William asks…
what is the sustainable community built in Brazil that does research in green technologies?
I had read about a community in brazil that has played a major part in proving that sustainable communities are possible by using micro grids, mini hydro turbines and small wind turbines. I cannot remember the name or find anything online.
The Expert answers:
Perhaps you are thinking of Ecoversidade? Http://www.livingroutes.org/programs/e_ecoversidade.htm
Hope this helps!
– Aaron Dalton, Editor, http://1GreenProduct.com
Sandra asks…
Is there a good website to find out about ethical and sustainable designers and company’s?
Currently doing some research into sustainable designers and company’s but having a bit of trouble finding any good websites and wondered if anyone out there had any website suggestions?
I’m looking for company’s who are well known for being sustainable.
The Expert answers:
Yes, but there is no link for that website…
Nancy asks…
How is the rainforest being managed in a sustainable way?
Geography homework – to research how the rainforest is being managed in a sustainable way?
The Expert answers:
It is? That’s news to me.
Lizzie asks…
What is sustainable fossil fuel consumption?
If fossil fuel production were to remain what it is now (very slow), and every human consumed the same amount of fossil fuels, what would be the sustainable level of consumption for each person? Sustainable means able to be done forever. Thanks! 😀
The Expert answers:
Fossil fuel is the chemically stored energy of the sun collected by photosynthesis over millions of years. Sustainable fossil fuel consumption would be to use strictly solar energy rather than energy that had been stored by nature over time.
John asks…
What are the roles of a Quantity Surveyor in promoting and helping to create Sustainable Construction?
Quantity Surveyor is also known as a Building Cost Consultant or a Construction Estimator.
So I’m curious as to what part can a QS play when it comes to embracing the environment and developing Sustainable Construction.
The Expert answers:
These guys are really just bean counters. They just keep track of costs, or estimate costs for proposals of a new building. Maybe they can find savings from one part of a project to spend on a “sustainable” part of the project.
You need the architect of record to be the one pushing for sustainable construction. Also the owner of the project has to really want to do it. Things like geothermal HVAC systems and living roofs with solar panels are great for sustainable construction. But the up front cost are ENORMOUS! A typical HVAC sytem for a commercial building is about $40,000. A geothermal system in the same building is $500,000. It will pay itself off in the long run, but that could be 15-20 years. Govenment might be able to afford those kinds of upgrades for a school or library that they plan on using for 80 years; but a developer that’s trying to make money isn’t going to want to spend 10 or 20 times the cost just to “be green”.
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