GreenPointCoach's Blog

Another Kind of Pollution to Have on Your ‘Radar’

greenpointcoach — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 23:04:17 +0000

Just last week, I spent the day in a local hospital’s ER with one of my employees. The good news is that she received excellent care in a facility equipped with amazing, state-of-the-art electronic equipment that made diagnosis and monitoring her condition fast, efficient, and accurate. The bad news is that all of this wonderful equipment is also creating an ‘invisible pollution’ affecting the indoor environment in the hospital. The healthcare professionals and the patients may not realize the effects of this hidden pollution, or that it even exists.

This kind of pollution has crossed my personal ‘radar’, and I’ve become more concerned about the affects on our families’ health and wellbeing. This is the invisible EMF and EMR pollution present in increasingly high levels both indoors and outdoors, everywhere in the world. EMF (electromagnetic frequency) and EMR (electromagnetic radiation) is generated by the technology that is enhancing our work, entertainment, and home environment – created by computers, cell phones, cordless phones, WiFi, flat screen T.V.s, microwaves and Smart Grid technology – all of the wonderful technology that we just can’t seem to live without.

You may have seen the articles recently in Prevention Magazine or GQ Magazine and Devra Davis, Phd’s post last May in the Huffington Post. This, to me, is a cause for concern. We definitely need our technology, but we need to also be aware of what it may be doing to us, and find ways to protect ourselves, and our families.

I’ve been researching online, as well as talking to health care professionals who’ve directed me to some very interesting scientific studies, and also shared their own stories of experiences with patients; people with autism, ADD., cancer, immune deficiency disorders, and many other common conditions. Dr. Thomas M. Rau, Medical Director of the Paracelsus Clinic, Switzerland and Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD, Director, Klinghardt Academy of Neurobiology who is an expert in the health consequences of electromagnetic fields and a leading educator of physicians, have audio recordings that are very interesting. http://electromagnetichealth.org/audio-archives-and-more/#patients

So that’s the bad news! Now for the GOOD NEWS!

A couple months ago, my guest, on Good and Green Radio, Asha Stokes, introduced me to Gia Wellness and the product solutions this company has developed to protect people from the EMF/EMR pollution in our environment. I’ve been so impressed by the demonstrated affects of these products, and have equipped my own family’s cell phones and lap tops with Cell Guards and Universal Guards. I’ve also been wearing the GiaLife Pendant, which reinforces my body’s bio-field to help resist the external & internal stressors of EMF/EMR pollution – and I can actually feel the difference.

The more I learn about this company and these solutions, the more I want to share the information with my family, friends & clients. Something so simple, and inexpensive that can have such profound effects is definitely worth sharing and ‘paying forward’.

Let me know if you are interested in learning more about EMF/EMR pollution, and the Gia Wellness solutions. I’d be happy to share more of the research and information about Gia Wellness.

Ever heard of rubber tree wood? Is it a sustainable material for a cutting board? – Green Home Guide

greenpointcoach — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:44:33 +0000

Ever heard of rubber tree wood? Is it a sustainable material for a cutting board? – Green Home Guide.

Replacing Furnaces & Air Conditioners

greenpointcoach — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:55:59 +0000

This question was posed on a community-networking site in the San Francisco Bay Area. I thought it would make a great topic for my new post, so here goes!

“It looks like we are facing replacement of our furnace and air conditioner soon. I’m sure that a number of residents have done a thorough exploration of what the most energy efficient HVAC systems are available on the market. I would love to tap into the collective wisdom and find out what you have discovered.”

The ‘Systems-Approch’ – A Critical Principle of Sustainable Design & Green-Building

Green Remodeling is really a ‘systems-approach’ to doing the things all homeowners have needed to do since, well – becoming Homeowners, like upgrading, replacing, maintaining all parts of their most valuable asset. By systems-approach, I mean that a building functions much like our body. There are various systems that need to be integrated and balanced to function most effectively. When one system, like the HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) system, or in our bodies, the nervous system, is impacted, it affects the other systems, as well.

This means that when replacing your furnace and air conditioner, if you want to get the most in regards to energy efficiency, you need to look beyond just the equipment. Buying a 90% efficient furnace and installing it in a ‘leaky’ house is not only a waste of money, but a waste of energy – your energy and that which you are trying to use to increase the comfort of your home.

So, along with researching the most energy-efficient equipment on the market, you need to be aware of building physics, and how an energy-efficient home performs – and make sure your home’s systems will function in the most integrated and balanced way.

The First Step: Get a Home Performance Assessment by a Qualified, Certified Professional

A certified professional will perform an extensive audit by pressurizing the home and using specialized equipment to discover where the conditioned air is leaking out, and where the unwanted outside air is coming in. The auditor will also conduct a Standby and Operational Loads Analysis and recommend strategies to increase energy-efficiency, like sealing of penetrations to the thermal barrier, replacement of leaking, uninsulated heating ducts, and installation of attic, wall, and water line insulation. These are all relatively low-cost ‘upgrades’ that can have big results in the overall comfort of your home – and your new furnace will work much more efficiently.

At Spectrum Fine Homes, the remodeling company I co-own with my husband, Bob Davis, we believe in using a ‘third-party’ Home Performance Specialist. We have been working with Suzanne Emerson, Emerson Environmental for the past couple years. The report she gives to the homeowner is comprehensive, and offers suggestions and options that are tiered in complexity of implementation.

Some HVAC contractors offer this service, too, but I think having a ‘third-party’ professional do both a ‘Test-In’ and a ‘Test-Out’, after the ‘retrofitting’ is finished, is your best assurance that things are done properly.

Implementing Strategies to Increase Energy-Efficiency & Comfort

For implementing the options that require help beyond the homeowners’ capabilities, we recommend using licensed, certified, and insured professionals. If there are three or more things needing to be addressed, (like sealing penetrations, insulating, new HVAC system, electrical, plumbing, drywall or painting work) we highly recommend using the services of an experienced, licensed, certified, and insured General Contractor to professionally coordinate and manage the project.

A good GC will have a team of reliable and expert ‘Trade-Specialists’ to perfectly match to the needs of your project, and will assure that the job is done right and in a timely, professional way. Great project management skills and experienced professionals will make the experience of having work done on your home as pleasant and stress-less as possible.

The HVAC System – Options You May Not Have Considered

I’ve mentioned 90% efficient furnaces a couple times. What, exactly, does this mean?

The most important thing to remember is that your new furnace needs to be properly sized utilizing ‘load-calculations’ based upon the results of the Home Performance Assessment and the suggested strategies that you’ve now implemented (sealing air penetrations, adding attic insulation, etc.)

An oversized furnace (one whose capacity is too large) costs substantially more to operate than a correctly sized furnace. This is because oversized furnaces will cycle on and off more often than correctly sized furnaces. Cycling on and off is more expensive than running at steady state. High efficiency furnaces cost more than average and low- efficiency furnaces. However, they tend to cost less to operate on a month-to-month basis as they use less fuel to generate the same amount of heat. Therefore, after a given payoff period, high efficiency furnaces tend to cost less than low efficiency furnaces. (One of the things I love about Suzanne Emerson’s reports, is that she includes this cost/benefit analysis for a 90% efficient furnace, and you can determine whether it’s worth it to you to invest in this kind of equipment.)

A properly designed HVAC system is critical, too. I’ve seen many homes with two furnaces where really only one was needed. A good HVAC ‘Trade-Specialist’ can design an efficient, zoned, system, with equipment sized to accommodate the specific needs of your home. Just buying equipment off the shelf and plugging it in isn’t the best way to maximize energy efficiency and comfort, or your budget.

A traditional gas fueled furnace/AC unit is only one option to consider. There have been some exciting HVAC innovations in the last several years. Consider installing a solar- thermal system that both heats your domestic water supply – and with the use of a heat-exchanger connected to a high-efficiency water-heater like the Phoenix , can provide heat through your existing heating ducts. This is a great option if your water heater is approaching the end of its lifetime, or you’ve been considering a solar- thermal system. Solar-thermal installations require less sun than photovoltaic (electricity producing) systems, and are less expensive to engineer, purchase, and install. Plus, the Stimulus Incentive 30% tax credit given for installing energy-efficient systems makes this option very affordable, especially when you consider the operating costs over the life of the equipment – the cost of the ‘fuel’ (the sun) is free.

Don’t Forget the ‘V’ in HVAC

As your building envelope is tightened with the sealing of penetrations, the need for good ventilation becomes paramount. Many of the products and materials we bring into our homes potentially off-gas toxic chemicals into the indoor environment. These can include the ‘open-combustion’ equipment like some furnaces, gas fireplaces, and gas ranges, to furnishings, clothing, cosmetics, and cleaning products. Studies have shown that the indoor environment of our homes is often more unhealthy than outdoors! This definitely affects the health and comfort of our families and our homes.

The new California Title 24 Energy Code, implemented on January 1st, 2010, addresses this issue for new residential construction and major remodels. Code now requires properly sized, continuously running, mechanical ventilation in homes, so that unhealthy air is vented out, and fresh air is mechanically vented into the home. Calculations are required to determine adequate air-exchanges for the occupancy of the home.

Supplying proper mechanical ventilation is not difficult, and not intrusive to the function or aesthetics of your home. It can be accomplished by installing a properly sized Panasonic Whisper Green ventilating fan in a bathroom or laundry-room. This piece of equipment is so quiet that you don’t even know it is running, and is Energy Star Certified, so running it constantly doesn’t dramatically affect your energy costs.

My company, Spectrum Fine Homes, is offering a free Whisper Green ventilating fan to any new remodeling client – we so believe in the value and necessity of proper ventilation for both your family’s health and for the comfort of your home.

Again, balancing the systems of heating and ventilation, contribute to both energy efficiency and healthy indoor air quality. Remember – it’s all integrated.

Cooling Your Home

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are blessed with a year-round temperate climate. Very rarely do our summer temperatures exceed 100 degrees, nor do we suffer with high humidity levels. The potential to ‘passively’ maintain comfortable indoor temperatures in the summertime increases when you give attention to the holistic, systems-approach to designing, building, and maintaining your home. T

he very first consideration should be how your home is oriented to the sun, the prevailing breezes, and to the natural environment of the site. Your home will get the most ‘heat-gain’ from the south-west exposure, so providing shade, either with plantings or with architectural overhangs or garden structures, can keep the interior of your home several degrees cooler in the warm months. If you have a lot of windows on the southwest side of your home, the type of window glass, as well as your choice of decorative window treatments can make a difference, too.

If your home is oriented to receive the prevailing breezes through open windows, especially, from a shaded, northern exposure, it makes sense to take advantage of the natural cooling effect of fresh air. I also like using skylights that open to create a natural convection effect, where cooler air comes in the windows and warmer air rises and escapes out the skylight. Placing the skylights with the correct orientation to the sun, and making sure that the windows open correctly so they don’t actually block the breezes, is important in passive cooling, too.

Hopefully, the changes you made to your home after the Home Performance Assessment included adding adequate attic insulation and sealing up any air leaks around penetrations into the attic from recessed light fixtures. In warm weather, attics can reach temperatures well over 100 degrees, and if your living spaces are not sealed and insulated, this hot air will be entering, and really affecting the comfort of your home. The addition of a ‘radiant barrier’ in the attic, and also using ‘cool-roof’ material choices, can also help keep your home much cooler and more comfortable.

You may also want to consider a ‘whole-house fan’ as part of the HVAC system. This piece of equipment can help keep your home cool instead of using a traditional air conditioner that cools the air that it blows through the ducts. The whole-house fan will bring in fresh air from the outdoors and mechanically vent out the warm indoor air. There is a good explanation of this type of system at http://www.wholehousefan.com/ Whole-house fans can provide the Title 24 code requirement mentioned earlier in this post, as well. They are also more energy-efficient and much lower in operating costs than central air conditioning.

With all these more ‘passive’ cooling options, you may not need mechanical cooling from a traditional air conditioner. But if you still want to go the central-air conditioning route, here are a couple considerations:

At the very minimum, make sure your ducts are sealed and well insulated. It makes absolutely no sense to chill air at the AC unit, and blow it through metal ducts in an attic that is 120 degrees. These metal ducts, through the physics’ principle of conductivity, will be over 100 degrees, and very quickly that chilled air will be warm air blowing through the vents into your ‘conditioned’ space. You are now uncomfortable AND paying extra utility costs for heating your home in the summer – and wondering why it’s so uncomfortable when you know you just installed a new air conditioner!

Air conditioners, like furnaces, need to be properly sized for the needs of your home. There is some great information on the Energy Star website about how and why air conditioners need to be sized. If you’ve done the basic, low-cost, home improvements suggested in the Home Performance Assessment, you will be able to use a smaller, more efficient air conditioner, and save in both upfront equipment costs as well as in operating costs.

Parting Thoughts

Hopefully you will find some information here to help you make an informed decision about replacing your furnace and air conditioner. As you can see, I think it’s a much more involved decision than just choosing the most energy-efficient piece of equipment. I think it takes looking at things very holistically, understanding ‘building science’ and really taking the ‘systems-approach’ to understanding your individual home’s needs.

For more information check out Suzanne Emerson’s website, Resources section where she generously shares loads of informational downloads including some specific to Portola Valley. http://www.emersonenvironmental.com/resources.html

For more information about solar-thermal options see http://sunwatersolar.com/

For more information about Spectrum Fine Homes, Inc. and our WhisperGreen Ventilating Fan promotion contact us at http://www.SpectrumFineHomes.com and read the archived March Newsletter, here, on the GreenPointCoach blog.

Check out my @constantcontact newsletter

greenpointcoach — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:49:08 +0000

Check out my @constantcontact newsletter.

This is the archived February Newsletter from Spectrum Fine Homes & GreenPoint Coach.

Countertop Concerns

greenpointcoach — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:49:00 +0000

This month the question I answered for the USGBC’s GreenHomeGuide was submitted by Eugenia Michel:

“My daughter and I are considering granite countertops for each of our homes. As a cancer survivor, is this a good choice for us?”

My answer:

It sounds like you are concerned about the possibility of radiation leaking from the granite countertops due to radon gas being present in the stone. There was quite a scare a few months ago after an article appeared in the New York Times about a high level of radon detected in a home and traced to the granite countertop in the kitchen.

The EPA responded to this concern by stating, “at this time EPA believes that the existing data is insufficient to conclude that the types of granite commonly used in countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels. While radiation levels are not typically high, measurement of specific samples may reveal higher than expected levels on a case-by-case basis.”

If you absolutely have to have granite countertops, and are concerned about the radon gas levels of the stone you’ve picked, you can purchase a radon testing kit online. If the radon level measures 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), choose another stone.

But why not choose another, greener, solid surface countertop material? There are many options for green countertops.

Consider one of the quartz-stone products like Caesar Stone or EuroStone. These engineered stones are much more durable than natural stone, and even have some choices made from post-industrial and post-consumer waste, and many color options. Both are environmentally responsible companies in terms of their mission and operations.

There are several beautiful, very green, solid surface materials manufactured in the United States. (Less of an embodied carbon footprint than when a product is manufactured overseas.) A few of the lesser-known but exciting options are Iguanacrete, Bottlestone, Squak Mountain Stone, Fuez, and Earthcrete by Sonoma Cast Stone. These are all West Coast manufacturers. Other options are IceStone, Enviroglas, and Eco by Cosentino.

A note about radon: High radon levels inside the home can be a real threat to your health. Radon gas present in the soil can enter the home through the foundation, and can also be in the water. It is important to know whether your home is in an area where radon gas levels are high enough to be a concern, and to test the indoor air to see if the gas is present at a level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). A qualified green building professional (like those you will find at Spectrum Fine Homes) will know how to easily mitigate the situation if there are high levels of radon gas present.

You can see more helpful links on the GreenHomeGuide – Ask-A-Pro website.

Choosing ‘Green’ Finish Materials

greenpointcoach — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:24:18 +0000

Our homes should be our refuge and our sanctuary — comfortable, healthy, livable and beautiful.

Perhaps you are remodeling or updating your home and have been conscientious about energy efficiency and creating a sustainable structure. Now you want to include flooring, counter tops, wall surfaces and furnishings that are “green,” too. These finishes are what will surround you every day, what you will see and will greatly contribute to the livability, health and beauty of your home.

The options for green finish choices seem to be increasing daily and we are bombarded by claims from almost every manufacturer and supplier touting green. How do we make a wise choice with so many options?

What Really Makes a Product Green?
We must think holistically about our choices. Beyond whether the product is made from recycled or renewable materials, we must consider where the product was made, how it was manufactured and what makes up its entire composition. We need to consider the impact on the environment during the manufacturing process, and even how the workers and surrounding community were treated during the entire “chain of custody” of the product.

Manufacturing, Installation and ‘Cradle-to-Cradle’
Knowing the entire composition of the product, as well as the manufacturing process, is important. If a “recycled” or “renewable” material is combined with other toxic materials, or the production process pollutes the natural environment & is dangerous for the workers, or the product off-gases toxins into your home, how green is the end product? Discovering this information is as important as reading the labels on the food products you buy.

What kind of quality control or oversight was present in the manufacturing process? And how about installation? Are the products and methods used to install the material sustainable as well?

What about the end of life of the product? Is it recyclable or will it ultimately end up in the landfill and stay there for generations?

Shop Local
The greenest products will be locally produced, preferably within 500 miles of your home. By “shopping local,” you can substantially reduce the carbon footprint inherent in transporting product from far away. Using locally produced products also supports the local economy and ensures the vibrancy and sustainability of the area in which you have chosen to live. There are abundant local options right here in our own backyard for some absolutely beautiful, sustainable materials.

Carefully Research Your Choices
Researching green products can take lots of time and effort, but there are some guidelines and help out there to make your job easier. Look for respected “eco-labels” or “third-party” certifications of products. An excellent online resource is http://www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/eco-good.cfm.

Working with knowledgeable, certified professionals can also save you time and broaden your choices for truly sustainable options. There are many design and building professionals, as well as manufacturers and suppliers who have invested in continuing education and certifications, and their knowledge and advice is helpful and valuable. And paying for their services also supports the local economy, as well as sparing you from making costly mistakes.

And What About the Cost of Green Finish Products?
Everyone is sensitive about “price” these days, but we need to look at “cost” in a more value-oriented way. What is the cost to the environment, to global warming, to sustainability of our local economy and the longevity, health and livability of our homes, if we choose the cheapest materials, manufactured far away with no quality control in place?

The phrase, “penny wise and pound foolish” really does apply to choosing your green finish materials, so choose wisely — and enjoy living in a beautiful, healthy and sustainable home every day!

Good News from Spectrum Fine Homes & GreenPoint Coach!

greenpointcoach — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:43:11 +0000

Our Newsletter will be e-mailed out tomorrow morning, Monday, February 6th. Be on the lookout.

We have lots of Good News, Helpful Tips, and Links – plus the Spectrum Fine Homes’ Winter Stimulus Incentive for having us remodel your home.

If you want to be on our mailing list, just let me know & I’ll add your e-mail.

Have a great Super Bowl Sunday! Go Saints! (I’m not a huge Football Fan, but I LOVE NEW ORLEANS! )

Back in the Saddle with USGBC’s GreenHomeGuide.com

greenpointcoach — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:04:03 +0000

I’m writing again for the ‘Ask the Pros’ on GreenHomeGuide .com, so each month will be answering one question. I’ll be posting the answer on the GreenPointCoach Blog, but do go to the website: http://www.GreenHomeGuide.com, too. This is a super resource to know about!

January’s Question: Are there any manufacturers of non-toxic, non-offgassing bathroom vanities? Are there any non toxic glues for bathroom tiles?

My Answer:

Before looking at where to get a vanity that doesn’t off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), you need to first look at why cabinets off-gas. The culprits are generally the materials used to make the cabinet box and the finish or paint applied to the exposed surfaces.

Cabinet boxes are most commonly made of plywood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), particle-board or other pressed composite products. The adhesives used in the manufacturing of these sheet-goods often contain urea formaldehyde (UF), which is the VOC most people are concerned about when it comes to off-gassing into your indoor environment. Here are some links to sites that explain why we should be concerned about the formaldehyde levels in our homes:

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html
http://healthychild.org/issues/chemical-pop/formaldehyde/

Several manufacturers of the materials used in the construction of cabinetry are now using adhesives containing phenol formaldehyde (PF), which are much safer. (Organic matter, like wood, naturally contains phenol formaldehyde, and so any wood product will never be 100% formaldehyde-free.) Columbia Forest Products manufactures the sheet materials used in making cabinets. This company is the innovator of soy-based, formaldehyde free PureBond technology.

Now, where to get your vanity – My first recommendation is always to shop local. By supporting your local cabinetmaker, you are also supporting the local economy and lessening the carbon footprint of the ‘stuff’ you choose to put in your home. This is extremely important when you are thinking about holistic sustainability. Watch The Story of Stuff to get the holistic perspective. You need to ask the supplier or manufacturer of the cabinets to tell you what materials they are using, and preferably show you documentation to assure that UF is not used.

If you are purchasing pre-manufactured cabinets, be sure to learn about the certifications the cabinet industry has put in place regarding manufacturing ‘green’ cabinets. Their website lists the companies which hold these certifications with links to their websites.

You may also think about recycling, reclaiming, & reusing when you are remodeling your bathroom. Since formaldehyde off-gassing diminishes or stops after several years, the older pieces of cabinetry are safer. Some sources say it takes from five to seven years to reach safe levels. (http://www.nontoxic.com/nontoxicpaints/formaldehyde.html)

Many regions have salvage stores where you can purchase cabinets that have been removed from remodeling projects being ‘de-constructed’, and are available for purchase. You’d be surprised at what you might find, and at incredible prices! With a new countertop, you can give the vanity a new life – or you may find the countertop, too!

You might also think about using an antique dresser or other piece of furniture in place of a cabinet. A few years ago we remodeled a bathroom using a wonderful Chinese cabinet our clients had purchased while living in Hong Kong. We used copper vessel sinks on top of a glass countertop, so you could see the distressed wood through the surface. This vanity was stunning, and the focal point of the Master Bath.

About your choice for non-toxic glues for tile

With adhesives as well as for paints or finishes, you need to know what chemicals are in them, and how they might affect your health. With all products used for building (and even for cleaning), you can use the internet to research the toxicity and the potential effects on your health and safety by putting the name of the product in Google, followed by MSDS. Material Safety Data Sheets, required by law for all products, are a really helpful tool. You can go to your local building supply store, write down the name of the products claiming ‘low VOC’ and then Google the MSDS, before making your choice.

I looked up tile adhesives and came up with a latex-based product that seems pretty safe. With this link, you can download the MSDS pdf where it lists Mineral Spirits as the ‘hazardous component’ with no health hazard when breathed. It does say to use in well-ventilated areas, and to ‘remove to fresh air’ if an individual is ‘affected’ during use.

Remember while remodeling your bathroom, and after, when you’ve moved in, proper ventilation is extremely important. The effects of humidity on building materials can cause all sorts of problems from mold to increasing the amount of VOC off-gassing. Every bathroom should have mechanical ventilation vented to the outside – even when there is an operable window. Most people don’t open the window in the wintertime, and it’s very important to have fresh air coming in and humid air going out. Consider installing ventilation with automatic humidistats or motion sensors, so it’s not up to the user to remember to turn the fan on or off. Most of these ventilation fans are super-quiet, too.

Tagged In: formaldehyde plywood, green cabinets, reuse, safe glue

What a Year!

greenpointcoach — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:50:08 +0000

It’s hard to believe that only a few days remain in 2009! Yeah! I’m soooo looking forward to 2010!

What a year this has been – and though it’s one I’m glad to be leaving in many ways- wonderful and exciting things have happened, too.

Since January, I’ve been focusing on our positioning as a paradigm shift happens all around us. Yes, SHIFT HAPPENS! and being part of the new way of doing business and a more positive, sustainable future is really exciting – sometimes terrifying, but exciting!

One of my goals for 2010 is to maintain the GreenPointCoach Blog, and connect it to all the websites associated with our business: Spectrum Fine Homes, Inc. and GreenPoint Coach. I’m hoping that it will be informational AND interactive.

Stay tuned, too, for more information about Good & Green Radio – my new radio show on Conversation Radio at www.MediaOnTap.com. I’m very excited about this super opportunity to introduce a huge global audience to some of my contacts, colleagues, and connections who are living a Sustainable Lifestyle, and who will share their good ideas with you.

Through collaboration, communication, and & community – we will create the most positive Sustainable future for ourselves and for our children.

Happy New Year!

Susan