Check out Florida’s first Earthship under construction in Manatee County!
The Earthship which is a structure typically seen in the West is made of re-used tires, glass bottles, various other recycled/reused materials and earth based plasters. These structures are made to mimic the systems found in nature; rainwater catchment, greywater use, thermal mass for heating and cooling, and permaculture to name a few. Bryan Roberts of Eco-Tech Construction is the contractor for Florida’s first Earthship.
Having just returned from Prescott College with a degree in Sustainable Community Development in hand, I have been reflecting on what all this means. By “all this” I mean my career path, my community, and the word, sustainability. For simplicities sake, when previously asked what I was getting my degree in, I would blurt out the title, then quickly follow up with “you know, green building.” It’s true that at Prescott College, the curriculum is self designed and though I was getting my degree in Sustainable Community Development, my studies were bent toward green building and design, since I’m a practicing residential designer. Makes perfect sense.
The reality is that green building and “going green” are not synonymous with sustainability. They are an element of sustainability, but they are not the defining feature. I learned this in my first course at Prescott, Critical Issues and Applications. Instinctively, I knew this to be true, but I didn’t yet have the language or coherent thoughts to express the difference. Oddly enough, over the next two years, I still didn’t have the language (or chose to disregard) to define what I studied. I often pretended that it was something other than what it really was.
I share with most Americans a common affliction - the ability to define who I am for the rest of the world to sum up in simple, understandable terms, like one word, e.g., “I’m a ________.” For the last fourteen years I have been a residential designer. This has usually drawn blank stares and then a typical response, “oh, you design interiors.” No, in fact, I don’t. Then comes the long explanation that either draws more blank stares, disinterest, or suspicion. Occasionally, I am understood. By definition, I am an architect. By Florida law, because I am not licensed, I am not allowed to use any variation of the word ‘architect’ or ‘architecture’ to describe myself or what I do. That’s fine, I have the utmost respect for my fellow architect peers that went through traditional means to acquire their career title. Unfortunately, the title of residential designer, leaves people confused and disappointed because we are so used to thinking in absolute, specialist, simplified terms. But in reality, how many of us can really describe our livelihood in one or two words?
Add to residential designer the fact that I went back to school, not to earn a degree in architecture, but a degree in sustainable community development and what word comes to mind? Confusion? After reading Stephen Kellert’s book, Building for Life, I claimed for myself a term he used in the book to describe a new professional he would like to see emerge that combines the natural and built environments, the environmental restorative designer. Makes sense to me.
I even tried calling myself a permaculturist for a brief stint. I found that even permaculturist, Toby Hemenway, refers to permaculture as ecological design in his book Gaia’s Garden, in order to be inclusive and understood. A good and concerned friend says that the word permaculture sounds unhip, uncool, and like, what is it?
Then I came home from Prescott, with degree in hand, remember? On my travels, I picked up a copy of Vandana Shiva’s book, Stolen Harvest and in the book, she is described as an advocate for sustainable community development and her formal education is as scientist. It finally dawned on me that I was doing myself and others around me, a great disservice by not completely owning up to my degree and educating others about sustainability. By defining myself as a residential designer who has a keen interest in green design, I miss the opportunity to be fulfilled in my life’s work. If I truly want to continue designing housing that is mostly the status quo with a few green bells and whistles, then I can continue as I have all along. If I want to work on environmental and humanitarian issues, then I must embrace this thing called sustainability. What does this make me now? A sustainologist perhaps. Confused yet?
According to the Brundtland Report, sustainable development is defined as development that ”meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Bill Mollison and David Holmgren claim that permaculture goes beyond sustainability by caring for humans, caring for the earth, acknowledging that every being has intrinsic value, and sharing the surplus.
From Wikiedia: Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the capacity to endure. In ecology the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is the potential for long-term improvements in well being, which in turn depend on the well being of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources.
The First Nation Iroquois had their own definition of sustainability that considers and accounts for seven future generations. “In every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation… even if it requires having skin as thick as the bark of a pine.” –great Law of the Iroquois
At Prescott College, the Sustainable Community Development program, created by Terril Shorb is defined by what he calls the butterfly curriculum, which consists of four areas of focus; natural history, appropriate technologies (this is where green building is addressed), spirituality and psychology, and arts and education. The butterfly is the representative symbol because of the four lobes of her wings and her ability set world changing events into action by the mere flutter of her wings.
So, the time has come to stop pretending that designing a green home somehow equates to creating a more environmentally and socially just world. It’s a piece of the puzzle, but not the whole picture. It’s about the way we live and every day decisions we make. Every choice is the opportunity to create sustainable communities or further push society down a path of uncomfortable change and destruction. In the interim, I continue to make a living as best evolved toward less harm as possible, but in the continuum, deep systemic changes are taking root.
The Bay Green Expo was this past Saturday at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida. This event was open to the public and a great opportunity to meet vendors of green products and services, as well as, hear talks by knowledgable speakers about things we can all do to live lighter on the planet. The event was on the final day of Thirty Days of Green, a month long event of activities relating to sustainability.
From natural skin care to green building products, to public transportation and sustainable design services, the vendors covered a wide range of eco-ness. Photos below from top left, going clockwise: John Adkins and Anthony Vallée of Green Central Station, Christian Wagley of Stalwart Built Homes, Pat Muth of Muth and Sons Plumbing, and Chandra Hartman of CFH Design Studio. For more information about the event, visit Bay Green Expo.
Final Day of Bay Green Expo, Staurday, May 16, 2009!
THE BAY GREEN EXPO & THE FRIENDS OF ST. ANDREW BAY
The final event of the Thirty Days of Green is the Bay Green Expo on May 16 at Gulf Coast Community College. During this event, local businesses, non–profits, public agencies, and service organizations will display their services, products and knowledge to help the public live a greener, more sustainablelifestyle.
Throughout the event, classrooms at GCCC’s Student Union East will host a rich array of speakers presenting on such topics as Coastal Ecology; New Urbanism; The Water Efficient Landscape;The Natural Capital of Bay County; and, Solar and You, among others. This event is free and open to thepublic. “This is a great event for the whole family,” said Mike Brim, “and it is free!” There will be free drawings for rain barrels and additional items.
The Bay Green Expo will run from 9am-4 pm at Gulf Coast Community Collegein the Student Union East Conference Center.
For more information, call Carl Roberts at 850-381-8015, Jeff Allen, 850-625-3061 or The Friends of St.
The AIA (American Institute of Architects) will extend their requirement for continuing education units to include 4 hours of sustainable design. Read more about it here.
After last years success, Thirty Days of Green and the Bay Green Expo have returned to bring even more offerings to both professionals and the general public. From events, to engaging speakers, to workshops on living green, there is something for everyone. The Bay Green Expo is an amazing resource and if it’s anything like last year, be prepared to see something new and engage with knowledgable professionals about their passion for green living. Some of the highlights from last year include permaculture, solar water heating, rain barrels, living roofs, Eco-Smart products, Stalwart Homes, and the list goes on. See the full lsit of events below.
When: April 17 - May 16, 2009
Where: Gulf Coast Community College and other locations
April 17, 2009: Thirty Days of Green Kick Off Event April 17, 2009 at the Visual Arts Center on Harrison Avenue, downtown Panama City from 6-8. Keynote Speaker, Mayor Scott Clemons will discuss the history of Panama City “Everything old is new again: using the past for a sustainable future” and how from understanding the past we will be able to incorporate many pre-modern features into our sustainable future.
Door prizes will be provided by Sweet Tease Café. Emerald Coast Coast Home Brewers Organization will provide home brew for taste testing. Belgian Tripel, American Crème Ale and English Ole Ale.
April 18, 2009: Earth Day festivities at Carl Gray Park More information please visit www.earthdaybaycounty.com.
April 21, 2009: Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, Edgewater Beach Resort Contact David Haight at 850.236.8675 Ext. 221
April 24, 2009: Arbor Day Gulf Coast Women’s Club Gulf Coast Women’s Club will plant a tree for a local elementary school.
April 25, 2009: Green Saturday, Gulf Coast Community College The first of a series of informative workshops on a variety of green topics Contact Carl Roberts at (850) 381-8015, Jeff Allen at (850) 625-3061
April 25 and 26, 2009: Bay County Horseman’s Association Intro to Competitive Trail Riding- Two Day Clinic-Two local competitive trail riders, Debbie Jelks and Teri Stephens-Pankhurst will bring you though all you need to know to confidently head out to a competitive trail ride. Contact Amy Pachuki at Red Oak Farms- 850-722-5400
May 1, 2009: Downtown Friday Fest Located Downtown on Harrison Avenue from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
May 9, 2009: Learning from Traditional Neighborhoods: A Walking Tour of Historic St. Andrews
Older neighborhoods like St. Andrews were developed before modern zoning and the widespread use of the automobile altered the American landscape. St. Andrews is a close-knit, mixed-use neighborhood where residents can meet many of their daily needs within walking distance.
Join us for a fun walking tour of St. Andrews and learn how elements of traditional neighborhoods can once again be integrated into new development and redevelopment and thereby create communities that use less energy and water and preserve more open space. We’ll visit a waterfront park, newly-redeveloped buildings, and even a green roof that provides an innovative way to reduce stormwater runoff and provide attractive urban green space.
Your tour leaders are Nancy Wengel, director of the St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership, and Christian Wagley, president of Sustainable Town Concepts.Contact Christian Wagley at (850) 687-9968
May 16, 2009 Bay Green Expo, GCCC, Student Union East The Expo will provide an opportunity for attendees to connect and collaborate with companies and community organizations involved in the advancement of sustainable development in the area. This program will provide an interactive approach to understanding the issues related to sustainable development and green living, with opportunities to discuss and learn simple strategies for sustainable living on a daily basis.
The Expo offers participants an opportunity to view products and services from local vendors unique to green building and sustainability. In addition, speakers will present throughout the day on ways to live sustainably.
The purpose of the Expo is to educate the community about how each of us can live a little greener, build a little greener and see many different way to minimize resource consumption. Those who are interested in being more informed, wanting to find innovative methods to “going green,” or anyone who wants to become involved is welcome to attend.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recently formed a branch in our region. The official title is the Emerald Coast Branch of the Northern Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC. This branch includes the tri-county area of Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay. The USGBC is a 501(c)(3) non profit composed of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings and communities that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. This is a great organization to get involved with if you are concerned with the future of the built and natural environments. No need to be connected to the building industry, the branch is hoping to have members from differing fields and diverse backgrounds. The group will be meeting monthly and opening membership opportunities in the months to come. Dedicated to education, the Emerald Coast Branch will be conducting monthly forums for members, and other programs for public participation. I’ll be sure to post updates, as the group becomes more organized. In the meantime, check out the official website of the USGBC.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recently formed a branch in our region. The official title is the Emerald Coast Branch of the Northern Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC. This branch includes the tri-county area of Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay. The USGBC is a 501(c)(3) non profit composed of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings and communities that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. This is a great organization to get involved with if you are concerned with the future of the built and natural environments. No need to be connected to the building industry, the branch is hoping to have members from differing fields and diverse backgrounds. The group will be meeting monthly and opening membership opportunities in the months to come. Dedicated to education, the Emerald Coast Branch will be conducting monthly forums for members, and other programs for public participation. I’ll be sure to post updates, as the group becomes more organized. In the meantime, check out the official website of the 
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