Food For Thought 2014

Happy New Year!

To start 2015 we thought it would be fun to pass along a handful of articles that caught our attention in 2014. This is not a list of the year’s top headlines or critical issues, but simply interesting food for thought to mull over as we start the new year. Enjoy!

What do you get if you map coming climate disasters? Hello Pacific Northwest! – LA Times Op-Ed
“The Northwest may well become a climate refuge during the upcoming century.”
Related…Climate refugees, DO NOT MOVE TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST – Grist

Walking: The secret ingredient for health, wealth and more exciting neighborhoods. – Yes!
“Even the American dream is being remodeled to meet the public’s growing enthusiasm for walking.”

11 Tiny House Villages Redefining Home – Sharable
“But as the tiny house movement grows, so too does the desire to live a simple life in community.”
Related…Tiny Houses for the Homeless: An Affordable Solution Catches On – Yes!

If America cared about the planet as much as the NFL, this is what it would look like. – Grist
“What if people showed the same zeal toward environmentalism as they did sports?”

Most people say they could get rid of tons of stuff and still be happy. – Time
“For many consumers, it makes more sense to “share” (usually for a fee, of course) rather than buy…”
Related… How Cities Can Be Designed To Help – Or Hinder – Sharing – Yes!

Climate change: The hottest thing in Science Fiction – Grist
“Post-apocalyptic sci-fi isn’t new. But you may have noticed an uptick in books set in the wake of some kind of major climate disaster.”
Related…Cli-Fi is Real – Huff Post

No we’re not “environmentalists”. It’s more complicated then that. – Grist
“So go ahead, call us “environmentalists.” If we don’t answer, it’s because we’re too busy trying to make things better.”

Must See Projects! 2014 Green Home Tour

The 2014 Northwest Green Home Tour is just a few weeks away, and instead of taking place both Sat and Sun, this year’s tour will be one day only – Saturday, April 26th, from 11 am to 5 pm. With 35 sites all around Seattle, plus a handful of fun Sustainability Stops, there’s a lot to see! So here’s our list of must-see homes!

NWGHT

Drinking Rainwater in Ballard
This 100 year old home in Ballard was remodeled for ‘low consumption’, and now has the first legal whole house rainwater catchment and filtration system in the city of Seattle. Thanks to a 2280 watt solar PV array, LED lighting, energy efficient appliances and habits, the homeowners have also reduced their annual electric bill to just $125, and now get paid for the electricity they produce. 7703 26th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117

If you’re interested in rainwater systems, don’t stop there! Head over to RainWise – NW Seattle, another site with an impressive 5 cisterns (diverting 50k+ gallons of rainwater a year) and beautiful/functional rain gardens. 2034 NW 60th St, Seattle 98107

Lifestream Backyard Cottage
This backyard cottage in Maple Leaf was built to demonstrate a new model in healthy home construction by integrating innovative wall systems, non-toxic materials, shielded electrical systems, fiberglass re-bar slab, & energy efficiency features, and will be particular interesting to those concerned with chemical &/or electromagnetic sensitivities. 9100 15th Ave NE, Seattle, 98115

There are a handful of backyard cottages (in all shapes & sizes) on the tour this year, so head on over to the North Seattle Backyard Cottage in Greenwood, the Falcon’s Nest is Ballard, and the Baker Cottage in Fremont.

Burke-Gilman HouseBurke-Gilman House
Strikingly modern yet sensibly smart, this modern home was designed for an active couple looking to stay put as their mobility decreases. It also includes passive solar orientation and cold roof design, a high performance building envelope and energy saving systems, as well as water saving fixtures and underground rainwater cisterns. 3334 NE Blakeley Street, Seattle, WA 98105

HOME reclaimed
How do you transform the beauty, resources and intrinsic value of a 1938 Tudor into a modern dwelling? While also achieving a 5 Star Built Green rating, a certified HERS index score of 55, ENERGY STAR qualification and Water-Sense certification? Well, you’ll just have to visit this amazing remodel project in Seward Park to find out. 4007 49th Ave, Seattle, WA 98118

While in the neighborhood, also stop by the Opperman-Lee Deep Green Remodel, an exquisite remodel of a severely neglected 1952 house by owner/designer/builder Vicky Opperman.

Historic House Deep Green Remodel
The challenges involved in remodeling, restoring and energy retrofitting this beautiful 1904 Capitol Hill home were immense, but were overcome with perseverance, humor, ingenuity and painstakingly detailed work. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the impressive result of a job well done. 716 17th Avenue E, Seattle, WA 98112

But don’t stop there! Browse all Northwest Green Home Tour Sites, use the interactive maps, and go get inspired! The Northwest Green Home Tour is free and open to the public, thanks to the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild and Built Green, as well as a host of amazing sponsors.