Author: Lisa Bonanate
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The Importance of Healthier Building Materials
by Kimberly Stempien Until recently, little attention was given to toxic chemicals that lurk in construction products. Few building manufacturers disclose a full list of what is in their products because US law does not require it. But as scientific studies continue to link these chemicals to such health issues as cancer, reproductive issues, fetal…
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Growing “Up”: Urban Vertical Farming
by Tamanna Virmani When you think of New York City, what’s the first image that comes to mind? For people who have visited or live here, maybe it’s one of the following – crowded, dense, lights or skyscrapers – but not “green” and certainly not “farming”. However, that picture may change with the advent…
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Growing Trend: Agriculture in Our New York City Schools
by Megan Nordgrén It no longer seems strange to hear that children in New York City public schools are growing their own food; in fact, it has almost become the new norm. Of the 1800 public schools in the city, nearly one-third now have school gardens registered with GrowNYC, and this number has been…
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January Forum Recap: Sustainability Trends from the Green Catwalk
by Megan Nordgrén Sustainability trends are constantly evolving and at GreenHomeNYC’s annual Green Catwalk, a number of hot topics were placed center stage as seven speakers discussed issues like carbon assets, solar technology, sustainable modular housing, green financing and benchmarking. Carbon Offsets in the Building Industry Reed Shapiro, Director of Business Development at…
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{Green Careers} January 2016 Recap: Professional Certifications & Exams
by Kimberly Stempien You’ve targeted a career in the green building industry – now what do you need to know about professional certifications to further your career? The Green Careers Group started off 2016 with an informative discussion on industry accreditations. Students, practicing engineers, and other sustainability professionals gathered at DORMA Design Center to…
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Cities of the Future
by Thomas Storck Last year was a big one for the climate. Not only was 2015 the warmest year on record, we also witnessed the first universal agreement on climate change, negotiated at COP21, the global climate change talks held in Paris last December. The agreement includes a global warming limit of “well below 2°C”,…
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Baldor Speciality Foods: A Sustainability Success Story
by Tamanna Virmani Idaho potatoes, a staple of the American diet, make a long journey from farm to plate. Physically and literally, the last stop on the train for this American native is Baldor Specialty Foods at Hunts Point Avenue in the Bronx. Hidden away in full view at Hunts Point is a sustainability…
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Biophilia: Designing with Nature
by Lisa Bonanate Have you ever wondered why the sound of waves, a walk in the woods or a secluded refuge are universally appealing? One school of thought says that man has an innate need to connect with the natural world. Biophilia – meaning “love of life” – is the term used to describe this instinctive response…
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Javits Center: The Largest Green Roof in NYC
by Shari Baitcher In New York, a city with one of the highest population densities in the U.S., every square foot is valuable. In recent years more thought has been given to the space on top of buildings. With 840,000 square feet of exhibition space occupying 6 city blocks, the Jacob K. Javits Convention…
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A Greener Future for Waste Management
by Tamanna Virmani All of us living or working in New York City recognize and admire the fact that the city is a trailblazer in many areas. However, waste management in general, and organics recycling in particular, have been challenging issues for the city – issues needing a trailblazing spirit to establish best practices…