People often joke about living in a box as a means to convey financial desperation. Well, for many impoverished individuals around the globe, living in a box may be the next best thing. A recent earthquake in Haiti devastated the nation, leaving many people homeless, without shelter. In response to this literal housing crisis ( you thought Americans had it rough), researchers at Clemson University are looking to use shipping containers as temporary housing. Don’t call DCFS just yet. The idea is not as gruesome as it seems.

Researchers Pernille Christensen, Doug Heckner, and Martha Skinner are working on a method to convert unused shipping containers into temporary housing after disasters such as hurricanes and recently, earthquakes, that often rock the Caribbean. Many countries have hundreds of these containers that sit, useless, at marine ports. The project would utilize these containers as means of temporary housing, so that community members can work on rebuilding their own homes as well as those of neighbors while still having a place to stay. The researchers hypothesize that this situation would help build a sense of togetherness among member as well as a sense of security, in that displaced individuals would have a place to stay.

Reading the beginning of the ‘life in a box’ proposal, I have to admit I was a bit taken aback…moving people into boxes? Is this the Dark Ages? But when you take a deeper look into the situation as a whole, you realize that 1) These containers have no other use once cargo is unloaded and 2) The displaced people are often forced to live in the street when disaster strikes and the containers provide the perfect solution to a housing problem. Not only do the containers provide housing, but they make excellent use of the ‘recycle and reuse’ principle in an innovative way. So, box or street? I would take the box any day.

Homeowners in the market for a new roof have always had a reason to consider metal roofing for its environmental benefits. Now, they have even greater incentive to choose a steel or aluminum roofing product to protect their home.

Metal roofing has long been a green product. Metal roofs, for the most part, are produced from steel or aluminum that has already been recycled. They last far longer than asphalt shingles or similar products. And when the time finally comes when a metal roof must be replaced, the material is 100 percent recyclable.

Now, recent innovations in paint chemistries have made the coatings applied to metal coils before they are made into roofing panels even more environmentally friendly. Several years ago, chemical company BASF led the paint industry in the development of new pigments with additional heat-reflective properties.

“They reflect off a significant amount of the heat that comes from the sun,” explains William Hippard, president of the Metal Roofing Alliance. “You can save anywhere from 25 to 45 percent off your air conditioning bills in the summertime, because that’s how significant it is to lower the amount of heat that comes into your attic.”

The reflective properties of the new paints aren’t limited to lighter colors. Cool metal roofs reflect sunlight even in the darker shades. And the benefits are not lost during the colder months. An air pocket forms between the decking and the metal that acts as an insulator to keep heat in during the winter, Hippard says.

Metal roofing has been widely used in nonresidential construction, where builders of commercial and office space had already accepted the life-cycle cost advantages of the product even before cool coatings were introduced. But converting homebuilders and homeowners to the benefits of metal roofing—buyers for whom short-term costs and aesthetics play a bigger role in purchasing decisions–has been a tougher sell. But progress has been made on both those fronts. The opportunities available for prepainted metal roofs go well beyond a simple array of colors.

“If you like Cedar Shakes, you can get a metal roof that looks like Cedar Shakes. If you like clay tile, you can get one that looks that way, or one that looks like asphalt shingles,” says Hippard.

Historically, converting residential buyers has been hampered by the upfront costs of metal roofs, which are about 40-60 percent higher than traditional roofing materials. But some of those short-term cost hurdles have been mitigated through a $1,500 tax rebate to homeowners who put a cool metal roof on their residences.

It’s becoming a more common question. And, at the same time, a more common practice. “What is a green building?”

The official definition of that would be “the construction of a sustainable or high-performance building.” Translated, it means a building that takes into account all aspects of energy and water conservation, as well as reducing waste before, during and after the building is built. It also is a building that takes into account its occupants’ health and safety.

With far more attention being given to “going green” in all walks of life, it is becoming quite common that building and home developers, as well as buyers, are taking into account all aspects of this environmental initiative.

Several tools and guides have been created to heighten “green awareness” and help manufacturers and consumers make decisions about their current buildings and homes, or future projects.

One such site is the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s “green building” site at www.epa.gov/greenhomes.

The site has extensive information about “green building” with various graphs and informational categories.

For reducing energy use, the website offers a “Home Energy Yardstick” in which consumers can gauge their own energy use and compare it with others. It also recommends various home improvements that can be completed to reduce energy costs.

Water conservation is a key factor, and the site explains and encourages use of water-efficient appliances. It also reveals that there are products now that save water when the tap is on.

Showers represent 17 percent of residential indoor water use, the site reports, and that results in 1.2 trillion gallons of water usage each year. A high-efficiency showerhead fixture can save up to 25 to 60 percent of the water used during showers in the home, so the site recommends installation of a showerhead with flow rates of less than 2.5 gallons per minute. Most showerheads made prior to 1995 flow at more than 5 gallons per minute.

When building a home, there is an array of recycled products available, from drywall and insulation to plastic lumber and carpet padding.

The site also shares several ideas on reducing waste when involved in a remodeling, demolition or new construction project.

In addition, the site reminds us of the impact that building and development can have on our natural resources, including:

*According to surveys conducted in 2002, 107.3 million acres of the 1.983 billion acres of total land area in the U.S. is developed, which represents an increase of 24 percent in developed land over the past 10 years.

*In terms of energy, buildings accounted for 39.4 percent of total U.S. energy consumption and 67.9 percent of total U.S. electricity consumption in 2002.

*Building occupants use 12.2 percent of the total water consumed in the U.S. per day.

*Buildings, and the transportation infrastructure that serves them, replace natural surfaces with impermeable materials, creating runoff that washes pollutants and sediments into surface waters. Urban runoff constitutes a major threat to water resources, as it has been identified as the fourth leading source of impairment in rivers, third in lakes, and second on estuaries.

Strong winds have blown across Illinois’ prairies for hundreds of years, and the state’s residents have used that natural force to provide power in various ways.

But the modern-day windmill, known as a wind turbine, is getting a lot of attention in county boardrooms these days as elected officials contemplate the effectiveness, as well as the energy and cost savings of harnessing wind power to generate electricity.

Companies that specialize in wind turbines have been encouraging county officials throughout the state to consider the wind turbines, especially in light of the potential to capture some of the $80 billion that President Barack Obama had earmarked for clean energy and green infrastructure as part of the federal economic stimulus bills he signed early in 2009.

County politicians have been intrigued by the prospect of generating power in a less expensive manner, but many have been cautious as well and feel a need to obtain more information.

Companies like Chicago-based GSY Energy Inc. provide field tests to determine if the geography and wind flow through a region of a county would support the wind power. Those conducting the studies have told government officials that a wind resource (or how hard the wind is blowing without resistance) can change in as small an area as 100 feet. But they monitor entire corridor regions, which can be several miles in length, and sometimes represent a specific area of a county such as its far west side.

As the thought of 65- to 130-foot wind turbines dotting the countryside is being debated, individual landowners and homeowners have raised the question of whether a smaller model wind turbine could be purchased to power their own homes or businesses.

Interest in private wind turbines is increasing, and experts have noted that they are not a factor in either lowering or increasing property values. Despite some federal and state rebate programs that help pay for wind turbines, many counties are slowing down that process, wanting to make sure they have clear ordinances and guidelines in place for their installation and use.

It is widely known that Holland has long used windmills and wind turbines for power, but those in the industry also remind politicians contemplating their use that states like California and Kansas utilize wind turbines.

For now, it is clear that wind turbines are going to be getting much attention and study in the near future as states weigh the pros and cons of their effectiveness, while also wanting to be part of any federal funding that promotes green initiatives.

Cities across Illinois are lending residents a helping hand–and a calculator–to help control energy costs and conserve energy resources. Members of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency are able to gain access to Home Energy Calculator software provided by Atlanta-based Apogee Interactive. The calculators are presented as part of the city website, allowing users to click on and get various estimates of energy costs.

The user inputs data based on energy use in the home, and the calculator outputs annual and monthly estimates while reminding users that “the results are not intended to be extremely accurate, but rather to provide a comparison platform to give you the differences between the energy your home is currently using (the “Base House”) vs. various ‘Scenario’ variations.” The user can then view the annual and monthly costs of the different scenarios.

The program, called the HomeEnergySuite® on the website, can answer many questions for consumers, from how much energy it takes to watch television to how much money can be saved by possibly replacing the windows in your home with more energy-efficient models. Users enter information in up to 22 categories about their homes, including type, square footage and lighting. The calculator uses weather measurements that are representative of the city where the user lives, which are then used in calculating electricity and fuel costs on a monthly basis.

City officials who have placed the Home Energy Calculator on their websites generally encourage residents to try the calculator as a way to save money or help determine if a purchase, such as new windows, can save money over a long period of time. An interactive house illustration is used to give users various energy-saving tips throughout a household.Cities that incorporate the calculator are promoting the common sense of saving money in a down economy, while also conserving energy, which should become a lifelong habit for everyone.

Small wind power, an often under appreciated segment of the broader renewable distributed energy generation industry, is finding an increasing number of niche applications in residential and commercial markets. According to a recent report from Pike Research, Boulder, Colo., the global small wind market is poised for strong growth in the next few years, with revenues forecast to expand from $203 million in 2009 to $412 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of nearly 20 percent. During that same period, worldwide installed capacity of small wind turbines will increase from 49 to 115 megawatts.

“Small wind energy is less expensive than solar on a cost per watt basis,” says senior analyst David Link, “which is driving more and more businesses and rural consumers to give it a second look. In addition, we are seeing increasing government support for small wind.” Link adds that the applications for small wind include residential off-grid power, agricultural applications, community microgrids, schools and government buildings, and remote telecom network power, among others.

However, Link notes, key market barriers include intermittent reliability of power, permitting and siting challenges, and a general lack of suitability for off-grid applications. For these reasons, small wind turbines, using a variety of innovative designs, are most often used in conjunction with other energy sources including solar photovoltaics, diesel generation or battery backup power.

Pike Research’s study, “Small Wind Power,” analyzes the global opportunity for small wind power in the context of the broader renewable distributed energy generation market. The study covers key business issues and drivers of demand, including government-driven legislation and incentives as well as market-based factors. Forecasts include worldwide small wind generation capacity, system revenues, and installed prices through 2013. An executive summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website, www.pikeresearch.com.

Living in the Chicago, the only erosion I tend to worry about is the kind that results in decaying roadways, ergo creating construction zones and traffic jams that cause me to lose hours of my life stuck in traffic. I hear about erosion problems in the plains; about dust storms and flat, dry land that’s left unprotected from elements that sweep it away. Occasionally, I visit a relative’s home on Lake Michigan and notice the subtle wearing-away of the giant bluffs lining the shores.  This prompts me to think more about people who actually face the threats of erosion on a daily basis.

Although the farmers in the plains of the Midwest go to great lengths to prevent harmful erosion in their fields, it is the inhabitants of the oceanic coastlines that really make me wonder. My brother lived in the Florida Keys where, in some spots, the land is only inches above sea level. Oceanside dwellers are repeatedly blasted with hurricane winds and waves that flood their shores and quickly overtake their homes and businesses. Having so little land to begin, they cannot afford to lose any more ground to erosion.

According to the National Weather Center, the U.S. endured 273 hurricanes from 1851-2004, 92 of which were classified 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale. In 1992 Hurricane Andrew ravished through the Florida leaving an unprecedented path of destruction, and in 2005 Hurricane Katrina showed us how hellacious mother nature can be.

In Katrina, Louisiana learned how delicate their land was as it was swept away at hurricane force. The sudden deluge submerged miles and miles of land where homes, schools and businesses were built. People who had never questioned the stability of their homes were overcome as their foundations literally washed away from beneath their feet.

The devastation of a natural disaster can truly destroy the very basis of our lives. Whether its something small like a decaying roadway or a diminishing shoreline or something drastic like the erosion in the plains or a hurricane-ravished coast, the natural erosion of our land is a serious problem. Whether you recognize it or not, the earth is our foundation and, although we treat it as though it can take anything, it is a precarious element and we must be careful to conserve it.

More, more, more-the classic mantra of American society. Thriving on anything that is bigger and better than their neighbor, Americans have truly embraced the definition of consumerism. Although this gaudy materialism is not always healthy, for us or the environment, many companies and newspapers are stepping up and encouraging consumers to cut back in order to save money and resources. Especially with the current recession, any money saving tips are greeted with more than open arms. And if you are helping the environment while you are at it, kudos to you.

A recent article from Parade magazine introduced some tips to readers that are both eco- and wallet friendly. The article presents 5 tips that cover different aspects of readers’ lifestyles, discussing anything from laundry use to gas mileage. These tips are great for those who are new to conservation practices. But if you really want to stretch your wallet and lessen the burden on Mother Nature, here are some ways to take those tips even further.

1. Plant a rain garden- This will not only reduce your water needs, it will practically eliminate them. This type of garden works by planting a variety of native plants in an area close to a pipe that drains rainwater from your roof directly to the garden. The garden is watered every time it rains, keeping storm water from flooding your house and the streets. If you live in a dry area, planting plants that are native to your area will dramatically reduce your watering needs.

2. Always turn off the appliances that you do not use often. That plugged in crock pot that only gets used when grandma comes into town? No need to have it plugged in 24/7. In fact, unused but plugged in appliances can contribute about 20% more to your utility bill.

3. Low on funds? Forget shopping, try swapping. Get some friends or neighbors together and host a clothes exchange. This provides you with an alternative to spending money for a new wardrobe and allows you to get rid of those clothes that have been sitting around. The old saying goes ‘one man’s trash in another man’s treasure.’

4. Don’t just slow down, buddy up. Carpooling can save you quite some money on gas bills and also make that morning commute to work less of a chore. If you don’t live too far, why not bike to work? Biking provides an excellent source of fuel economy (infinity!) and doubles as exercise- a great way to squeeze in some cardio into that busy schedule of yours.

5. Laundry cycles are guzzlers of both energy and water. And because you don’t want to reek at the office, not washing your clothes is NOT an option. One option is buying a ‘smart’ washer such as the LG Steam Direct. It is a combination washer and dryer that weighs your load before you wash to determine how much water to use. It washes and dries clothes using a steam technology in which moisture is carried away by hot air, condensed by cold mist in a separate chamber and then exits the system.

It is one of the greenest industries but also one of the most un-eco-friendly. How is this possible? Welcome to the world of gardening. Designed to enrich one’s surroundings with plants and trees, in reality, this industry has some of the most harmful environmental practices. An article by the Chicago Tribune titled “Push is on to green up the gardening industry” reveals how plastic is being thrown away and not recycled at gardening centers and at the homes of consumers who purchase from them.

Plastic is the problem. Most flowers and other plants come in plastic trays, pots, and flats that do not indicate they are recyclable and that most garden centers will not take back to recycle. The article features the stories of many frustrated gardeners who have been turned down at the door when they asked the stores to recycle. Unable to recycle, they were forced to throw the plastic away. This last-resort practice contributes to millions of plastic pots accumulating in landfills, never to be reincarnated.

The reason for this mass exodus of plastic? Simply, cost. Plastic pots are cheap to produce, cheap to ship, and easy to store and display. But with millions of flowers being bought and planted each other, tons of plastic is being wasted.

In order to mitigate this waste, consumers are urging gardening centers to recycle. And this may be happening quicker than expected. With rising oil prices and the threat of a diminishing supply of oil in the horizon, it is in the best interest of the gardening industry as well as other businesses to implement recycling programs to help offset costs and waste. Besides recycling, representatives of the Illinois Green Industry Association are pushing for a biodegradable pot that can disintegrate in soil. It may be a while before this idea is put into practice, so for right now recycling is the best option. The time has come for each industry to be scrutinized for its polluting practices, no matter how ‘green’ they claim to be.