Hosting a speaker Have a speaker from a local utility company, architecture group or sustainable building organization speak to the class about ways that homes can be more energy efficient. Class projects
Green Build project resources Check out the following links for ideas on possible projects you can do with your class or youth group! “Habitat for Humanity International – Construction & Environmental Resources.” http://www.habitat.org/env/ Habitat for Humanity International’s public link to the Housing and Human Settlements department’s construction information. “Energy Star.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that helps Americans save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. “Global Green.” http://www.globalgreen.org/gbrc/whygreen.htm The U.S. affiliate of Green Cross International, focusing on creating a sustainable future. “LEED.” http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147 The U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. General Public—Agencies, programs & reports Affordable Housing Design Advisor. http://www.designadvisor.org/ Affordable green rehabbing. American Lung Association Health House. http://www.healthhouse.org/ Avoid toxic materials, particularly for indoors. “Architecture 2030.” http://architecture2030.com/home.html The 2030 Challenge on global warming. “Energy Efficiency Fact Sheets.” http://www.southface.org/web/resources%26services/publications/factsheets/sf_factsheet-menu.htm Southface, a longtime Habitat partner, offers a fact sheet on energy efficiency as part of its services as a nonprofit focused on environmental education. “Global Footprint Network.” According to the Global Footprint Network, humanity’s overall ecological impact is 23 percent larger than what the planet can regenerate. Go to www.footprintnetwork.org take a quiz that determines your own personal ecological footprint. Solar Energy International. http://www.solarenergy.org/ Workshops on building your own solar systems and other methods. “U.S. Department of Energy.” http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/ Building America program – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.” http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/ EPA Indoor Air Quality site. “U.S. Green Building Council.” http://www.usgbc.org/ Featuring the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building rating system. Green Building/Building Science conferences & training events http://www.westcoastgreen.com/ West Coast Green – Every September. Habitat-friendly. http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/ Green Build Expo – Every November. http://www.nahb.org/greenbuildingconference/ NAHB Green Builder's Show – Every spring. http://www.buildingenergy.nesea.org/ (NESEA) Northeast Sustainable Energy Association http://cnu.org/cnuxv/ Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU)– Workshops, networking and policy discussions. Urban sustainable development practices. http://www.newurbanism.org/eventsplaces.html New Urbanism – Events around the U.S. on design/architecture, planning and development http://www.solarenergy.org/ Solar Energy International – Hands-on training workshops on solar systems to straw bale and wind power. Also have workshops just for women. http://www.affordablecomfort.org/ Affordable Comfort – Every April. Building science. Habitat-friendly. May provide discounts. http://www.eeba.org/ (EEBA) Energy and Environmental Building Association – Every October. Building science. Habitat-friendly. May provide discounts. http://www.nw.org/network/training/programs/cpm.asp NeighborWorks America– Provides resources and training around the U.S. on quality affordable housing.
