I will be eating Green apples and honey this year! To bad the apples we've found here in The Big Apple haven't been as good as what we get in Oregon. I'm sure I'll find something good though! Here's to a great, green, new year.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sustainable City - The Big Apple
Reducing demand in a city of lights. How are we asking our selves to change? It is greener to turn off the lights if you live in a single family home, no question, but in a city that runs around the clock, around the calendar, and around the world (international markets trading on the same floor as our markets) it makes more sense to leave the lights on and just make them as efficient as possible.
This is the question that has been bugging me. Is it more efficient to live like this, dense, constant use, intense utilization of space and resource, or to thin out our impact over a larger area, and over a larger time.
The reason it's been bugging me is not something that can be explained with math, or perhaps even by analysis or any ~jectivity. The real question is what is best as human occupants of the earth. I will not debate the impact of humanity, or the base question of our existence and subsequent effect we have on the environment that made us; we are here, and I'd like that to continue. So the question becomes how will our impact create the best possible biosphere for our experience, and continuation.
This is a terraforming question, and all of the answers point to biodiversity, strong natural systems, and finding balance within those parameters. This framework has been casting my imaging of New York into certain relief. The contrasting aspects of low area usage per person (incredible density) that creates intense demand for those fewer square feet results in logisitical compacting. Opportunities for efficiency jump out, like mass transit (a clear win energy and carbon wise, but a possible disaster from a public health perspective), localized demand for power generation and distribution (but does having demand and supply nearby make sense or put more people at risk), and the concentration of information and thought multiplication.
If you have never arrived in New York City by air on a clear day, by road or by above ground rail, you haven't seen the grotesque machinery that pumps the life support systems into the machine for living that this city is. For the significant size of Manhattan herself there are 6 equal areas surrounding her dedicated solely to sustaining this fair city. Giant industrial fortresses and wastelands of shipping containers, rail lines and sadly, trucks choking the air with their groans of effort to bring food and material goods to the masses. It is scary to see it in such concentrated levels, and this is the nexus point: visibility.
New York shoves it in your face and herin lies her truth. There is no hiding the piles of garbage hauled out of the same way they came in, they grow every day, and are gone every night on the sidewalk in front of every building - there isn't any other place to put it! The trucks travel the same roads as the taxis, and unload there goods at the off peak hours. It is a hustle and play, coordinated out of necesity, and it is all right there for you to see.
Contrast this with my hometown Portland, Oregon. Portland is a small city, designed with space and systems to function in the background of life. There is no need to see all the push and pull because there is room enough to do it in a more seemly manor. But if you do the math (like I said I wouldn't) the truth of density and efficiency bubbles to the surface. New Yorkers use less, but feel every drop. And that is the truth of this question.
How are we asking ourselves to change? We are opening our eyes to what we do, to how we impact our biosphere, and to what we should do better.
If the world were to transform into a sustainable vision of humanity would the metropolis disapear? Would the towns be squashed together instead? No, because it takes both.
This is the question that has been bugging me. Is it more efficient to live like this, dense, constant use, intense utilization of space and resource, or to thin out our impact over a larger area, and over a larger time.
The reason it's been bugging me is not something that can be explained with math, or perhaps even by analysis or any ~jectivity. The real question is what is best as human occupants of the earth. I will not debate the impact of humanity, or the base question of our existence and subsequent effect we have on the environment that made us; we are here, and I'd like that to continue. So the question becomes how will our impact create the best possible biosphere for our experience, and continuation.
This is a terraforming question, and all of the answers point to biodiversity, strong natural systems, and finding balance within those parameters. This framework has been casting my imaging of New York into certain relief. The contrasting aspects of low area usage per person (incredible density) that creates intense demand for those fewer square feet results in logisitical compacting. Opportunities for efficiency jump out, like mass transit (a clear win energy and carbon wise, but a possible disaster from a public health perspective), localized demand for power generation and distribution (but does having demand and supply nearby make sense or put more people at risk), and the concentration of information and thought multiplication.
If you have never arrived in New York City by air on a clear day, by road or by above ground rail, you haven't seen the grotesque machinery that pumps the life support systems into the machine for living that this city is. For the significant size of Manhattan herself there are 6 equal areas surrounding her dedicated solely to sustaining this fair city. Giant industrial fortresses and wastelands of shipping containers, rail lines and sadly, trucks choking the air with their groans of effort to bring food and material goods to the masses. It is scary to see it in such concentrated levels, and this is the nexus point: visibility.
New York shoves it in your face and herin lies her truth. There is no hiding the piles of garbage hauled out of the same way they came in, they grow every day, and are gone every night on the sidewalk in front of every building - there isn't any other place to put it! The trucks travel the same roads as the taxis, and unload there goods at the off peak hours. It is a hustle and play, coordinated out of necesity, and it is all right there for you to see.
Contrast this with my hometown Portland, Oregon. Portland is a small city, designed with space and systems to function in the background of life. There is no need to see all the push and pull because there is room enough to do it in a more seemly manor. But if you do the math (like I said I wouldn't) the truth of density and efficiency bubbles to the surface. New Yorkers use less, but feel every drop. And that is the truth of this question.
How are we asking ourselves to change? We are opening our eyes to what we do, to how we impact our biosphere, and to what we should do better.
If the world were to transform into a sustainable vision of humanity would the metropolis disapear? Would the towns be squashed together instead? No, because it takes both.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
New Chapter
Dear Reader,
I have started a new chapter, in my life, and in my blog. Yesterday I moved to New York City with my lovely and wonderful girlfriend, Rayna, and my stalwart companion, Tsuki the Dog. I'm moving here to try my hand at bringing the cutting edge green-ness of Portland to the Big Apple.
Brightworks, the sustainability consulting firm I worked with years ago (when I started this blog) and I have partnered again to expand the horizons of sustainability on the East Coast. I am very excited for this relationship because Brightworks has the resources, and thought leadership to get the big east coast markets moving. As much as Portland can lead the way, only markets like New York can generate the momentum to pull other markets along with them.
I'll be writing more, so keep reading! For now we're staying with our friend Justin Shear at his apartment on the upper west side and apartment hunting in Brooklyn.
Thanks for reading! Eli
I have started a new chapter, in my life, and in my blog. Yesterday I moved to New York City with my lovely and wonderful girlfriend, Rayna, and my stalwart companion, Tsuki the Dog. I'm moving here to try my hand at bringing the cutting edge green-ness of Portland to the Big Apple.
Brightworks, the sustainability consulting firm I worked with years ago (when I started this blog) and I have partnered again to expand the horizons of sustainability on the East Coast. I am very excited for this relationship because Brightworks has the resources, and thought leadership to get the big east coast markets moving. As much as Portland can lead the way, only markets like New York can generate the momentum to pull other markets along with them.
I'll be writing more, so keep reading! For now we're staying with our friend Justin Shear at his apartment on the upper west side and apartment hunting in Brooklyn.
Thanks for reading! Eli
Friday, July 30, 2010
Latest thoughts on green living and building Part 1
I've been busy, and not with the good greening I so gennishly gravitate towards, no with getting my architecture license. It's a beast of burden, and I'll be riding it till it's done. Riding it hard.
But that doesn't mean my thoughts haven't been busy. I have ideas for two houses (specifically at the moment, there are about a gillion more tucked away in the folds of my favorite feature (noggin size, get it?)) and one is about as obviously green as it gets. I'll tell you about that one later, cause it's so awesome. The other is more conventional. It's modern, it's modular, it's prefabricatable, it's glassy and steely, and earthy and delicious, and simple and small! All in all it's pretty green, but for one thing - structural materials. I have ideas to make all the verticals the supports for wind turbines (check!) and they can be timber, or bamboo, or something totally salvaged or renewable, or whatever (hopefully grown on site and harvested!) it's all the other stuff. The spanning members, the decking, the insulation, the finishes, the waterproofing, the flashing. Is it really possible to build a fairly normal house without violating the 4 system conditions of The Natural Step? I want it to be, but so far, it's pretty impossible.
Do you know what flashing is made of? Mostly petroleum, or aluminium. Two very energy intensive products that are from the earth's crust. So maybe that means no flashing, and only crazy sweet wood window systems that a self flashing somehow. I don't know yet, but i'd love to have some input. I'll get these designs up here soonish, as soon as I take this next architecture test!
Wish me luck and keep the green growing.
Eli
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Terra forming earth
Climate change suggests we have recognized a superior climate condition and it is now apparent that the climate has changed and is changing from this ideal. Who gets to decide what is best for everyone? Can we choose something unique and unexperienced? Control climate extremes and enjoy sunny days.
I think we should and let us not be afraid of trying and daring to make the world a better place.
Eli
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Off shore wind/tidal famrs
I've just watched some video on the green tv podcast, and the imagery of a giant grid of wind turbines in the sea offshore from Europe spurred in my mind a recollection and an idea.
Recalled: Tidal energy generation systems that are a series of buoys connected together to form a grid, with hydraulic anchors whereby the up and down of the wave surge pumps hydraulic fluid through the anchor tethers, thereby spinning a turbine and generating energy.
Idea: What if the wind turbines offshore have buoys at their bases that travel up and down with the wave surge, adding that force to the wind energy. Put two turbines into one structure, and zero cost in connectivity as the wind turbines are already connected to the grid. Perhaps that's too mechanically complicated, so simply put the existing buoy technology in place between the turbines.
Thoughts?
Here are some links;
Podcast I saw
http://www.green.tv/!video.feed.rss/technologies
Tidal generation
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/wave-power/
Recalled: Tidal energy generation systems that are a series of buoys connected together to form a grid, with hydraulic anchors whereby the up and down of the wave surge pumps hydraulic fluid through the anchor tethers, thereby spinning a turbine and generating energy.
Idea: What if the wind turbines offshore have buoys at their bases that travel up and down with the wave surge, adding that force to the wind energy. Put two turbines into one structure, and zero cost in connectivity as the wind turbines are already connected to the grid. Perhaps that's too mechanically complicated, so simply put the existing buoy technology in place between the turbines.
Thoughts?
Here are some links;
Podcast I saw
http://www.green.tv/!video.feed.rss/technologies
Tidal generation
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/wave-power/
Friday, January 15, 2010
Re: New website:
Its a great website! Good idea, and I hope it brings much success!!
--
Jessica Bagwell
740 Eudora St
Denver, CO 80220
720.334.2414
On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 5:08 PM, Eli Green Design <eli@eligreendesign.com> wrote:
Hello Everyone!
I just wanted to let you all know some exciting news!
My website just went live! It's designed by your's truly and therefore is nothing fancy or whatever, but I'm pretty excited about it. Please check it out and let me know what you think!
www.eligreendesign.com
All the best,
Eli
--
Jessica Bagwell
740 Eudora St
Denver, CO 80220
720.334.2414
New website:
I just wanted to let you all know some exciting news!
My website just went live! It's designed by your's truly and therefore is nothing fancy or whatever, but I'm pretty excited about it. Please check it out and let me know what you think!
All the best,
Eli
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Back at it!
It's been a long time since I've been in front of a computer regularly enough to blog, but I've just read an amazing article about sensors in forests to alert firefighters about fires - powered by the trees themselves! If a tree falls in the forest and it can make a phone call, yes, you will know about it. So know about this too!
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
The road to space
The kindly government has just allowed Spaceport America the go ahead to build the first commercial spaceport! Check out this article about it, but trust me, this is amazing. It's the beginning of human expansion off the Earth, and it will carry great consequences. I'm so impressed with humanity (on this one little front) that I'll risk being left hanging by humanity and go for a high five!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Why I'm voting for Obama
TOP 5 REASONS OBAMA SUPPORTERS SHOULDN'T REST EASY
1. The polls may be wrong. This is an unprecedented election. No one knows how racism may affect what voters tell pollsters—or what they do in the voting booth. And the polls are narrowing anyway. In the last few days, John McCain has gained ground in most national polls, as his campaign has gone even more negative.
2. Dirty tricks. Republicans are already illegally purging voters from the rolls in some states. They're whipping up hysteria over ACORN to justify more challenges to new voters. Misleading flyers about the voting process have started appearing in black neighborhoods. And of course, many counties still use unsecure voting machines.
3. October surprise. In politics, 15 days is a long time. The next McCain smear could dominate the news for a week. There could be a crisis with Iran, or Bin Laden could release another tape, or worse.
4. Those who forget history... In 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote after trailing by seven points in the final days of the race. In 1980, Reagan was eight points down in the polls in late October and came back to win. Races can shift—fast!
5. Landslide. Even with Barack Obama in the White House, passing universal health care and a new clean-energy policy is going to be hard. Insurance, drug and oil companies will fight us every step of the way. We need the kind of landslide that will give Barack a huge mandate.
If you agree that we shouldn't rest easy, please sign up to volunteer at your local Obama office by clicking here:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=
Monday, October 06, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Bailout on the bailout
This is a mass email. I don't do it much, but this one I had to send.
I'm worried about the economy. I'm worried about how what happens on Wall Street will affect the world. And I must do something about it. I read an article today that I think you all should read. And it's message is clear, we must tell our representatives and political candidates one thing: "Don't do it."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=235
Read this article if you like, I think it is very clear, and very important. If you aren't upset about what's going on then you probably haven't been paying attention. It's criminal.
Wishing you all the best, and the chance to make it so,
Eli
I'm worried about the economy. I'm worried about how what happens on Wall Street will affect the world. And I must do something about it. I read an article today that I think you all should read. And it's message is clear, we must tell our representatives and political candidates one thing: "Don't do it."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=235
Read this article if you like, I think it is very clear, and very important. If you aren't upset about what's going on then you probably haven't been paying attention. It's criminal.
Wishing you all the best, and the chance to make it so,
Eli
Friday, September 05, 2008
FOX can suck it too.
Add fox to my list of things that can suck it (it stands at China, Japan, Iceland, and Norway currently). Watch this video to find out why.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Great Capoeira video
Check this out (the first half is awesome capoeira, the second is music that I didn't listen to)
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Sad State of our Liberty
Two very sad articles have come to my attention and both involve the police (thankfully not on our Left Coast, but still this is One Nation With Liberty and Justice for ALL)
The first involves a set up by narcotics officers who in disguise delivered a package (presumably filled with marijuana) to a house in Mayberry (in DC). They then raided the home and SHOT THE DOGS that live there! So sad. Those dogs are dead, and there is no way we can calculate a value for their lives. The trauma inflicted on the residents is also incalculable. What has happened to our police force? For whom are they working? To keep who safe? They have become terrorists.
The second takes place in New York during the Critical Mass event one week ago. A police officer apprehended and held, then arrested and is now charging a rider with disrupting traffic ("Purposefully making cars stop and turn abruptly"), trying to run down the same officer, and resisting arrest (the defendant was then held for 26 hours). Well it was caught on YouTube and the "Officer" will now be paying the price. You can see it here in video, or follow the link and read the article I read. It is clear that the cop singled out the rider, tracked him down (the way you would track down a tackle on the football field (the cop was once an offensive tackle), and took him out in mid pedal. The cyclist goes flying onto the concrete sidewalk and is then arrested and detained. What trauma, for the cyclist, and for OUR NATION!
People! Politicians! Police! Take back our country for the right reasons! Life! Liberty! The pursuit of happiness! Not this FASCIST, AUTHORITARIAN, NIGHTMARISH VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA WE ARE ALL STUCK IN NOW!
[where: Portland, OR]
The first involves a set up by narcotics officers who in disguise delivered a package (presumably filled with marijuana) to a house in Mayberry (in DC). They then raided the home and SHOT THE DOGS that live there! So sad. Those dogs are dead, and there is no way we can calculate a value for their lives. The trauma inflicted on the residents is also incalculable. What has happened to our police force? For whom are they working? To keep who safe? They have become terrorists.
The second takes place in New York during the Critical Mass event one week ago. A police officer apprehended and held, then arrested and is now charging a rider with disrupting traffic ("Purposefully making cars stop and turn abruptly"), trying to run down the same officer, and resisting arrest (the defendant was then held for 26 hours). Well it was caught on YouTube and the "Officer" will now be paying the price. You can see it here in video, or follow the link and read the article I read. It is clear that the cop singled out the rider, tracked him down (the way you would track down a tackle on the football field (the cop was once an offensive tackle), and took him out in mid pedal. The cyclist goes flying onto the concrete sidewalk and is then arrested and detained. What trauma, for the cyclist, and for OUR NATION!
People! Politicians! Police! Take back our country for the right reasons! Life! Liberty! The pursuit of happiness! Not this FASCIST, AUTHORITARIAN, NIGHTMARISH VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA WE ARE ALL STUCK IN NOW!
[where: Portland, OR]
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