“Everyone recoils at [the height of the windmill],” said Jonathan D. Fitch, the Howlands’ lawyer. “It reminds me of the litigation involving cell towers in the beginning — a lot of neighborhood hostility back then, but today you hardly notice them.&rdquo... View full entry

"...Some experts have contended that the seal should be withheld until a building proves itself energy efficient, which is the cornerstone of what makes a building green, and that energy-use data from every rated building should be made public..." "...Some experts have contended that the seal... View full entry

From this week's New Yorker, Elizabeth Kolbert's great send up of a current fad in environmental writing, the gimmick: "...most people are in no mood to read about how screwed up they are. It’s a bummer. If you’re the National Academy of Sciences or the Intergovernmental Panel on... View full entry

Engineers say a forest of 100,000 "artificial trees" could be deployed within 10 to 20 years to help soak up the world's carbon emissions.Engineers say a forest of 100,000 "artificial trees" could be deployed within 10 to 20 years to help soak up the world's carbon emissions. BBC View full entry

...It starts to sound like chapters in a Mike Davis exposé, except not. Here's a slew of new articles in Miller McCune (remember New Ruralism?) all relating to the ecological politics of California. Take the jump for more on a nuclear meltdown near downtown L.A., the uses of sewage, and the... View full entry

The NYT finally catches up with 50% of all architecture school theses: "If climate change and population growth progress at their current pace, in roughly 50 years farming as we know it will no longer exist. This means that the majority of people could soon be without enough food or water. But... View full entry

Portland-based Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects are researching rooftop wind farms. In their recent project, The Twelve West Building, the four wind turbines produce only enough energy for 1% of the building's energy needs. The architects are hopeful that their research will lead to efficient urban... View full entry

This is part 1 of the "Growing Cities" documentary series shot while traveling in the USA and Canada - June 2009. 2 person crew.The roof of the Vancouver BC Convention Centre is covered with over 2.5 hectares (6 acres) of native grassland. Usually closed to the public, we were able to get a tour... View full entry

Jargon, Etc. interviews Dr. Mark Alan Hughes, Philadelphia's first ever Director of Sustainability and architect of the comprehensive Greenworks Philadelphia Plan for making the city America's Greenest by 2015.Jargon, Etc. interviews Dr. Mark Alan Hughes, Philadelphia's first ever Director of... View full entry

The Atlantic's Ellen Ruppel Shell discusses the environmental cost of delivering great design at a low price. The Atlantic's Ellen Ruppel Shell discusses the environmental cost of delivering great design at a low price. View full entry

As the United States takes its first steps toward mandating that power companies generate more electricity from renewable sources, China already has a similar requirement and is investing billions to remake itself into a green energy superpower. Through a combination of carrots and sticks, Beijing... View full entry

New film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand aiming to make the world aware of the human impact on the planet. Worldwide release was yesterday. New film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand aiming to make the world aware of the human impact on the planet. Worldwide release was yesterday.Home Project View full entry

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that goes for solar plants as well. San-Francisco based Gemini Solar Development has recently been cleared by the Austin city council to construct the United States' largest solar power facility. The 30 megawatt plant will provide enough energy to power... View full entry

As the USGBC prepares to released LEED v3, AP applicants flood in. There were 50,000 applicants all of last year, but this year, 50,000 are scheduled to take the test in June alone. Computers crash, mayhem ensues, sustainability explodes. In a good way, of course. The Architect's Newspaper View full entry

Cambridge University Professor David MacKay on sustainable energy: his free book casts a light on the reality of our energy consumption and production without blinding-by-science or political point-scoring. View full entry