High Performance Without the High Price Tag Green Building David Bailey | June 14, 2018 Most intown Atlantans know that housing prices are rising and some rents have risen by as much as 70 percent. This means less affordable housing across the city for those who need it most, including seniors. For seniors living in the heart of the city, affordability is especially critical. However, a redeveloped property in Midtown, called 10th & Juniper, demonstrates how affordability and sustainability can intersect, to the benefit of seniors, disabled residents, and low-income families. Over the past year … Continue reading “High Performance Without the High Price Tag” Read More Tags: Affordable Housing
Training the Next Generation of Green Building Professionals Education David Bailey | June 6, 2018 Over the past two years, Georgia’s construction industry has seen a 5.5 percent annual increase. As demand for green building grows in Atlanta and statewide, Southface teamed up with a west Atlanta high school to cultivate the next generation of green building professionals and prepare them for a successful, rewarding career in a growing market. Read More Tags: Workforce Development
5 Ways You Can Beat Plastic Pollution Today Climate ChangeRegenerative Design Pamela Henman | June 4, 2018 Each year millions of tons of plastic waste pollutes our ecosystem and kills thousands of animals. Plastic pollution is our planet’s defining challenge and the focus of this year’s World Environment Day. On June 5, we join the UN and hundreds of countries in the effort to Beat Plastic Pollution. By 2050 an estimated 12 billion tons of plastic will go un-recycled, littering our environment and taking thousands of years to decompose, according to the UN. As consumers we can … Continue reading “5 Ways You Can Beat Plastic Pollution Today” Read More Tags: Waste
Sonnen Harnesses the Power of Georgia’s Solar Market Renewable Energy Pamela Henman | May 21, 2018 In 2017, the City of Atlanta enacted legislation to power municipal buildings and facilities using 100 percent clean electricity by 2025, and over the next decade the entire city is expected to run on clean energy. This commitment presents a boon for one of the state’s leading clean energy sources — solar power. With a veritable unlimited supply, solar is one of the cleanest energy sources available and unlike fossil fuels, is renewable. During the mid-day, solar energy production peaks, … Continue reading “Sonnen Harnesses the Power of Georgia’s Solar Market” Read More Tags: Solar
Build Some Buzz for World Bee Day Communities Pamela Henman | May 16, 2018 Honey bees are perhaps one of the most crucial critters in our ecosystem, and its our responsibility to ensure their health and protection. May 20 is the first ever World Bee Day, and August 18 is National Honey Bee Day. Recognized by 115 member states of the United Nations, including the United States, Canada, China, India, and the European Union, World Bee Day raises awareness of bees’ role in supporting global biodiversity and sustainable food production. According to the U.S. … Continue reading “Build Some Buzz for World Bee Day” Read More Tags: Honey Bees
EarthCraft Makes History with the Georgia Trust Green Building Pamela Henman | May 11, 2018 By David Bailey and Pamela Henman A single-family home has never before achieved EarthCraft Sustainable Preservation certification, but thanks to The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and a longtime resident of Atlanta’s Westside community, that might change. Neale Nickels In March, The Georgia Trust acquired three single-family properties along the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail – two historic homes and an undeveloped lot. Working with EarthCraft, the Trust will rehabilitate the two existing homes and build a third one on the … Continue reading “EarthCraft Makes History with the Georgia Trust” Read More Tags: EarthCraft, Historic Preservation
Arbor Day Every Day: A Tree-Free Alternative for the Office Regenerative Design Pamela Henman | April 27, 2018 From memos to contracts, to-do-lists and reports, paper is a part of office life. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 90 percent of all office waste is paper, but this presents a ripe opportunity for us to reduce paper use and take advantage of tree-free alternatives that contribute to a circular economy. Jeffrey Foote Tree Zero is North America’s only 100% tree-free, carbon neutral paper brand. TreeZero Executive Vice President of Sustainability Jeffrey Foote spoke with Southface on how offices … Continue reading “Arbor Day Every Day: A Tree-Free Alternative for the Office” Read More Tags: Carbon Footprint, Circular Economy, Corporate Social Responsibility
Weaving Sustainability Into What We Wear EventsRegenerative Design Pamela Henman | April 25, 2018 Textile production is a global, resource-intensive process that takes immense amounts of water, fossil fuels, and chemicals to produce just one piece of clothing. There’s an 85% chance that single item of clothing will end up in a landfill. On May 4, Southface’s Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable (SART) explores the environmental and social impact of what we wear, and features companies who are taking a sustainable approach to apparel design and manufacturing. Be sure to join us for an interactive … Continue reading “Weaving Sustainability Into What We Wear” Read More Tags: Carbon Footprint, SART
Here’s Why We Feel Optimistic This Earth Day (And You Should Too) Climate Change David Bailey | April 22, 2018 So far, 2018 has been a pretty tough year for the planet. So was 2017. And 2016. In fact, the past 16 years have been the warmest years on record, according to NASA. The rate at which the average global surface temperatures has increased has been 233% since 1980. Yet we remain optimistic. In Atlanta alone, countless organizations and individuals are working tirelessly to build a resilient future and a more regenerative economy that future generations can enjoy. Every day … Continue reading “Here’s Why We Feel Optimistic This Earth Day (And You Should Too)” Read More Tags: Conservation
3 Things You Should Know About Your House But You Probably Don’t Green Building David Bailey | April 17, 2018 No matter the size, homes are highly-complex structures with a foundation built on science. From air conditioning and water heaters to insulation and air sealing, the mechanical systems in our buildings are deeply interconnected, and interior and exterior components must work in harmony to ensure your home is comfortable, secure, and energy efficient. Read More Tags: Building Science
