tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9912774.post409251515704800791..comments2023-10-24T10:45:07.876-04:00Comments on Kudzu, Mon Amour: how do you "go green" in the ghetto?Queen Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524984418016215108noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9912774.post-61801870695245190672008-05-09T14:38:00.000-04:002008-05-09T14:38:00.000-04:00I went to a sustainability festival over the weeke...I went to a sustainability festival over the weekend and they handed out useful tips on which foods are high pesticide risk (If you can, buy these organic) and the low pesticide risk (less need to buy organic) produce.<BR/><BR/>High Pesticide Risk: Apples, (imported) grapes, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, spinach, celery, nectarines, strawberries, peaches, cherries, pears, & sweet bell peppers<BR/><BR/>Low Pesticide Risk: Asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, sweet corn (frozen), kiwis, mango, onions, papaya, sweet peas (frozen), & pineapples<BR/><BR/>For more info and the full list you can check out http://foodnews.org/Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04703162879434280167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9912774.post-64210393266880000632008-05-09T10:28:00.000-04:002008-05-09T10:28:00.000-04:00what cool suggestions you've got. i'm going to tal...what cool suggestions you've got. i'm going to talk to my super about some of these things, the very next time i can find him.<BR/><BR/>in the meantime, i did a little research and found out that whether it's <A HREF="http://www.dwell.com/info/about/6305062.html" REL="nofollow">a newly renovated brownstone</A> or the first <A HREF="http://www.greenhomenyc.org/page/bldgprofile?year=2005&building_id=6" REL="nofollow">smart and green</A> building uptown, harlem really is going green. who knows? maybe the next building (or townhouse!) i move into will be a green one.Queen Estherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07524984418016215108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9912774.post-68606829461985514912008-05-07T14:50:00.000-04:002008-05-07T14:50:00.000-04:00It's true that the Pacific NW has been pretty eco-...It's true that the Pacific NW has been pretty eco-friendly for several years. NY has NYSERDA that is doing a lot of research and development of similar programs.<BR/><BR/>This one sounds like the right place to start. It's aimed at apts that meet certain criteria. You may just want to call or email them. <BR/>http://www.getenergysmart.org/MultiFamilyHomes/ExistingBuilding/BuildingOwner.aspx<BR/><BR/>If you landlord needs convincing they have a loan program. The landlords are usually asking what's in it for them and they list it out right there on the page: Improve the value of your building, provide tenants with a comfortable and affordable living environment, & save thousands on annual energy costs<BR/><BR/>One thing I wish is that I could become a super of a building. There are so many little decisions that they get to make on a daily basis that could make a difference to us as the tenant. Instead of buying that bath fixture with 6 100watt bulbs buy one that has a single T8 linear fluorescent that can put out just as much light for tons less energy.<BR/><BR/>One of things you could do it ask to see where they buy the appliances, fixtures and water heaters from. Then you can check in energystar.gov to see if there are similarly priced items that use less energy. Then propose they just start buying those products instead. They may even qualify for incentives if they start buying energy star vs what they currently purchase. The fact that they pay for the water bill is a great way to start getting them to think about using more efficient water heaters (that can be purchased through a loan from NYSERDA) and pipe wrap. It lowers their operating costs right off the top. The payback on these water heaters would be so quick for them too. It may be a bit more costly to purchase up front, but over the life of the water heater they are going to save a lot the money going into heating that water since it's better insulated and designed.<BR/><BR/>If you could let me know what utility serves you I could possibly find some good incentives.Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04703162879434280167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9912774.post-76612821700562564812008-05-06T08:34:00.000-04:002008-05-06T08:34:00.000-04:00what you've described is a really great idea. i wo...what you've described is a really great idea. i wonder how many other states have such legislation in place?<BR/><BR/>obviously, when you live in an apartment building, it's the owner's responsibility to do the right thing and the government should offer incentives or something to encourage that because it's so costly. still and all, i wish i could stick a solar panel out my window, or a windmill, or something. if someone ever figures out how to make solar panels for individual apartment dwellers, they're going to make a huge fortune.<BR/><BR/>i could be wrong here but hasn't the pacific northwest always been ecofriendly? at least everyone is sort of geared towards doing the right thing. not necessarily so for this city. if the apartment buildings in the city could consistently sort/separate their garbage properly, we'd be batting a thousand.<BR/><BR/>i know that bloomberg has decided to <A HREF="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/04/08/2008-04-08_city_buildings_going_green_solar_panels_.html" REL="nofollow">add solar panels to city buildings</A> in the near future and that's great but what's obvious is that this "going green" stuff is going to have to happen in phases and its going be really expensive -- as if NYC isn't pricey enough!Queen Estherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07524984418016215108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9912774.post-85259136872218170202008-05-05T18:15:00.000-04:002008-05-05T18:15:00.000-04:00I, too, live in an apartment and don't have much c...I, too, live in an apartment and don't have much choice over a lot of things that could easily save energy. I am lucky though. I have been a part of energy efficiency programs in the pacific Northwest for the past 4 years and know where to look to get my landlord help. I either email or stop in to talk to my landlord about these services. There is a program currently running in the greater Seattle Area that is directed at saving Multifamily buildings (apartments) money on their electricity bill. We do direct installation of CFLs and water saving measures into apartment complexes as well as help the owner work with the utilities and contractors in the area to provide lower cost insulation and windows. Washington just signed I-937 which requires all utilities that make a certain amount of revenue to do all cost-effective energy conservation programs or pay that money to the state government. Basically these programs are out there for the most part and the utilities are beginning to be required to help out. Sorry for the rant!Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04703162879434280167noreply@blogger.com