Here I am standing in my back yard. I live on two acres just outside Dallas Center. With a 1800 sf footprint for my house, garage and a shed, about 1.5 of those acres has at least 3 feet of snow and as you see, some places more.
There is a lot of discussion these days regarding whether there is or isn't "global warming". It often centers around the fact that is snowing everywhere. This winter seems to be more than I can recall since my days on the farm in the early '70's. We'd dig tunnels in the drifts when school was cancelled like my daughter and I have been doing now. But regardless of your position on climate change, I don't believe there can be debate of the fact that the earth is a finite resource.
Someday, coal, natural gas, and oil will be depleted. Long before that happens, I hope for a few things. First, I hope we have found sufficient replacement fuel sources. I hope they are renewable sources such as wind and solar. Bio-mass is being explored also, but it has not had the accomplishments of solar and wind. Second, I hope as a society, we have learned to consume less and guard the resources we have better. The second wish is the most ambitious.
Iowa is working hard to make wind and solar an export industry for our state. We are 4th in the nation in wind as a resource. The state and industry are partnering to create the infrastructure to transport that energy for market. There are companies that continue to develope solar power geration tecniques to increase the efficiency and reduce the costs.
Simonson is working with IDED to try to achieve the second goal. Sustainable design is about reducing consumption and waste while replenishing the natural systems through water management, waste management, and energy conservation. Most of the work presenteed on our Sustainable Woodbine site so far has been about storm water management and healthier living through recreation (trails, community center).
We are getting ready to begin our Task C component that will focus on the Whitmore building downtown as a template for energy efficient rehabilitation. This project will provide examples of tecniques that can be used throughout the community, new and rehab, to increase the efficiency of the buildings in Woodbine. we will continue to post those concepts on the web site to allow you to use them to improve your buildings or homes.
I hope that you will join us in these efforts to grow to be more energy independent, food source independent, and good stewards of our communities. We have a lot to learn from each other.
I'd like to hear from you. Two reasons. My wife keeps me grounded by letting me know when I'm wrong and I'd like you to do the same. And as far as I know, I'm talking to myself in cyber space. Is there anybody out there?
