What comes to mind when you think about today’s youth? Does it instil fear or does it inspire hope? As a part of generation Y, I like to think it’s the latter. We are the generation that has grown up with the Internet, text messaging and multiple forms of instant communication. For many of us, this technology has enabled us to connect and embrace aspects of the world that were unknown by previous generations. Our thirst for knowledge, need for direct connectivity and social consciousness is at the heart of why the youth are becoming sustainability trend-setters. Today’s youth is helping lead the sustainability quest – to minimize our ecological impact and do so in a socially responsible way

Previous generations have asserted that knowledge is power, and today, knowledge is only a Google search away.  For instance, those with an interest in real estate and architecture, have online access to green building designs, photos and forums. They are able to learn about best practices associated with water conservation, Passive Solar, or about building standards like LEED® and ASHRAE. The knowledge gained, will perhaps send a young curious mind towards a career in structural engineering, or urban planning and design. These impacts are only amplified by Generation Y’s need for smarter more customizable workspaces, and further driving demand for sustainable buildings and design.

Young people’s ability to seek and share information with each other is truly powerful. Take for example the use of technology in our homes, with many parents who have traded in colouring books for powerful tablets. Children indeed have the world in their fingertips.

With access to millions of online APPS youth are able to find and connect with likeminded individuals. For instance, individuals interested in water conservation issues, can connect with various ‘blue’ organizations in the community. These connections can help mobilize a community awareness program or regional water policy. The Water Brothers who have travelled across the globe highlighting local and global issues are a prime example of young leadership.  Quench is also a unique app that allows users to search out public water fountains, or businesses willing to fill up your reusable container. For more information visit - http://thewaterbrothers.ca/quench

Another example of how today’s youth are setting low impact trends is through the use of online website communities like Couch Surfing and Air BnB where strangers from across the globe meet and open up their homes. This truly unique experience allows personal engagement with globetrotters and a personal visit to a foreign city. This social exchange is a major contributor to how and why younger generations are more apt to adapt to these positive communal expierences.

These social connections are just a demonstration of how technology in the 21st century is bringing people closer together. The youth of today have a decentralized concept of where information comes from, as news is now shared rather than delivered.

The final piece of the puzzle lies in the purchasing power of this demographic. Increasingly, young adults associate greater value with purchasing ethically produced products and services. This can be seen with companies like Mountain Equipment Co-Op, Bullfrog Power, offering their clients 'greener' alternatives.  

Young adults have helped trigger a series of events that have had a rippling effect across the globe, such as;

1. Where information comes from
2. How and who we share that information with
3. What we choose to do with the information.

All this information has contributed to the steady increase in the demand for goods and services that consider a full life cycle impact. Cradle to cradle has become a high priority for young adults who are becoming more and more ethical consumers. The spending power of young adults is holding major corporations accountable for both upstream and downstream impacts of their products / services. Social consumers know that if they do not pay the price for a better product today, they will pay five fold in the future.

It is that willingness to acknowledge and accept that we all can have an impact - positive or negative - that allows us to ‘Be the change we want to see in the world’.

My apologies for letting time slip between my posts. In my last post I wrote about how by adjusting our diets and our choices a little, we can drastically reduce the worlds greenhouse gas emissions.

(To read about how YOU can reduce your ecological footprint, click here) (http://commonground.edrnet.com/posts/a29b111f5e)

Now, I would like to introduce another way you can positively contribute.

HOW ?? By engaging those who own, operate and maintain our homes and offices.

Our buildings have come a long way in terms of design, construction and material over the past twelve thousand years.Checkout a Native Indian Wigwam.

Ancient V.S. 21st Century

Our buildings are stronger, lighter, and quite capable of being smarter too. There are several organizations and individuals that are leading the charge in sustainable buildings; here is an example of a famous NYC Skyscraper - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUoFX0Ceqns&feature=player_embedded

One word that has become synonymous with Green building is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Yet, it is one of several guidelines, rules and principals acting as a framework industry leaders are utilizing. I have come to learn that within this sector, no matter the ‘guidelines’ the objective is quite similar – 'correctly using design and technology to significantly reduce rising operational expenses of aging buildings.'  Due diligence and preventative maintenance has become paramount in minimizing the unexpected – specifically long term operational costs.

No matter who or where you go to figure out your ‘BOMA-BEST’, the point is to figure out what works for your specific building(s).

Did you know that buildings across the planet currently are the #1 leading causes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions? They account for more than 1/3 of all emissions! (http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dgs/pio/facts/LA%20workshop/climate.pdf )

I always thought that it was the SUV’s, plasma tv’s and our addiction to fossil fuels.

In fact one of the lowest hanging fruit we can help pick is to is fix, upgrade and occasionally renovate our homes and work places!

Why not?  It is where we seek refuge from the elements; it’s also where we spend the majority of our time throughout our lives. Consequently, as China, India and the rest of the developing world (over 2 billion people or roughly 33% of the planet) joins the 21^st century so will their appetites for food, water and energy.

Do not think that we will be sheltered in North America from the happenings of the rest of the planet, as we are all part of the same ecological system! The cost to heat, cool and electrify our spaces is on the rise. (See cost of energy http://www.eia.gov/aer/overview.html)

Please do not let this frighten you though, I truly believe that our society has the ability to have a net zero - dare I say regenerative impact on the environment, and I believe we can do this through our buildings!

But forget about saving the planet for a moment, what about our rights to live and work in clean, and healthy buildings? I urge you to ask your landlord, property managers and government what they are doing to help shield you from escalating operating expenses!

If you want to do something green start with your offices and homes. If not for the environment then do it for your wallet and tax dollars!!

Did you know we have technology that can heat our homes and our water using the sun? Renewable energy, like solar thermal panels which have the capability of heating our domestic hot water even throughout the long cold winter months!

Geothermal, a relatively old technology, is capable of replacing HVAC systems completely through the earth’s stable temperatures. See Toronto’s Greenest hotel – http://theplanettraveler.com/ & see Industry leader Tom Rand’s presentation about the clean tech economy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udz0lHGNzxc.

There are 3 things in life that are certain; death, taxes and rising energy prices!!!

I am very interested to hear your thoughts about whether we can pull ourselves out of this predicament or if its too late. And whether you even think there is a problem or not I’d love to hear YOUR view point!



Now, in my last post I talked a little bit about perspective. I would like to dig a little deeper tonight, here today, wherever you are!

Distance plays a profound role in the way the world interacts, from how and where products are made to where dinner came from; many people are not exposed to what true distance is. I pull from my experience while teaching abroad in S. Korea. Up until moving there I hadn’t truly understood what the meaning of ‘far’ meant. Living in S.Korea really gave me an appreciation for what true distance is. What effort it took for me to travel with all my belongings from Toronto – Vancouver to Seoul! I personally added nearly 3 tonnes of co2 into the atmosphere (Calculate your footprint here: http://www.zerofootprint.net/engage-employees/one-minute-calculator.  Not only was transportation an endeavor, but communication with home was just as difficult as we were 13-14 hours ahead.
That's when it dawned on me that we live on a massive planet and it sure takes a lot of energy for me or my things to go from place to place.

Yet, how little do we actually know about how our things came into our possession. I am talking about the actual impact we have on the planet by having that stereo, this TV, this keyboard and monitor, all as part of our things. But things are nice, and things are fun, but the thing about things that sucks is that they all seem to come from really far away, and they all eventually end up in the same place! But where exactly did it just come from, and how did it get to my house? (http://www.storyofstuff.com/ - 20 minute clip on ‘stuff’)

Our things are mined and extracted from Africa, manufactured in China, assembled in the Philippines and shipped to North America.  By the time it gets to our home, its already old news, outdated and lost significant monetary value, ask your typical HUMMER driver or IPod owner.

Consume or die!! Support your country. Support your economy! Has anyone ever heard of supporting that which matters most? Is it just me or is the pace we have set as a society mimic a freight train with no breaks?
Why are we so ignorant, to expect things will get better if we keep the status quo! Or are we to scared to face the hurdles we as a human species are going to have to overcome in THIS lifetime. I mean there is disaster all over the news, draughts, riots, poverty, starvation, greed, extortion theft, -  you name it, it couldn’t be written any better. Though several organizations including the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPCC_report ) predicted climate change would have such adverse affects, some of which they predicted to happen by 2050 have already happened. (Also see Stern Report - http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/oct/30/economy.uk )

So why are we acting like a bunch of frogs sitting in warming water? (http://howtoboilafrog.com/themovie/) Well some of us are taking our own impacts and attempting to minimize how we effect the planet, regardless of what government and big business are or aren’t doing. Check out this guy – who aimed for zero impact! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Ctt7FGFBo +  http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/ ).

Zero impact is a lofty goal – but I believe that if everyone does their part we won’t have to sacrifice EVERYTHING.  But the key here is acknowledging that we have a problem – we must understand the repercussions of our choices, and learn to be smarter citizens – and I don't mean tree huggers, and composting hippies. We must all find out what gives us balance, learn to appreciate what adds actual value to our lives and the lives around us.

I believe there are a number of things we can do to significantly lower our impact on the environment. However this week I would like to focus on three.

My first tip for reducing our ecological footprint is to think locally and adapt our diets accordingly. We need to learn to get back to the basics, and appreciate where our food is coming from. With the convenience of cheap oil slowly becoming harder to extract, oil prices will be back over $100 a barrel in no time, thus driving up the costs of pretty much everything! Days of kiwis, strawberries and pineapples year round will become a thing of the past, as most people will no longer be able to incur the logistical costs.

Not only will the logistical costs continue to grow, but as will the world’s appetite! As China and India's middle class continues to grow – meat will be in high demand – specifically beef!

“Beef production generates about 1.3 percent of the world's calories but uses 60 percent of all the land used to produce food. Beef production also consumes disproportionate amounts of water and energy, and is a leading cause of deforestation in Brazil.” (http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/01/06/it-possible-make-hamburger-greener#ixzz1BuggZvN8).

I do not want to come off as a vegan preacher,( I love wings and ribs) what I am merely suggesting is adding balance to our diets, that are heavily protein based. By cutting our beef/meat consumption we are effectively, improving our health, our wallets and believe it or not the planet -all by eating less meat.

So what can you do? Educate yourself and others, learn more about where your food comes from! Or when making purchases, reduce the amount of food we buy that is coming from out of country. You don’t have to cut out exotic fruits and meat out of your diet, the first step and most imperative step is acknowledging that your choices do have an impact – and then going from there. How you decide to reduce your impact is entirely up to you.

Join me later this week, where we will tackle more ways to reduce our ecological footprints!

As due diligence and compliance professionals we have to stay current with legislative and practice changes. This is made easier by online publication of requirements and email advisories of updates. And while I usually have time to review the latest update when it arrives, occasionally it is not relevant to current projects or time is scarce and it gets put off. To ensure the most current information is referenced I have incorporated a quick review of applicable regulatory documents into the scoping stage of projects.  Here is why it matters…

I recently reviewed a report for a property owner in British Columbia (BC). The report was a review (conducted after 2005) of previous investigations and reporting carried out around 2000. The initial reporting (2000) came back with a clean bill of health for the site in question as compared to the standards of the day. The review which was conducted after 2005 came to the same conclusion but further stated that under current CSR (Contaminated Sites Regulation) standards the site would still meet criteria. This happens to not be the case due to a change in legislation in 2005 and the publishing of a Technical Guidance 6 (2005) which would have required the application of a more stringent standard to the site in question. A quick check of the guidance document could have saved some headaches.

So, why do I bring this up? Technical Guidance 6 (version 2) has been updated and the new document comes into force February 1, 2011. For those of us making statements about the quality of groundwater in BC it is time for a review.