What do you make of these building codes?
I think they should have new building codes that require solar panels, geothermal heating pumps, rainwater collecting cisterns, passive ventilation, thermal super glass, and caulking. If they mandated green switches that shut the power to all appliances but the refrigerator, that would be fine with me. I believe they should even have, broadleaved trees on the south side, to provide shade during the summer. Perhaps they could have eaves to provide extra shading. I believe all commercial and industrial buildings should require wind turbines and skylights on the rooftops. Moreover, I believe all flat-roofed buildings should have green rooftops. Indoor plumbing is included in all building codes. You can no longer have an outhouse outside. If all buildings must have bathrooms and fire exits, why shouldn’t they include these in new codes? If they shall abide by OSHA standards why not make them abide by EPA standards. Plus, they can require other buildings to be retrofitted through time. Imagine how picturesque Wal-Mart and other big box retail chains would look with green rooftops. Picture how much energy they could return to the grid. Any thoughts on this?
it seems once again you have been reading my mind! i can’t speak for the big box stores other than to say they would look much better than the ones we have now, they look so industrial and clinical so much so i hate shopping in any of them.
as far as the indoor plumbing goes i think all new homes should be required to have composting toilet systems installed, and of course owner education as to how to use said composting toilet systems. as far as gray water systems i’m not so sure as to the best way to proceed in that area, my idea was to use all gray water in gardening applications ( so long as eco-friendly soaps are used)
These sound like the kinds of things that my husband and I discuss often. I also believe that all roads and major highways–especially highways–should make use of the extra space along the sides and median for solar panels to collect energy to further power all our energy needs. Nice trees and plants should be strategically placed as well, not only for beautification–which should always be required–but also for added oxygenation and to help lower pollution levels.
I would LOVE to see all buildings topped and running completely green. That would be awesome.
"If they mandated green switches that shut the power to all appliances but the refrigerator, that would be fine with me."
Only a liberal would let the government mandate the appliances they use within their home.
It’s a fine idea and in a properly constructed world it would happen…but the commercial interests of those who build our current environmentally UNfriendly homes. who sell us the power and water and plastics …they won’t let their lackeys in the halls of power do it.
It’s not a bad idea, but the rabid right would be foaming at the mouth over this sort of thing.
They’d call it enviro-fascism, or some other clever phrase to deride it.
Personally, what do you think of offering people jobs (people that wouldn’t mind hefty physical labor) to help power a lot of things…. Other than that, we can give convicted thieves work on turning cranks, and using their breakfast to our energy advantage. Um, how about making building plans like this: Design buildings to absorb the heat energy… closest to the bottom. Design electric generators to work with this.
Magnets and pulleys. Awesome idea, man.
I don’t think it should necessarily be made against the law to refuse the plans. I mean, what kind of financial sensibility would people have to refuse? If we pull it just right, it could be a lot cheaper than what people are paying for now.
I agree with most of what you say, though.
Yep. And in an economy of scale, such as if it was required by law, environment-friendly tech would end up being VERY cheap.
But I want power, man. I use tech, and I’m not intending to be a caveman. So I wouldn’t want my energy consumption dictated by the govt.
However, for businesses, yup. When they’re closed, everything but the fridge and alarms MUST go off.