One Way to Reduce Miami’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Posted on 30. Aug, 2010 by Howard Salus in Business, Education, Environment, Florida News, Green Business

By Susie Glass, LEED AP

When one thinks about green house gases being emitted into the atmosphere the natural assumption would be that transportation contributes the greatest number of total combined emissions. And, although transportation does rank close to the top of the list, Miami’s number one ranking is actually held by buildings. An overwhelming 54% of greenhouse gases can be attributed to buildings alone here in Miami. Just as a refresher, green house gases are gases in the atmosphere that absorb infrared radiation emitted from the earth, and as a result temperatures rise and raise sea levels. Greater Miami is one of the most vulnerable urban areas in the world when it comes to rising sea levels. At current, there is 400 billion dollars of property at risk by rising sea levels and based on current trends that number is expected to increase to 3.5 trillion dollars by 2070. Although Miami is in such a challenging position it should be noted that the city’s greenhouse emissions do rank in the lowest one third in 100 metropolitan cities.
In Miami, commercial buildings represent 35% of the built square footage yet consume 60% of the city’s electricity.  In fact, 90% of Miami’s energy usage comes from electricity. One of the main reasons buildings consume so much electricity is that Miami, unlike most other metropolitan cities, relies heavily on electricity versus natural gas for energy. This is due to the fact that Miami’s climate does not have as much of a need for natural gas since the majority of the energy usage relates to cooling. Nationally 47% of energy usage is for heating and in North Florida that number drops to 15%. In Miami, only 2% of the energy used is for heating. In addition, an average Miami home’s cooling, refrigeration, lighting and water heating account for 77% of electricity consumption.
This leads us to the obvious question, how can Miami reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere when it comes to energy? There are many ways to incorporate lowering energy consumption across the board; in fact, there are actually too many to mention in this short amount of space. Since the largest contributor of green house gas emissions are buildings, it would logically follow that the first order of business is to reduce the amount of gases that buildings emit. How can this be done? One of the answers lies in a building certification process that is starting to gain traction here in South Florida, and that certification process is called LEED. Developed by the United States Green Building Council, LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and there are over 63 certified LEED projects here in South Florida with 16 here in Miami-Dade County. LEED is essentially a process of building commissioning which verifies a building is operating and built as designed. LEED standards are not necessarily easy to achieve, the process is thorough and requires numerous minimum building, design and performance standards that focus on building efficiency as well as the impacts the project will have on the environment. LEED is flexible enough to be incorporated into existing buildings, interiors, schools, homes, new construction and major renovation projects.
According to recent studies, 30% of the energy used by buildings are used inefficiently or unnecessarily. Amongst the many benefits that LEED certification has to offer, LEED certification helps to reduce wasteful usage of energy and demands efficient energy usage. Depending upon the size and scope of the project, a certified LEED building can no doubt greatly reduce the amount of energy a building consumes, in turn lowering the amount of green house gases emitted into the atmosphere which then lowers the risk of rising sea levels. Municipalities are also seeing the need for more efficient buildings, including the City of Miami which has previously released MiPlan, a climate action plan that seeks to reduce green-house emissions by 25% as early as 2015 (based on 2007 levels) and part of that reduction includes encouraging LEED certification for buildings. In addition, Miami-Dade County offers incentives for business that operate out of LEED certified buildings and implement energy saving technologies as well as expedited permitting for LEED registered projects. The benefits of a LEED certified building are many and to learn more about LEED certification in South Florida your first step is to visit the South Florida Chapter of the United States Green Building Council’s website at www.usgbcsf.org. This site provides information on LEED certified projects that have been completed, a database of LEED accredited professionals and educational workshops, seminars and meetings all pertaining to green building. The Chapter’s database makes it easy for you to locate professionals in your specific area that can walk you through the LEED certification process. As a caveat, LEED may not be the best choice for every project and there are other green building certification options available here in South Florida, including the Florida Green Building Coalition. The wise choice is to consult with green building professional to see if LEED certification is the best choice for the project.
References & Resources:
www.usgbcsf.org – USGBC South Florida Chapter
www.floridagreenbuilding.com – Florida Green Building Coalition
www.miamigov.com/msi – City of Miami Office of Sustainable Initiatives
www.miamidade.gov/oos -Miami-Dade County Office of Sustainability

Mayors Alvarez and Bower Host MB Green Event

Posted on 26. Aug, 2010 by Howard Salus in Climate, Education, Environment, Green Business, Green Events, Products

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and City of Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower host first Mayors’ Green Initiatives for Economic Growth Workshop and Trade Show

Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, Mayor Alvarez and Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau President and CEO William Talbert

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and City of Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower hosted the first Mayors’ Green Initiatives for Economic Growth Workshop and Trade Show on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

“This workshop and trade show exemplifies how developing relationships between residents, businesses, community based organizations and government – all stakeholders in taking action to make a difference – can ensure we are doing what is necessary for a sustainable future,” Mayor Alvarez said.

More than 450 green exhibitors and attendees from as far as Tallahassee participated in the day-long event. Participants were able to meet one on one with representatives from governmental agencies and private businesses to learn more about green business practices, green lodging certification and economic development opportunities.

The workshop was a collaboration between Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami Beach, the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches (ECOMB), and several private companies.

For more information about Miami-Dade County’s green programs, call the Office of Sustainability at (305) 375-4790.

Clean Energy Rally at Port Everglades

Posted on 25. Aug, 2010 by Howard Salus in Education, Environment, Everglades, Green Events

Contact: Andrea Cuccaro, 1Sky Florida Organizer, 786-925-1151

1Sky and Allies in the South Florida Clean Energy Network Rally for Clean Energy at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

On Saturday, August 21st at noon, at Welcome Park near the entrance of Port Everglades about 40 concerned citizens united for a rally to document the 4-month anniversary of the BP Oil Spill Disaster, to speak up in favor of mandatory oil rig safety and better regulatory practices and to demand clean energy instead of expanding offshore oil drilling.
“1Sky and the South Florida Clean Energy Network are urging U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and George LeMieux to support a cap on carbon with tax breaks for renewable energy that will transition us away from fossil fuels to a green economy,” said 1Sky Florida Organizer Andrea Cuccaro. “We also want them to follow the House and support oil rig safety and an increase in the cap on funds for oil spill clean ups and an end to the revolving door between folks who work for oil companies and the Department of Interior,” she said.

Over a year ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to place a cap on carbon that ratchets down each year which we need to address climate change in time, while also providing incentives for clean energy with 2 million jobs and plentiful tax breaks. Environmentalists call such legislation “jump-starting the green economy” because while penalizing carbon and promoting more green power, it takes one giant leap from one to the other. At the end of July of this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill for better safety regulations, increasing the cap on funds for oil spill cleanup, and to end the revolving door for employees moving between Big Oil and its regulator, the Department of Interior. All that’s left to move these efforts into law is for the U.S. Senate to pass a similar plan. 1Sky has several thousand supporting members in Florida who have petitioned for clean energy solutions from Congress for over a year.
Even as the Gulf disaster grows, British Petroleum and other oil companies continue to push for new offshore drilling anywhere oil might be found regardless of the risks they pose. Scientists have discovered a 22 mile oil plume in the Gulf of Mexico, discrediting previous reports that state that 75% of the oil is gone. Once again, the reality of the spill’s impact and magnitude has been far more sobering than the rosy picture painted by BP and the government. Together we have an opportunity to change America and the world. It is time for our leaders to take bold, courageous steps and open the door to clean energy and renewables and free our country from its addiction to oil.
“I actually saw President Obama speak in Miami Beach last week,” Cuccaro said. “He promoted green jobs, tax breaks for small businesses, and in general a carbon cap and clean energy tax breaks mean helping small local businesses get access to the energy market.” Cuccaro recounted, “The president also mentioned the $20 billion in recovery funds for fisherman and businesses affected by the spill and how U.S.  Representative Joe Barton responded. Yelled Obama, ‘He apologized to BP! It’s like, Are you serious?’”
1Sky and allied clean energy advocates aim is to raise awareness of the methods for institutionalizing clean energy sources, and recognize that there are many non-allies in Congress, which is why it’s important to push hard and raise more awareness from folks in the community to pick up the phone and call their senators. Speak out for a cap on carbon, a transition to a clean energy economy, and urge leaders to work for mandatory safety valves, better regulatory practices, and abandon expanded offshore oil drilling and adopt policies that encourage clean and renewable energy sources.
“At a time when our country is finally assessing the true cost of dependence on fossil fuels – no need to recap the horrors we’re all seeing daily,” said Matthew Schwartz, Political Chair of the Broward Sierra Club “this is the time to move things in a very different direction. We must say NO to offshore drilling and YES to clean energy. Now!”
Representatives from local chapters of 1Sky, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Sea Shepherd, and the newly formed South Florida Clean Energy Coalition provided critical information to the public and media regarding who in congress is leading the way and how to promote passage of the current proposal in the house and the Senate, and were interviewed by ABC News.  As many oil and gas trucks passed by toward the port, even the drivers honked and gave peace signs in support of an end to drilling and a transition to clean energy.

Photo Credit: Tom Olsen

Join the 1Sky Florida group on facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=149011449694
1Sky is a collaborative national campaign for strong federal action to tackle global climate change and invest in building the clean energy economy of the future. As one of the largest national campaigns in the country, 1Sky combines the force of 620 allied organizations, 201,959 committed climate advocates, 4,238 volunteer Climate Precinct Captains covering more than 394 congressional districts in 50 states, and a team of 24 including 9 organizers in 50 states working to mobilize constituent support.

A Green Come True

Posted on 21. Aug, 2010 by Howard Salus in Education, Environment, Green Business

By Peter Perez

A Green Come True: ECOMB’s Center for the Environment

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. So simple yet so meaningful in today’s world as the push for environmental sustainability gains more and more momentum. How much do we live our lives by these three elementary words? How much do we even know about these words?

In 1994, the Environmental Coalition of Miami and the Beaches (ECOMB) was founded to address just these questions. These principles are so fundamental to the organization’s essence that their value statement even says, ‘ECOMB believes that, by educating and encouraging people to get involved and to act responsibly towards their environment, together, we will improve our quality of life, save resources, and live more sustainably.’ However, until recently, ECOMB did not even have enough funds to pay its executive director.

Luiz Rodrigues

In 2001, Luiz Rodrigues became the second executive director of ECOMB and quickly took ECOMB to new shades of green. Former Miami Beach Commissioner Saul Gross, who chaired the Commission’s Sustainability Committee said, “Luiz is remarkable. He moves a thousand miles an hour, with ideas and initiatives and information. His passion is infectious.” Commissioner Gross was right. Now, ECOMB has developed programs to reduce the amount of litter on the Miami-Dade County beaches, waterways, islands and Biscayne Bay, increase both business and residential recycling rates, as well as preserve and restore habitats.

Due to this incredible growth, ECOMB now has friends in the proverbial high places. Perhaps the most noteworthy is Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora, who was chairman of ECOMB’s Board of Trustees in between stints as a Miami Beach City Commissioner. With his help, ECOMB was able to lease its own building in 2009 from the City of Miami Beach at a very affordable rate. For the first time since it’s founding in 1994, ECOMB now has a freestanding headquarters. “I’ve been trying to lease a building for some years now.” Rodrigues says. “Initially, it was an office space; then we realized we actually needed a building, so we could cultivate a great environmental center. We’re calling it the Miami Beach Center for the Environment.” Luiz immediately mapped out an ambitious expansion plan.

In addition, ECOMB has attracted a number of volunteers. One volunteer in particular stands out. Gabriole Van Bryce, Treasurer of ECOMB’s Board of Trustees, is Luiz’s right hand woman. Not only is Gabriole an experienced LEED AP, she is partner at greening consulting firm Eco-Logical Solution, chair of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainable Business Council, and chair of the Green Hospitality Council for the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association. Luiz asserts, “ She is the most dedicated Board Member ECOMB has ever had and works tirelessly to promote ECOMB’s mission and goals.  [ECOMB] could not have achieved many of the organization’s accomplishments without her support and that of its volunteers and interns. She is a jewel of a human being.”

According to ECOMB, ‘The Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches (ECOMB) looks forward to furthering its partnership twith the City of Miami Beach as well as with other local “green businesses” to fully implement the Miami Beach Center for the Environmen at 210 Second Street. The Center’s goal will be to provide environmental programs and services to residents, visitors, and City employees. The Center will provide local nature interpretive displays, environmental programming and events, a green building and native landscaping showcase, a composting demonstration area, rain barrel, as well as a recycling drop-off center for small electronics, batteries, and CFLs.’ The main goals of the MBCE is to inform, teach, and explain the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle, as well as that of many other sustainable living strategies.

Luiz wants the MBCE to be LEED accredited. The US Green Building Council’s website (usgbc.org) explains LEED as ‘an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.” LEED certification has four levels: certified, silver, gold, and platinum. The MBCE will be restored and expanded in a way to achieve either a silver or gold certification.

Exceptional enthusiasm for this project has already been generated. For example, Ken Fields, the Director of Marketing and PR for Electron Solar Energy, says “It is our sincerest wish for the success of your project and Electron Solar Energy would like to participate, in any way possible, to help you in your endeavors… Electron Solar Energy will provide, build and install, at Electron’s cost, a Solar/Renewable energy demonstration and display.” In addition, a high-profile architectural firm has offered to work with the MBCE to help make it LEED accredited. The firm believes that by introducing local residents to the latest strategies and benefits of sustainable living, residents will apply these important principles to their everyday lives.

“ECOMB really needs the funds,” says Rodrigues. “I have been a one-man operation for many years. Our goal for 2010 is to raise enough funds through grants, corporate sponsorship or partnerships, donations and fundraising events, so that we have a professional team working with us and we can actually pay them for their services.” So all you ambitious grant writers and altruistic businesses looking for a good way to donate your services, products, and/or money, look no further. ECOMB is a bona fide organization that could use your help. Considering all ECOMB has done for us over the last 16 years, it is the least we can do. If you would like to contact ECOMB you can email either Luiz Rodrigues at luiz@ecomb.org, or Michael Laas at michael.laas@gmail.com.

Following Senator George LeMieux

Posted on 14. Aug, 2010 by Howard Salus in Climate, Environment, Green Business

By Andrea Cuccaro, 1Sky Florida Organizer, 786-925-1151

1Sky Clean Energy Patriots Followed Senator George LeMiuex Around All Week
Monday in front of the Chamber of Commerce in Palm Beach, Florida, Senator George LeMieux spoke about the need to support small businesses, as Florida is primarily a small business state with “no fortune 100 companies” housed here. When he was finished, I was the first person to shoot my hand up in the question and answer session. I introduced myself as a representative of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and thanked him for his thoughtfulness on our economy and his support for clean energy initiatives, which he had also mentioned in his speech. I also asked him if, considering all of his support for clean energy and for small business, if he would support a cap on carbon which would generate revenues from Big Energy and distribute them to clean energy businesses which are primarily small and growing. The senator talked a long and good game about supporting the Lugar’s bill, and tax breaks for clean energy, but ultimately clarified that he does not support a price on carbon as he has been informed that this would cause a 35 percent increase in energy costs. In his answer, he also identified himself as a staunch supporter of investing in nuclear power, which he defined as the “cheapest clean energy” source on the market. While we would not define nuclear as clean from the environmental costs in terms of water and waste, as well as the health costs of Leukemia traced to neighbors of transmission lines and reactors, it’s also important to point out that nuclear is actually really expensive, and that according to a study from Duke University, solar is less expensive than nuclear now. Solar power is on a trajectory to become less and less expensive and the year 2010 is the year in which it surpassed nuclear as a more affordable option.
The most important takeaway from this day was that U.S. Senator LeMieux came out publically against a cap on carbon. This was the first time climate solutions advocates heard the senator take a position. While the senator supports clean energy tax breaks and investments, all of which will jumpstart our green economy and curb carbon emissions, climate solutions advocates like 1Sky are disappointed he does not support a cap. A cap on carbon is the only way to ensure we can control cutting greenhouse gases within the timelines we need, in the timeframes outlined by scientists- between twenty and forty percent reductions below 1990 levels of greenhouse gases by 2020. A cap and price  on carbon that covers all the major pollution sources in the economy would be ratcheted down each year to insure further reductions over time, and to reinvest revenues from Big Oil and Dirty Coal companies into local growing small businesses in clean energy.
There seems to be little justification for the senator to take this position but to point to his ties to Big Oil and Dirty Coal corporate interests. Florida clean energy advocates have delivered between fifteen thousand and twenty thousand signatures at minimum regarding this issue over the past year and still the senator has acted the wrong way. We are now experiencing the warmest year on record. A giant ice sheet just broke off of Greenland. Melting fresh water ice sheets in the North Atlantic is a consequence of warmer temperatures that scientists have long said could lead to an ice age. When the cold fresh water floods the North Atlantic ocean, the temperature of which is made warmer by the gulf stream current which flows with temperatures from the South Atlantic, the fresh water could reach a lot of the stream and push heavier salt water lower, along with its warmer temperatures. The most dire possible result? A sudden ice age in northern Europe and North America.
Clean energy business leaders have met with the senator’s staff over the past year to inform him of the necessary policy incentives for business growth, anda transition from fossil fuels which create a blanket of heat trapping gases in our atmosphere, to a clean and green economy.
He stated concerns that big energy companies would pass on costs to rate paying consumers. Yet, policy makers can create controls to prevent that. While the senator believes costs for consumers could rise 35 percent, studies from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office discuss that the average rise in costs would be $175 per year for family households.
1Sky and partnered advocates have followed him around the state this week, starting with the Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Monday in Palm Beach, two Wednesday town hall meetings in Orlando and Tampa, a rally outside his Miami office Thursday, and advocates at an event he spoke at in Ft. Lauderdale on Friday. Everywhere he went, we had activists to ask him, “Will you support a cap on carbon now?”