Getting to Zero Waste at Southface Regenerative Design Pamela Henman | August 30, 2018 Increasingly, consumers, corporations, and cities are waking the sleeping giant that is plastic pollution, as a recent spate of corporate and municipal bans on single use plastic items like plastic straws and bags make global headlines. According to the United Nations Environment, about 60 percent of the more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic produced since the early 1950s has ended up in a landfill or the natural environment. Researchers estimate that ocean plastic pollution kills 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals each … Continue reading “Getting to Zero Waste at Southface” Read More Tags: Waste, Zero Waste
The State of Rooftop Solar in Georgia PolicyRenewable Energy Southface Staff | July 24, 2018 By Bailey Shea This article originally appeared in SaportaReport Sustainable Communities – Thought Leadership on July 23, 2018. Georgia’s solar capacity in 2017 ranked second in the Southeast. Ninety-five percent of this capacity is utility-scale solar farms, while only 5 percent is on rooftops. While Georgia has the potential to be a nationwide leader in rooftop solar power, this market has struggled for a number of reasons. This article discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by the underserved rooftop solar … Continue reading “The State of Rooftop Solar in Georgia” Read More Tags: Solar
Bringing Sustainability to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Green Building Southface Staff | July 11, 2018 For most nonprofits, any opportunity to save money is a welcome one, as those savings can be invested in work which fulfills the organization’s mission. Utility bills represent one area where nonprofits can realize big savings, as inefficient buildings and fixtures can be a large portion of an organization’s operating expenses. Read More Tags: Gooduse
Avalon Catering to Bring Sustainable, Local Flavor to Summer Solstice Events David Bailey | June 15, 2018 Summer is here, and with it comes the chance to taste the best of what the season offers – juicy watermelon, golden ears of corn, ripe tomatoes, and more make for a delightful meal that can be sourced from our own backyards. As a state-of-the-art demonstration facility and industry leader throughout the Southeast, Southface hosts countless trainings, events, and community forums year round. For more than a decade, Southface has worked closely with Atlanta-based Avalon Catering, thanks in part to … Continue reading “Avalon Catering to Bring Sustainable, Local Flavor to Summer Solstice” Read More Tags: Solstice
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
