Community Housing Partners Corporation (CHPC) staged a kick-off event on October 1 and 2 that declared its intention to adopt its own principles of sustainability in their pursuit of community development and company practices. The kick-off included a dinner, a training and workshop on sustainability practices, and a Cornerstone Event at the Tekoa Boys Home in Christiansburg, Virginia. The laying of the cornerstone at the new Tekoa Boys Homes was particularly significant because this new green and sustainable building will also be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. Tekoa, Inc. is a residential treatment facility for adolescents in the New River Valley of Virginia. CHPC’s is acting as the general contractor for the construction of the new home and CHPC’s architecture staff designed the building and site using LEED guidelines.
CHPC’s seven principles of sustainability are:
- Recognize our interdependence with all things in the world.
- Use nature as a model. Restore and enhance natural systems.
- Save energy and use resources efficiently.
- Eliminate the concept of waste – reuse, reduce, and recycle.
- Create and use safe objects of long-term value.
- Ensure economic vitality and build quality of community.
- Seek constant improvement by the sharing of knowledge.
Community Housing Partners Corporation has been a leader in providing weatherization services, building and rehabilitating single and multi-family housing, sheltering and educating at-risk youth, and creating and managing innovative financial services for low-income families all across Virginia. CHPC has been a community- based organization for over 25 years and has its main office in Christiansburg, VA.
ORGANIC FARMING COUNTERS GREENHOUSE GASES
After 23 years of field studies on organic farming practices, researchers at the Rodale Institute have announced new findings that have very significant implications in the battle against global warming. These studies have successfully documented that organic soils actually scrub the atmosphere of global warming gases by capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and converting it into soil material. Through a process called carbon sequestration, plants and soils act as “sinks” for atmospheric carbon dioxide. Carbon “sequestered” in vegetation and soil is not readily released as carbon dioxide thus providing a significant boost in the efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
While the positive effects of “carbon sinks” has been known for some time, this research provides the most definitive, long-term evidence about organic agriculture’s asset as a tool against global warming.
AWARENESS ON WATER EFFICIENCY
The Environmental Protection Agency is planning a water efficient product- labeling program that is based on their successful Energy Star program. Water-efficient products that meet or exceed current standards can reduce home water use by 30%. An effective product- labeling program would create public awareness as well as encouraging consumers to purchase these products. Water shortages are becoming commonplace in the world and this problem exists even without drought conditions.
WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK
October 20-25, 2003 is World Population Awareness Week, which is an educational campaign, sponsored by the Population Institute, designed to create public awareness about the startling trends in world population growth, the effects this will have on the planet and its inhabitants, and the urgent need for action.
Over the next 20 years, the world’s population will increase from six billion to an estimated 7.2 billion, while the world’s water supply will decrease by one third.
ENERGY TIP
Practice water conservation:
- Shorter showers
- Flush less often
- Repair water leaks
- Wash clothes efficiently
- Use low flow water devices
- Collect and use rainwater
- Use mulch around trees
- Wash cars sensibly
- Wash dishes efficiently
- Don’t leave water running
- Do not overfill bathtub
- Recycle leftover water
- Insulate hot water pipes