We’ve all heard the adage “You are what you eat.” As we acknowledge and embrace the truth of this assertion, many of us are starting to take a closer look at what we put into our bodies. Whether you’re exploring fresh foods, raw foods, organic foods, or simply more natural foods that haven’t had all…
On the eve after April Fool’s Day, all of the green people in St. Louis made a lunar landing on the Moonrise Hotel on The Delmar Loop . While this sounds like science fiction, the Green Ball was the place to “celebrate the earth under the moon.” The event raised thousands of dollars for the…
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are becoming increasingly common as a smart way to heat and cool buildings. The big reason for this is a 30 percent federal tax credit that effectively reduces the cost by that much. They’re not for everyone, but according to the EPA, geothermal systems are “the most energy efficient, environmentally…
Honey bees may seem mildly threatening on a summer day, but for the most part they just go about their business and leave us alone. The interesting thing is that their business is big business, involving not just honey production but pollination of about $15 billion in crops each year, representing a third of our…
Back in the early 80’s, I wrote a term paper on integrated control systems for the home. At the time, this was leading edge technology that promised the ability to program thermostats, security, lights and appliances, and control these devices remotely. Since then, much of this has become an affordable reality. Programmable thermostats are about…
With the holiday season upon us, you might be thinking about more eco-friendly gifts to give this year. You can head to the mall or Walmart and certainly find any number of possibilities, or you could make the shopping trip a unique experience that rewards you, the giver, as much as the recipient. It’s always…
I happened to be traveling on business the day after St. Patrick’s Day, and I came across the perfect addition to my limited Irish attire. The Kelly-green baseball cap had the words “THINK GREEN” embroidered on the front, with the “I” in “THINK” serving as the trunk of a white oak tree. Now it must…
What if every single act of design and construction made the world a better place? That’s the fundamental question posed by the International Living Building Institute, which created a new building standard that seeks to promote true sustainability in the world’s built environment. When the leaders of Washington University’s Tyson Research Center in Eureka started…
I remember as a child the commercial about a popular glass-cleaner encouraging the viewer to “bring all the sun in.” There is an energizing feeling to have bright, natural daylight pouring into a room. While dark, quiet spaces may have their place, a well-lit room is an inviting space to work and play. Studies in…
Sarah Heyman and her family have always been conservative when it comes to consumption. They are far from the ordinary family: Sarah rides her bike to work, and since they live near bus and MetroLink stops, they often use mass transit to get around. As a result, they have made a critical choice to live…
