Learning to "Speak Green" with Rite Mind!!

If you are like me, learning about the "Green" industry, living sustainably, developing an "ECO FRIENDLY" lifestyle and basically getting in tune with Mother Earth, has really opened up a whole gamut of new windows and doors, while CLOSING many others!

I have come to a personal realization that whether I believe it or not, our planet, our world, our humanity, our race is right in the middle of virtually and totally re-inventing itself! Look anywhere. Look everywhere! Just LOOK! Almost everything is NOW all about getting into harmony with our homes, our businesses, our neighborhoods, our environment, each other - and mostly our planet! All this talk of "Green and Sustainability" is really about getting in TUNE with what "works" for enhancing our well being as individuals, as a community, as a collective, as the HUMAN RACE!

If we could SIMPLIFY the whole process of this re-inventing process I would like to submit that it boils down to a fundamental notion about "getting into the mind set" of BEING HUMAN IN HARMONY WITH EARTH!

If we treat her right - she will in turn treat us right with the abundance that she has en masse, and without any doubt!!

So many of us are going through all kinds of varying challenges be it financial, health, relationships... and in most of the cases I would venture to say that it all starts with something that has gone "out of sync", "out of harmony"!! Be it something in our bodies leading to dis-ease, to something related to our "egos" leading to dis-agreement(s), or our Global Economy now suffering from the dis-connect of the ever spinning wheel of "consumption"... leading to economic dis-cord.

If we can find a way to bring these back into harmony, into "rite mind" so to speak... I submit we could make a huge difference, and quite quickly!

In the meantime - as we "re-member" much of which were in truth already the "ways" of many ancient civilizations... here is a link that may help us grasp some of the goings on and pick up on some "GREEN SPEAK" at the same time!!!

http://www.metalconstruction.org/design/index.cfm?pg=greendefinitions.cfm

Let's take some time to reflect and find ways to harmonize, with our selves, with each other, with Earth Mind... and watch the way our world changes!

Feel free to voice your comments!

Cheers,

Martial

"If we change the way we look at things, what we look at changes!"

WHAT IS UP WITH ALL OUR STUFF

What is the Story of Stuff?

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

You can click on this link to watch the YOU TUBE video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8&feature=player_embedded

Or you can go direct to their website at http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html.

IT IS WELL WORTH THE WATCH!

Ever since 1981, TEAM PERKA has produced steel frames that were always intended to LAST! We give it a 40 year warranty - but it will probably last even longer! It’s made of STEEL!!! Furthermore they are designed to be “stand alone”. Which means they don’t rely on the purlins, girts and sheeting (the envelope) to give it the full CAPACITY that is needed. The frames alone are designed to take it - then adding the envelope can actually ADD MORE strength and more durability! And when you’re done with them - probably in a 3rd or 4th generation from now… you can RECYCLE it! It’s STEEL!

We believe in the closed loop designing of our frames… and doing whatever we can to help all our buildings be made as sustainable as they possibly can.

While there are some debatable comments in her presentation - this video still explains this concept of a closed loop system quite well! Whether you believe in the extreme situation of where we are as a society or not - there is still ALLOT of merit to being more responsible about consumption and being better stewards of what we DO have. These are trying times for most of us - and this ideal can go a long way to help us all both in the short term and the long run!!

We believe it’s about getting our facts straight about where we are as a race, where we’re going, where we REALLY want to go, and then collectively choosing to get there TOGETHER!

Like ANNIE says –  it wasn’t always this way –  WE CAN CHANGE!

What is Renewable Energy? A Work of Art.

When one jumps onto the “Sustainable Building” Train - the amount of information about all the various aspects of building for living sustainably, and creating a sovereign lifestyle can seem quite daunting. But like anything that is “new” - by keeping at it and picking up a little bit more each day - like a large tiny piece puzzle - with a genuine interest and desire to be the best we can be, the pieces we put together gently begin to reveal the “Masterpiece”!! And believe me - it is truly a “work of art”…

Embarking on this living responsibly through sustainability journey which is actually a returning to ancient ways of respect and appreciation for our lands and its fruit, brings one to a realization that LIVING life fully is ART. We are born with a blank canvas labelled by “our name or identity” and we thus create, re-create and co-create what it looks like and what image (legacy) we will and wish to leave behind… When you think of things in that LIGHT - it can sure make this process of “doing the right thing” for our planet and our people - an honor, a privilege, a JOY!

Not too long ago I decided to begin a process of re-inventing myself. Without dad as my mentor, partner and friend - “doing business” just wasn’t the same. Much changed. So now I look for fulfilment by the essence he left behind mixing with one that is now redefining not only me, but our world, humanity and our existence.

It’s “back to the Ancient Future” … time to rediscover the roots that makes this planet what it truly can be, in all it’s majesty, it’s beauty, it’s wonder –  A WORK OF ART.

For any of you following along the green r-evolution of our world these days, here (below) is another bit of information that can maybe add a few more pieces to the wondrous puzzle of co-creating a better LIFE on this EARTH… Please feel free to comment on this or any other blog. The Internet has helped our world become a lot smaller, allot more universal, where we can actually co-create with fellow beings on the opposite side of the world!! These blogs gives us full access to experiences, ideas, creations, “100th monkey changes” that would have taken generations to discover. Now we have access to it all virtually instantly - or as fast as we can read, interact and absorb. It is more accurate, purer and fundamentally inter-connected. So let’s use it for the greater good it can offer… and let’s share and collaborate (world wide) to more effectively truly make our planet, our homes, our lives healthier, more peaceful and the loving place to LIVE that they were always meant to be…

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Renewable energy sources are energy sources that are continually replenished. These include energy from water, wind, the sun, geothermal sources, and biomass sources such as energy crops. In contrast, fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are non-renewable. Once a deposit of these fuels is depleted it cannot be replenished – a replacement deposit must be found instead. Both renewable and non-renewable energy sources are used to generate electricity, power vehicles, and provide heating, cooling, and light.

Renewable sources of energy vary widely in their cost-effectiveness and in their availability across the United States. Although water, wind, and other renewables may appear free, their cost comes in collecting, harnessing, and transporting the energy so that it can do useful work. For example, to utilize energy from water, a dam must be built along with electric generators and transmission lines.

Renewables themselves are non-polluting, while the structures built to harness them can have positive or negative environmental impacts. For example, dams may affect fish migration but may also create wildlife habitat.

SOLAR ENERGY:
Solar technologies use the sun’s energy to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling, for homes, businesses, and industry. Despite sunlight’s significant potential for supplying energy, solar power provides less than 1% of U.S. energy needs. This percentage is expected to increase with the development of new and more efficient solar technologies.

Different types of solar collectors are used to meet different energy needs. Passive solar building designs capture the sun’s heat to provide space heating and light. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly to electricity. Concentrating solar power systems focus sunlight with mirrors to create a high-intensity heat source, which then produces steam or mechanical power to run a generator that creates electricity. Flat-plate collectors absorb the sun’s heat directly into water or other fluids to provide hot water or space heating. And solar process heating and cooling systems use specialized solar collectors and chemical processes to meet large-scale hot water and heating and cooling needs.

Solar technologies produce few negative environmental impacts during collector operation. However, there are environmental concerns associated with the production of collectors and storage devices. In addition, cost is a great drawback to solar power. Although sunlight is free, solar cells and the equipment needed to convert their direct-current output to alternating current for use in a house is expensive. Electricity generated by solar cells is still more than twice as expensive as electricity from fossil fuels. Part of the problem with cost is that solar cells can The parabolic troughs that make up this concentrating solar power system generate power from the sun on a large scale in California.only operate during daylight hours. In contrast, a coal or natural gas plant can run around the clock, which means the cost for building the plant can be spread over many more hours of use.

Around the United States, available sunlight varies considerably as a result of differences in cloud cover and latitude, and also varies with the seasons. In the summer, longer daylight hours and a higher sun angle provide more solar power, compared to the winter when the sun is up for fewer hours and at a lower position in the sky. These variations must be taken into consideration when planning solar collection facilities.

read on: http://www.nationalatlas.gov/articles/people/a_energy.html

GOAL: GETTING TO NET ZERO BUILDINGS

The more one researches about “BUILDING GREEN” - “SUSTAINABLE BUILDING” - “CONSCIOUS LIVING - the more one realizes the less one knows, and the more there is to know!! It’s wild. It’s GREAT!



There are many initiatives going on ALL OVER THE WORLD. From governments to grass roots. The great thing is were all pointing to pretty much the same end result: a NEW BEGINNING! Taking better care of our planet. Taking better care of each other. As long as we can make it into a global awareness, a “new” race consciousness - how can we go wrong?



I was speaking with a colleague recently and in our conversation we were kind of like trying to find “new” words for GREEN - or Sustainability - because we were both getting the feeling that we were almost starting to over use them. We were turning the word “green” into a verb. While there was nothing really wrong with that - we both felt we just wouldn’t want to turn all this recent “hype” into something that people just end up glazing their eyes over and taking for granted. All aspects of “GREENING” is very important right now… Let’s NOT take it for granted! In fact it was also brought to my attention that if you look around, in almost any U.S. rural town - you will find VERY LITTLE if ANY indication that anyone is “DOING GREEN”!!! There is allot of “talk” and “writing” and maybe even thinking - which is a great start - but, still, LITTLE is being DONE!



THIS IS A TIME FOR ACTION! And we must realize that EVERY action, be it turning the tap off between rinses when brushing our teeth, to installing SOLAR PANELS on our roof, WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. There is so much “waste” already going on - we can make a HUGE difference FAST!



If you haven’t already - you can start simple - change your light bulbs, shorten your shower time, control your thermostat, seal up your homes, insulate… AND, if you are in a position to build NEW, take a little bit of extra time and PLAN.



Below find a GREAT article presented by the US department of Energy - encouraging us to build with awareness.





http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/commercial_initiative/whole_building.html
THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW.



We at TEAM PERKA are committed to be part of the solution.



Cheers



Whole Building Design for Commercial Buildings
Whole building commercial design considers all components and subsystems during the initial design phase and is the most important step in achieving net-zero energy buildings. On this page you’ll learn more about whole building commercial design and find related information.



Integrated Design Is Critical
Whole building design takes into consideration site, energy, materials, indoor air quality, acoustics, and natural resources. The design team must be fully integrated early in the process to address how these elements work together. The team should include architects, engineers, building occupants and owners, and specialists in areas such as indoor air quality, materials, and energy use.



Integrated building design changes the way architects, engineers, and project teams design buildings and leads to much higher energy performance. To be successful, project teams must:
Set specific and measurable energy goals

~Develop strategies to meet the goals by planning from the top down and evaluating from the bottom up
~Create a structure that encourages communication among team members
~Make each team member accountable for successfully implementing the strategies
~Evaluate progress toward the goal frequently.

Benefits
Compared to conventional buildings, whole building design reduces the amount of energy required to operate a building by incorporating energy-saving technologies.

Benefits include:
~Reduced energy use by 50% or more
~Decreased maintenance and capital costs
Less environmental impact
~Increased occupant comfort and health
~Improved employee productivity.
~Invest Design Savings into Energy Efficiency

Architects, engineers, and project teams can make design decisions that reduce the financial impact of energy-saving technologies. For example, siting a building to maximize daylighting reduces the cost of lighting for the lifetime of the building. In addition, optimizing building envelope design will reduce heating and cooling costs. Savings from these design strategies can then be invested in higher quality windows or controls, which will also reduce energy use.

The High Performance Buildings Database provides business cases for projects across the United States and around the world. The energy, economic, and environmental performance of high-performance buildings is substantially better than standard practice.

MINING FOR GOLD?

URBAN MINING. And why not? Just one of the by-products is a much IMPROVED, cleaner environment. And if we enlist the elderly, the unemployed, those on welfare… who knows how much more good can come of it!!

Japan is a prime example… in fact their rapidly aging population is leading the way in one town to create a zero-waste community, recycling everything, including valuable gold from old phones. In this town there is no trash collection and no landfill, just people sorting their own trash into 34 categories.

See link below:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32460887#32460887
This is definitely something to think about.

read more at: http://hubpages.com/hub/Mining-for-GOLD-at-home

"BUILDING FOR CHANGE IS MORE THAN JUST BUILDINGS..."

What does Building Green Mean?

It’s time…

We need to get educated and then help educate others on Building Green!

We need to know that Perka’s Steel Frames fit perfectly into closed loop sustainability and in zero waste design systems. And they are free standing sovereign structures. You can put ANYTHING on the envelope.

Soon Team Perka will be passing on opportunities to add off grid energy systems, like solar panel packages, alternative wind energy, and sharing information among and between us as team mates, co-creators and co-spiritors on how to become more enlightened or aware of all that goes into building green - like doing our take-offs with even more diligence to eliminate as much on site waste as we possibly can. And using materials, that if not useable, can be recycled… and will be brought to appropriate recyclers…

Follow these blogs and the many others on the net - as I will be making a added special effort to passing on as much specific info about “Building Green” so we can not only help ourselves, but help each other and our planet.

THE TIME IS NOW.

Let’s GREEN UP!

VISIT http://hubpages.com/hub/What-Does-Building-Green-Really-mean

Cheers

Martial

What is "true" Sustainability?

HOW SUSTAINABLE IS BUILDING INNOVATION OR THE “NEW BUILDING” YOU WANT TO PUT UP? ARE YOU EVEN THINKING SUSTAINABILITY? - GREEN? - EARTH FRIENDLY? ENERGY EFFICIENT?

IF NOT — MAYBE YOU SHOULD. AS IN WHAT ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE BEHIND FOR OUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN?

AND IF YOU ARE … YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK OF SUSTAINABILITY IN LONGER TERM EFFECTS AS WELL…

Because, if you really think about - allot of the things we call GREEN - SUSTAINABLE - EARTH FRIENDLY… are only such for the SHORT TERM. Oh sure, their performance can have long term affects - and that is important too! But what happens when they wear out? When their performance is no longer “good enough”??? Then what? Ever think of that?

Often times - the so called Green Products we use eventually “die” and then what? Are they able to be recirculated? Recycled? Re-used? Re-stored? Revamped? Allot of time - the answer is NO! They end up in trash dumps, land fills - or worse, hidden or pushed aside to become clutter or POLLUTION in one form or another… Do we ever think of “life after death” for “things”??

The sustainability of any “product” is actually linked to the sustainability of its outcomes and to what happens after it is no longer usable! Sustainable products - or in this case “BUILDINGS” must be cognizant of how they are packaged together - for efficiency, compatibility, use and then post use… considering the energy and resources they use to construct and maintain, the wastes they produce and then how they will be disposed of. One would be surprised how much of our “products” end up in landfills because there is just nothing else that can be sustainably done with them!!! Ever think about that?

We must be sustainably innovative, not only with product performance - but with the product ITSELF! Instead of simply focusing on “energy use/consumption/saving”, true sustainable construction must view and evaluate the total package… from supply, through installation, through use/maintenance, to life cycle end use/disposal. If we don’t do that - the loop of waste does not close to ZERO and we just defer the potential problems to another generation…
Using steel where steel is needed (in super structure) - adds to a longer shelf life of your building just for starters. And when the time is up - you can take all the steel and RECYCLE it all! Of course going totally ALL -STEEL has it’s drawbacks - including being limited to shell/envelope materials… so by using a stand alone designed framework like that offered by PERKA BUILDING FRAMES, designed for easy assembly and finish friendly, you can then add on ANY other green, truly sustainable materials that are not only closed loop but ALSO appealing to look at and comfortable to work, play and live in.

After all - how we HUMANS feel as we LIVE out our LIVES - is as much about sustainable innovation as anything else. If we are happy, high spirited and filled with GOOD feelings, we not only live happier, better - but we will die happier, better too…. and leaving a healthy body, still filled with sustainable vital organs, could be the greatest gift of a closed loop system we could offer to our children’s children… don’t you think?

How’s that for closing a loop on building sustainably!!??

Let’s BUILD for CHANGE!

Cheers

"Alone we may travel quicker, but together we travel further"... author unknown

Photo taken from http://www.wholesysteminnovation.com/blog/ClosedLoopMetabolicDevelopmentSystem3.php

ON GROWING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN

An excellent site on the VALUES of and FOR co-creating a sustainable future for our CHILDREN, Our World visit: http://www.thenewgreeneconomy.com/sustainability/sustainable-values?layout=default.

Kathryn Alexander shares some awesome information on what it’s going to take for us to band together and get this done. Our way of thinking and being here at TEAM PERKA is directly in line with these effective values.

Here is just a brief excerpt from this site:

The Effective Value Set
When one engages strangers and wants to be safe, being open and transparent are necessary qualities. Consequently, the values that support effectiveness begin with; Promote Comfort and Convenience, Be Optimistic, Be Open to Inventiveness and Novelty, Compete, and Shun Force. These values allow for connection and the creation of new relationships. To develop those relationships, the following values come into play; Collaborate, Come to Voluntary Agreement, Be Honest, Use Initiative and Enterprise, Be Effective, Be Industrious and Be Thrifty. Additional values for maintaining a productive on-going relationship include; Respect Contracts, Invest for Productivity and last but not least, Dissent for the Task. People want to know, before there is an issue, if something is not right or could go wrong. This approach differs markedly from the Protective Value Set’s “Deceive for the Task.”

From these we can then spring board to the values needed for true Sustainable living…
That shift requires that we truly understand the Integrity of the Whole, that we recognize the interrelatedness and Interdependence that creates Balance through Right Relationship as expressed in Zero Waste and true Abundance. As we strive to live long on this planet, the Precautionary Principle is treated as a natural law and Future Life becomes so important and valued that All Actions Enhance Life and those that do not are considered corrupt. Because Humans are Intrinsic to the web of life, Diversity becomes valued as the key to resilience and through Empowerment people can Co-Create in a Self-Organizing way that fosters true Reciprocity, appreciation and gratitude as we move forward together.

FOR MORE INFO - VISIT http://www.thenewgreeneconomy.com/ for more info on above and or visit Kathryn’s site at http://www.ethicalimpact.com/ or her blog “Living Rthics” at http://ethicalimpact.wordpress.com/.
THE TIME IS NOW…

Cheers

Are you still wondering if Building Green is really “the way” to go?

While it is probably the fastest growing “awareness” the human race has ever grown into - one might be surprised to hear how so many of us still wonder if Building Green is “worth” it???

“Building Green” is not only good for the “environment” which it does by preserving energy by not “wasting” it needlessly, consuming less non-renewable resources by choosing smart earth friendly materials, saving time by having systems pre-thought out to not have to do things “in the field” where it can create allot of “standing around” and cost everyone allot more than is really necessary (which is also non-renewable by the way), better for our health which reduces loss of man-hours due to sick days , improving well being and morale which increases creativity, quality and productivity, and by just being THE FEEL GOOD approach to building which we all know the benefits of just FEELING GOOD — but “BUILDING GREEN” can actually save our ‘economy’; — or at least transform the illusory one we’ve been playing in, to one that is actually abundant, fair and sustainably REAL!

Read what Reuters has to say:
http://www.usgbc.org/News/USGBCInTheNewsDetails.aspx?ID=4163
More Green Building and Energy Efficiency Could Save U.S. Economy $1.2 Trillion


Source: Reuters
Date Written: 7/29/2009

The typical building in the U.S. leaks energy like a sieve and its occupants usually make the situation worse.

But businesses and individuals could stanch the flow by making simple changes that could yield a 23 percent drop in energy use by 2020, save the U.S. economy $1.2 trillion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.1 gigatons annually, according to a new study.

McKinsey & Company released its 165-page report, “Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy,” today. The U.S. Green Building Council and 11 other governmental, non-governmental and private sector organizations helped sponsor the report.
You can read GreenBiz.com Senior Writer Marc Gunther’s take on the report.

The report examines how the nation can increase energy efficiency in buildings and other non-transportation sectors using existing technology and methods — some of them are as basic as using the efficiency settings on equipment and appliances.

The study also takes a hard look at the barriers to progress, why the changes haven’t already been made and what can be done to clear the hurdles.

The report says a targeted investment of $50 billion a year for a 10-year period could produce the big savings and reductions described. In addition, say McKinsey and the USGBC, almost 900,000 jobs would be created.

“This confirms a critical path forward that we have long championed. Harnessing the engine of green, energy efficient buildings can cost-effectively drive tremendous improvements in our economy and environment,” USGBC President, CEO and Founding Chairman Rick Fedrizzi said in statement.

“Green building can stimulate the economy at a level one and a half times larger than the federal stimulus bill. In terms of climate change, a commitment to energy efficiency would be the equivalent to taking the entire U.S. fleet of passenger cars and light trucks — more than 200 million vehicles — off the road.”

CAN YOU IMAGINE? Los Angeles under truly CLEAR blue skies?

YES … Let’s Imagine That… TOGETHER.

Cheers.

DID YOU KNOW?? Another way of putting things!!

Greetings,

Perka Buildings manufactures stand alone sovereign steel frames that are specially designed for EZ install for Do-It-Yourselfers. We are also very conscious of our product and overall business carbon footprint, and choose to incorporate features into our system to save on materials, time and effort not only for assembly, but to insulate, maintain and finish. The Perka Frame is versatile and flexible enough to be able to accept virtually ANY earth friendly material for it’s envelope, thus not only facilitating the “organic home”, “eco building” or ”Greening” ideals, but also provides a still very important concern for strength and integrity for structure and content safety, including a longer lifespan which is also consistent with a closed loop sustainable construct.