sustainableflatbush.org

A story in today’s AMNY describes a Clinton Foundation program to finance energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings in 16 cities: New York, Chicago, Houston, Toronto, Mexico City, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Mumbai, Karachi, Seoul, Bangkok, Melbourne, São Paulo, Johannesburg and Rome.

“If all buildings were as efficient as they could be, we’d be saving an enormous amount of energy and significantly reducing carbon emissions. Also, we’d be saving a ton of money,” Clinton said.

The planned projects include replacing heating, cooling and lighting systems with energy-efficient networks; making roofs white or reflective to deflect more of the sun’s heat; sealing windows and installing new models that let more light in and keep the elements out; and setting up sensors to control more efficient use of lights and air conditioning.

… Warren Karlenzig, author of “How Green Is Your City?” applauded the plan and said many of these retrofits have been “crying out to happen.”

“The technology is there; it’s just that the financing has been missing,” he said.

via StreetsBlog… a press release from Mayor Bloomberg’s office outlines some very exciting plans to be presented in Albany, including the creation of a New York City Energy Efficiency Authority, cameras for enforcement of future Bus Rapid Transit lanes, and property tax abatements for green roofs!

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Especially here in New York City, buildings are one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions; but that also means that retrofitting them to use less fuel is potentially a great way to clean up the air and lower energy use.

According to the Economist, “The IPCC report looked at the potential for cutting emissions of carbon dioxide from all major culprits—including transport, power generation, general industry, agriculture and buildings. Despite all those exhaust-pipes and power-station chimneys, it found that the greatest potential lay with buildings.”

read the whole article on Treehugger.

GreenHome NYC is a fantastic resource for anyone – amateurs and experts – interested in green/sustainable building practices. Their monthly forums are free, and feature expert speakers with lots of great knowledge to share. This month’s speakers, Chris Benedict and Henry Gifford, are reknowned for their expertise in designing buildings and systems for energy-efficient heating and cooling. Highly recommended!

Join us for our May Forum, Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling with Henry Gifford & Chris Benedict

When: Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: The Hudson Companies, Inc.
826 Broadway, 11th Floor NYC 10003
Speakers: Henry Gifford & Chris Benedict

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