12/6/2010

The Dalai Lama has said that if we have true compassion, our childeren will be educated, we will care for the earth, and for those who 'have not'.  He shared the practice below to increase loving and compassion in the world.  This seemed a good reminder to us at this time of year, so we share it with you:

• Spend 5 minute at the beginning of each day remembering we all want the same things (to be happy and loved) and we are all connected.

• Spend 5 minutes valuing yourself and others  Let go of judgements.  If the faces of the people you are having difficulty with appear, cherish them as well.

• During the day extend that attitude to everyone you meet - we are all connected, we all want to be loved and to be happy.

1/24/2011

Our founder, Kelly Karmel has been nominated to become a LEED Fellow!  The LEED Fellow Program was developed to honor and recognize distinguished LEED Accredited Professionals who have made a significant contribution to the field of green building and sustainability at the regional, national or international level.  Nominees must be LEED AP's with speciality who have held the LEED AP credential for at least 8 cumulative years and at least 10 years of experience in the green building field.  The nominators must also have the same depth of experience.  The second phase of the LEED Fellow process includes demonstrating mastery of four of five elements:

• Technical Proficiency
• Education and Mentoring
• Leadership
• Committment and Service
• Advocacy

The first class of LEED Fellows will be announced in the Fall of 2011.  For more information about the LEED Fellow program, click here.

2/7/2011

BuildingGreen has announced their top 10 green products from last year.  Products that make the list demonstrably meet the green criteria of BuildingGreen such as salvaged or recycled content, conserve natural resources, reduce toxicity, save energy and/or water, and contribute to a safe, healthy built environment.  Here are the top 10 products (for more information visit the BuildingGreen website):

• Knoll FSC-certified Furniture
• Niagra Stealth Toilet
• Electec EZ-wiring & Cabling Systems
• Obplus Wall System
• Pittsburgh Corning FoamGlas Insulation
• Xicato LED Spot Module
• Ornilux Bird-Safe Window Glazing
• Halton Heat Recovery Units for Kitchens
• Wilo Stratos Water Pumps
• Nylodeck Composite Decking