News
Green Building & Eco Friendly News
We are excited to share green building industry developments, news about our Member Companies, and of course current Rate It Green information. Please feel welcome to submit interesting news you have found. Note that Rate It Green does include news announcements as a part of some sponsorship offerings.
You can also learn more by following Rate It Green on social media. We greatly appreciate your likes, follows, and general votes of support.
Are You a Green Influencer? (You just might be!, even if you don't know it yet!)
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Are you a Green Influencer? (And what do we mean by that?) The good news is that you just might be, whether you know it yet or not. This question isn't meant to make you self analyze or worry, but to get excited and feel inspired. In our last news, we explored what community learning and sharing might ideally look like, and we shared some fun and different examples (including David Bearg's house!). Well, this month we've got a great new&nbs… Show more
School Air Quality and Sustainability Fellowship Opportunity, The Center for Green Schools, Apply by July 18
K-12 school professionals pushing for sustainability in schools, this program is your chance! The Center for Green Schools is accepting applications through Monday, July 18 for fellowships for School Air Quality and Leaders in Sustainability. Those chosen for the fellowship will gain access to networking opportunities, professional development and leadership training, and professional learning events to provide these advocates for environmental health with the resources to create change.
Children spend so much time in schools, but the actu… Show more
NRDC Petition: "Stop the Fossil Fuel Industry’s Cynical Exploitation of War in Ukraine to Expand Oil and Gas Drilling"
At Rate It Green, we agree that the unjustifiable and tragic war in Ukraine can not ethically or environmentally logically be used as an excuse to argue for more fossil fuel exploration and exploitation. Instead, we should of course be taking the opposite actions, to reduce our dependence on these fossil fuels which are a significant part of the tensions that lead to hostilities.
Why would we make backwards decisions that are bad for our health, the environment, and that threaten our best opportunities for&nb… Show more
What Does Community Learning and Sharing Look Like? (This!)
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
What does community learning and sharing look like? Ideally, our community looks like as many colleagues, friends, and visitors as possible all communicating robustly and leaving each visit or communication thinking they’re better for the experience. Our code and our web pages aren’t our community. You are. Your profiles where you share about yourselves, your words in a discussion or article, a video you might make, heck your suggestions… Show more
For Sale: Healthy, Energy Efficient Micro-Farm in Concord, Massachusetts
After 45 years of careful renovation and maintenance, Rate It Green Member David Bearg, P.E. is looking to entrust his amazing healthy and sustainable home to the right new owners.
David and his family have grown the original small cottage on the property into a thriving mico-farm with a heat-storing greenhouse, a vegetable garden, raised bed gardens, a green, energy efficient house, and outbuildings that all take advantage of passive solar architecture.
Click to learn more about David's hom… Show more
Celebrating the Leading Edge
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Some recent events and news have made it tougher to leap into spring with a bounce for many of us. It’s impossible to ignore an unfathomable war, prices are increasing and supply chains are lengthening, COVID is confusing and stressful and has uneven impacts, and the IPCC keeps trying to convince those who deny climate change that it’s real and actually very scary. The IPCC is also asking the rest of us to act faster, and sometimes it seems we can’t b… Show more
Honest and Tough Conversations
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
I recently attended my first in-person conference in a long while (NESEA’s BuildingEnergy '22!), and goodness it felt great and yet odd to be in a crowd! That may not be the same for everyone, but we’re all adjusting perhaps to some different new normals in different parts of our lives.
I enjoyed many of the sessions of course, and I was particularly intrigued by a panel called, "Who’s In," and also at the same time, “Who’s Not In … Show more
#1920sMakeoverATL House Update from Matt Hoots - Foundation Work!
Check out the latest #1920sMakeoverATL Deep Energy Retrofit Update from Matt Hoots!
Matt gives us a full and efficient construction tour of the basement and outlines his planned changes to optimize the the basement for the future homeowners, and also for the project.
He's also got a big announcement - Did you know thart someone famous likely lived in the #1920sMakeoverATL house? Give a listen, and see what you think!
Here's a 1952 photo and hint... The hew project has tag might… Show more
It's Time to Rethink How We Define "Ugly"
Members and Friends -
I’ve spent a good deal of time discussing win-wins, and last month in our newsletter introduction I suggested we need even BIGGER ideas and incentives/rewards. I still agree! I am so appreciative of the conversations I've had since, and I plan to report back on the great ideas some of you have shared. But also, I need to say that sometimes you can’t “have it all” either, and that’s ok. That’s when we make the tough decisions, and the best, and smartes… Show more
How Do We Make Everyone Happy? (It's not really a choice)
Members and Friends -
Years ago, I was enjoying a super debate with a product marketer I met at Greenbuild, and he stopped for a moment mid-thought and seemed to disclose, “You know, I just want to be honest. I am not a tree hugger. I think sustainability is a great marketing edge.” I assured him this was ok, and that I was glad he was lending his talents to this industry. Companies doing great work to reduce the impact of the built environment should benefit from their efforts. Heck, we’re here… Show more
School Air Quality and Sustainability Fellowship Opportunity, The Center for Green Schools, Apply by July 18
K-12 school professionals pushing for sustainability in schools, this program is your chance! The Center for Green Schools is accepting applications through Monday, July 18 for fellowships for School Air Quality and Leaders in Sustainability. Those chosen for the fellowship will gain access to networking opportunities, professional development and leadership training, and professional learning events to provide these advocates for environmental health with the resources to create change.
Children spend so much time in schools, but the actu… Show more
NRDC Petition: "Stop the Fossil Fuel Industry’s Cynical Exploitation of War in Ukraine to Expand Oil and Gas Drilling"
At Rate It Green, we agree that the unjustifiable and tragic war in Ukraine can not ethically or environmentally logically be used as an excuse to argue for more fossil fuel exploration and exploitation. Instead, we should of course be taking the opposite actions, to reduce our dependence on these fossil fuels which are a significant part of the tensions that lead to hostilities.
Why would we make backwards decisions that are bad for our health, the environment, and that threaten our best opportunities for&nb… Show more
For Sale: Healthy, Energy Efficient Micro-Farm in Concord, Massachusetts
After 45 years of careful renovation and maintenance, Rate It Green Member David Bearg, P.E. is looking to entrust his amazing healthy and sustainable home to the right new owners.
David and his family have grown the original small cottage on the property into a thriving mico-farm with a heat-storing greenhouse, a vegetable garden, raised bed gardens, a green, energy efficient house, and outbuildings that all take advantage of passive solar architecture.
Click to learn more about David's hom… Show more
ZeroEnergy Design Featured in Ocean Home Magazine
Congratulations to Rate It Green Member ZeroEnergy Design for the firm's recent feature in Ocean Home Magazine!
The magazine profiled Mt. Hope Modern, ZED’s green coastal 4,700 SF modern home in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
The piece includes interviews with owners Kerry Tyson and Zack King, who discovered the home while it was still under construction. The couple was particularly excited about the modern, energy efficient design as well as the stunning views of Mount Hope Bay.
Visit Ocean Home Magazine to re… Show more
10 New and Exciting Green Building Jobs Posted!
Are you looking for a new job centered around sustainability? Look no further — these 10 jobs are suitable for individuals with some experience in green building. For more environmental-related job postings, visit http://www.greenjobs.net.
California
Clean Power Alliance
Electrification Program Manager
https://cleanpoweralliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Electrification-Program-Manager_Paychex-Version.pdf
Massachusetts
Solect Energy
Multiple Positions
https://solect.com/company/careers/
… Show more
Low Carbon Multifamily Retrofit Playbooks - Available Online for Free!
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Steven Winter Associates and the Building Enegy Exchange (BEEx) have published a series of five free low carbon multifamily retrofit playbooks.
The playbooks are organized by common building types: Pre-War 4-7 stories, Post-War 1-7 stories, Post-War 8+ stories, Post-1980 8+ stories, and Garden Style 1-3 stories, and include retrofit strategies to maximize comfort while saving energy by transitioning to electric-based HVAC and hot water heati… Show more
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta - 2021 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund - Apply by June 4!
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta - 2021 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund - Apply by Friday June 4!
Do you work for a financial institution or a community housing partner? Is your company located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, or the District of Columbia?
Are you looking for a way to widen your customer base, offer community-oriented lending, and/or facilitate residential development?
Are you seeking to fund the construction, rehabilitation, or financing of housing for low… Show more
Parsons Healthy Materials Lab - 6th Annual Healthier Design Innovation Contest! Submission Deadline: Monday May 17!
Parsons Healthy Materials Lab - 6th Annual Healthier Design Innovation Contest - Apply by Monday May 17th!
Does your work exemplify healthy materials innovation and advocacy in design?
Are you a design activist creating innovative design while promoting equity? Are you using healthy materials and addressing climate change? Parsons Healthy Materials Lab is hosting the 6th annual Role Models Contest to award design innovations for material use that have no negative impact on the planet.
Win $1,000 , and socia… Show more
ZeroEnergy Design Featured in Boston Magazine's Spring Edition
Congratulations to Rate It Green Member Company ZeroEnergy Design for their feature in Boston Home's spring issue! The magazine profiles fhe firm's Hingham, Massachusetts "eco-oasis" in a piece called, "Everything you Need to Know to Design a Greener Home."
The 4.200 square foot home, designed by ZED’s Stephanie Horowitz and John Mucciarone, features continuous insulation, triple pane windows, air-source heat pumps, and a 36-panel solar electric system, all contributing to net zero energy per… Show more
Global GreenTag Awards Mainland China Sales Agency to CBME to Provide Green Building Product Certifications for Export
The National Building Materials Exhibition and Trade Centre (CBME), the largest agency representing more than 30,000 building materials manufacturers in Mainland China, has signed an exclusive Agency Agreement with Rate It Green Member Global GreenTag International, the Australian based global product certification label to certify and declare healthy, sustainable and ethical building products produced in Mainland China for export to the world.
Last week, a team from Global GreenTag International in Brisbane Australia came together online wi… Show more
Are You a Green Influencer? (You just might be!, even if you don't know it yet!)
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Are you a Green Influencer? (And what do we mean by that?) The good news is that you just might be, whether you know it yet or not. This question isn't meant to make you self analyze or worry, but to get excited and feel inspired. In our last news, we explored what community learning and sharing might ideally look like, and we shared some fun and different examples (including David Bearg's house!). Well, this month we've got a great new&nbs… Show more
What Does Community Learning and Sharing Look Like? (This!)
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
What does community learning and sharing look like? Ideally, our community looks like as many colleagues, friends, and visitors as possible all communicating robustly and leaving each visit or communication thinking they’re better for the experience. Our code and our web pages aren’t our community. You are. Your profiles where you share about yourselves, your words in a discussion or article, a video you might make, heck your suggestions… Show more
Celebrating the Leading Edge
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Some recent events and news have made it tougher to leap into spring with a bounce for many of us. It’s impossible to ignore an unfathomable war, prices are increasing and supply chains are lengthening, COVID is confusing and stressful and has uneven impacts, and the IPCC keeps trying to convince those who deny climate change that it’s real and actually very scary. The IPCC is also asking the rest of us to act faster, and sometimes it seems we can’t b… Show more
Honest and Tough Conversations
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
I recently attended my first in-person conference in a long while (NESEA’s BuildingEnergy '22!), and goodness it felt great and yet odd to be in a crowd! That may not be the same for everyone, but we’re all adjusting perhaps to some different new normals in different parts of our lives.
I enjoyed many of the sessions of course, and I was particularly intrigued by a panel called, "Who’s In," and also at the same time, “Who’s Not In … Show more
#1920sMakeoverATL House Update from Matt Hoots - Foundation Work!
Check out the latest #1920sMakeoverATL Deep Energy Retrofit Update from Matt Hoots!
Matt gives us a full and efficient construction tour of the basement and outlines his planned changes to optimize the the basement for the future homeowners, and also for the project.
He's also got a big announcement - Did you know thart someone famous likely lived in the #1920sMakeoverATL house? Give a listen, and see what you think!
Here's a 1952 photo and hint... The hew project has tag might… Show more
It's Time to Rethink How We Define "Ugly"
Members and Friends -
I’ve spent a good deal of time discussing win-wins, and last month in our newsletter introduction I suggested we need even BIGGER ideas and incentives/rewards. I still agree! I am so appreciative of the conversations I've had since, and I plan to report back on the great ideas some of you have shared. But also, I need to say that sometimes you can’t “have it all” either, and that’s ok. That’s when we make the tough decisions, and the best, and smartes… Show more
How Do We Make Everyone Happy? (It's not really a choice)
Members and Friends -
Years ago, I was enjoying a super debate with a product marketer I met at Greenbuild, and he stopped for a moment mid-thought and seemed to disclose, “You know, I just want to be honest. I am not a tree hugger. I think sustainability is a great marketing edge.” I assured him this was ok, and that I was glad he was lending his talents to this industry. Companies doing great work to reduce the impact of the built environment should benefit from their efforts. Heck, we’re here… Show more
Leadership by Example: Sharing Project Stories
Members and Friends -
Recently, I feel I am seeing more specific experiences and lessons learned shared in our sustainable and healthy building space, and I want to say that giving this type of information to the wider community makes a huge difference. Leadership by example is great to see since it feels like good news or an optimistic bit of energy we can all benefit from right about now when much of the news is not positive. Examples also help those who are just beginning to learn about a green building topic, those behind… Show more
We Want Your Spookiest Building Stories!
Hello Rate It Green Members and Friends!
We've been thinking about this idea of sharing our "scariest stories" and project examples for a while now, but it's October so it seems like a particularly good time to put out the call for your scary experiences as well. Send us your worst head-scratching building moments, even better post them, and we will report them back in our next newsletter and beyond. How did you solve these top challenges, or how do you plan to? If you've got vexi… Show more
Humidity Control - Protecting Your Investment, and Health - Our September Green Building News
Hello, Rate It Green Members and Friends!
Fall is the perfect time to talk about humidity. And even fight about it? Things might be cooling down where you are, the windows might be open, your systems might be off… So, what could be the problem? A lot. You might be shutting down the very systems you ideally need to keep running. We did, and I am still cranky about it to be honest. I am reading and writing about humidity, and I've been so excited, and yet - it took weeks to convince my family to do … Show more