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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n18)
Green Broad Ripple - Green Way - by Cortellini
posted: Sept. 07, 2007

Green Broad Ripple header

Green Way
Last night, Tuesday August 28 (2007), along with a few friends, Patty (my wife) and I attended a screening of Leonardo DiCaprio's new documentary, "The 11th Hour." We were provided tickets by Lynn Jenkins of "Indiana Living Green" magazine who promoted the event that attracted 100 or so dedicated Greenies of our region. A solemn hush pervaded the theater as the 93 minute film recounted the climate change story in convincing and compelling terms. It was the proverbial preaching to the choir for Patty and I. The message was that we humans face a looming catastrophe of, in the words of Dan Aykroyd, Biblical proportions. Time is short. It is not only the 11th hour but it is 11:59:59 PM. We need to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent as quickly as possible - which will require a huge reconfiguration of our industrial, energy and transportation systems. Unfortunately, there is little evidence that the scale of mobilization that will be necessary has even begun to take place. Yet the film, ending in a note of optimism, points out that this scale of reconfiguration is not without precedence in our American experience. During WWII the automobile industry was converted to the most prolific producer of armaments the world has ever seen in just three and a half years.
DiCaprio is among a growing number of voices raising the alarm and calling for big thinking and substantive action. Here is a to-do list published on the NewUrbanism.org website:
  1. An immediate and permanent moratorium on all new major road construction and expansions.
  2. A huge increase in funding for Amtrak, and rapid construction of new nationwide train network.
  3. An immediate moratorium on the building of any additional sprawl.
  4. A major focus of federal, state, and local governments on New Urbanism, Smart Growth, and Transit Oriented Development.
  5. The rapid tripling of minimum vehicle MPG standards for all vehicles produced in America.
  6. An immediate and permanent moratorium on all new airport construction and expansions, as well as an end to all aviation subsidies.
  7. An immediate moratorium on construction of new coal fired or nuclear power generating plants.
  8. The rapid construction of massive new solar and wind power generating capacity all across America, from large-scale installations to smaller neighborhood and roof-top units.
  9. The rapid installation of full roof solar panels on every building in America.
  10. The installation of hundreds of acres of organic farms in every city and town in America. In addition to this, the planting of millions of trees across America.
There are many complex reasons why we are not seeing action on this scale. Perhaps our leaders are not yet convinced by the evidence. Perhaps the systems of industry and government have become so complex, cumbersome or insular that they are beyond a leaders' ability to effect change. Perhaps our culture is so intertwined with consumerism that it cannot envision another form of desirable living. We can only hope that, if indeed, the worst case scenario turns out to be true, our culture and our institutions will be able to take corrective action in time. In the meantime, let me bring you up to date on what Practical Patty is doing to save the planet.
Three months ago, Patty, conservative by nature, quit her well paying job with benefits because the work had become unfulfilling and the office environment emotionally caustic. After a couple of weeks of detox, in a relaxed moment, she yielded to the notion she belonged in the Green world. She embarked on a job search - finding just the right position could take six months or more so, in the meantime, she signed up for a class "Low Carbon Diet" conducted by Doris Jane Conway at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. The course outlines how to quantify a household carbon footprint and works through ways to reduce yearly household CO2 emissions by 5000 LBS. She made connections with surrounding Catholic Parishes and is initiating a Green Ministry at Christ the King Church. She volunteered for a committee to organize a hazardous waste drop in the Glendale area. She signed up for a LEED Green Building Standard class toward becoming a LEED Accredited Professional. She is talking to everyone she meets and quoting from books with titles such as It's Easy Being Green and Food Not Lawns. She has discovered her passion and she is convinced that the planet will be saved by reaching one mind at a time. This positive flow and following the threads that crossed her path in her Green endeavors led her to finding a perfect job. At first meeting Terry Black, Randy Gray, Fred Gray and Robyn Baker, she knew. She knew she wanted to work for Green Way Supply.
Green Way Supply is a recent startup company owned and operated by Terry, Randy and Fred and anchored by Robin. Green Way Supply carries and installs smart, earth friendly, energy efficient and healthy alternatives to conventional building materials. Everything from recycled flooring and countertops to quality zero VOC paints for the homeowner, builder, developer, or design professional. It represents an important step in transforming the marketplace to a Green economy in Indianapolis. It pleases me to support their efforts because it may well be that Planet Earth will be saved, not by government edict, but by the forces of the marketplace. Besides, since Practical Patty has been working there, I have never seen her happier.



Cortellini is a licensed architect in the states of Indiana and Arizona. He holds a BFA from Indiana University Herron School of Art. He has taught architectural technology at the college level at several universities and has pursued independent artistic endeavors. His architectural practice has focused on residential and small commercial projects. He has recently committed his practice to designing Green buildings, is a member of the US Green Building Council and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Send questions/comments to cortellini@BroadRippleGazette.com




cortellini@broadripplegazette.com
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