As a unit owner in a large condominium, as well as a board member; I have realized that condominiums present great challenges in 'going green', or at least implementing as many environmentally sensivtive products and procedures during the construction phase or repairs/improvements/retrofitting, etc. However, I try to see the other side of this drawback, and that is if you are able to implement a handful of 'green' products or procedures, the exponential effect can be much more considering the nature of the condominium. Meaning, you are not affecting 1 household, rather 300 households (or however many units); and that can really add up to some serious monetary savings, reduced carbon footprint, water and energy conservation, better indoor air quality, etc.

So how many caught the June 4th launch of Discovery Channel's Planet Green - a 24 hour "eco-lifestyle" television network?  One of the programs, Greenovate, has actually been around for a while; first on Discovery Channel then on TLC.  It is similar in format to "This Old House" or other home improvement/remodeling shows, but with a "green" twist.  I particular like the emphasis on increased re-sale value, in addition to environmental sustainability and utility savings.

I usually report on local events, but the news that Global Green USA’s first green house in hurricane ravaged New Orleans has been completed is cause for celebration. 

From the May 15 press release:

The Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC, has just issued a report (based on 2005 data) ranking the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area at 28 out of the 100 largest metropolitan areas for best overall carbon footprint.  We ranked ahead of all other Florida cities included in the study.  The Tampa/St. Pete/ Clearwater area ranked 47th, while Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice and Jacksonville were towards the bottom with 81 and 80 respectively.  Cape Coral/Ft. Myers ranked 70, Palm Bay/Melbourne/Titusville scored a 59, and Orlando came in at 54.  Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, along with several other Florida cities, did even better in the portion of the study that examined only per capita carbon emissions from residential use.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released their "Top Ten" lists of utility companies' "green power programs."  Per the U.S. Department of Energy's website:

NREL has compiled extensive data on utility green power programs and produced the following "Top Ten" lists of program characteristics and results: total sales of renewable energy to program participants; total number of customer participants; customer participation rates; and the lowest premium charged to support new renewables development.

And Florida Power & Light made two of the lists:

Take a breath, a good deep breath. Now hold it…hooold it. OK, go ahead and let it out. You feel that? That’s our good Mother Earth keeping you alive.  Tuesday,April 22 is Earth Day - Join us in celebrating and helping to make sure that our children and our children's children will be able to celebrate Mother Earth. 

New to the whole “green” scene? Here’s some fun content to get your feet wet:

Did you know that a high-efficiency washing machine can reduce energy use by up to 70% and reduce water use by up to 50%.  Did you know that Miami-Dade County is offering you even more incentives to “go green” with a new high-efficiency washing machine?

Looking for an activity for the whole family, or maybe just a solo sojourn? The Global Groove, taking place at The Arts Park at Young Circle in Downtown Hollywood in South Florida may be just the thing for you!

Saturday, April 5th from 4 to 10 PM, this free eco-diversity event features Multi-Cultural Music and Dance and Green fun. Children’s activities include a Trash to Treasure Recycled Art Project, a Kids’ Ecology Corps activity, an IGA fishing game, surfriders longboarding, and performances by Fantasy Theatre Factory, Gold Coast Theatre Magic and wildlife from Jungle Island. For adults, there is music and dance from around the globe, native costumes, and a concert in the amphitheatre at 8 PM.

Florida State Public Service Commission is expected to rule today in favor of "net metering" that will require Florida Power & Light to buy the excess power produced by homeowners and businesses using solar panels.  It's about time!  This ruling will be one of the key factors, in my opinion, to encourage homeowners and businesses to install renewable energy sources like solar panels.  Combine this with tax credits/rebates, direct savings on utilities and better solar technology, solar power in the Sunshine State just makes sense.