Posted on 06/19/2007 6:40:54 PM PDT by SandRat
Global Warming is a subject of great concern, and many people are looking for ways to reduce their “environmental footprint.” There is much discussion about switching to compact fluorescent bulbs and hybrid automobiles. These changes will help, but they are only part of the picture. There is very little discussion of the enormous impact made by architecture and urban planning.
Tim Frank, a senior policy advisor to the Sierra Club on livable communities, will talk about “Cohousing and Global Warming” on Monday, June 25. The free presentation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fair Oaks Community Library, 11601 Fair Oaks Blvd. in Fair Oaks.
As people work to fight urban sprawl, well-designed infill projects can make a huge difference in reducing traffic, improving air quality, fighting global warming and providing better housing and transportation choices for our neighborhoods. Cohousing combines private homes with generous shared facilities, thus creating the feeling of a small village where neighbors know and care about each other. Cohousing can create socially vibrant and environmentally sustainable communities, especially for seniors.
Frank will talk about the critical role that green building and good neighborhood design can play in reducing our global warming emissions. Green building practices employed in Orange-vale Cohousing will include shared walls, radiant floor heating and passive solar heating and cooling. These techniques can reduce home energy consumption dramatically, by more than 60 percent, as compared to a typical detached single-family home.
Cohousing also creates a more self-reliant community that doesn’t require numerous car trips. With onsite child care, shared common meals and a close-knit community, people have less need to drive their cars. In addition, they are more likely to carpool, to compost, to reuse and to recycle.
By supporting lifestyle and behavior changes that are good for the environment, cohousing integrates social sustainability with environmental sustainability. It has often been said that “community is the secret ingredient of sustainability.”
As an example, Dr. Kyle Christensen, chiropractor and former Orangevale resident, says: “When we (my wife, six children and I) lived in a single-family home in Orangevale, we drove the kids to several play dates every weekend. Since moving into Nevada City cohousing over a year ago, we haven’t had to plan any play dates.”
Frank has served as an environmental advocate and public affairs consultant for more than 18 years, and he has worked with the Nature Conservancy, NRDC and the Sierra Club. He has extensive experience in land use policy development and advocacy and has represented clients on the local, state and national level. He also serves on the core team developing the new neighborhood design standards for the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.
The presentation will be sponsored by the Sierra Club (Sacramento Group) and by ECOS (The Environmental Council of Sacramento). For more information, visit www.OrangevaleCohousing.org or call (916) 967-2472.
Are they trying to get rid of our private property?
Ah, communes. Didn’t the generation of peace and love try this already?
Why stop there. Why not have everyone live in dormitories and eat out of a communal pot.
When Algore starts living in a dorm...then I will.
All the Chicken Littles can volunteer to move in together. They will cure the depressed housing market as prime property goes up for sale.
It will be better than Big Brother watching all the enlightened, caring people turn on each other in a matter of days.
Time to get my Earth shoes and tie-dyes out of storage.
You first, buddy.
They’ve been trying to do away with the concept of private property for awhile now and have succeeded in some locations. They used to call cohousing “communes’ in my day. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I cohouse with the likes of these people. I like my environmental footprint.
Shoulda lived in China. He wouldn't have had to worry about play dates.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
To each according to his needs, which means about ten square feet per person.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Oops.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
This goofball must have overlooked the Zero Population Growth memo. Anybody dumb enough to fall for this crap deserves to share a wall with Dr. and Mrs. Moonbeam and their rug rats.
Hey, did you find that pic of John Edwards’ house using Google images? I can’t seem to find it there.
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