Global Green News
The Softest Sell
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES. SEPT 25, 2005. By Emily Young
When it comes to designing an earth-friendly house, most people want to do the right thing. But the minute the process requires more time, more labor or more money, the impulse to do good quickly wanes. That's where Global Green USA's Green Building Resource Center comes in. A joint venture of the environmental organization and the city of Santa Monica, the center wants to pave the way to a healthier planet, not with good intentions but by putting sound ideas into action.
Since opening last year in a small storefront on Main Street, the center has been promoting homes that conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption and safeguard human health. It's spreading the word through workshops and panel discussions; a library of books, magazines and technical guidelines; databases of green professionals and a show-and-tell exhibit of green construction and finish materials. What's more, the services are free to anyone who stops in--homeowner or renter, architect or interior designer, contractor or tradesman, developer or landlord.
"So many people are concerned about what's going on in the world today, from global warming to icebergs breaking up in Antarctica to the deforestation of the Amazon and British Columbia. They feel helpless and wonder how they can make a difference," says Matt Petersen, president of Global Green USA. "We make it easier for everyone to figure out how they can be part of the solution."
Center coordinator Monica Gilchrist and her staff offer a great primer on ecologically responsible design--both interior decoration and nuts-and-bolts construction. You want to know where to find structural insulated panels for walls or which Southland cities issue rebates for installing low-flow toilets and shower heads? Or how to orient a house to maximize natural heating and cooling and minimize utility costs?
"We can help you with your entire building, whether you're building from scratch or remodeling, whether you own or rent," says Gilchrist. "We're like a one-stop shop where we walk you through the process and, depending on your priorities, show you where to spend your money most wisely."
As a nonprofit undertaking, the center doesn't pitch Brand X to the exclusion of Brands Y and Z. It delivers accurate, objective information about many different products. Venice sustainable architect Isabelle Duvivier appreciates the unbiased approach. "They're able to stay current on the newest and the latest," says Duvivier. "And because it's not a store per se, there's no incentive to sell you something."
