 |
June 18, 2009 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
THIS ISSUE'S SPONSOR
 |
Let's Try To Be More Negative
By Rob Watson
The subject of this week's column is that negative is the new positive. I'm not talking about adopting a fatalistic attitude toward our inevitable(?) environmental catastrophe. Rather, Strengthening Negative Feedback Loops is this week's Leverage Point (Number Eight of the Top Twelve) to help bring us to New Normal.
Exactly what is a negative feedback loop? It sort of sounds like an obnoxious tape recording constantly telling you you're ugly and stupid.
At its simplest, a negative feedback loop is a self-correcting mechanism that helps keep a system from straying too far from its goal. A thermostat is a perfect example. If the goal is a certain temperature, the thermostat keeps the heating or cooling system "on" until it gets to the set temperature. Without the negative feedback of the "off" function, the system could spiral into excessive heat or cold.
Price is a very important and often abused negative feedback loop in regulating markets. Generally, the tendency is to manipulate this feedback mechanism through subsidies, tax breaks or other means to protect the status quo of a certain human system, generally at the expense of the desired state of Nature, which is the one that supports human life.
Brief polemical digression: No matter how much we trash the planet, it will be far less severe overall than what has already been experienced by the Earth, and Nature will do what it always does, which is to create life that thrives under those conditions and get rid of that life which doesn't do as well (read, "us").
Of course, the irony is that when a system has been distorted for a long time, such as with the systemic and systematic subsidization of fossil fuels over the last century, there needs to be a countervailing subsidization of alternatives, such as renewables and energy efficiency in order to rectify the imbalance. This is the purpose of programs such as utility-sponsored energy efficiency programs and the Obama Administration's green stimulus program.
Another important negative feedback loop is the regular improvement of energy- and water-saving building codes and complementary voluntary green standards, such as LEED and Green Globes. The combination of these mandatory and voluntary elements help correct the environmental damage caused by distortions of energy prices and the lack of internalization of other environmental externalities. (Of course, if we were practicing Eco-nomics instead of Ego-nomics, we wouldn't even need green building codes because people would make the most money building the most eco-friendly structures to begin with.)
Strengthening negative feedback loops through a combination of regulatory and market mechanisms is significantly more powerful than doing so with either one by itself. If the strength of either mandatory or market mechanism has a magnitude of One, then the combination has a magnitude of Three. Submetering buildings and requiring tenants to pay directly for their energy would be another way of strengthening the negative feedback loop of price, which constrains excess energy consumption.
Expanding peoples' knowledge of green policies, design and access to new technologies is an excellent way to improve negative feedback loops. This week, two great examples of this were the Annual Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington D.C. sponsored by U.S. Energy Association and Johnson Controls that was extensively blogged by Marc Gunther for GreenBiz.com and the GreenBuildingsNY Conference that was put on by Reed Exhibitions, with the education portion of the conference developed by our own GreenerBuildings.com gurus. Both events were very well attended and quite stimulating and should definitely be on peoples' calendars for next year. Stay tuned to this Bat Channel.
Rob Watson
Executive Editor, GreenerBuildings.com
You can reach Rob at rob.watson@greenerworldmedia.com
|
| |
Featured News
|
Unleashing the Next Wave of Engineering Innovation
|
By Cameron Burns
|
Bad engineering design is simply wasteful, but a Rocky Mountain Institute initiative aims to create a set of teaching tools to help engineers designs things like buildings or vehicles that use radically less energy and resources.... Read More
|
|
|
Sponsored Content
Cree LR24 recessed LED luminaires available in volume.
The LR24 delivers high-quality, energy-efficient light for suspended-ceiling applications usually addressed by linear fluorescents. Its elegant, 24-inch square form is recessed to reduce glare and provide natural-looking light while using less electricity. Designed for 50,000 hours of illumination, the dimmable LR24 has a superior CRI of 92. |
| |
GreenBiz Radio
|
Lies, Damn Lies, and the Seventh Sin of Greenwashing
By Joel Makower
|
|
TerraChoice Environmental Marketing this week is releasing an updated version of their widely discussed "Six Sins of Greenwashing," and to explore the new findings, as well as just how grave a sin greenwashing can be, GreenBiz.com executive editor Joel Makower talks to TerraChoice's Scot Case about the seventh sin of greenwashing.... Listen
|
|
|
Sponsored Content
INTRODUCING UL ENVIRONMENT
Get independent, 3rd-party proof of your product’s environmental claims backed by UL’s century-long legacy of testing leadership and unmatched public trust. Products with UL Environment validated claims and certification give you a competitive advantage and increased market access. |
| |
Columns and Blogs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FEATURED RESOURCES
Green Roof Systems
Replete with charts, diagrams and photos, this new guide can serve as a one-stop resource for designers.
BROWSE BY TOPIC
FEATURED JOBS
Green Building Consultant/Simulation Engineer
Boston, MA
LEED Project Manager
San Diego, CA
Energy Auditor/Engineer
Salem, NH
Senior Electrical Engineer
Harvard, MA
Electric Utility Field General Supervisor
Redlands, CA
» Browse All Jobs
FEATURED EVENT
China Sustainable Building Summit 2009
Date: June 29, 2009 - 8:00am
Location: Shanghai ,31
The China Sustainable Building Summit 2009 will be held on June 29th - July 1st ,2009 in Shanghai China. Overall we expect more than 300 high profile participants from property developers financiers, architects, designers, contractors, engineers, as well as building sustainability solution providers including technology and products vendors.
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Become a GreenerBuildings Sponsor
Reach tens of thousands of businesses every month by placing your ad here. Contact us to receive more information.
|
GreenBiz.com® is a registered trademark of Greener World Media, Inc.
©Greener World Media, Inc. All rights reserved. |
|
|
