Out with the old, in with the new.
-The Vancouver Aquarium is renovating, as such they have demolished their green wall. A 2008 green wall of excellence, the $50,000 installation was one of North America's first green walls of significance.
-There’s a new green wall product on the market, looks like they have done some demos around the US and elsewhere under the radar, which bodes well for customers as the kinks should be worked out already. Everyone, say hello to EcoWalls.
-We will end with some October themed + Halloween music. Enjoy!!!
Vince Guaraldi - Great Pumpkin Waltz
Broken Bells - October
James Taylor - October road
Wes Montgomery + Jimmy Smith - Death March
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
A $35 million dollar green roof for Chicago?
It never fails, I blog that things are quiet...and then tons of stuff hits the web.
-A very, very, VERY big green roof is being planned in Chicago. As the article explains, the northeast section of Grant Park is built on top of a parking garage.
One question, if you're spending $35 million dollars to re-do it, how much more would it cost to save the gigantic trees? Hmm...that gives me an idea...
-Well, none of my picks for North America's top public places made Planetizen's list. But then again, I didn't really rally support for my choices. But it looks like plenty of folks did rally behind their favorite places!!!
-On Vancouver Island urban farming seems to be a huge factor in local politics, so much so some think it could be an election issue next year if a by-law allowing the commercial sale of produce from one's land is overturned.
-The latest edition of Gastronomica explores the interest and rise in urban farming. This gives us all an opportunity to stop by our local bookstores, as the issue is not available online.
-In Cleveland, the first Unitarian Church (off Shaker Blvd, if you're in the area) opened a 5,400 square foot permaculture garden last week. That's an eighth of an acre...that's pretty darn big. In theory, you could raise about 4.5 tons of produce or enough to feed a person for a whole year! And if they can devote some space to going vertical as planned??? Who knows! Kudos to them!
-A very, very, VERY big green roof is being planned in Chicago. As the article explains, the northeast section of Grant Park is built on top of a parking garage.
One question, if you're spending $35 million dollars to re-do it, how much more would it cost to save the gigantic trees? Hmm...that gives me an idea...
-Well, none of my picks for North America's top public places made Planetizen's list. But then again, I didn't really rally support for my choices. But it looks like plenty of folks did rally behind their favorite places!!!
-On Vancouver Island urban farming seems to be a huge factor in local politics, so much so some think it could be an election issue next year if a by-law allowing the commercial sale of produce from one's land is overturned.
-The latest edition of Gastronomica explores the interest and rise in urban farming. This gives us all an opportunity to stop by our local bookstores, as the issue is not available online.
-In Cleveland, the first Unitarian Church (off Shaker Blvd, if you're in the area) opened a 5,400 square foot permaculture garden last week. That's an eighth of an acre...that's pretty darn big. In theory, you could raise about 4.5 tons of produce or enough to feed a person for a whole year! And if they can devote some space to going vertical as planned??? Who knows! Kudos to them!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Urban agriculture taking hold + California adopts cap and trade
The Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition has partnered with local residents and non-profits to lobby the city council for a new ordinance that allows for on-site sales by home gardens and community gardens.
-The Feeding Asia in the 21st century conference seems to have inspired a lot of people. I am sure others have seen articles popping up from around the region, officials in the Philippines, in particular,
seem to really have embraced the idea of boosting urban agriculture investment and education.
-With so many gigantic news stories this week, California's adoption of cap and trade regulations slipped through the proverbial cracks. Will we look back and say this was big news?
-The Feeding Asia in the 21st century conference seems to have inspired a lot of people. I am sure others have seen articles popping up from around the region, officials in the Philippines, in particular,
seem to really have embraced the idea of boosting urban agriculture investment and education.
-With so many gigantic news stories this week, California's adoption of cap and trade regulations slipped through the proverbial cracks. Will we look back and say this was big news?
Thursday, October 20, 2011
New York pledges $187 million dollars for green infrastructure
Things seem to be a little quiet this week on the living architecture front. And the most interesting bits are a touch depressing, but as always we'll end on a happy note.
-The Canadian Environmental Network, "one of Canada’s oldest, largest, and most well-respected democratic institutions serving the environmental concerns of all Canadians" will not
receive core funding in 2012. It's definitely a blow to smaller environmental organizations across Canada.
-A judge who believe humans cannot produce and consume foods of their choice has joined a Monsanto Law Firm. I seriously can't make up stuff this amazing, folks.
-Lastly, and happily, multiple levels of government in New York have agreed to mitigate sewer overflow via $187 million dollars in green infrastructure. My prediction? New York is green roof capital of North America by 2017! Of course, Chicago has a head start and Rahm Emanuel wants to keep it that way, but we will see!
-The Canadian Environmental Network, "one of Canada’s oldest, largest, and most well-respected democratic institutions serving the environmental concerns of all Canadians" will not
receive core funding in 2012. It's definitely a blow to smaller environmental organizations across Canada.
-A judge who believe humans cannot produce and consume foods of their choice has joined a Monsanto Law Firm. I seriously can't make up stuff this amazing, folks.
-Lastly, and happily, multiple levels of government in New York have agreed to mitigate sewer overflow via $187 million dollars in green infrastructure. My prediction? New York is green roof capital of North America by 2017! Of course, Chicago has a head start and Rahm Emanuel wants to keep it that way, but we will see!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Controversy, controversy and more local food controversy
Not sure if the food sovereignty movement has taken a more political turn and if this article is a harbinger of things to come or if this is an isolated article, but check out how local food and politics mix in this article about a small, Maine town. From the top, an objective observer might wonder what "EPA overreach" has to do with local food. The author never says, exactly, but we are just supposed to take it for granted.
-The new trade association USFRA (which includes Dupont and Monsanto) has been formed to host some "food dialogues" in DC and to battle the "misconceptions" of movies like Food Inc. and the "Pollan-ization" of the US.
-Moving on, how much did it hurt me to read this article in the NY Times about people being forced to choose less environmentally friendly products because of the bad economy?
-Enough with the bad, on to the good! Here are a couple of new permaculture websites (new to me, at least) in Norwegian and French.
-Year 15 (can you believe it???) of Barking Frog Permaculture's online certificate course kicks off in January. Taught by Dan and Cynthia Hemenway and Robert Waldrop, get in early! And there are scholarships available for those in need.
-The new trade association USFRA (which includes Dupont and Monsanto) has been formed to host some "food dialogues" in DC and to battle the "misconceptions" of movies like Food Inc. and the "Pollan-ization" of the US.
-Moving on, how much did it hurt me to read this article in the NY Times about people being forced to choose less environmentally friendly products because of the bad economy?
-Enough with the bad, on to the good! Here are a couple of new permaculture websites (new to me, at least) in Norwegian and French.
-Year 15 (can you believe it???) of Barking Frog Permaculture's online certificate course kicks off in January. Taught by Dan and Cynthia Hemenway and Robert Waldrop, get in early! And there are scholarships available for those in need.
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