When Cities and Wetlands Collide

When Cities and Wetlands Collide

Describes the winning entry in the recent Gowanus Lowline Competition. The winning entry, which is described encapsulates the kind of far sighted bio-mimetic and bio-symbiotic urban design our country needs. Reading this post is like reading a how to book on healing the earth; and in particular healing the brownfield urban wastelands, very often built over per-existing wetlands.

US Green Roof Sector Grows by 28.5% Survey Shows

US Green Roof Sector Grows by 28.5% Survey Shows

This post reports on a recent survey that indicates that the green roof sector in the US and Canada is enjoying excellent growth in spite of the very difficult economic environment that is prevailing in the building sector in general. The survey reports a growth of 28.5% and provides some background on what types of buildings and what cities are leading the adoption of green roofs.

The Catastrophic Downside Risk of Nuclear, Oil, Gas, and Coal

The Catastrophic Downside Risk of Nuclear, Oil, Gas, and Coal

Energy systems need to also be measured according to the potential risks associated with them in the advent of failure. And the actuarial costs of these risks need to be better understood and included into the market price for the energy that these systems produce. This post examines this catastrophic downside risk of nuclear and fossil energy focusing on the recent events in Japan and on the BP oil spill as two recent examples of hugely expensive catastrophes. It poses the question why should the taxpayers and the public bear the burden of these costs in this manner artificially lowering the price these energy sectors are thus able to charge for their products.

Green Roofs are Starting To Sprout in American Cities

Green Roofs are Starting To Sprout in American Cities

Long a proven technology in Europe, green roofs are becoming increasingly common in U.S. cities, with major initiatives in Chicago, Portland, and Washington, D.C. While initially more expensive than standard coverings, green roofs offer some major environmental — and economic — benefits. by Bruce Stutz The low scrubland of densely packed succulents is in full […]

Retooling Incentives for Renewables

Retooling Incentives for Renewables

Only a small portion of renewable energy producers are benefiting from the tax credit system that is being implemented by the federal government. Our government’s lack of clear preference in perhaps trying to please everyone–ends up ratcheting down the positive long term effects of the program.

Report Says Cities are Going Green But are Falling Short

A new report released recently assessed exactly how 40 of the country’s largest cities are trying to limit their carbon footprints and take the steps needed to raise these efforts to the next level. The report,  initiated and conducted by Living Cities, a collaboration of 21 of the world’s largest foundations and financial institutions is […]

Internship Spotlight: Management Training Internship, Green Spaces – Denver, CO

The intern will work directly with the Founder of Green Spaces to assist in business development and administration. This internship offers significant opportunity for growth. The internship is a management training position. The intern should have strong interpersonal, organizational, and marketing skills. The intern will be required to handle set-up administration of systems, marketing and outreach through social media outlets, web updates and also research and day to day space oversight and set up as we launch our Green Spaces Denver location.