Every day 300,000 children die due to lack of water and poor sanitation. Billions of people do not have access to safe water. Environmental change threatens to make this situation worse but a more immediate danger is emerging. Control of the world’s water is falling into the hands of the rich and water may soon take the place of oil as the world’s most trade able – and coveted – commodity – not a basic human right. In a future when market forces set the price of a glass of water, will many more people will be left too poor to drink?
In honour of Earth Month, Alexander Keith’s launched the Keith’s Green Initiative in Spring 2011. This environmental video introduces the four eco-charities supporting trees, water, and conservation across Canada that will receive donations as part of this initiative. Cheers to being Green!
Dubai’s Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) launches the first “green station” in the UAE. The station features solar-powered lights, a waterless car wash system, eco-friendly products, and the vapor recovery system, a new technology that reduces carbon emission and fuel wastage.
In this Green Guide Network Exclusive, join Mahea as she tours the LPA Sustainability in Irvine, Calif. Learn about green building, sustainable architecture and the integrated sustainable design process perfected and practiced at LPA.
Enjoy a private tour of Toyota’s LEED Gold Inland Empire Technical Training Facility with Toyota’s Mark Yamauchi, LPA architect Michael McAllister, and JLC Associates project manager Sonny Scott.
The LEED Gold facility serves as a satellite location for Toyota’s Los Angeles Region. It provides professional training for advancing technology to service technicians from the local dealer base. In order to accommodate the weekly training curriculum the facility required a design with two quads. Each quad has a classroom, four service training bays, three inground vehicle lifts, an alignment rack, air compressor, and support services (restrooms, break area, storage, etc.). Two existing 10′ x 10′ roll-up doors were used for vehicle accessibility into the service bay.
Sustainable features include:
• Priority parking for carpool and low emission vehicles.
• Drought tolerant landscaping which uses recycled water for irrigation.
• Use of highly reflective roofing material which reduces HVAC energy use and minimizes the heat island effect.
• Use of waterless urinals, dual flush valve toilets, and sensor controlled faucets which reduces the amount of water wasted within the facility (by a minimum of 30%).
• Use of light fixtures with occupancy controls and daylight sensors in areas with natural light, which reduces energy consumption and utility costs.
• Optimized energy performance through the use of highly efficient HVAC units designed with multiple zones and automated controls (and no CFC-based refrigerants are used in equipment).
• 90% of eligible equipment is EnergyStar rated.
• More than 95% of all construction waste was sorted, recycled and diverted from landfills. Plus, many original building components (walls, millwork, doors) were reused in the project.
• The combination of all materials and products installed — furniture included – contains more than 20% recycled content and has proven durability for a long life cycle. More than 50% of all wood-based products used are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified.
• Use of low emitting carpet and backing, adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet, ceiling tiles, and furniture fabrics to protect indoor air quality for occupants.
• Use of no-VOC polished concrete (in lieu of the typical epoxy coating) was piloted in this facility.
• Layout of the facility was designed to maximize the amount of natural daylight within.
• 200% of the electricity for the first two years (minimum) of operation is purchased from renewable sources.
• Green Cleaning practices by use of products that do not contain harmful chemicals, are Green Seal Certified, and bought in bulk to reduce wasteful packaging.
