Second Nature

Monthly green-certified home sales statistics have been provided by GreenWorks Realty from their ECert Report. The data covers King County and Seattle and compares homes with an environmental certification to those without based on sales price, square footage and time on market differences for homes built 2007 and later. The environmental certifications include Built Green,Northwest Energy Star Homes and LEED for Homes. The predominate certification in the region and in the report is Built Green.

Historic data shows certified homes in King County and Seattle sell for more, are smaller in size and, in some instances, sell in shorter market time. The data represents a clear snapshot of the metropolitan green-home marketplace and has been referred to in studies and reports across the country and internationally. GreenWorks Realty broker Ben Kaufman compiles the ECert Report based on Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) sales data. From time to time, Kaufman will add commentary on trends affecting the green home market with additional charts and sales data. Visit the ECert Report for more information.

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Makings Sustainability Second Nature™

Planet Green recently reported on the new potential aspartame warning labels for pregnant women. I think this is a great idea! Being pregnant myself has definitely opened my eyes to look at what I put in my body and how it affects my baby.

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

As reported by Planet Green:

Diet coke recently became the second most popular soda second only to regular coke. I think much of the reason for its popularity is the false perception that it’s the healthier choice because it has no calories. But zero calorie sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin come with risks including a link with bladder cancer, brain tumors, and osteoporosis.

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Treehugger recently reported on this terrifying discovery. I had to pass it on to you all because it breaks my heart!

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

Researchers at Indiana University have found flame retardants in the blood of pet dogs at levels five to ten times higher than typically found in humans. Could dogs be the canary in the coal mine for how accumulating polybrominated flame retardants will affect humans?

We already know that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDBEs for short) are found everywhere — they are used in everything from computers to carpeting, and can be measured even in the dust bunnies that gather in the corners of our living spaces.What PBDEs do to us is scary enough that these persistant, bioaccumulating chemicals are being phased out*. This is where the two most interesting aspects of the Indiana University study arise.

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I saw this ad on Treehugger and really want one of these hydrogardens made out of wine bottles. Check it out!

GrowBottle Hydrogarden: These repurposed wine bottles come with organic seeds, clay pebbles, and a wool wick that makes them foolproof mini-gardens perfect for your mom’s office, kitchen window, or sun room. (Branch Home, $38)

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

In a recent Inhabitat newsletter an update was announced about the new floating pool in the East River. How exciting! I really hope this works out….

Get excited New York! If everything goes along swimmingly, we could have our very own floating pool in the East River by next summer (don’t worry, there’s a filtration system to clean the water!). You may remember +Pool, a concept for a floating plus-shaped pool unveiled last summer. Well, now the designers are pushing forward to turn the concept into a reality. A whole year may seem too long to wait to enjoy a refreshing dip, sun bathing, and fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline, but the process is zipping along, with the design team reaching its $25,000 fundraising goal through Kickstarter. As of today, the team has raised more than $29,000, which will help fund the research and development to land this thing in the river.

Read more: UPDATE: Floating East River +Pool Concept Raises First Round of Funding | Inhabitat New York City

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

Ever wonder where those plastic bottles you recycle end up? Well, check out this video showing how plastic bottles are re-processed into new materials. Knowing that plastic bottles can be repurposed, why would you NOT recycle?!?!

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature
http://jaymecarleton.com
Making Sustainability Second Nature™