America got its butt kicked this past decade and now it’s time to get up off the mat. We’re at an economic and energy crossroads. An as politicians clumsily grapple with mammoth deficits, shrinking revenues and limited energy resources the answers for the future will not come out of Washington DC. Never have, never will. The answers will come from us, one business, one family, and one person at a time.
Recovery is nothing new to the US — we’ve been here before. Those described in Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation” are very familiar with it. While we’d be wise to look to our elders for advice, it’s not their job to handle. It’s ours.
Even though some decry America’s exportation of manufacturing, technology and even many of our best educational minds, America is still the epicenter of ideas. American ingenuity still flourishes in the young and young-at-heart. The passion to solve the mysteries of our time have not died.
On a blistering hot summer’s day in 1962, President Kennedy visited Rice University in Houston, Texas, and offered up his famous, “We choose to go to the moon…” speech. JFK spoke about the need to solve the mysteries of space, reaffirming America’s commitment to landing a man on the moon before the end of the decade. He, too, was challenged by the enormous expense of the space program.
Today is no different. The principles are the same. Only now, the expanse is not outer space, but the explosion of population. and resulting congestion of our urban settings.
The economic and environmental solutions will come from America’s leadership in sustainable business practices. Small businesses, like yours and mine, have the best opportunity to make a serious and genuine impact in profitably exploiting our country’s incredible resources while preserving the earth’s resources. But this can only be accomplished by making smart sustainable choices, one decision at a time.
Here’s a quick look at some of the sustainable choices I made during the restoration of the 1978 Airstream. Most can be molded to your life, your home or your business — small or large.
Local Materials
Sustainability in building calls for placing a high priority in “buying local.” One focus on the Airstream project was to use regional material and suppliers. An example is the bamboo flooring from a company called “Cali Bamboo” (used for all flooring and countertops, table). This supplier was less than 100 miles away. The embodied energy, aka “carbon footprint,” of a material or product should include consideration of the energy that was required to get a its natural state (forest, earth, etc.), as well as to its final destination in one’s home. There are many factors to consider, not the least of which is shipping. For example, it takes more energy (fuel, pollution, and $$$) to get a product from China to the US, than it does to purchase a product supplied locally.
Natural Paints and Finishes
Did you know that indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), paints and finishes are considered one of the top five hazards to human health, and not just during application. Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins is a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, until recently, were essential to the performance of the paint. New environmental regulations and consumer demand have led to the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes.
One important, but often overlooked, aspect of sustainability is the use of paints and finishes that are made from natural raw ingredients such as water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes and essential oils. There are also many natural minerals such as clay, chalk and talcum; milk casein, natural latex, bees’ wax, earth and mineral dyes that can be used in the finishing process. Water-based natural paints give off almost no smell. The oil-based natural paints usually have a pleasant fragrance of citrus or essential oils. Allergies and sensitivities to these “natural finishes” are very uncommon. Using low- or no-VOC paints is especially important in a small area, such as a trailer. It’s safest for your health and for the environment.
Sustainably-Grown Materials
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on earth and typically takes just 5 to 7 years to mature. On the other hand, hardwoods such as oak take from 20 to 50 years to mature. Using sustainably-grown products was a top priority in the Airstream project. One of the most common examples of this is the harvesting and replanting of forests being used for timber. Today, America’s timber forests are being managed more responsibly than ever. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations and leads an international effort to promote responsible forest practices. Their mission is one that can be embraced by all: “The stewardship and use of forests and forest lands… that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality… now and in the future, (for) ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national, and global levels, (without causing) damage to other ecosystems.” In layman’s terms, this means the goal is to reach a balance between society’s increasing demands for forest products and the preservation of forest health.This balance is critical to the survival of forests and to the prosperity of our communities.
Heating and Cooling
The Airstream uses an integrated propane heating system on colder nights. For cooling, the Airstream uses two large awnings on each side to shade windows from direct sunlight. Large open-able, screened windows promote ample cross-ventilation to take full advantage of Southern California’s ocean breeze. Mother Nature has provided her own heating and air conditioning systems. Intelligent designers take advantage of the earth’s ability to move air, store energy, and utilize her powerful masses of hot and cold energy. We come into conflict with nature’s remedies when we create air-tight, over-insulated boxes.
Electrical
The Airstream utilizes a low voltage battery system with integrated charger. This system supplies 12 volt lighting and fans, or converted 110v power. Batteries are recharged from the automobile while in tow, and a solar panel battery charging system is currently being installed. Low voltage lighting, such as fluorescent and halogen, are utilized throughout the trailer.
Water Conservation
High-efficiency fixtures are used throughout the Airstream. Water flow control devices are installed on all three water fixtures, and a small hot water tank encourages short showers. An extremely low flow water closet is adaptable to the type of waste. (less water for liquid waste, more for solid waste) There are two separate storage tanks: one for graywater and blackwater. Graywater, from the sinks, is diverted from sewer and used for landscape irrigation. The Airstream is not hooked up to city sewer, so black water waste is biologically-treated on-site through a leach field/septic tank.
Supporting Sustainably-Minded Companies
Sustainably-minded companies have less environmental impact and often have a program in place to donate funds or time towards environmental organizations. A good example of this is a brand new downtown Portland, Oregon-based company called B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery. Started in 2009, B-Line is redefining how goods and services are transported in urban environments by providing the right tool for the job — three wheeled bikes. Seven days a week they are peddling the proverbial hat-trick by reducing congestion on our roads, freeing up loading docks, and lowering CO2 emissions. Then, for good measure, they stepped up and hit a grand slam by providing local green-collar jobs. They are also supporting those in need in our community, by partnering with homeless agencies in feeding the hungry. Isn’t it nice to find a company that supports the premise that business can be a catalyst for positive change and has a responsibility to the common good while making a profit? They are also an advertising and promotions company, offering affordable and attractive displays on their peddled mobile containers. “Bigger can’t compete with better,” explains their YouTube promo, and it makes sense. As I’ve been saying over, and over, and over again in 100 different ways, “Why use a 10 lb. sledge hammer when an 8 oz. finisher will get the job done?”
I hope this comment comes across in the friendly manner in which it’s intended! I really appreciate your general sentiments about sustainability, but I’m a little confused about the bamboo flooring. Isn’t the raw bamboo for bamboo flooring usually imported from China? I don’t have a problem with that - it may very well be sustainable - but if it’s imported, it’s not really a local product.
You mention a lot of really great ideas for making sustainable choices, and I also think that reusing/reclaiming materials (as you did when you bought a used Airstream) is the most ecologically-sound and sustainable choice.
I’m really enjoying your blog!
Thanks Kim - take a look at: They have some good info regarding shipping of bamboo (and you’re right, most all bamboo distributed throughout the world is grown in China.)