movement.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the last few days following news of social justice movements happening around the world, in particular the Red Shirts of Bangkok, anti-dam protests in Brazil and international human rights discussions about the illegality of rape being used as a weapon of war.   Some points are more compelling than others, but to be sure, a lot is happening right now — not 50 or 100 years ago…right NOW — and some of it is too extreme, too terrible to think of.  Despite my varying levels of comfort, however, remaining uninformed about the reality of modern-day injustice is reckless and unacceptable.

Having been in Bangkok not too long before the military coup in 2006, I find it difficult to imagine what the current state of things must be like.  Violent conflict seemed a very distant reality until last week when the military and activists clashed in a rather bloody confrontation, an outcome I’m sure neither side wanted.

I have not seen anywhere a more organized and vehement grassroots movement than what I witnessed in Bangkok during my attendance at the International AIDS Conference 6 years ago.  For one to say they were working together in solidarity would have been an understated description of how activist groups and community leaders responded to the need for increased awareness of and access to HIV/AIDS  education and treatment.  As the number of people joining the protests and peaceful marches continued to increase, the momentum grew like nothing I had seen before.  Thousands of people from all sectors of the community came — from rural to urban, from male to female, from young to old — to exercise their right as citizens to make their priorities known to their elected leaders.  I was impressed and felt fortunate to be part of such a lively voice.  And the people were heard.  Thailand has one of the most comprehensive national HIV/AIDS programs, in terms of education/prevention and access to treatment, in the world.

So when I look at Thailand, and see their citizens demanding to be heard, and see their leaders responding to what is demanded of them, I can’t help but compare that level of activism to other movements around the world (and here at home).  If the people demand justice, will it come?  Will the unsanctioned, misguided, corrupt, self-interested political gestures that lead to disparity end?  I believe the answer is yes… eventually.  There are still many voices that go unheard or are ignored altogether and they are all demanding justice.  It will take time, and it will take staying the course.  I believe that true empathy, by definition, breeds moderation.  We should, therefore, work to understand one another so that we might all enjoy a little peace of mind in our lifetimes.

Can’t Stop the Serenity

Charity fundraisers are awesome because they give me an opportunity to meet a community of people who are willing to give their time, concern and/or money to causes I believe in. It’s also a great way to network with like-minded individuals.

Last night, I attended the Can’t Stop the Serenity charity screening of Joss Whedon’s Serenity, hosted by the Mile High Browncoats as a tribute to Joss and his efforts in supporting the advocacy group Equality Now. Serenity is one of my favorite movies, and all proceeds above cost from the event were to benefit EN, which works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world. Men are also highly impacted by their work, as they stand to benefit a great deal from their tremendous efforts.

The screening was at the Tivoli in Denver, and it was PACKED. I attended the 8pm screening, and met some really cool folks while standing in line and waiting for the 5pm group to leave. I saw old people, young people, coupled people, single people, some people dressed in jeans and t-shirts and some people dressed in costumes and full-length gowns. It was awesome. One woman behind me commented on how cool it was to see so many “sci-fi geeks in one place”. Yeah!

Before the movie began, we watched a short film featuring Meryl Streep (on behalf of Equality Now), and Joss, in honor of his mother Jessica. After Meryl spoke, Joss gave the audience several answers to a question he is asked over and over again, “Why do you keep writing such strong female characters into your stories?” Joss answered, “Because of my mother”, “Because of my father”, “Because they’re hot” and “Because you’re still asking me that question instead of asking the other 100 guys over there why they’re not.” Well said.

Overall, the night was a lot of fun and very empowering. It was great to be in the presence of men and women who love sci-fi and support strong, healthy women and men. It’s not about overpowering each other, it’s about respecting each other’s ability to be strong and supportive. Like my Auntie Vivian used to always say, “When I am strong, my family, my home and my community are strong.”

At some moments, I felt like I was on the red carpet . The highlight of the evening was being invited by Wes to the Afterparty in downtown, but I had to regrettably decline. Thanks to the MHB and all the organizers and volunteers for a great event!

Happy Summer!

Green Building Design…Day Three

Whew, what a weekend! Today ended what has been an extremely intense, but wonderful, 3-day course on Green Building Techniques, presented by environmental scientist and green builder Dan Chiras at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Our agenda today covered:

• Passive Cooling Design: Principles and Guidelines
• Residential Renewable Energy Technologies: Part 1 (Solar Hot Water – Solar Hot Air – Solar Electric – Wind Energy – Microhydro)
• Residential Renewable Energy Technologies: Part 2 (more in-depth discussion of Part 1 technologies)
• Green Remodeling (Guest Lecturer, Larry Kinney, Synertech Systems Corp., Boulder)
• Natural Building: Why Build with natural materials? (Guest Lecturer, Larua Bartels, GreenWeaver, Inc. , Carbondale) (Straw bale – Adobe – Rammed Earth – Wattle & Daub – Cob – Straw Clay – Natural Plasters)
• Creating Sustainable Communities: Rebuilding Existing Communities

I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this course–we met our goals as a group and enjoyed ourselves in the meantime. Now that the course is over, I’m one step closer to being Green Building Certified (a process I began about 2 years ago). More details on that as it happens later in the year. For photos on some of the other projects I’ve worked on, follow this link.

Perhaps, the most important point I walked away with was this:

“Truly appropriate technology doesn’t make people or their communities dependent on systems over which they have no control.” –David Eisenberg

Green Design (Building, and Technology) is really, for me, about being good to myself, empowering my community and ensuring the prosperity of future generations…all children of all species for all time. (William McDonough) How can I do this? By being mindful and intentional with what is within my control–little by little, today, tomorrow and every day.

Many thanks to Dan, Mark Shueneman (of the Colorado Straw Bale Association, Boulder), Laura Bartels and our guest speakers for an amazing weekend!

Green Building Techniques…Day Two

Day Two of the Green Building Techniques course presented by Dan Chiras was phenomenal!

An outstanding feature of this lecture is that Chiras is teaching us from his proven methods of success, and also from the mistakes he made when designing and building his own home. He often refers to things he didn’t consider at the time and passes along a note of caution on how to avoid danger in the future. That perspective makes what he’s teaching even more cohesive and practical.

Today’s Topics:

• Green Building Practices, Materials and Technologies: Part 2 (Accessibility – Ergonomics – Adaptability – Earth-sheltering – Energy Efficient Design – Renewable Energy – Water Efficiency – Recycling Waste Water – Water Management – Landscaping for Wildlife – Integrated Design)
• Green Building Programs: What are they and why are they valuable? (Earthcraft, Green Built Colorado, LEED)
• How much does it cost to go green?
• Green Built Production Homes (Guest Lecturer, Jeff Medanich, McStain Neigborhoods, Boulder)
• Energy Efficient Design and Construction (Guest Lecturer, Larry Kinney, Synertech Sytems Corp. and SunFlower Corp., Boulder)
• Passive Solar Heating: Design Guidelines
• Passive Solar Heating: Avoiding Mistakes
• Builder Guide for Windows (BGW2004) Software (Guest Lecturer, Fred Roberts, Solaequis, Fort Collins)
• Radiant Heating, Hydronics, Solar Cooking and many more…!

And the main point that Chiras couldn’t stress enough was: DESIGN FOR EFFICIENCY!!!

During one of the design lectures, I brought up the notion that dome structures are increasing in popularity and asked what considerations one should make when trying to design. Chiras mentioned several advantages, such as stability, efficiency, etc., but also pointed out a few concerns around design complications, such as dome structures creating passive solar heating design complications. He also referred me to his book, The New Economical Home, which we all received a free copy of, where he makes mention of building domes. Surprisingly, the gentleman I met yesterday, the one who is designing a vacation home for him and his wife, currently lives in a house that has a dome feature incorporated into the center! Great! We talked at length about why he chose to do this, as dome living has been a passion of his for a long time. He also explained some of the complications he’s had, and recommended incorporating a dome structure into a larger floor plan (part of my observation/viewing dome ideas anyway). Another woman in our group, who’s actually researched dome living extensively, overheard our conversation and approached me afterwards. She gave me all kinds of links and resources for dome kits, monolithic domes, etc., and updated me on some of the benefits of domes when used as a primary dwelling.

Chiras also showed slides of gorgeous, spacious, brightly daylit interiors. I became interested in Daylighting techniques several years ago after learning about how incredibly easy it is to brightly light an office, classroom or home with natural daylight and little or no electric light. I call natural daylight “happy light”–our brain needs natural sun light each day to produce chemicals that promote feelings of health and well-being. Ever suffer from “cabin fever” in the winter? Shorter days mean less exposure to that vital dose of sunshine. Not only are bright, cheery spaces more fun (and much more productive) to be in, they are necessary for sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). And, as are all green design techniques when well-implemented, daylighting is extremely cost effective. Less money spent on electric lighting means more money in the bank.

A few buzz phrases I’ve been hearing:

“Design is an indication of intent.” –William McDonough

“Air Tight, Ventilate Right!” –Larry Kinney

and perhaps my favorite…

“When we build, let us think that we build forever.” –John Ruskin

Reporting Live from Green Building Techniques…Day One

I’ve just ended my first day in a three-day short-course on Green Building Techniques, given through the University of Colorado at Boulder. Our facilitator and main presenter is Dan Chiras, who, for many reasons, is fast becoming one of my personal heroes. He’s had a long and exceptional career, with roots in the biological sciences, and he is an expert in the fields of environmental science and green design. He is also living in a home he sustainably designed and built, and has lived off the electicity grid for over a decade.

Today’s lectures were nothing less than intense–A LOT of material was covered in our first session. We discussed topics on :

• The History of Green Building
• The Growing Popularity of Green Building (Guest Lecturer, Laura Bartels, GreenWeaver, Inc., Carbondale, CO )
• Why Build Green?: The end of cheap oil and natural gas
• Overview of Green Building Practices, Materials and Technologies: Part 1 (Site selection – Site restoration – Energy Efficiency – Renewable Energy – Healthy Building – Green Building Materials – Landscaping for Energy and Environment – Waste Recycling – Building a Healthy Home – Reducing Wood Use and Advanced Framing Techniques)
• Green Building Materials (Guest Lecturer, Jeff Scott, SolSource, Inc., Denver)
• Environmental Justice and Affordable Sustainability (Dignity Village, and The Intertribal Council on Utility Policy)

The class participants have arrived from all over the country to hear Chiras give this lecture; oddly enough, I’m the only one here from the engineering field (there were about 25 of us in today’s session). Most of the attendees are environmental designers, architects and builders, and several are would-be do-it-yourselfers who have dreams (or signed contracts!) to design and build green homes of their own. I fall into the latter category, as I’ve had big dreams of designing and building my own house for a long time. And this course is just encouraging me to dream bigger! Geez, just what I need! So far, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know a young couple from Colorado, who are renovating their existing home, an architect in Denver, who works in commercial government contracts, a young woman who just bought land in the mountains, and is looking to build her first home from the ground up , and a retired gentleman from South Carolina, who is just beginning the process of designing a vacation home for him and his wife in the mountains of North Carolina (who couldn’t find a contractor in his area that would touch a green design project–unbelievable!).

The course is certainly designed for the self-starter looking to bring green building techniques into their home; also pointed out, however, were several segues into commercial applications and professional considerations. As an engineering student focusing (in the larger scope) on space, environmental and biological systems, I am totally geeked over how applicable these techniques are in the areas of sustainable life support systems and habitats–the subjects of energy, air quality, lighting, waste/water treatment, and heating and cooling are all extremenly relevant to the design of well-contained, durable and healthy environments, whether built on this planet or circling above it.

More from the from the scene, as it happens, tomorrow…