Brandi Colander's Blog: Living Sustainably

Earth Day 2010: What Earth Day Means to Me

2010-04-22T17:14:52Z

Fortunately, when you work at the Natural Resources Defense Council-every day is Earth Day! However, this year, we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. 40 years of taking one day of the year to pause and ponder what impact our daily activities have on the only planet where we are certain that life exists.

For some, Earth Day means that they will make an extra effort to recycle. For others, it means they invest in energy efficient technologies in their home, turning a day of celebrating green into a lifetime of saving them another form of green-money! The opportunities to contribute are infinite, the quest the same. If you pause at all to reflect on this day, you are acknowledging that your heart tugs a bit and you want to do your part.

What does this Earth Day mean to me? It means that we are in a position to determine, perhaps more than any other time in history, the trajectory for the next 40 years of Earth Day celebrations. It presents an opportunity to determine how we will commemorate our planet given the advancements our society has made in education, science, and technology. I recognize that these are lofty ideals, so what can you do now?

Here are a couple of options:

Invest in green power with just three clicks of your mouse!

This site - www.greenpowernyc.com - is a joint effort by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

We created this website to provide New Yorkers with a tool to lead the way in repowering America, starting with their own homes and small businesses.

Simply go to http://www.greenpowernyc.com/ and it'll walk you these through 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Choose the type of renewable energy you want
Step 2: Choose a provider
Step 3: Fill out a short form to sign up

For more information, click here.

Get involved in your backyard (ioby)!

IOBY: is dedicated to fostering environmental action to occur precisely IN OUR BACKYARDS! ioby.org (pronounced eye-OH-be) enables you to support neighborhood level environmental projects with a few simple clicks.

This organization serves as a constant reminder that the environment that needs a little tender loving care is not only the Amazon rainforest or Arctic glaciers but the places where we work and live. There is a pressing need for your involvement much closer to home. Getting involved with ioby allows you to witness firsthand the return on your investment whether you give your time or money.

For more information, click here.

Finally, for me, this Earth Day presents a call to action. I would like to see the world make a commitment to investing in cleaner energy. Like all change, you must start at home. The United States is positioned to demonstrate a commitment to moving beyond business as usual and to remain competitive with the rest of the world by offering innovative solutions that generate clean energy alternatives. Early next week we anticipate comprehensive climate and energy legislation. 40 years from now, we should be able to hold ourselves accountable to the Copenhagen Accord, establish a competitive edge on renewable energy technology and be a global leader in developing sustainable solutions to nurture our ever evolving planet.

Happy Earth Day!

Before You Sell...Have You Completed Your Energy Audit?

2009-06-08T21:11:04Z

As state level energy efficiency initiatives and legislation crop up throughout the country, and federal energy and climate legislation looms, we are noticing new approaches to ratcheting down demand and scaling up energy efficiency occurring city by city. Effective June 1, 2009, The Austin City Council approved the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance in an effort to improve the energy efficiency of Austin buildings and homes receiving electricity from Austin Energy.

An ECAD includes an evaluation of the attic insulation, percentage of air leakage through the duct system, number of windows with direct sunlight for at least an hour per day, and the energy efficiency rating of the air-conditioning equipment. In addition, suggestions for improving the home's overall energy efficiency will be included in the ECAD audit. Austin, Texas now joins California (San Francisco and Berkeley) as three U.S. cities requiring energy audits, which on average cost owners roughly $200-$300.

With respect to a single family home, this law applies to homes 10 years or older and homes that have not participated in an Austin Energy residential energy efficiency program within 10 years, which will require an ECAD audit before being sold. In light of the current mortgage crisis and recession, many believe that while this effort is moving the ball forward with respect to energy efficiency, this ordinance makes it increasingly more difficult for people to sell their homes as they are now being raised to higher standards, one that goes beyond aesthetics and how closely located they are to a good school -- the energy efficiency of their homes!

As reported by Tom Benning's article in today's Wall Street Journal, Energy Audits Vex Austin's Home Sellers, as municipalities throughout the country forge policies to encourage energy efficiency, homeowners are becoming increasingly dismayed. However, as voluntary energy audits are increasing and many seek to take advantage of the federal stimulus grant of $3.2 billion designated for energy conservation, one can anticipate that as the real estate market is being asked to raise its energy efficiency standards, home buyers will embrace this new standard as they can anticipate reduced utility bills.

Furthermore, these audits are telling a dirty story. Of the more than 300 audits completed, Austin Energy has determined that homes were on average, leaking more than double what was recommended and attic insulation was six inches thinner than what is suggested. One can't negate the impact of yet another expense in these trying financial times. However, the long-term financial trajectory for both homeowners and those seeking to own is more sunny than bleak when taking into account the money saved on homes that make the necessary enhancements to their homes as a result of an energy audit.

One can naturally assume that homeowners who will be required to invest in improving the energy efficiency of their home prior to selling will be astutely more mindful of their next purchase or rental with respect to energy efficiency. As similar ordinances become effective throughout the country, we can anticipate that we will witness a shift in behavior and expectations with respect to real estate and energy. Dare I say that granite countertops and stainless steel kitchen appliances may be secondary to an insulated home with lower utility bills?

Austin Energy has more information on ECAD on its website.

IOBY: IN OUR BACKYARDS!

2009-06-05T23:05:07Z

Far too often, we hear cries of NIMBY: NOT IN MY BACKYARD! Well, with the recent birth of IOBY: environmental action is fostered and encouraged to occur precisely IN OUR BACKYARDS! ioby.org (pronounced eye-OH-be) enables you to support neighborhood level environmental projects with a simple click. Since NYC's carbon footprint is larger than Ireland, piloting in the City seemed appropriate and timely given the multitude of coordinated strategies currently being implemented to address these issues.

The brilliance of ioby is that it is action oriented. No longer does one need to simply hear about environmental catastrophes and feel too overwhelmed and disempowered to be part of the solution. Just a few clicks and you are no longer scared stagnant. Leveraging online microphilanthropy ioby offers you the opportunity to invest in the change you wish to see in the world, literally and figuratively.

The average project costs roughly $419. Project participants also blog about their work, which increases the level of transparency and enables you to see your money at work. The scale of these projects varies, but the collective impact is unquestioned. Here are a few of my favorite projects, clearly on the lower end:

Children's Bucket Garden and Composting:

Teaches kids about soil preparation, plant life-cycles, plant care etc.

Amount needed-$69

Naturally Made Cleaning Supplies:

Teaches adults how to make their own non-toxic cleaning supplies.

Amount needed-$87

Composting Class:

Teaches the benefits of composting, provides bins, worms and instructions on how to start and maintain a bin.

Amount needed-$115

As we witness global initiatives to move this country towards energy independence, Congress taking action to address climate change, and an environmentally enlightened generation, we should look to harness the momentum of this time. The ability to have information, in real time, to address some of our more local and immediate environmental concerns is invaluable. Kudos to Cassie, Erin, and Brandon (fellow Yalies and former classmates) for their tremendous efforts to bring ioby to fruition, job well done!

Coming soon to a market near you…Gotham Greens!

2009-06-02T16:49:33Z

Often overlooked, the agricultural sector is particularly sensitive to fluctuating energy costs and demands. Take California for example, it takes 4% of the state's electricity in order to produce, process, and store approximately 200 food and fiber crops. There is a clear opportunity for energy efficiency on a larger scale to enhance the production and quality of one of our most vital resources-food. Just imagine efficient, high-yield, year round vegetable production in premium urban marketplaces. Well New York City no longer has to wait; I would like to introduce you to Gotham Greens Farms LLC (Gotham Greens).

Established in September of 2008, Gotham Greens was born creating New York City's first commercial-scale hydroponic rooftop farm. The 12,000 ft facility will be installed on the roof of a single story building in Jamaica, Queens. This rooftop farm will grow over 30 tons of premium-quality fruit and vegetables for New York City retail and restaurant markets utilizing commercially proven Controlled Environment Agriculture techniques with unique energy saving innovations. By using on-site photovoltaic equipment for electrical needs while capturing waste heat, therefore the harvest approaches carbon neutrality. This is tremendously exciting in the world of energy efficiency!

Gotham Greens uses progressive energy efficient and sustainable agricultural techniques. They irrigate their crops with captured rainwater while minimizing their electrical load by using natural ventilation, evaporative cooling, and high-efficiency pumps and fans. Therefore, environmental benefits include land and water savings coupled with the elimination of fertilizer, pesticide, and stormwater runoff.

Recent first place winners of the Green Business Competition, the managing partners of Gotham Greens include Viraj Puri and Eric Haley accompanied by Jennifer Nelkin, the Greenhouse Director. This innovative business model offers tremendous promise for energy efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrates a paradigm shift in our approach to urban agriculture-kudos to Gotham Greens!

For additional details on Gotham Greens, please visit: http://gothamgreens.com/

FUEL: A New Documentary Film about Moving Beyond Oil

2009-01-27T21:21:09Z

Yesterday NRDC had an exclusive screening with Josh Tickell (Director) and Rebecca Harrell (Producer) of the film FUEL at our headquarters in New York City. This film is an honest account of the opportunities and challenges we face individually and collectively in supporting our energy use. From biodiesel to energy efficiency, FUEL depicts an industry at the helm of change and the paradoxes we face in making the right sustainable choices. It is engaging and ultimately inspiring while firmly setting forth the hard work that remains to be done.

This Thursday, I will be participating as a panelist to discuss the film following another screening. For more details and opportunities to see the film, please continue reading...

FUEL
CHANGE YOUR FUEL... CHANGE THE WORLD
The Picture House, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County are proud to present a FREE preview screening of FUEL
January 29th at 7pm
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion
moderated by environmentalist and film director Josh Tickell
The panel will include:
• FUEL producer Rebecca Harrell
• Chair of Environmental Protection Committee, City Council Member James F. Gennaro (24th district)
• NRDC Air and Energy lawyer, Brandi Colander
• CEO of Tri-State Biodiesel, Brent Baker
• Vice Chair of Policy for Biodiesel Industry Committee of Albany and Total Fuel Corp. founder, Daniel Falcone
• Vice President of Federated Conservationists of Westchester County and Managing Director of Sprague Energy, Steven J. Levy
Starting at 5:30 PM, tour FUEL's "Big Green" biodiesel bus!
Tickets can be reserved now at the
Picture House box office or online at
www.thepicturehouse.org
175 Wolfs Lane • Pelham, NY • 10803 • 914.738.3161

If you have yet to see it, hopefully it will be coming to a theater near you...
2008 SUNDANCE BEST DOCUMENTARY AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER
FUEL ENCOURAGES AUDIENCES TO CHANGE THEIR FUEL AND CHANGE THE WORLD
************************************************************************************************************
FUEL - The Eye-Opening Documentary that is Winning Awards & Making Headlines Across the Country -- Explores Green Energy Solutions to America's Addiction to Oil

LOS ANGELES - OSCAR contender FUEL, the ground-breaking award-winning "documentary that could," is electrifying audiences across the country by giving America a powerful wake-up call and inspiring people from all walks of life to join the green energy revolution. Nominated for the 2009 Writers Guild Award for Best Documentary Screenplay and Winner of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary, FUEL exposes shocking information about our nation's dependence on foreign oil and issues a resounding call-to-action to explore viable alternatives which provide real solutions for our future.

The film features an all-star cast and interviews with leading voices ranging from our nation's leaders to Hollywood celebrities, including: JULIA ROBERTS, SHERYL CROW, LARRY HAGMAN, WILLIE NELSON, PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER, ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR., LARRY DAVID, LAURIE DAVID & SIR RICHARD BRANSON.

First-time filmmaker Josh Tickell was selected by PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON for his Global Initiative on Climate Change. In 1997, Tickell set out on the road with a "Veggie Van" and a video camera and began filming what would eventually become known as FUEL. Over the course of his 11 year journey, Tickell traveled the world going to over 25 countries, authored two books, founded a nonprofit organization, and participated in jump-starting America's green energy movement. As it chronicles one man's personal journey to try to change the world for the better, in the process the film empowers and inspires each individual to rise to the challenge and to do their own personal best to contribute in any way they can to help save the environment and the world we are passing on to our children.

The film is currently being screened privately in select cities and will premiere in New York on February 6 and Los Angeles on February 13, 2009.

Oscar contender FUEL is in insightful portrait of America's addiction to oil and an uplifting testament to the immediacy of new energy solutions. Director Josh Tickell, a young activist, shuttles us on a whirlwind journey to track the rising domination of the petrochemical industry - from Rockefeller's strategy to halt Ford's first ethanol cars to Vice President Cheney's petrochemical company sponsored energy legislation - and reveals a gamut of available solutions to "repower America" - from vertical farms that occupy skyscrapers to algae facilities that turn wastewater into fuel. Tickell and a surprising array of environmentalists, policy makers, and entertainment notables take us through America's complicated, often ignominious energy past and illuminate a hopeful, achievable future, where decentralized, sustainable living is not only possible, it's imperative.
Change your fuel. Change the world. Watch the trailer at www.thefuelfilm.com

FUEL is distributed by Intention Media and produced by Chip Rosenbloom and Daniel Assael of Open Pictures, Greg Reitman of Blue Water Entertainment, Darius Fisher of DNA and produced by Rebecca Harrell.