1.1

Buying a Green Home Make your Own Rain Barrel Smart 42 Invades the US Solar Hot Water

TIME TO CELEBRATE

EARTH DAY '08

Always FREE Always GREEN

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3/27/08

5:01 PM

Page 1

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Dear Reader Welcome to our very first issue. Endeavors like this make me appreciate how interconnected and interdependent we all are. If not for the enthusiasm, kindness and energetic support of dozens of people we could not have got this magazine started.

And the road ahead holds many unforeseen challenges. So we will continue to rely on, and gratefully receive support from all quarters: advertisers, writers, graphic artists, spouses and children to name but a few.

The fact that we all need one another empowers us and drives us to new heights.

Who among us ever achieves anything truly on their own? Isn’t that apparent in the spirit of Earth day? This event, driven by countless thousands of people around the globe, changes the lives of many millions each year by inspiring, educating and informing them to embark on different, more sustainable, behaviors. It seems the more we rely on one another, the greater the potential for meaningful achievement.

In this issue, we’ve covered a wide range of topics: building, smart cars, organics, solar hot water, great gadgets and even fish. But it was a challenge to draw the line, as there are so many interesting topics yet to be covered. In future issues we look forward to tackling issues like travel, landscaping, cleaning, sun protection, clothing, computing and much more.

The cover image is Elizabeth Covely, our publisher’s daughter with face paint by Lisa Yu and photographed by Kelly Thompson. We wanted the earth image to echo Earth Day but also say something about the fact that today’s decisions are likely to impact the lives of our children. Those who have no say in so many important issues now will have to pay the cost tomorrow in ways we probably can not foresee.

With Earth Day coming up on the heels of our launch, we hope to come in contact with many of our readers at the various events we’ll be attending. Look out for one of us at your local event and if you’ve already read the magazine come tell us what you think. Or email your comments. We want your participation and we need all the input we can get!

This is your magazine too, so please help us to deliver the content you want to see.

If you want to comment, contribute or complain send an email now to editor@footprintecomagazine.com Yours truly, Paulo Nery

publisher shawn covely shawn@footprintecomagazine.com advertising director wendy covely advertising@footprintecomagazine.com editor paulo nery editor@footprintecomagazine.com creative director timothy smith staff photographer kelly thompson designers chelsie irsy and mike rosado contributing writers jason prater, christie perkinson, katharine jordan, kim bullock, jenifer jurden, karen wolstenholme, maria kingery, and jane norton. facepainting Lisa Yu (www.paintsavvy.com) advertising To advertise in this magazine, please call 919-995-8633 or email advertising@footprintecomagazine.com footprint eco magazine, l.l.c 13200 strickland road suite 114-255 raleigh, nc 27613 919-995-8633 (main) 888-565-6147 (fax) www.footprintecomagazine.com info@footprintecomagazine.com distribution distributech printed locally by triangle web printing locations Pick up the magazine at these fine establishments: whole foods, harris teeter, lowes foods and various other locations.

Published 6 times a year by Footprint Eco Magazine, L.L.C. Circulation 20,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products, or services. Footprint Eco Magazine reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publications’s standards. Copyright 2008

by Footprint Eco Magazine. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Re-read, Re-use, Recycle Footprint Eco Magazine is printed on newsprint with soy-based inks so it’s fully compostable. But read it and share your copy widely first!

Your Local Guide to Green Living in the Triangle

April/May '08

19 Very Smart

contents

the smart 42 packs a euro-style punch

21 Celebrate Earth Day

03 Dear Reader

every day!

a little wisdom for you to start you off

23 Calendar of Events

05 Healthy Choices new mobile eco fish selector

25 G.I.Y.

shawn sets out to make his own rain barrels

06 Kicking up a Stink

better ways to control household odors

26 Solar Water Heating

07 Jurdy Green

the other solar

ease the eco-anxiety!

28 Listings

08 Red Hot Green Homes Tour home builders parade their green homes

29 All Together Now! an eco comic

09 Buying a Green Home

navigating the maze of certification options

Here come the Smart Cars! Pg. 19

13 Green Tech

gadgets to make green living easier

14 Sweet Deal:

why strawberries are one of the smartest organic fruits to buy this season

15 Made in the Shade

sustainable farming helps coffee growers flourish

17 Duke Smart Home Program gets Smarter

and you can too

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Healthy choices New Mobile Eco Seafood Selector The Environmental Defense Fund’s new Seafood Selector To-Go, provides consumers with mobile access to recommendations for more than 200 popular seafood choices. Waiters and fish mongers are not always as knowledgeable as patrons would like. Now information can be viewed on web-enabled mobile devices so shoppers and diners can make the best selection where it matters most — at the point of purchase.

Get it online here: http://m.edf.org/seafood Don’t have a mobile device? Cut and fold the handy Pocket version below.

BEST CHOICES

Indicates fish high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in environmental contaminants.

www.edf.org/seafood Cover image: “Endangered Ocean” ©2008 www.marianosher.com

The same kind of fish may appear on more than one list of choices, depending on where it comes from, whether it was caught or farmed, and the type of fishing gear used. To learn more about choosing ocean-friendly fish, visit

•

OK CHOICES

• •• •

Indicates fish high in mercury or PCBs.

Caviar (imported wild) Chilean seabass Cod, Atlantic Crab, king (imported) Crawfish (China) Flounder/sole (Atlantic) Grouper Haddock (trawl) Halibut, Atlantic Mahimahi (imported longline) Monkfish Orange roughy Rockfish (Pacific trawl) Salmon, farmed or Atlantic Shark Shrimp/prawns (imported) Skate Snapper, red or imported Swordfish (imported) Tilapia (Asia) Tuna, bigeye/yellowfin (longline) Tuna, bluefin

• •• • •

WORST CHOICES

Directions for folding 1. Cut out the card 2. Fold the card in half horizontally 3. With the front cover side (“Pocket Seafood Selector”) facing up, fold accordion-style (like a ‘Z’) into three panels 4. Carry this guide with you and use it to buy seafood that is good for you and the oceans.

Basa/tra/Vietnamese catfish Clams (wild) Cod, Pacific (trawl) Crab, blue Crab, king (U.S.) Crab, snow/tanner Flounder/sole (Pacific) Haddock (hook-and-line) Lobster, American/Maine Mahimahi (U.S. longline or imported troll/pole) Oysters (wild) Sablefish/black cod (CA, OR, WA) Salmon, wild (CA, OR, WA) Scallops, sea (New England, Canada) Shrimp (U.S. wild) Shrimp, northern (U.S., Canada) Squid (except U.S. longfin) Swordfish (U.S.) Tilapia (Latin America) Tuna, bigeye/yellowfin (imported troll/pole) Tuna, canned light Tuna, canned white/albacore

FOLD HERE FIRST

•

www.edf.org/seafood

• • •

••

Salmon, canned pink/sockeye Sardines Scallops, bay (farmed) Shrimp, pink (Oregon) Shrimp (U.S. farmed) Squid, longfin (U.S.) Striped bass (farmed) Sturgeon (farmed) Tilapia (U.S.) Trout, rainbow (farmed) Tuna, albacore (U.S., Canada) Tuna, yellowfin (U.S. troll/pole) Wreckfish

• •

•

••

This guide is produced in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. www.seafoodwatch.org

Fish choices that are good for you and the ocean

•

•

Abalone (farmed) Anchovies Barramundi (U.S.) Catfish (U.S.) Caviar (farmed) Char, Arctic (farmed) Clams (farmed) Clams, softshell Cod, Pacific (bottom longline) Crab, Dungeness Crab, stone Crawfish (U.S.) Halibut, Pacific Lobster, spiny (U.S., Australia, Baja) Mackerel, Atlantic Mahimahi (U.S. troll/pole) Mullet (U.S.) Mussels (farmed) Oysters (farmed) Pollock (Alaska) Sablefish/black cod (Alaska, Canada) Salmon, wild (Alaska)

©March 2008 Environmental Defense Fund

•

•

SEAFOOD SELECTOR

Printed on paper that is 80% recycled (40% postconsumer), processed chlorine-free.

P O C K E T

FOLD HERE FIRST

Kicking up a stink

By Karen Wolstenholme In a supermarket recently, I was stunned at the vast number of products devoted to making our homes smell better. Television advertising is tirelessly promoting the puff of artificial air fresheners with numerous ‘convenience’ features.

It seems ironic that as our home environments become more toxic with off-gassing from carpets, vinyl and plastics we seek to mask these poisons with artificial products.

When pinene and limonene, often used in air fresheners, come into contact with sufficiently high concentrations of ground ozone they generate formaldehyde-related particulates, which are probable carcinogens. Ground ozone is formed when vehicle emissions react with sunlight and is itself a recognized and harmful air pollutant.

Other toxins found in air fresheners include naphthalene, phenol, resol, dichlorobenzene and xylene, which have all been implicated in cancer, neurological damage, reproductive and developmental disorders as well as breathing difficulties such as asthma.

Yet, there’s so much you can do naturally to combat odors in the house. Here are a number of natural solutions you can implement easily at home.

• Quickly remove the source of any bad smells from the house • A small bowl of white vinegar in a room will deodorize it in an hour or two.

• Natural air freshener recipe: place one teaspoon of baking soda in a spray bottle and add to it two tablespoons of white vinegar and two cups of clean water. After the foaming has stopped replace the spray top and shake well • Use baking soda and borax to control smelly areas like trash cans • Buy locally grown scented flowers in season • Use a natural mineral called zeolite, which absorbs odours when hung in problem areas like musty basements and closets • Strike a match or open a window after using the bath room instead of reaching for air fresheners • Place a drop of a natural essential oil like lavender or peppermint in a burner, or in a bowl of water near a radiator • Bicarbonate of soda and corn starch are both good carpet deodorizers • For smelly drains, boil 200 ml of vinegar and pour directly into the drain. Leave for ten minutes before using the drain.

• Fish smells on plates and utensils? Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the washing up water. Rinse thoroughly before drying.

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a collection of useful and decorative items including scarves, pillows, throws & other cute stuff.

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Ease the Eco-Anxiety!

This too will be the future of green. To expect each and every one of you to step up to the carbon plate and emerge overnight as the society of advanced eco-ambassadors is not realistic, nor achievable. For the global community to sustain a strong, prosperous and permanent environmental mission in protecting the planet, green can only evolve as much as each person’s ability to comprehend, educate, motivate and then participate.

“Green” is a mass media term that already has many people in shutdown, sometimes paralyzed because it seems daunting, expensive or people are just too busy. My guess is the word green has become more popular than any other English word surpassing chardonnay, dude and mom.

Amid the hectic frenzy of our daily lives, it can be difficult to see past the perception that going green means checking boxes on a mandatory list of things you need to do. There’s no need to fear being made a pariah. Relax. It’s not that hard and not that frightening. Just simple lifestyle changes that mean being more mindful of the impact of your actions.

If you remember the dawning of the computer age, there were the geeks, the advanced beings who mastered the fine art of “computerisms” way before the rest of you could catch up. Many were kicking and fighting about ever making the digital move while others lay dormant in denial behind their paper filled filing cabinets and outgoing snail mail bins. Computers were too daunting, too expensive and people were too busy to learn them. But then it happened. Slowly but surely, the digital age crept into every American household through the back door of progress. Soon enough, demand was up and digital gains were made, defying even the toughest die-hard analog fans. Computers became affordable, safe and even intriguing.

Fast forward to now. The computer age is a thing of the present and future, here to stay with millions of byte benefits that support the human existence.

For now, there will be the leaders, the green honchos, the green trend setters who develop the very platform on which the rest of you can start to take those baby green footsteps. Each day, you will find yourself taking on a little bit more green initiative as green presents itself in the form of everyday products, services and lifestyles that you call your comfort zone. And so green too will become your comfort zone. Instead of the dreaded G word that is the primary stress factor next to making a paycheck, green will start to emerge as beneficial, fun and creative.

In the meantime, respect the strides being made by the green leaders, do what you can in your own small corner of the planet, and let the green carpet unfold so as you take those green steps, each one a bit bigger, your footprints will become smaller and smaller.

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“This simply shows that builders can incorporate green techniques into any style.”

Red Hot Green Homes Tour Spring has officially arrived bringing with it brightly colored flowers and the annual Green Home Tour on May 3 and 4, 2008.

This free, self-guided tour is organized by the Green Home Builders of the Triangle, which is a joint project of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties and the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.

At over 40 homes, this year’s tour is bigger than ever. Each of the homes on tour is enrolled in the green building certification program administered by the Triangle HBAs, and each entry is being built to conform to at least the bronze level of certification.

The emphasis of the Green Home Tour is on the technical details of construction, and some of the homes on tour are expected to be only partially complete so that attendees can see materials and techniques that would otherwise be hidden behind the walls. Green features that will be showcased on the tour range from A to nearly Z – from Advanced Framing to Xeriscaping. Of course, many of the green homes on the tour will look like typical subdivision houses. This simply shows that builders can incorporate green techniques into any style.

Still, the tour will offer attendees the chance to see more exotic features, too. Tour homes will also represent a wide range of price points, from affordable and entry-level houses to high-end, luxury custom homes.

08

“In my tour home, visitors will be able to look at the roughin for the solar thermal hot water,” said Chad Ray. “Water heating is the second largest household energy expense after space conditioning, so widespread implementation of solar thermal technology could have a significant impact.”

“The living roof is one of the most interesting aspects of my tour home,” commented Dave Kurtz of Alfermann Construction. “It might not be planted by the time the tour is held, though attendees will be able to see the flat roof that’s been specially designed to accommodate the native plants I will install. I am also very excited about the radiant floor heating system that will be tied in with the solar water heater.

Combined with a tight envelope and a wood stove that’s 99% efficient, I’m hoping to essentially heat the house for free,” he concluded.

“Collection and use of rain water is one of the highlights in our tour home,” says Rex Bost of Bost Custom Homes. “In addition to using rainwater for landscape maintenance, we are working toward being able to use it for flushing the toilets,” he said. “We hope that new code provisions allowing the use of rainwater for toilets and washing machines will be approved soon, and tour attendees will be able to learn about the substantial water savings that could be achieved by use of rainwater for these purposes.”

A kickoff event will be held at the NC Biotechnology Center on Saturday, May 3, from 9 am to noon. It will feature displays and speakers who can provide valuable information on what it means to be green. Further event information is available online (www.hbadoc.com), and tour guide books will be available in selected local outlets during the week before the tour.

Buying a Green Home

Navigating the maze of certification options Have you ever thought about buying or building a “green” home? The benefits of owning or living in a high-performance green home are overwhelming. A green home will use less energy and less water than typical homes. So, you’ll have lower bills. How low depends on many factors but in some cases they could be next to nothing. Living in a green home will also be far healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. And, the construction process will create less waste and utilize fewer natural resources than other homes.

While many believe green homes are expensive, it need not cost much more than a standard home, though that could depend mainly on the choices you make. Even if the upfront price is a bit higher, the net cost of owning a high-performance home is usually comparable to or lower than that of owning a conventional home built to code specifications.

There are more builders than ever in the triangle that can offer you a green house. But there are many shades of green when it comes to home building. With several different certification programs and different definitions of green, buying a green home may not be quite as simple as choosing a higher mileage car. There are over 80 green building certification programs in the US at the moment. And five different schemes are established in North Carolina. Plus, there are numerous excellent custom homebuilders who have been building solid homes for years that would most likely qualify under some certification program. Often builders build “green” without certification because that can add several hundred to a few thousand dollars to the cost of construction. However, having the certification will no doubt add to the selling price of your home in future.

Which Shade of Green?

When looking for certified green homes in North Carolina, you’ll come across five main programs. These are: Energy Star, NAHB Green Building Initiative, Healthy Built Homes, System Vision and LEED-H. Bear in mind that the programs are, to a very large extent, designed for the builders. Many of these are very similar and it need not matter much which program your green home is certified under. But having a certification can increase the value of your home as well as making it more sellable. And with Energy Star, which is included in most of the other certifications, you will qualify for a 5% reduction in energy bills from Duke or Progress Energy.

Energy Star This is a government program available nationally. As the name suggests, the focus is energy efficiency. However the program also offers an Advanced Lighting Package and an Indoor Air Package as options to raise the standard higher and broaden the scope. Generally, Energy Star is considered to be an entry level green home or the palest shade of green. The basic requirement is that a home be 15% more energy efficient than a standard code-built home. Homes are independently tested and verified to ensure they meet the criteria before being awarded the certificate. Homeowners

of Energy Star certified homes enjoy a 5% discount on their electricity rates from Duke Energy or Progress Energy.

There are so far nearly 4000 Energy Star homes in North Carolina, though we’re still fairly low on the national rankings. But there are over 400 builders now registered with Energy Star and most of them are listed as new partners that have not yet certified a home. This seems to show the program is growing quickly and will expand considerably.

Energy Star is also a prerequisite for many of the other programs. So a home may be Energy Star certified and have one of the other available certifications as well.

low, and it while it is not arduous to achieve a bronze level, it still requires extra work and extra costs on the part of the builder. And the higher levels silver or gold, are quite difficult to earn.

The GBI program, by being more builder-friendly than others, is growing rapidly and should be applauded for bringing green more into the mainstream of home building and making green homes more widely accessible.

Web Links

gram has Energy Star as a prerequisite and it also gives credit for participation in the System Vision program.

Healthy Built Homes has the advantage of being home grown and specifically tailored to the North Carolina market.

Depending on the level, it can go well beyond Energy Star in terms of energy efficiency and, in particular, in terms of indoor environmental quality. Supporters of the program cite its more stringent third-party verification requirements. Though that makes it a bit more costly to implement than others.

System Vision This program aims to raise the standard of affordable homes throughout North Carolina. It is managed by Advanced Energy, a non-profit organization in Raleigh that is focused on building science and industrial technology. The program offers a $4000 per home grant to builders to help offset the added costs, though some of that goes back to Advanced Energy to administer the testing and verification. To qualify, a homebuyer must show that their income is below 80 percent of the median income for that region.

www.energystar.gov www.hbadoc.com www.hbawake.com www.healthybuilthomes.org www.systemvision.org www.usgbc.org

NAHB Green Building Initiative (GBI) This program is administered by local a Home Builder Association (HBA). The Durham-Orange-Chatham group was the first in North Carolina to promote the program. It now has 169 members and 108 certified homes. Recently, Wake county HBA joined with the DurhamOrange-Chatham green group adopting their GBI scheme. Greensboro’s HBA has also established their own green council and is promoting the program too. Other areas like Wilmington are likely to follow a similar path.

This program offers three levels of certification, bronze, silver and gold. In order to achieve one of the certification levels a home must earn a certain number of points – 257 for bronze, 415 for silver, 549 for gold. For each level there are certain minimum required for various categories. For example in the resource efficiency category there are 198 possible points, but to earn bronze the home must have at least 44 points in this category, or 60 for silver.

That ensures homes earn points across the spectrum.

Some green builders have criticized the GBI program for setting the bar too

Healthy Built Homes This program is administered by the Solar Center at NC State in Raleigh.

It was established with the intention of providing a program for small to medium sized builders, that is tailored to the North Carolina climate and environment. To date, 104 builders are registered with the program and over 125 homes have been built to this standard, with a further 198 in progress.

It has become particularly well established in the Western North Carolina market where it is administered by the Western NC Green Council (WNCGC).

This program has four levels: Certified, Bronze, Silver and Gold. And like most other programs points are awarded in a variety categories with a minimum point score needed in each. The pro-

The program requires strict testing and higher specification heating and air conditioning equipment. In return they also guarantee heating and cooling bills will not exceed a set level which is typically in the range of $25 to $30 per month.

The program has certified 1557 homes thus far and seems to be accelerating in its acceptance.

LEED for Homes The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for new commercial construction has been an enormous success nationwide. It was created seven years ago by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

One of several new programs within the LEED family is the Homes program, called LEED-H, which has just emerged from its pilot phase and is now available in North Carolina.

The program will be administered locally by the Healthy Built Homes program in Raleigh.

So far, very few homes in North Carolina have achieved the LEED-H certification. The program has only recently selected a local provider in the Healthy Built Homes program. So it remains to be seen how successful it will be in this market when other established rating systems are flourishing. The main advantage that LEED seems to have over the other programs is the national brand recognition, which it has from its commercial programs.

Conclusion All of the various available programs are excellent. So if you’re buying a ready built home with a green certification you should pat yourself on the back for making a contribution to sustainability. Of course, you’ll be saving money on energy bills and you’ll enjoy a healthier, more comfortable home. If the outright cost of the home is higher than a comparable non-green home, be sure to compare the extra monthly mortgage cost you’d be paying against the savings on your utility bills. Then consider how the value of a healthier environment for you and your family – fewer sick days, reduced chances of asthma and other debilitating illnesses and so on.

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Before you start wondering which certification works best for you, start by thinking about what green means to you. What specific aspects motivate you to want a green home and what is most important to you? Broadly speaking, there are three main facets to what people call green – energy efficiency, healthy environment and environmental stewardship. They are often interlinked and each person may weight them differently in terms of their own values. Some people are driven by allergies to want a green home and these people will naturally value the healthy indoor environment most of all. Others are driven by a philosophical desire to protect the earth’s environment and will weight the issue of stewardship greatest. Placing these three aspects in some sort of hierarchy will help you evaluate what’s most important in a green home when you shop around.

If you want to build a custom home, talk with your builder about which certification system he’s comfortable working with and even whether or not it’s worth getting the certification in your case. Consider that a certified home will most likely add considerably to the resale value in years to come.

As energy prices increase and as awareness of indoor air quality issues is raised, the value of green homes will go up relative to their non-green cousins.

Green Tech

Gadgets that make green living easier

WaterWatch™ Water Meter Ever wonder how much water you use while in the shower or washing the car? WaterWatch is a fun and easy way to accurately monitor your water usage. Hooks up to any hose or indoor shower and installs in seconds. Gallons used is easily read by the high contrast dial and to reset it just turn the knob $9.95 each at www.h2owatch.net

HYmini™ Want the power of the sun and wind in the palm of your hand? The HYmini is for you. This little powerhouse is capable of charging cell phones, MP3 players, PDA’s and digital cameras in about 30 minutes. The basic HYmini package includes the device plus a multi phone USB adapter, wall plug adapter and tabletop holder for $50. Can be mounted on bikes, cars and your arm. www.hymini.com

Belkin Conserve Want to conserve energy, but hate reaching behind the desk to turn off the power strip? Well, the new Belkin Conserve surge protector is for you. This new device has 8-outlets and a remote control! 2 outlets are “always-on” (for your DVR or clock) and the other 6 are controlled by their simple and sleek remote.

The Conserve makes it simple to eliminate wasteful standby power to your electronic devices, helping you reduce energy consumption, save money, and lower your overall impact on the environment.

And keep your knees from getting dirty! $49 at Belkin.com

Sweet Deal: Organic strawberries are one of the smartest organic fruits to buy this season

By Christie Perkinson Including organic foods in your grocery budget could be a challenge. They can cost over 50% more than conventional alternatives. However, since organic crops are grown without pesticides or artificial fertilizers, they are all together healthier than intensively-farmed pesticide-laden crops.

Also, buying in-season foods offers better flavor and nutritional content, giving you better value for money.

My local organic pick for this coming month is strawberries.

The in-season strawberry bursts with confidence in its flavor: sweet and perhaps slightly tart. A strawberry requires no other ingredients or preparation for you to enjoy its delicious flavor.

Tips for maximizing strawberry goodness:

What: The variety we recognize widely in the U.S. is a member of the Fragaria genus, a hybrid of North and South American varieties.

• Try buying frozen strawberries or freezing fresh ones if your produce tends to go bad before you can use it • Wash strawberries as close to the time of consumption as possible for longer shelf life • Blend strawberries with a sliced banana, orange juice and ice (no ice necessary if using frozen berries) to make a nutritious smoothie.

• Mix sliced strawberries with plain, lowfat or non-fat yogurt, toasted walnuts and honey for a snack.

• For a twist, slice strawberries over vanilla ice cream and drizzle balsamic vinegar on top.

When: Locally, the season starts in late April to early May and runs through mid-June.

Where: Strawberries are grown in and around the Triangle. Buying locally allows you to reduce your footprint by reducing the energy and emissions of transportation.

To find local strawberry producers, visit www.ncfarmfresh. com, ask your neighborhood grocer or go to nearby farmers’ markets (don’t forget to ask if the products are grown using organic methods).

Why: In addition to the flavor, a cup of strawberries provides more than the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C and 2.9 grams of fiber for around 50 calories, making it a smart nutritional investment.

Why Organic strawberries: The delicate nature of the fruit allows it to absorb pesticides more easily than other fruits, plus its 200+ tiny indentations (seeds) are a hard-to-clean hiding place for pesticides.

14

Reduce your footprint further: bring a reusable bag when purchasing your strawberries and recycle the container once you’ve finished devouring them.

Sustainable farming helps coffee growers flourish 15

The breezy mountainsides of tropical Latin America, Africa, and Asia are some of the most beautiful, biodiverse places in the world, and they are also home to the world’s most delicious coffees. While coffee cultivation methods change across countries and cultures, the farms that produce great-tasting coffee tend to share common characteristics, among them: high altitude, heirloom coffee plant varietals, and proper harvesting of the ripest, sweetest coffee fruit. And as you might imagine, the most environmentally sustainable and socially responsible coffee farms worldwide also share common traits. Having direct relationships with coffee growers around the world and having spent time on their farms, we have found that great quality coffee and sustainable farming methods can – and usually do – go hand in hand!

Each of the three tenets of triple-bottom line sustainability – environmental, social, and fiscal – has an important role in sustainable coffee farming. The natural environments that produce the best quality coffee are vibrant ecosystems, with high canopies of life-supporting trees that shade coffee plants, slow their growth, and contribute to more complex flavors while protecting and nourishing the soil with rich organic material.

The most conscientious coffee growers take pride in growing sustainable coffee because the quality of their coffee represents a strong commitment to their families, communities, and their heritage. And, real sustainability means that farmers get paid fairly, rewarding high quality with high prices. The varied geographic and cultural landscapes of coffee-growing countries around the world pose different challenges to growers and their farms. Two example coffees, one from Peru and the other from Guatemala, help illustrate some of the similarities and differences in sustainable coffee farming.

Valle del Santuario comes from 44 farms near the high Andean town of San Ignacio in northern Peru. Coffee grows in the transitional zone of a national nature preserve (the sanctuary of the coffee’s name) and the five communities of Valle del Santuario take pride in the biodiversity of this beautiful park and in their role as caretakers of this unique environment. Because farmers have only two to three acres of coffee, they depend on strong, democratic community associations for support. A good association will help build educational and social support systems within a community, provide loans for farmers in advance of the harvest, and in cases such as this one, provide for each farm’s organic certification. Organic certification holds numerous advantages for these small producers: an ecosystem not stressed by chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; a price premium from their buyer and a system of farm management that deepens each farmer’s commitment to his farm and farming environment. The certification applies to crops other than coffee, and some growers of Valle del Santuario have diversified into growing certified organic grenadilla – from the passion fruit family. Crop diversification is another indicator of farm sustainability and community stability, because farmers do not depend entirely on coffee for their living; if a frost kills their coffee plants or if they lose their buyer, these growers have another source of income.

The Recinos family has four generations of coffee-growing history in the mountains of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Finca

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Jorge Recinos Nueva Armenia, at 280 acres, is small in the worldwide scheme of coffee farming but much larger than the farms of Valle del Santuario, and their size affords them some advantages in pursuing sustainability. This was one of the first farms in Guatemala to obtain organic certification and recognition for their shade, and over ten years the family has learned how to use ecologically responsible production methods to produce quality coffee at stable levels, which is an enormous challenge for small producers. Jorge Recinos expressed the commitment that he and his twin brother Javier feel to the natural world by noting, “Very few places exist where you can find the old forest, coffee, natural springs and wild animals that we have.” Likewise, by paying workers thirty percent more than average, Finca Nueva Armenia maintains the quality of their coffee picking and processing and receives high prices in return for their outstanding coffee.

While they may belong to different cultures and countries and they are very different in size, Valle del Santuario and Finca Nueva Armenia share much.

They have in common a profound commitment to the environment, to community and to producing exceptional quality coffee.

At Counter Culture Coffee we search the world for farms like these. We treasure the relationships we enjoy with these and many other talented growers.

And we believe it is our responsibility to share their stories as well as the great coffee they produce.

Duke Smart Home Program Gets Smarter

By Katharine Jordan Duke’s Home Depot Smart Home on Faber Street is where ten undergraduate students live in a “learning lab” of green building technology. True to its mission, the home is an evolving structure that uses its inhabitants as physician residents testing pulses, prescribing treatments and tracking results.

Right now, the illness de jour is energy waste and the stethoscope belongs to Tom Rose, Smart Home Director and staff member at the Duke Pratt School of Engineering. Rose is leading a class focused on boosting the IQ of the Smart Home using a Siemens energy monitoring system.

This Spring, students in the EGR 165 course are calculating formulas that will

synch the building’s heating, cooling and lighting with the outside environment’s daily patterns. When the earth begins to warm with sunlight, the thermostat will lower the temperature inside, saving energy and making a more natural transition for those waking in the bedrooms upstairs. Conversely, when the sun begins to set, the home’s Clipsal touch screen lighting control system will know to increase wattage output, subtly counterbalancing the loss of natural light.

In addition to programming for daily and seasonal fluctuations, Rose’s students are working with the Smart Home residents to calibrate to the comfort level desired by those who will live with the class’s handy work. Sessions include questioning the minimum and maximum degrees above and below a “normal” degree setting and mapping the weekly pattern of space occupancy within the house.

At the end of the assignment Rose predicts the IQ boost will substantially reduce energy use by only heating and cooling when the building really needs it. “What we’re trying to accomplish here, is to get the building to operate in a highly efficient manner by making complicated decisions that would be obvious to a human. For instance, if the building is a little warm, but the sun is setting, there is no need for air-conditioning. The building will cool down in an hour or so due to passive cooling anyway.”

For the rest of us, similar results are also achievable though it requires playing both patient and practitioner.

Step One: Understand your current energy use. If you are a customer of Duke Energy, you can go to a link on their website which will graph – free of charge – your home’s energy use patterns. If you do not have access to a computer, start saving your energy bills and look for patterns. You likely know the answer without looking for the records, because the higher or lower drain on your wallet is sending a large signal.

Step Two: Adjust your thermostat and lighting to complement the outside environment. If you have your heating or cooling set to one temperature at all times you are missing a free and easy opportunity to save money and lower your energy consumption. Scale back the setting in the evening before going to bed and again before leaving the house for work or extended lengths. For each degree you don’t ask your house to cool or heat you can expect to save 1-3% of your utility costs according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEE). For readers with existing programmable systems, the effort is even less as the system will do the work for you once the temperature range has been entered. If you don’t have a programmable system, they are stocked at Home Depot and other hardware stores, large and small and range from under $50 to over $200. An electrician is not required for installation and you can expect the savings on your electric bill to pay for the unit in less then a year. The benefit to the environment equals about 2 pounds of carbon dioxide avoided for every kilowatt hour reduced.

Step Three: Now that you have the nervous system of your home humming efficiently, look at your windows. Are you making the most of the natural daylight? Blinds can be set to refract outside light up and into a room while still providing privacy. In the winter when you want extra solar warmth in addition

to the light, adjust the blinds so that the edges closest to you are facing down. This lets the light and warmth stream into your space. When less heat is desired, such as when you are running your cooling system, adjust the blinds so that the edges closest to you point up. This bounces the light up into the room but blocks the sun’s rays from heating the air inside. The extra light should be enough to offset the need for some of your electrical lighting and provide a more pleasing indoor environment. Thoughtful placement of mirrors can allow even less reliance on artificial light. If natural light is not needed, such as in the evening or when you are not in the room, draw curtains and blinds to help reduce wasteful drafts or heat gain.

Step Four: Pull out your old utility bill

of sustainable living.

From here, there are endless strategies you can tackle from replacing light bulbs and air filters to installing solar hot water systems and a wealth of free resources to help you.

One of my favorite groups is Clean Energy Durham which keeps a comprehensive list of ways to save energy and money, visit them at: www.cleanerergydurham.org.

– or update your home’s usage graph online to measure your results. You will want to keep a running record of your usage so you can track your progress and achievements.

Step Five: Congratulate yourself! You have entered the green movement and are ready to graduate to the next level

More information on the Home Depot Smart Home can be found at: www. smarthome.duke.edu. Home Depot has a site that helps calculate energy savings at http://www6.homedepot.com/ ecooptions/index.html and for return on investment calculations visit: http://www.greenandsave.com/master_roi_table.html.

During the “smart tour” of twenty major U.S. cities, consumers got a great opportunity to explore the smart fortwo upclose.

It proved to be a good move with more than 20,000 cars reserved. In late March, smart’s US distributor estimated that they could easily sell more than 40,000 vehicles in 2008 if Mercedes produced more.

So, with a seemingly bright future ahead, what will you find in a fourtwo? Let’s start with the big questions – fuel economy and safety. In terms of fuel economy, the smart fortwo coupe or convertible model delivers 33 city/41 highway based on 2008 EPA ratings. In comparison, the 2008 Honda Fit with its slightly larger1.5L engine delivers 27 city/34 highway. Based on EPA ratings, the smart fortwo is over 21% more efficient - a promising start.

Coming soon to driveways all across the U.S. is a new intriguing blend of distinctly European style, advanced engineering and compelling MPG. It’s wrapped up in a unique new package called the smart fortwo.

While attending major auto shows in the US, safety was the biggest question to be posed about the fourtwo. While the NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings are not yet final, the fourtwo has received 4 stars out of 5 in European crash tests. That should inspire confidence in consumers, as it’s a level of safety that few apart from Mercedes-Benz could deliver. Advanced safety features include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a six-airbag safety system, impressive side-impact rigidity in conjunction with ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).

Available in Europe since its 1998 introduction, the smart fortwo was the result of an initial partnership between SWATCH, the Swiss sports-watch company, and MercedesBenz. As major European cities began to experience record gas prices and vehicle congestion, SWATCH and Mercedes wanted to provide new levels of fuel economy, lower operating costs and ease of parking, together with excellent design and affordability. So the “city car” concept was conceived. Today, with more than 770,000 Smart cars sold in 36 countries, the smart fortwo and forfour models are a common sight on the streets of major cities in Europe and Asia. North America is the logical next step for this innovative if diminutive vehicle.

A year ago, as the U.S headed into record $3-plus-a-gallon territory, smart USA began its launch efforts into the US.

What about this car’s impressive eco credentials? Daimler, the car’s maker, has very strict environmental guidelines that follow through to their suppliers. They’re rigorous about recycling and the manufacturing facility is a super-insulated, highly efficient beacon of green building principles.

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Daimler aims high, seeking to reduce the impact for the whole product lifecycle. The components and materials that go into the car are 100% recyclable. Another example is the color, which is applied with a powder coating, not paint.

That uses 40% less energy, no water, no solvents and the overspray is collected for reuse.

placed and you’ll be waiting at least a year in most cases to get hold of one from your local dealer.

Reserving one is a cinch though and you can do it online for $99 which is applied to the purchase of your car when it arrives. In the Triangle area the local dealer is Smart Center Cary at 2500 Autopark Blvd 27511. For more details just visit their website at www.smartcentercary.com.

A sensible eco-friendly car for sure, but wait till you get inside.

You’ll be impressed, if not outright dazzled, with the design. The fourtwo feels significantly bigger than it looks, thanks to a very tall roof design. “Hurray!” we six-foot-two-ers rejoice.

The full 13.0 cubic feet of cargo space in back rivals some compact sedans. And changeable exterior panels allow you to change the color of your foutwo to fit your mood. For even more fun you can go for the convertible option.

You’ll also look great parking your smart car motorcyclestyle in crowded trendy areas. In fact, you can fit three fourtwo’s side-by-side in a standard parking spot.

When you actually drive one you can see why they’re so popular in Europe. Sure the pick up on the highways can take a bit longer, but for city driving it’s impressive. That little 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine can really get up and go. And being smaller and closer to the road the sense of acceleration is accentuated.

The gearless CVT transmission offers a “manual” shift mode using one of the latest Euro-fads, paddle shifters.

These allow you to shift gears from paddles or levers on the steering column.

Overall, the smart fourtwo combines a new transport sensibility with some great swish-boom Euro-flair. Perhaps that’s why the full 1st year’s production of 25,000 units is already sold out. In fact, over 30,000 orders have been

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There are also pre-event stream clean ups from 9-11 a.m. at Goose Creek, South Ellerbe Creek, Northeast Creek and Panther Creek. Check the website or call Laura Webb Smith at 560-4326, ext. 235 for details of the clean ups.

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

Raleigh Planet Earth Celebration Saturday April 19th 11 am – 7 pm Location: N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences & the State Capitol grounds Burt’s Bees and the City of Raleigh will be sponsoring a free Earth Day event, called Planet Earth Celebration. Displays and exhibits by the City of Raleigh, local businesses and nonprofit organizations - from rain barrels to organic wearables will highlight ways to live more. Plus, there will be a number of presentations given.

Children can participate in earth-friendly fun at the Scrap Exchange and Marbles Kids Museum booths, and get tree planting lessons and free saplings.

Music will be provided by the Junkman and his totally recycled trash band, as well as the Rosebuds, Kickin’ Grass, and Mommie. And Burt’s Bees will debut their “Bee-utify Your World” mobile tour to showcase the benefits of natural personal care.

By Jane Norton Now in its 38th year, Earth Day was started in 1970 by then Senator Gaylord Nelson to raise awareness of environmental issues in the United States. According to Senator Nelson “Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.” The Earth Day Network now engages more than a half billion people in campaigns and events every year.

We are fortunate in the Triangle to have multiple Earth Day events that bring together not only local grassroots organizations, but also our universities, municipal governments and businesses. There are opportunities to celebrate Earth Day in Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh as well at Duke, NC State, and UNC Chapel Hill.

The 8th annual Sustainable Design Competition will showcase innovative home designs by student teams from across the state. www.advancedenergy.org/ sbdc/ For more information about the Planet Earth Celebration, contact Grace Taylor at gracemtaylor@ aol.com or at 967-1330.

While April 22nd is the official Earth Day, it is quickly coming to be known as “Earth Month” with local celebrations taking place from April 1st to 26th. And the events don’t just focus on the wider environmental challenges, but offer a broad range of innovative green and sustainable solutions that can benefit you directly.

Durham Earth Day Festival 2008 Saturday April 19th 12 noon – 6 pm Location: Durham Central Park www.durhamearthday.org The “It’s Easy Being Green” theme will be demonstrated with the green products and services at the Sustainability Expo, the solar powered entertainment at the Eco Lounge, and the hands on learning activities at the Water Expo.

This is a zero-waste trash-free Festival. You’ll enjoy great music, food, and participate in learning activities that highlight real life solutions to real environmental issues.

Juliet Jensen, this year’s Festival Director, says the Durham event will have a strong art component including an Earth Art Market and a participatory Public Art Project using recycled materials. And there will be live music by local groups including Different Drum, Midtown Dickens, and the Madison Elites.

Come take a ride in a pedicab, hear Louise Omoto Kessel’s enchanting stories, tackle the climbing wall, make a mask or puppet at the Scrap Exchange’s creative reuse booth and then join The Procession of the Species with The Paper Hand Puppet Intervention.

Chapel Hill Earth Action Day Saturday, April 26 11 am – 4 pm Location: Plaza atop the James C. Wallace Parking Deck on Rosemary Street. The Town has partnered with the citizen led Earth Action Fest steering committee to offer a new Earth Day Celebration in downtown Chapel Hill.

Come see a composting demonstration, rain barrels and check out what local businesses and notfor-profits offer. There will be clean, green moving machines including bicycles, hybrid vehicles, and a Hybrid Transit Bus with bike rack. And there will be a Bicycle Parade joined by walkers and the Paper Hand Puppet Intervention Puppets. www.townofchapelhill.org

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The Smith Middle School Eighth Grade Science students will be demonstrating their Fuel Cell Cars on the racetrack in front of the Post Office. And there will be a children’s area with hands on activities for kids of all ages. Wes Tilghman, Parks & Recreation Event Planner, says that the main goal of the event is to offer real and tangible actions that people can take.

Eighth Annual Celebration in Cary Saturday, April 26 9 am – 5 pm (Rain Date: Sunday, April 27, 2008) Location: Bond Park Cary’s Earth Day celebration is incorporated into the annual Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival in Bond Park.

The Earth Day component highlights what town government departments are doing in service to the environment through booths with child-friendly interactive games. Participation will be encouraged in building the water bottle dragon sculpture, an activity intended to foster an ethic of recycling.

Duke University www.duke.edu/web/ESC/earth_month08.html Duke designates the month of April as Earth Month. The festivities start with a presentation on April 1 at 12:00 noon in the Griffith Theater, by Dr. Trask, Executive Vice President and Dean Chameides, Nicholas School of the Environment, about how Duke is going “green.” Other events include a brown bag lunch series where experts discuss practical actions such as home composting and how homeowners can reduce energy bills, a movie series to include a panel discussion with experts from “The 11th Hour” (Leonardo DiCaprio’s film), and special recycling event called Garbology, an interactive way to highlight what materials are recyclable on campus. There are also tours of the Duke Smart Home – the “living laboratory” that is contributing to the innovation and demonstration of future residential building technology. The Duke Earth Day Sustainability Fair will be April 22nd from 11 am – 3 pm at the Bryan Center Plaza. Local businesses and organizations will be there to educate and inform. This will include a talk by Wallace J. Nichols, a renowned sea turtle expert and a Nicholas School graduate.

NCSU (North Carolina State University) www.ncsu.edu/earthday/ NC State’s Earth celebration runs over a full week from April 21-25. Chancellor James L. Oblinger sees the Earth Week events as a major part of his Year of Energy, an effort by NC State and its partners to address solutions to energy issues.

Planned events include an electronics recycling drive and film on Monday, an alternative transportation event and film on Tuesday, a personal nutrition and energy day and outdoor film on Wednesday, a career fair and research symposium and speakers on Thursday (Pricey Harrison and Brad Miller have been invited), and a final culmination of events on Friday with the traditional Brickyard Earth Day Celebration including over 70 exhibitors, the annual Earthwise Award, and a carbon-neutral music event Friday evening.

UNC-Chapel Hill http://www.sustainability.unc.edu/ UNC is also celebrating “Earth Week” from April 18 to 26.

On April 18th there will be a showing of Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie, the 11th Hour with a keynote by Stuart Pimm a Duke professor and other local eco-experts. The Botanical Gardens will host a student volunteer appreciation day in the late afternoon or evening of Friday, April 18 (at the Forest Theatre

across from Cobb Residence Hall). On April 19, you can run in the 3rd Annual SWEAT Earth Day 5K to fundraise for a greenhouse students will be building this summer in Bolivia. Register at www.uncsweat.org. On Saturday, April 19, around noon at the Botanical Garden you can join a hard hat tour of the Visitor Education Center - the new platinum LEED registered building under construction whose geothermal wells students helped fund. Monday, April 21 the Planetarium will show their Vanishing Night program about the effects of light pollution on the quality of our nighttime experiences. And on April 22, David Orr, chair of the Environmental Studies Program at Oberlin College and author of almost a dozen environmental books, will speak about the state of our environment in Carroll Hall Auditorium from 7:30 pm -9:00 pm.

Be sure to get out to one or more of the exciting Earth Day events in the Triangle and take home ideas of how to celebrate and appreciate our Earth the other 364 days of the year. And remember that you don’t need to wait until April each year to celebrate Earth Day. Every small step you take to reduce your eco footprint or save energy is a little celebration – do it every day.

Jane Norton is Principal of ReSourcing Natural Solutions (www.resourcingnaturalsolutions.com) offering sustainability programs for businesses, non-profits, academic & governmental institutions, and communities. She also directs Eartheal (www.eartheal.org) a non-profit which is developing the Community Green Guide (www.communitygreenguide.org). She lives next to Duke Forest in Durham/Orange County.

Calendar of Events April

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5% Day Benefitting Toxic Free NC Our Community 5% Days are one meaningful way we give back to our community. On designated days throughout the year a total of 5% of the day’s net sales are donated to local non–profit organizations. Customers help support our selected organizations just by shopping on these 5% Days.

Shopping today benefits Toxic Free NC. Toxic Free NC (formerly known as PEST Ed) advocates for alternatives to toxic pesticides by empowering people to make sound decisions about their health and environment. Whole Foods / Raleigh.

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Build-A-Pond Day If you have ever thought about building a pond, you are invited to attend our next Build A Pond Day event. You will learn from the best in the business about exactly what it takes to install your own pond. This is a great opportunity to see Lee Andrews; owner of Pond Professors demonstrate each step required to install a pond. Call Monica (919) 459-2788 to reserve your spot.

Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden / Raleigh.

8:3 am-3:00 pm (Registration Required)

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Sustainable Energy Conference North Carolina’s future depends on the decisions we make today. Attend the Fifth Annual North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference to learn what local and national leaders are doing right now to strengthen our energy future. April 8-9, 2008. McKimmon Conference and Training Center NC State University, Raleigh. Register online at: www.continuingeducation.ncsu.edu/sec.html

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Green Investing Made Easy Bradley Williams, MBA, CFP Are you looking for ways to invest your hard earned money while being socially and environmentally responsible? Join us for this insightful discussion and learn some successful strategies to achieve your goals. Earn some green while going green for Earth Month! Whole Foods / Raleigh. 7:00–8:00 pm Free, Pre–Register.

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Biodiesel Introduction Session: 9:00 am, 10:00 am, & 11:00 am A brief overview of biodiesel: what it is, NC usage, and availability. Does not require advance registration.

Biodiesel: What every Fleet needs to know: 2:00 - 4:00 pm Ensuring Fuel Quality, Storage & Distribution, Vehicle Compatibility, Incentives, Q&A Requires advance registration. This information session is FREE. For more information: Tyler Burgess, NC Solar Center tyler_burgess@ ncsu.edu, (919) 513-5267 Location: Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Horse Complex, State Fairgrounds

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Shakori Hills Music Festival Legendary 4-day grass-roots music festival event. Includes a sustainability fair, biodiesel shuttle and of course, great music.

April 17-20 www.shakorihills.org

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Raleigh Earth Day

and purification, and many more sustainable technologies demonstrated by more than 50 exhibitors. National Mall - Washington DC. For more information: es.epa.gov/ncer/p3/expo/ index.html

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N.C. State University Earth Day April 21 |10 am - 3 pm NCSU Brickyard / Raleigh

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Earth Day ‘08 Bag Out In Style As of today, Whole Foods Market will no longer give out plastic bags. To celebrate this historic occasion we have challenged some of our best and brightest from the design community to come up with their interpretation of Bag Out In Style. Join us for an evening of high fashion on the runway with creations by students from the design departments of North Carolina State University, Meredith College, and some of our own talented Team Members here at Whole Foods Market. Don’t forget to stop by the tent and pick up your free Whole Foods Market Better Bag, so you can Bag Out In Style. Whole Foods / Raleigh.

6:00–8:00 pm

Sustainable Building Design Competition

Burt’s Bees and the City or Raleigh will be holding the Planet Earth Celebration on Fayetteville Street. The all-day celebration will feature bands, activities, a green bazaar, artists and other Earth-friendly exhibits.

N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences / Raleigh 9 am - 5 pm

Durham Earth Day

Arbor Day

Great music, food, green activities and many solutions to the environmental issues we are facing.

Durham Central Park. 11 am - 5 pm www.durhamearthday.org

Turning Poor Soil into Great Soil Good soil makes gardening a joy. Join Ben Lee, Miracle Gro Rep. and learn the secrets of building a fertile soil. Learn why they are a foundation for successful gardens, and how to improve and treat your soil right. Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden / Raleigh. 10:00 am

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National Sustainable Design Expo The Expo showcases new products for green buildings, innovative alternative energy technologies, strategies for rainwater collection

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Plant a tree in your backyard!

Art Barrel Extravaganza!

We have gathered some of our most creative and renowned Artist’s in the area to paint rain barrels that will be auctioned to raise money for drought relief. Join us for this silent auction and party with live music, food and drink. If you are the highest bidder you could be the first on your block to own a one–of–a–kind rain barrel while doing your part to conserve water, and helping raise money for those in our community affected the most by our current drought. Whole Foods / Raleigh. 6:00–8:00 pm

Plant and Craft Festival April 25 - 4 - 6 pm - by invitation only for Friends of Duke Gardens April 26 - 9 am - 2 pm - Everybody come!

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HBA Green Homes Tour Self guided tour of over 40 green built homes in the Triangle. May 3-4

Earth Action Day The Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department will present a new Earth Day Celebration on the plaza atop the James C. Wallace Parking Deck. A free event for the whole family, Earth Day on the Plaza will provide an opportunity to learn about the various environmental issues that affect the Orange County region. 11 am – 4 pm

Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival Take part in Cary’s Earth Day celebration, and find out how you can play an even larger role in preserving our natural resources and protecting the environment. This is the perfect family event to learn more about what you can do to make every day Earth Day. Earth Day includes hands-on activities for children of all ages. Bond Park / Cary / 9am - 5pm

World Beer Day Moore Square Downtown Raleigh 12-4 & 6-10pm http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/event/ world-beer-festival

May

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Perennial Gardening

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Backyard Gardening Beautiful food from the garden! Grow vegetables organically with no pesticides. Hosted

by Dr. Jeana Myers, Agronomist, NCSU Soil Science. Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden / Raleigh. 10:00 am

Learn how to create an ever changing perennial garden that will give you color all season long.

Exciting plant varieties for sun and for shade will be discussed. Emily Barbee, Riverbend Nursery will be onsite to give you all the information you will need to have for a beautiful perennial garden! Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden / Raleigh. 10:00 am

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SMARTT Challenge Smart Kids, Clean Cars, Green World Join hundreds of students from across the southeast as they assemble in Raleigh to drive, test, present, and compete with their custom-built electric cars and trucks in the culmination of the 13th Annual Electric Vehicle Challenge.

May 16 at Historic Oak View Park, Raleigh 8:00 am - 3:00 pm May 17 at McKimmon Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 7:30 am - 3:00 pm Free admission for spectators

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HealthyBuilt Homes Orientation

The Hand Made Market Shop The Handmade Market for fine art, apparel, jewelry, accessories, housewares, paper goods, and more from a selection of the best and brightest independent designers, artists, and crafters from NC and beyond.

11 am-5 pmVintage 21, 117 S West St. Raleigh

Interested homebuilders and building professionals are invited to a half-day introduction to the NC HealthyBuilt Homes (HBH) Program, a statewide green builder program.

8 am to 12:30 pm; 512 Brickhaven Drive, NCSU, Raleigh

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G.I.Y. — Green It Yourself

Shawn sets out to make his own rain barrels

By Shawn Covely One of the hottest items this year in the Triangle is – you guessed it – rain barrels. Not long ago, very few people knew what one looked like or cared. I’ve wanted one for quite a while now, but being a “Green it yourselfer” I had to make my own. If you chose to buy rather than build you’ll find all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors out there - even collapsible containers that allow for easy portability.

The design I chose is based on trash cans, so I bought two 32-gallon cans because they were the cheapest and the most attractive I could find. In hindsight I should have bought the larger 54-gallon ones - not as nice looking, but I’d rather have more water.

Once I had all my parts purchased (see the list), I laid everything out and in the garage. First I drilled the holes in both barrels for the spouts. These need to be located an inch or so from the bottom depending on your barrel type. Then I screwed each spout into the hole, used the plastic cap on the inside to secure it and a good bead of aquarium sealant around the spout on both sides.

wiched between two plywood circles screwed together.

After a night to dry, I leveled out the ground and placed concrete blocks in a stair step fashion. You need Barrel A slightly higher than Barrel B for water to drain properly. You also want to make sure the barrels are high enough to allow a bucket to fit under the spouts. Once I had the drainage pipe, from barrel A to B, where I wanted it and secured to the top barrel, the system was done.

Luckily, the next day, Raleigh was blessed with a steady rain. In two hours, both barrels had filled to the top! I had expected it to take several days. I think I could have easily filled two more, if not a fifth.

There was a great satisfaction in being able to build these barrels from scratch. It was fun, simple and didn’t take but a few hours each day over the weekend. After all was said and done, the barrels ended up costing me about $80. In comparison, some stores sell 55 gallon barrels for $100. They are attractive and well made. GIY isn’t for everyone, but I enjoyed it and now have water for my plants. If you don’t build one yourself, please buy one, or several. Not only will you have water for you garden if water restrictions continue, but you’ll save money on city water.

If you have questions about what I did above or a suggestion on how I could improve it, please email me at shawn@footprintecomagazine.com.

Parts list: The set up for each barrel is a little different. Barrel A receives the downspout. Barrel B is the overflow barrel. Barrel A needs one more hole for the overflow hose, about an inch from the top. Barrel B needs two holes – its own overflow and one to receive the overflow from Barrel A. Same process with the spouts, drill the hole, screw in the pipe and connector, and seal.

With a utility knife I made a 6” hole in the lid of Barrel A. Then I manufactured a screen cover. This is just window screen sand-

Two sturdy trash cans Two 3/4” threaded Hose Bibs Two ¾” threaded plastic connectors Two 1” threaded plastic connectors Two 1” threaded plastic caps One ½” threaded hose connector One ½” threaded plastic cap One 1” plastic tubing Six concrete blocks Aquarium sealant Plywood scraps and wood screws Window screen

Solar Water Heating — The “Other” Solar These days, everyone is thinking about ways to reduce their carbon footprint and do their part to conserve our natural resources. Solar is in the news, with bigger and more powerful systems going online every day. Most of the fanfare is centered around large photovoltaic (PV) systems that produce electricity. People are enamored with the idea of generating their own power and reducing their reliance on the power grid. And while PV is a great first choice for some, in most cases, solar water heating is a better way to get started with solar energy.

Sure, to some they’re not as alluring as their PV cousins, but today’s solar water heating systems have come a long way in terms of aesthetics, and they require almost no maintenance. So they are both easy to own and inexpensive to operate. And with about 25% of the average home’s energy usage devoted to heating water, a solar water heating system will usually provide the most “bang for your buck” of any renewable energy system, from both a financial and an environmental standpoint.

Still not convinced solar water heating is a hot choice in renewable energy? Through December 2008, both the State of North Carolina and the federal government are offering generous tax credits to those of us who install quality solar water heating systems on our homes and businesses.

Yes, that’s “credit,” as in a direct reduction of your tax bill – sounds pretty good this time of year, doesn’t it?. Combined, these tax credits will offset the cost of the average system by close to 50%! With these incentives, most systems pay for themselves within about 7 years – after that, the energy they produce is free, and the savings they create go straight to your wallet.

Solar technologies will add substantial value to your home.

In a recent Roper survey, 50% of Americans said they’d pay up to ten percent more for a solar-equipped home.

And as energy prices continue to rise, it makes sense that more and more people will be willing to pay a premium for homes that help protect them from ever-increasing utility bills. Solar water heating systems will do just that, and since the expected life-span of the typical system is somewhere in the 30-year range, those savings will just keep growing.

Already an unbeatable investment, solar water heating is especially attractive if you’re purchasing or refinancing a home, because you’ll save more money on your utility bill than the increase in your monthly mortgage payment. That means your system will actually generate positive cash flow from day one, and you’ll add more money to your bottom line every month.

So what kinds of things should you be thinking about when you decide to invest in a solar system? The first thing you want to determine is whether your site gets good solar exposure. A southernish-facing roof with no shading is the best scenario, but not an absolute requirement. As

long as you have a spot that gets direct sunlight for at least four hours a day and is large enough to hold your system (usually around 64 square feet), you should be able to find a solar solution that works for you.

You’ll also want to find a reputable contractor to design and install the system that’s just right for your home.

Make sure they’re fully licensed and insured, and that they warrant and service everything they sell. Ask for references, and make sure they have a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. With the right partner, investing in solar hot water is a sure thing!

Once your system is up and running, you’ll feel good knowing you’re doing your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – not to mention your power bill! And if you act now, you could even see a welcome reduction on next year’s tax bill – saving money, saving energy and saving the environment – doesn’t get much better than that.

And don’t worry about cold showers: your hot water system would rely on solar energy, but would also have back-up power in case the weather became cloudy for a few days, or you drained your hot water tank.

By Maria Kingery, Co-Founder, Southern Energy Management

so It’s Not Easy Being Green

Kleen Kanteen Less Plastic Less Chemicals Hydrate Guilt-free

Laptop Lunches Waste less • Spend Less Eat Well

a community store that is focused entirely on eco-friendly, sustainable & fairly traded goods now open

Village Plaza (next to Whole Foods) • 99 S. Elliott Rd. Chapel Hill • 929-8944 (twig) • www.twigliving.com

Business Listings Real Estate Agents Brian Decker

You care about your environment — Shouldn’t your real estate agent? Brian Decker, Designated EcoBroker™ — Degree in Environmental Science – REALTOR®. Helping people like you make informed decisions about their housing choices. To see Every Home for Sale in the Triangle visit: BrianDeckerProperties.com Fonville Morisey Realty 1520 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Consulting Services ReSourcing Natural Solutions

Looking for those ready to actively engage in creating sustainable businesses, schools, non-profits, governments, lives and communities. ReSourcing™ is a design and strategic planning process that uses nature’s operating principles to help individuals, organizations and communities thrive by being socially responsible, ecologically conscious, and financially prosperous. Offering seminars, coaching, and consulting to get you in action based on solid principles and best practices.

Jane Norton, 919-321-1711 jane@resourcingnaturalsolutions.com www.resourcingnaturalsolutions.com

Home Improvement Services Pleasant Green Grass

Pleasant Green Grass provides a safe and effective alternative to chemical based lawn care. We create beautiful healthy lawns that are safe for everyone, by using all natural products. Our focus is soil ecology and curing the causes of unhealthy turf with a program customized to your own lawn, not just treating symptoms. Services include fertilization, soil analysis, compost tea applications, weed control and more.

Scott Walker 919-357-8245 www.pleasantgreengrass.com

Healthy Home Insulation

We install spray foam insulation to provide homeowners with lower energy expenses and a healthy, comfortable home. Using Icynene® foam insulation is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency. As a complete insulation and air barrier, Icynene minimizes air leakage, which allows for smaller HVAC equipment. It saves dramatically on initial equipment costs and ongoing utility costs. www.healthyhomeinsulation.com

Eco-Anthracite

Our in-depth energy audits identify your home’s largest areas for improvement. We look at your entire home from crawlspace to attic. We run diagnostics & evaluate the HVAC and duct system, ID Indoor Air Quality issues, and investigate any comfort issues you may be having. Our report is easy to understand with a recommended Priority List of recommendations to give you the “best bang for your buck.” www.eco-anthracite.com

Green Sky Sustainable Design

Green sky Sustainable Design is locally-owned and operated in Carrboro, North Carolina with 15 years experience in observing, conceptualizing, collaborating upon, and installing sustainable designs.

We offer landscape and roofscape consultation, design, installation and maintenance. Our designs are specific to individual client needs with a focus on supporting ecologically sound environments.

919-943-7503, www.greenskyinc.com rgoolsby@greenskyinc.com

Energy Wise Solutions

Energy Wise Solutions serves the Carolinas, offering energy audits of existing structures, energy-efficiency upgrade solutions, pre-build consultation/training in green building design, Energy Star for Home certification, NC HealthyBuilt Home, Earthcraft House, and LEED inspections, Solar Thermal, Solar Pool, Solar Electric, and Rainwater harvest installations. For renewable energy “do-it-yourselfers”, and more information, visit our online store at www. energywisesolutions.net, call (704) 678-4122 customersupport@energywisesolutions.net

My Home Building Help!

If you are considering building your own sustainable, high quality, environmentally friendly home that revolves around your needs and quality of life, contact My Home Building Help! Every home that My Home Building Help builds or consults on includes a minimum level of environmentally friendly materials and methods that help reduce the home’s environmental impact for years to come. Visit us at www.MyHomeBuildingHelp.com.

Local Action Groups NC Waste Awareness and Reduction Network (NCWARN) is a grassroots non-profit

using science and activism to tackle climate change and reduce hazards to public health and the environment from nuclear power and other polluting electricity production, and working for a transition to safe, economical energy in North Carolina. www. ncwarn.org

North Carolina Climate Action Network (NCCAN) is an intergenerational coalition of

grassroots activists from a variety of environmental and social justice groups in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Our coalition was formed after members participated in the “Step It Up” Global Warming rally in April 2007. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NC_CAN/ North Carolina Climate Action Network http://www.nc-can.net

Environment North Carolina is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.

Our professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for North Carolina’s environment. Environment North Carolina draws on 30 years of success in tackling our state’s top environmental problems. www.environmentnorthcarolina.org NC GreenPower is an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve North Carolina’s environment through voluntary contributions toward

renewable energy. A landmark initiative approved by the N.C. Utilities Commission, NC GreenPower is the first statewide green energy program in the nation supported by all the state’s utilities and administered by Advanced Energy, an independent nonprofit corporation located in Raleigh. www.ncgreenpower.org

NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) works to ensure a sustainable future by

promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in North Carolina through education, public policy and economic development. www.ncsustainableenergy.org

Sierra Club The NC Chapter of Sierra Club has

worked to pass groundbreaking environmental legislation from the local to national levels. Our issues range from putting an end to hog waste pollution to protecting the integrity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. nc.sierraclub.org

The North Carolina Conservation Network is a statewide network of over 120

environmental, community and environmental justice organizations focused on protecting North Carolina’s environment and public health. The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment. www.ncconservationnetwork.org

Raleigh Environmental Action Circle for Humanity (REACH) Meet others with

environmental concerns, become involved with issues that impact nature and humankind, exercise personal accountability, shift habits of daily living and thinking in feasible steps. REACH is committed to an anti-Apartheid environmental movement, a movement that includes everyone, in which environment and humanity are inseparable. http://environment.meetup.com/243/

WakeUp Wake County is a group of citizens concerned about the future of Wake County. We are voters, business people, educators, homemakers, grandparents, volunteers, and more who want to ensure that Wake County is healthy and competitive in the long run. We love living in our area for its quality of life, and we want to ensure a bright future for ourselves and those who come after us. www.wakeupwakecounty.com The Community Green Guide Participate in creating the Triangle as a thriving sustainable community and economy. The CGG is an online social networking site and directory of everything green and sustainable locally. Learn about and connect with businesses, non-profits, governmental agencies, educational opportunities, projects and people. Access an events calendar, a blog, searchable database, interviews with local green experts, and contribute your ideas and expertise!

Jane Norton, 919-321-1711, jane@eartheal.org, www.communitygreenguide.org Carolina Recycling Association represents

more than 450 members (individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, state government agencies and local governments) who are committed to reducing waste, promoting recycling and buying recycled. www.cra-recycle.org

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Neuse Natural Cleaning Residential & Commercial Cleaning Service “Healthy Cleaning, Healthy Communication, and Healthy Community�

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THIRD ANNUAL Presenting Sponsor:

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TRIANGLE WIDE

GREEN TOUR KICKOFF EVENT: Saturday, May 3rd: 9am-12pm, NC Biotechnology Center at RTP

Discover what it means to be GREEN! Join us for talks, displays, and Q & A

SELF-GUIDED GREEN HOME TOURS:

Saturday, May 3rd: 10am-6 pm Sunday, May 4th: 12pm- 6 pm

Green Home Tour Books available during the week of the tour at the following locations: � HBA-DOC Office � Stock Building Supply � Green Tour Kickoff Event � Tour Homes � HBA Raleigh-Wake Office

“Greening The American Dream” Green homes are built with the environment in mind, so home owners can enjoy lowered energy costs and take pride in the fact that their homes have reduced impact on the environment.

Check our website for other Triangle locations.

For tour book locations, maps and tour information visit

www.HBADOC.com or call (919)493-8899