Right now most people are focusing on gasoline prices - and why not? Every time you have to fill up your car's tank, you get immediate feedback on the price of oil. Shopping for food is another hit, too. But wait! - there's more!
It's summer after all. When heating season starts up again in the fall, then the big trifecta is going to hit. Think filling up your car is a problem? Wait till you get that first fill up of home heating oil. You'll have to choose between driving, eating, or not freezing. Better start budgeting now if you haven't already, because it's not going to be pretty. People are already having to get locking gas caps for their cars. You may want to get one for your heating oil filler pipe too. Oh, and if you have a fireplace? These are probably going to be in short supply, and you may want to hook up with a firewood supply now.
Several generations of Americans have gotten used to the idea of cheap oil, and our buildings reflect that. It wasn't always that way though. There are lessons from the past, and one place to get them is from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. (more)
There is a lot of interest in LEED construction these days, and it is only going to increase as energy supplies tighten. One whole town is betting its future on that, following near total devastation from a tornado. But, you don't have to start from scratch or go through a total makeover to conserve energy and do something about global climate change.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has some cogent points about older buildings in an age of energy constriction. Let me quote a few from a recent fund raising letter I got from Richard Moe, President of the National Trust.
About 80 billion BTUs of energy are embodied in a typical 50,000-square foot commercial building. Tearing down that building would negate the all the benefit of recycling more than 60 million aluminum cans!
Demolishing the building also would create nearly 4,000 tons of waste. That's enough debris to fill a train of 26 railroad cars!
It's estimated that constructing a new 50,000-square foot building commercial building in place of the old one would release about the same amount of carbon into the atmosphere as driving a car 2.8 million miles - 0r 112 trips around the world!
Some other salient points. The letter quotes the Pew Center on Climate Change estimate "that 43% of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States comes from the operation of buildings" - and that does not include those coming from all material manufacturing and transport costs associated with construction.
Every building represents a substantial investment in energy and resources and many older buildings already incorporate energy saving features: thick solid walls that are good insulators; transoms, large windows and high ceilings for natural lighting and ventilation, and they are often built with a lot more durability which makes them easier to renew. Many old buildings are already comparable to modern ones in efficiency - historic windows can insulate nearly as well as new 'weatherized' windows if they're operating properly, and can be kept so for years with proper care. And, you don't have to have new construction to make use of new technology. Older buildings can be adapted and retrofitted while still keeping their historic character. Old can go green!
There's another benefit to old buildings. They already exist in the middle of a supporting infrastructure: power lines, water, sewer, streets, sidewalks, fire and police services, etc. There's a substantial investment of energy and financial resources in that infrastructure, and that's not always taken into account when new developments are proposed. Put it another way, people routinely recycle soda cans - but what sense does it make to throw away viable old buildings or even whole neighborhoods?
A lot of the points in the letter can be found in a pdf file at the National Trust website about their new Sustainability Initiative. There are three main points to it:
• Action Step No. 1: The National Trust will work to revise current government policies that foster unsustainable development.
• Action Step No. 2: The National Trust will conduct research to inform best practices for green rehab of older buildings.
• Action Step No. 3: The National Trust will launch a major national "green building" education campaign.
While I'm really pushing the National Trust here, there are plenty of other organizations at work in this field. (Like this one, for example.) Feel free to list your own favorites in comments - the more, the better. This is going to be a "change" election year; there's no reason why local politics can't include action on the ideas brought up here, because they're finally getting some attention at the national level.
To that end, I'm going to include all of the easy tips the National Trust put together here for a Green Pledge as A) they specifically want the word spread, and B) I haven't been able to find it at their website yet. They ask people to pledge to try at least 5 of the tips. As Richard Moe says, "We can't build our way out of this climate change crisis, we must conserve our way out."
National Trust for Historic Preservation GREEN PLEDGE
In the Home:
• Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Turn lights and electronic devices off or unplug them when I'm not using them.
• Clean or replace AC/heater filters once a month.
• Use a low-flow shower head.
• Dust/vacuum radiator surfaces frequently (dust and grime impede the flow of heat.)
• Install a fireplace screen to prevent draft.
• Install an aerator in my kitchen sink faucet.
• Turn off the oven 5-10 minutes before cooking time is up and let trapped heat finish the cooking.
• Set thermostat at 68 degrees F during the day and 60 degrees at night in cooler weather.
• Set thermostat at 78 degrees F in warmer months.
• Conduct a home energy audit.
• Insulate the outside of my water heater with an insulation blanket to reduce heat loss.
• Update to a tankless water heater.
• When old appliances reach the end of their useful life, replace with Energy Star appliances.
• Fix leaking or dripping faucets and toilets.
• Seal doors, windows, and electrical sockets.
• Upgrade insulation when appropriate.
• Install storm windows/doors with screens.
• Update a roof with long term or eco-friendly shingles.
• Purchase materials locally, such as reclaimed wood and tiles.
• Hire local artisans for cabinets and wood working.
• Add deep roof overhangs to additions.
• Use paperless drywall or resin panels when constructing walls.
• Purchase antiques or refurbished furniture.
In The Yard:
• Where climate appropriate, plant evergreen trees on the north and west side of my house.
• Plant leafy trees on the south and east side of my house.
• Plant smart with drought-resistant ground-cover plants native to my region.
• Add a rain barrel to my garden for plant irrigation.
• Compost food scraps, grass, dead plants, and other yard clippings.
• Install automatic timers on outside lights.
• Install solar lights for outside lighting.
In The Community:
• Share the Green Pledge information with friends and family.
• Check local shops for salvage and eco-friendly products.
• Shop at a local farmer's market.
• Join a carpool to work, school, or events.
• Request an increase in the amount of trees and green spaces in my community.
• Contact my local government regarding official energy policies.
• Request my local government to recycle and reuse older buildings for building projects.
There you have it. Scoring at least 5 out of this should be easy - and don't be afraid to add your own ideas to the list. Want to contact the National Trust? Try here - and you might want to check out their regional offices too.