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Allison Friedman
Rate It Green Admin Boston - Metrowest MA United States Member Since: 01/11/2006
My Activities
- 102 Discussions
- 131 Group Posts
- 24 Replies
- 12 Articles
- 0 Ratings
- Comments
About Me
Professional Information
Position: Founder
Company: Rate It Green, LLC
Activity
What is the Future of Gas Cooking?
I n mid-January 2023, there was what seemed like a surprise announcement one day acknowledging the dangers of gas stoves and announcing possible regulatory action, and then this whole story seemed to be taken back and almost completely disappeared from the news the next. If you weren’t paying attention to the news in that 24-hour period, you might even have missed it. For people who are knowledgeable about indoor air qual...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 04/22/2023 + Show |
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) 101 - An Introduction, and Starting a Wider Conversation
It’s a fairly well known generalization in the building industry and beyond that we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, so it seems that most people would agree easily enough that the quality of indoor air matters. In fact, and according to the EPA, indoor air pollutant levels are 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels and can even exceed outdoor pollutant levels by up to 100 times. However, most building occ...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 11/14/2023 + Show |
I had given some thought to the significant, known challenge we face in decarbonizing homes to meet climate carbon reduction goals, and in particular that it’s going to be daunting to retrofit millions of existing homes, both to make sure companies are eager and available to do this work and to inspire or require homeowners to make the necessary changes for new and existing buildings. Many in the sustainable building world have...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/02/2023 + Show |
What Will Offices Look and Feel Like Going Forward? Top Considerations, Strategies, and Challenges
“The world of work will never be the same again….In a post COVID-19 world, work not only has to be safe, it has to be “clean and assured.” - Larry Pearlman, Marsh Risk Consulting “ The science is decades old on all the benefits that come from healthy buildings, including infectious disease reduction…But these strategies have not been fully deployed in buildings.” -Joseph...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/06/2023 + Show |
Protecting Workers on the JobSite - Emerging Ideas on Communication, Safety Procedures & PPE
"Pipes break, HVAC equipment fails, service will have to be done during this crisis.” This is how Bob Krell of HealthyIndoors.com started his regular afternoon show on a Thursday in late April, just as the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 impact were beginning to become clear. Indeed, I had been wondering how long we might hope for good luck in terms of nothing breaking or needing critical service during this time of ...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/06/2023 + Show |
Greenbuild 2019 - Looking to the Future (Sustainable and Successful, for Everyone)
It is a fun and fairly common experience at Greenbuild to find mid conversation that you already know the person you’re speaking to from an email exchange, a social media connection, or in my case that they’re already a member of our online green building network! One of my favorite moments this year was when someone stopped me on the trade show floor and thanked me for promoting an event for an organization she interned for...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/10/2023 + Show |
RGGI - Acadia Center's 10 Year Review (Reduced Emissions and Economic Growth Go Hand in Hand)
The Acadia Center has released a review of the first ten years of operation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI (pronounced “Reggie”), and the results are exceedingly positive and show that a clean energy economy really can have it all. The analysis concludes that CO2 emissions from power plants in the RGGI states fell 90% faster during this time period than in the rest of country, while economic growth in the ...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/11/2023 + Show |
Greenbuild 2018 - Report Out, and Top 10
The participating companies and attendees at Greenbuild 2018 seemed to have a wider, more open outlook about our work as an industry than I have perceived at times. We talk about collaboration and even harmonization, but who's going to take that risk and share their inspirations and even some secret sauce? Who really believes that a rising tide can lift all boats to the point where they will share some of t...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 11/27/2018 + Show |
Greenbuild 2017 Wrap Up - Some Top Show Moments and Activities
Greenbuild 2017 was a whirlwind week! I am excited to share some top Greenbuild 2017 activities and moments. Sometimes, I wished I could be in more than one place at once! Conversations on the show floor gave me an opportunity to make new connections, and to see some familiar faces. More than once, I was enjoying speaking with someone, and we realized when we looked at our name tags that we know each oth...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 11/16/2017 + Show |
We've been hearing and reading excitedly recently that communities are committing to running 100% on renewable energy... First there were 5, and then the number rose to 23 and counting! Cities are being announced in the news, but it would be helpful to have a few places to view "the list" and to really see what's going on and to watch this trend. Fortunately, several organizations have stepped forward to pr...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 03/24/2023 + Show |
Urban Green Council Emerging Professionals
Awesome, and welcome Ic! Please feel welcome to post this same also in the NY Green Building Group! … Awesome, and welcome Ic! Please feel welcome to post this same also in the NY Green Building Group! (Group posts have to belong to one group technically, but this post seems worthy of two!
Reply given on: 05/19/2023
#GreenInfluncerATL group members connect at #IBS2022 in Orlando
Hey #GreenInfluencerATL Members - Here's a post we wrote up on "Filtration and Airflow in Whole Hous… Hey #GreenInfluencerATL Members - Here's a post we wrote up on "Filtration and Airflow in Whole House HVAC Systems: Filter Cabinets and MERV Options" that includes these videos plus the one Matt recorded with Chris Howells at IBS. I have appreciated this recent great filtration content! https://www.rateitgreen.com/green-building-community/discussions/products/filtration-and-airflow-in-whole-house-hvac-systems-filter-cabinets-and-merv-options/5906
Reply given on: 06/16/2022
NOT COMPLICATED - JUST GREEN, podcast of common sense for better construction
I really enjoyed this conversation, thanks James and Matt. I think it lived up to its name of n… I really enjoyed this conversation, thanks James and Matt. I think it lived up to its name of not being complicated and was super approachable. I’d recommend giving a listen, but just in case it can help to give some highlights, here’s some of what was discussed: -Why not just build cheaper buildings? Goodness we could go on forever about that. Liability was one point, but also taking short cuts or just not building better leads to higher costs, upset clients and maybe even health impacts down the road. As Matt points out, selfishly, sustainability saves money! -What items are the longer term decisions people should be thinking about? I enjoyed Matt’s point about having a Bentley in the driveway but a Yugo in the mechanical room. We spend a lot on our homes - which is a good reason to get it right. And, cheaper systems can be more to install, and might have more maintenance costs or need to be replaced sooner... -How can we think about possible impacts? A key answer is really that if we do everything right, it all adds up. Matt makes a great point that we don’t often do our math right. If something costs 20% more but will last 5x as long, or we focus on aesthetics and install an exterior surface that the sun and rain will destroy, we’re not making cost effective decisions. We need to talk and teach more about operating and long term costs in the structure of costs. We need ot figure out people’s pain points, whether it’s comfort, health issues, costs, and then we can educate and introduce options that will work for occupants and overall. -What are builder’s pain points? This is a super interesting question. Matt believes if we provide solutions and don’t just point out problems, and if we educate clients, people will make better decisions. -Can the game be stepped up even higher? Well, yes. We’re going to see more energy efficiency, more electrification, and more power creation at the source. Why not become more efficient and save, AND make it clean? -Where can you learn from Matt? Well, on Sawhorse, Inc’s site of course, on Sawhorse’s YT channel, and here on Rate It Green! Matt also talks about the WHY of creating content - it’s helpful in onboarding and educating clients, and also helping others to do the same. Once we know more, and as we learn, he really believes it’s our obligation to share. That’s one of the reasons he’s a founding member of the #GreenInfluencerATL group… -Should people get educated? Heck yes. -What are calls to action, if people want to create a movement? I appreciate Matt’s thought here to “Be the resource for your friends.” I am repeating that one below with more thoughts, but Matt brings up continued education for professionals as well as for consumers. We need a plan for when things break, so we’re ready to install good solutions, and not just what’s cheapest or easiest. These are long-term decisions! Overheard in this podcast: “Go Green, Go Naked!” I’ll let you go find that one in the podcast. :) “Be the resource for your friends.” Once we educate more people, each person can in turn get more people excited about these core concepts. James brings up the idea of what people can do if they want to create a movement. That’s what this group is all here for, to share what we’re learning, and to ask each other and others our questions. !! Thanks again, James and Matt! To see all of James’ podcasts: https://notcomplicatedjustgreen.buzzsprout.com/1987668
Reply given on: 06/08/2022
#GreenInfluncerATL group members connect at #IBS2022 in Orlando
Here's the link to Corbett's presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcqgYMg79A&t=0s I … Here's the link to Corbett's presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcqgYMg79A&t=0s I took some notes and will post on it separately, but if all everyone learns are the 3 key considerations about air management, we will be in a better place: Air has to be something we’re all thinking more about, not just those who already know more, because there's just too much work to be done for everyone to live in a healthier, more sustainable space. 1. Don’t bring bad stuff in - as a professional or occupant! 2. Ventilate 3. Keep it dry Among so many other key thoughts, I appreciated Corbett mentioning that it's important to ventilate during construction, so you don't allow mold to grow and then have people move in. That happened to us, and it was very expensive to repair.
Reply given on: 06/08/2022
Can heat pump water heaters extend the life of your EV?
This is great information, thanks. I am for all the bonuses we can get as we work to improve energy… This is great information, thanks. I am for all the bonuses we can get as we work to improve energy efficiency and air quality in our homes and oher buildings!
Reply given on: 10/11/2021
Summer Electricity Demand – “Shave the Peak” to Save Money and Help the Environment!
It would be great if people could report in on what other states are doing as well. Thanks for this… It would be great if people could report in on what other states are doing as well. Thanks for this AbbieKnight - I just signed up, and it was super easy. You fill in your email and specify how often you want updates - and that's it! According to the Green Energy Consumers Alliance blog, the 40% of use you're reporting above is consumed during the 10% of hours that have the highest demand - ouch. I can certainly change some of my patterns to help, whether it's earlier or later.
Reply given on: 07/23/2019
Monocrystalline Solar Cells | What are they?
Thanks for this introduction. I have been wondering what we can do to limit the environmental impac… Thanks for this introduction. I have been wondering what we can do to limit the environmental impacts of solar panels. Of course it's more sustainable to produce energy through solar panels than to burn fossil fuels, but what can we do to reduce the materials, chemicals, water and energy consumed in the production and use of solar panels? What can we do to make sure they are also as durable as possible, and to reduce any end of life impacts?
Reply given on: 12/04/2017
Stewardship Mapping - find out what services are available in your community
What a fascinating concept of mapping stewardship - maybe we can apply this specifically to green bu… What a fascinating concept of mapping stewardship - maybe we can apply this specifically to green building. I feel that in recent years there has been a realization that none of us can "do this" alone. I see more partnerships and more collaborative opportunities. This link can take people directly to this blog post: http://usgbc-la.org/blog/environmentalism-isnt-what-you-think/
Reply given on: 06/06/2017
There's the business case - and the human case. Both make it clear: we can't wait. So much needs … There's the business case - and the human case. Both make it clear: we can't wait. So much needs to happen that it's daunting. But so much also is. I look forward to working with you to promote activity at every level that IS working already, and then also to to encourage, inspire and facilitate people to learn, engage with each other and collaborate, and to act. I struggle with how to get information where it's needed - and for this, I know we also need more people sharing what they know, and what they wish to know. One small example - I keep reading excited little blurbs of communities boting to go 100% renewable, and sometimes there's a count - like city #24 in the US! Great - I can't even find a master list to share with people. So even when there is good information, how do we find it and make it accessible. And your point is an excellent one about needing to think about sustainably more widely. While green building has been my focus, with encouraging products and services in mind, sustainability only works if there is health involved, and social justice as well. A community isn't truly sustainable if only some people benefit, to be sure.
Reply given on: 05/03/2017
I am so in on using data for good! I know data can be manipulated, but if we're sincere, we can do … I am so in on using data for good! I know data can be manipulated, but if we're sincere, we can do so much. I so agree with you: "When light is shined on a complicated, wicked problem, we want to solve it. How do we solve this through green buildings?" "The key is to find solutions that win for everyone, not just for one group." How do we fond these win-wins together, as a community, and at a time when our politics are so "anxious" and somehow we can't agree that the environment generally and climate change are top concerns? And, when we need to solve our challenges in socially just ways?
Reply given on: 05/02/2017
From the Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN): "As you know, one important way we can make more clean energy in our state and region is to improve the Renewable Portfolio Standard. Bills aimed at making the Renewable Portfolio Standard better get a hearing on September 19th. It’s time to get moving on Renewable Portfolio Standards in...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 08/31/2017 + Show |
California has set some impressive energy goals for buildings: -All new residential construction should net zero energy (ZNE) by 2020. -All new nonresidential construction should be ZNE by 2030. But what are the tools and resources needed to reach these goals? Whether you are in California or not, you can help by filling out this survey. ...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 08/07/2017 + Show |
Show Your Opposition to new Offshore Drilling off US Coastlines
Join with EarthJustice and others to keep our oceans and coastal communities clear of new offshore drilling: To sign on and send a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management: http://bit.ly/2uoPJR1 "The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill dumped 3 million gallons of crude oil off the California coast. Twenty years later, the Exxon Valdez oil...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 08/03/2017 + Show |
Sign with Clean Water Action to Help Stop the Rollback of the Clean Water Rule
This is one of those petitions it's easy to sign. Clean water is a bipartisan issue. "The Trump administration has proposed rolling-back critical protections for streams and wetlands. This dangerous action would put human health, wildlife, and the drinking water for 1 in 3 of us at risk of pollution and destruction. Clean Water is the...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin 1 reply Last updated: 08/03/2017 + Show |
HeatSmart Mass Program - Interested Communities - RFPs must be received by September 1, 2017
MassCEC and DOER are currently accepting community proposals for the HeatSmart Mass program, with a goal of selecting up to 4 communities or groups of communities. Each community will select one or more of the clean heating and cooling technologies to promote as part of HeatSmart Mass. All towns and cities in Massachusetts are eligible to...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 07/28/2017 + Show |
Connecting Affordable Housing and the Environment - How do We Convince More People, and Governments?
I want to point out a sincere and thoughtful piece I came across recently in Huffington Post Canada, British Columbia, by Steve Kux. Steve makes the great point that affordable housing and protecting our environment are integrally connected. It seems so obvious, and yet why don't we see this and why don't sensible policies therefore result?...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 05/18/2017 + Show |
Tom Graff Fellow - Clean Energy , Environmental Defense Fund, Chicago, Illinois
Environmental Defense Fund is currently looking to hire a fellow to drive the development of strategic partnerships that help advance clean energy and climate mitigation in the built environment while delivering health benefits to populations that have not yet been reached by the green building movement and renewable energy advocacy...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 05/17/2017 + Show |
Low Income Solar Policy Guide and toolbox- by lowincomesolar.org
The Low-Income Solar Policy Guide is a tool for policymakers, community leaders and others who are working on solar access at the federal, state and local level. The Guide was developed by GRID Alternatives, Vote Solar, and the Center for Social Inclusion to help drive the proposal and adoption of new low-income solar policies and programs,...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 05/16/2017 + Show |
Pledge Your Support for Vehicle Emissions Standards - Climate Reality
Put simply, the President's effort to roll back vehicle emissions standards makes little sense. As Climate Reality points out, these standards "will prevent about 6 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and save over 2 million barrels of oil a day and $1.7 trillion in fuel costs by 2025. They also show the world we’re serious about...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 04/07/2017 + Show |
There are two Alliance for Energy petitions/campaigns open right now that relate to green building and energy efficiency. Add your voice! These camaigns are highly professional. Protecting the environment should be a bipartisan issue! To support the EnergyStar Program: https://www.ase.org/advocacy/energy-star-chopping-block "We are...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Last updated: 04/07/2017 + Show |
Northeast Embodied Carbon Summit, June 20 - 21, Boston, Massachusetts
This summit marks five years since the BSA held the Embodied Carbon in Buildings Conference which led to the development of the EC 101 Series and the creation of the CLF Boston / Northeast Hub. In the past five years, great strides have been made through advocacy, research, education, outreach, and implementation -...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/20/2024 + Show |
GreenFin 24, Sustainable Finance Conference, June 17-19 , New York, NY
GreenFin 24 is a sustainable finance conference for professionals harnessing the power of capital markets to realize a net zero economy. Attend GreenFin 24 to form valuable connections with finance, investment and sustainability experts, get up to speed on the latest ESG trends in finance and investing, and discover essential products and...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/17/2024 + Show |
EarthCraft Builder Training with Southface Institute, June 12, Atlanta, Georgia
This EarthCraft Builder training provides a comprehensive overview of best practices for sustainable construction and design. Explore the ways the EarthCraft program can help you get started in the green building sector. Learn cost-effective ways to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, comfort and durability of homes, enhancing...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/12/2024 + Show |
Take your business to the next level by discovering strategies to enhance the energy efficiency of your facility. Attend what primises to be an engaging morning of technical sessions offered for Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) commercial and industrial customers and trade allies. WPS's team of experts will dive into opportunities to...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/12/2024 + Show |
Free Online Training: Zero Net Energy for Builders, June 11, 2:30 - 4 pm PT
For the contractors and trades involved in residential and small commercial projects, Zero Net Energy (ZNE) is on the rise, to meet the energy code as well as client expectations. In this introductory course, we’ll review the most critical components of Zero Net Energy so next time a client asks for ZNE, your answer is, sure we can do...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/11/2024 + Show |
RecyclingWorks 2024 Spring Forum, Online and in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, June 10, 9 am - 12:30 pm
MassDEP and RecyclingWorks Massachusetts will share resources to help businesses and institutions comply with the commercial organics waste ban and updates on the development of best management practices for transitioning to reusable takeout containers. Additional presenters will highlight successful programs...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/10/2024 + Show |
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, with Co-Host Blacks in Green, will be hosting Grey To Green Chicago: Exploring Green Infrastructure & Economic and Environmental Justice on June 7, 2024. Grey to Green Chicago topics will include: Bridging the health/wealth gap Accessing federal funding for green infrastructure...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/07/2024 + Show |
Electrification for Realtors, Free Online Training, June 6, 10 am - 1 pm PT
Electrification is here and all-electric homes will play in important role in shaping the industry. Learn how to navigate discussions about the various components of these homes and the value they provide the occupants. Electrification, fuel switching and smart device integration are the next frontier on the road to carbon mitigation. Attendees...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/06/2024 + Show |
Affordable Home Energy Shot Summit, Free & Online, June 5, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
On June 5, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will virtually convene stakeholders to discuss the Affordable Home Energy Shot™—an ambitious initiative to reduce the upfront cost of upgrading a home by at least 50% while reducing energy bills by 20% within a decade. Nearly one in four households nationwide experience high...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/05/2024 + Show |
Free Webinar: Introduction to Wildfire Home Defense, June 5, 12 - 1 pm ET
The Wildfire Defense Education and Tours Program by USGBC California aims to raise awareness by offering topic-specific resource guides and expert guidance. This initiative empowers our community, property owners, designers, and managers to take proactive measures to reduce wildfire risks and minimize associated losses. The growing fire...
By Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin Event Date: 06/05/2024 + Show |
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