As if by magic ...

Today's Globe, in the Real Estate section, features a terrific article that illustrates very well, in a very practical way, the message I'm trying to get across: the RE-framing and positive description that I believe the Journey 2 Sustainability deserves. Granted, the individual described is obviously wealthy (a successful person in business and otherwise!), and has the capital and the time to do what he's doing, but the bottom line is that the renewable energy systems he's incorporated into the house have an estimated "payback period" (I hate that term) of ~7 years (at today's fossil-fuel-based utility prices of course. If anyone thinks those are going to remain flat for the next 7 years, let me know). So the "payback" is more likely going to be between 4 and 5 years. And oh, he estimates that he saved ~40% on the cost of the actual house by having it factory built, shipped to the site in pieces, and assembled in one day. Just guesstimating, but I'll bet that savings was MORE than the $84K cost increment of the renewable energy system. So the NET cost of building a much higher quality, energy-efficient and renewable energy-powered home was close to zero, if not actually LESS than a "conventional" home.
The best part is that there is an article like this just about every other week, it seems, in the papers that I read (Globe, Portsmouth Herald, NYT, Wash.Post). If you search their Archives under "renewable energy" you'll find plenty more to inform and inspire you. And if you have questions, I'd be happy to try and help!

This says it all ...

I took my kids today to the Harvard Museum of Natural History ... my first time there, and "Wow" is all I can say, it rivals the Smithsonian in content, if not necessarily in architecture. They have a terrific exhibit on global warming ... if you're somehow still unsure about the science, this is a great way to understand it. I did have a few "concerns" though with some of the assumptions inherent in the narration of what is otherwise a terrific 5 minute a/v presentation with an interesting angle: After hearing about the situation and the nature of the choices we face, vote 'Yes' or 'No' (as to whether to act and do something about it). The framing and description of options portrays (as do most "objective" sources) the sustainable path as being "more expensive" and implies that it is "difficult," etc. I'll have to go over and talk to them ... ;-)

[We] say we want a revolution ...

If you're visiting my blog as a result of my invitation to join Al Gore's "We" campaign, thanks and welcome! If not, or you haven't heard of the campaign, please check it out and join! I'm honored to be doing the work I am along with my colleagues at the Union of Concerned Scientists, and in partnership with The Climate Project, which has now trained hundreds of people from all walks of life all across the country to deliver the former Vice President's slide show, and which spawned the Academy Award-winning film (with companion book) "An Inconvenient Truth". Since he's thanked me, and I'm thanking you, you're just one degree of separation from the former VP and Nobel Prize winner yourself!!