We have all heard about the problems of global warming, greenhouse gases, carbon emissions, and the high price of gasoline, which has provided an economic incentive to increase our energy efficiency and seek alternative sources of energy in every aspect of our lives. Pretending that environmental problems don’t exist, or just running away from them, won’t solve them. The scientific evidence of this growing threat is clear, and it has challenged us to consider the social and moral responsibility we share as stewards of a sustainable environment. Fortunately, the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley is hard at work at solving the crisis. Thanks to the many creative thinkers and the latest technology boom since the Internet. San Jose and the Bay Area is carving the way to win the title of being the Greenest City in America. I’d like to think it is possible for other cities to use us as their role models. We did it once before, right?

So you say you want to do what’s best for the environment, but often you don’t know where to start. And you don’t know what impact your efforts will have, or how much they will cost. I do believe you want to lessen the load you put on the earth, that you want to reduce global warming, and you want to live in a green home. Luckily we live in such a place where the very subject is being brought to life with new technology that will help us be a model for other cities to follow. Mike Honda and a distinguished panel of experts will share with us their expertise on alternative energy sources, carbon reduction and offsets, making your home more energy efficient, and more. In addition to Mike Honda’s Town Hall meetings, he will also be hosting a forum on “Green Living.” To learn about current and upcoming solutions that will allow us to live in a more environmentally friendly and energy efficient way. The panel will also help you understand the environmental benefits and economic trade-offs of your choices and how to make an impact starting with one home at a time.

When: Thursday, August 30, 9-11.30 AM

Where: West Valley Branch Library, 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd., San José, CA

Two of the many speakers worth hearing:

Jeff Oberdorfer – Executive Director, First Community Housing Jeff will be illustrating three green affordable housing projects in the area.

Paseo Studios SRO, (right around the block from the forum location, at Westgate Shopping Center),Murphy Ranch Family Housing in Morgan Hill,

and recently completed, Gish Family Apartments in San Jose.

Also a noted speaker, Dr. Max Sherman – Group Leader, Energy Performance of Buildings Group, Lawrence Berkeley National LabsDr. Sherman will discuss home energy efficiency and indoor air quality, highlighting different things people can do in their own home to have healthier and less energy consuming houses.

I’m writing and sharing this because I feel that as a community if we start by paying a much closer attention to the resources we use, and we examine our usage and its entirety, we should analyze every opportunity to improve our approach and lessen our impact. This in-depth analysis can also provide us with the opportunity to bring these issues into the limelight, making them a part of our community’s ongoing dialog, and fostering environmental awareness in our day-to-day thinking, decisions and actions. And, very simply, blogging and expressing your concerns and solutions is a powerful way to communicate, to share, and to inspire – and it would be irresponsible to waste an opportunity to bring focus to one of the most critical issues we face. I believe that utilizing small potential solutions into each and every home of the residents in this Valley has a chance to make an impact. I’d like to read your comments about the changes, however small, that you’ve made to make a difference. Help inspire others and help our city win that official title that even Kermit is envious of.

 

http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/

 

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