Boston GreenScene

VERGE Boston, May 13th-14th

VERGE Boston

May 13-14

7:30 AM 14th-6:30 PM 14th

Renaissance Waterfront Boston

Boston, MA

Registration Required

VERGE Boston (May 13-14) will connect business innovators, entrepreneurs, and leading public officials to illuminate the business opportunities created by radical efficiencies in energy, building, and transportation technologies.  Connect with other thought leaders and practitioners working across the diverse VERGE program tracks, including executives in energy, building management, sustainability, fleets, logistics, government, corporate financing and more.  It’s a great opportunity to get out of your silo and see what happens when people, technologies, and ideas converge. Learn more and register here.

Early Bird Price (Before April 19th): $1195.00

General Registration: $1495.00

For a Full Program of the Event: http://www.greenbiz.com/events/verge/2013/05/boston/program

To Register: http://www.greenbiz.com/events/verge/2013/05/boston/registration

6th Annual Global Environmental Sustainability Symposium: Transportation, Human Mobility, and Sustainability at CCSU

April 4th, 2013

 9:45 AM-7:15 PM 

FREE, Registration Required

Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, Connecticut

The CCSU Global Environmental Sustainability Action Coalition invites the public to learn and to teach one another about the actions that we, as human beings, must take to ensure that we live in such a way that we are able to satisfy our needs while ensuring that our children and grandchildren will be able to satisfy their own. The symposium will offer 3 classes, 2 performances, a panel discussion, a tour, and an optional attendance at the town meeting, as well as opening and closing notes from distinguished professionals in sustainability. This event is FREE: anyone can register online to show up. *Exhibitor tables are still open

Schedule

9:45-10:00 AM: Symposium opening and welcome with Dr. Charles Button and Dr. Jack Miller (tentative) at Alumni Hall

10:00-10:45: Transportation, Migration, and Sustainability in Four Worlds Alumni Hall

Dr. John Kelmelis expands upon a possibility raised by the United States National Intelligence Council when they published Global Trends 2030: Alternative World. This work explores four very possible future worlds. Dr. Kelmelis will explain what each of these worlds might mean for our future as well as what strategies we might use to make the most of each circumstance at the local, regional, national, and global levels. 

11:00-11:45: Panel Discussion: Electric Cars and Alternative Vehicles Alumni Hall

The president of the New England Electric Auto Association ( Dave Oliveria), an environmental writer and speaker (Jim Motavalli), the Senior Associates Autos Editor for Consumer Reports (Eric Evarts), and a natural gas car owner (Joe Booth) all come together in one place to talk about the real value that hybrid, extended hybrid, and electric vehicles hold. This is a special opportunity to discover what users and reviewers genuinely think about these alternative vehicles.

12:00-1:45 (*with second free registration): Water Wars Performance and Lunch Alumni Hall

While you enjoy your lunch, the Sonia Plumb Dance Company will be performing Water Wars. This is an emotionally charged piece of art that exposes the very important and very tenuous relationship that human beings have with one of our primary sources of life: water.

Enter to Win: Mass Chapter of USGBC Recognizes Innovative Green Buildings & Products

Green innovations that move Massachusetts forward are the focus of the 5th annual Innovation in Green Design Award (IGDA), given each year by the Massachusetts Chapter of the US Green Building Council (www.usgbcma.org). The two categories of awards given each year – one for buildings and building related innovations, and one for products and technologies - demonstrate the best forward-looking ideas in replicable and cost effective settings in Massachusetts.

The award is now open for submissions. The deadline is 5:00 p.m. on March 30th.

A jury of highly regarded Massachusetts practitioners and thinkers will pick the winners for 2012, with the awards presented at the 2012 USGBC MA Earth Day Party on April 12th. For more information, contact Suzanne Abbott sabbott@usgbcma.org or Jim Newman 617-699-7323
jim@linneansolutions.com

The IGDA continues to grow in breadth and importance as a showcase for the state of Massachusetts. The 17 submissions from last year ranged from a student run project to create furniture from plastic bags, submitted by Artists for Humanity, to a two-building LEED Gold commercial development in Waltham, submitted by Margulies Peruzzi Architects. Last year’s submissions also included a number of policy projects, as well, from the Green Building Guidelines for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, to a green roof study for the City of Boston – one of last year’s winners.

Boston Green Redevelopment: 82 Unit Project on the Way

By Emma Crawford

Have you ever thought it would be nice to live in a "green" apartment in Boston? Well now you can. Recently, a local organization focused on sustainable community development inititated the renovation of 82 different units of family and affordable housing in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury.

The project was put into motion by Urban Edge, a community development corporation who specializes in sustainable and diverse communities. Urban Edge is known for its strong work in the past, helping to get LEED certification and remodel a number of affordable apartments in Boston. Just six months ago, they completed a green remodel of over 100 rental apartments in the Dorchester and Jamaica Plain areas.

Their most recent project is another step along the path of the Urban Edge “integrated green” development initiative that provides low cost, environmentally sound housing which has gained lots of traction since their first project launched in 2006, which incorporated renewable energy into Egleston Crossing, a mixed-use building.

The focus of their most recent project will be an upgrade in structure and building systems, combined with alterations to meet LEED rating systems. Urban Edge will use benchmarking analysis and energy audits in an effort to help the community to meet their long term sustainability goals.

In early stages of the energy audits, Urban Edge (UE) found that the buildings were currently using anywhere from 10 to 60 percent more gas than similar-sized buildings. They also discovered that the buildings were using twice as much water.

Some goals include a 25 percent decrease in gas consumption by replacing boilers with efficiency water heating systems. Eight of the buildings will also receive new roofing systems, and the apartments will don Energy Star appliances and fixtures.

Residents will also enjoy the benefit of new bathrooms, laundry resources, insulation and remodeled kitchen areas -- while remaining affordable.

 

Remodeling Green in Boston: Improving Sustainability and Overall Health

By Krista Peterson

With Boston being one of the most history-rich cities in the nation, proper preservation and use of building materials is a matter of more importance in this city. There are some decisions in building creation that are having an effect on the health consequences of inhabitants in certain dwellings. The use of sustainable green products in remodeling, preservation, and building construction could help prevent residents from health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases.

Going green has been considered more of a luxury and not so much of a cost effective choice in the past. As the lifestyle choice is showing monetary savings, it’s also having a duel effect on our health. While asbestos use hasn’t been common for a few decades, with a number of buildings built before the 1980’s in Boston, the use of asbestos in construction was normal and commonplace for a number of local structures. Being aware of the consequences of possible asbestos materials would be particularly beneficial to long-term health for residents and building owners.

In some older buildings and structures, asbestos related substances are being released. Employees and families in older buildings may have direct exposure to mesothelioma symptoms as a result. Lung Cancer and mesothelioma life expectancy are not issues to be taken lightly.

Residents and building owners in Boston should take a look at whether or not there structures may contain asbestos related materials. Replacing these with sustainable materials would not only be energy efficient, but great for long-term health.

Image courtesy of ct.gov.

Event: Greening Government Center

 

What will Boston's Government Center look like in the next ten, twenty, or even fifty years?  The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) is partnering with private firms and local experts to ensure that Government Center and City Hall Plaza is green and accessible to all.  In December 2010, a three-day charrette was held on the re-design and now the BRA and several key stakeholders want to share these plans with the local community at a public event on Monday, February 7th.

Tim Love of Utile Inc. will be presenting the key recommendations and ideas from the charrette, and Tim Love and Gary Hilderbrand of Reed Hilderbrand will discuss their thoughts on the next steps for the green redesign of Government Center. Alex Krieger of Chan Krieger NBBJ and Ted Landsmark of the Boston Architectural College will be sitting on a panel to provide feedback on the design and recommendations. As in the last symposium, the event will provide a chance for the public to ask questions of the presenters and panel, as well as share their thoughts on the Greening of Government Center.  Should be a great event and we hope to see you there!

 

Who: You, open to the public

When: Monday, February 7th, 4:00-6:00 PM

Where: Modern Theatre, 523-525 Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, Boston

Contact: Boston Redevelopment Authority

Cost: Free 

 

EVENT: HEET WEATHERIZATION BARNRAISING

If you're looking to keep your 2011 New Year's resolution to volunteer in your community more often or to be more environmentally aware, the team at HEET has the perfect event for you.

Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) is a grassroots nonprofit that organizes free weatherization parties to teach volunteers hands-on how to lower their energy bills and carbon emissions.  HEET consults with energy experts to pass on accurate information and aims to build community, create social marketing for energy efficiency and help facilitate exchanges of ideas.  Volunteer work includes weatherizing doors, sealing windows, caulking air leaks, and programing thermostats.  You can pitch in to help a neighbor, learn skills to help you save money at home, fight climate change, and meet other concerned Bay Staters!   No previous work experience required.

Who: Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) 

When: Saturday, January 29th, 2011, from 12:30-5:00pm

Where: First Church of Cambridge, 11 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Contact: heetma.com

Cost: Free

 

EVENT: Sustainable Preservation: The Power Of Preservation/Reuse As A Green Strategy

Buildings account for nearly 40% of all U.S. energy use and carbon emissions.  With one of the country's leading preservation architects as your guide, the lecture will explore the power of adaptive reuse to reduce those numbers and move us toward sustainability.  

Jean Carroon, FAIA, LEED AP, a principal in Goody Clancy''s highly regarded preservation practice, has earned national recognition for her expertise in applying sustainable-design technology to historic buildings, including Trinity Church and more than a dozen National Historic Landmarks.  In this lecture, Carroon explores the power of adaptive reuse to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, and move us toward sustainability.  Learn how an icon such as H.H. Richardson's Trinity Church in Boston can go green and why a 1970's strip-mall supermarket not only deserves similar attention but also can emerge as a building that delights users and protects the environment.

 

When: Wednesday, January 26th, 2011, 7:00 PM

Where: Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon St, Boston, MA

Contact: Kathy Acerbo-Bachmann - kacerbobachmann@trinitychurchboston.org or go here for more information.

Cost: $15 to the general public

ARE YOU A PARENT? ARE YOU AWAKE?

by Heather Burns

I only needed to open the door a few days ago to my child's gymnasium and take one whiff of the newly polished floor to be reminded of how much work still needs to be done to create awareness, turn inaction into action and create real change when it comes to the toxic environment our children are exposed to. 

And while I may not be able to instantly control what school administrators put on floors, on the lunch menu, or on the school yards - I can create change to the degree I feel comfortable, have time for or feel compelled. 

Healthy Child, Healthy World is a stand up organization helping keep "conscious" parents like me well informed so I can make sound choices on behalf of my children. 

EVENT: HEET WEATHERIZATION BARNRAISING: 9/11

Looking to take part in the 9/11 Day of Service?  Here's a perfect way to volunteer in a green way:

Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) is a grassroots nonprofit that organizes free weatherization parties to teach volunteers hands-on how to lower their energy bills and carbon emissions.  HEET consults with energy experts to pass on accurate information and aims to build community, create social marketing for energy efficiency and help facilitate exchanges of ideas.  Volunteer work includes weatherizing doors, sealing windows, caulking air leaks, and programing thermostats.  You can pitch in to help a neighbor, learn skills to help you save money at home, fight climate change, and meet other concerned Bay Staters!   No previous work experience required.

Who: Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) 

When: Saturday, September 11, 2010, from 12:30-5:00pm

Where: Tot-Lot DayCare and Home - 65 Chestnut Street, Cambridgeport, MA 02139

Contact: heet.cambridge@gmail.com, heetma.com

Cost: Free