The tech it is a changin
I do not particularly care for the movie “Pretty Woman”, but I do think it provides an important frame of reference. Specifically, there is a scene in which one rich character uses a cell...
The good stuff is at the bottom
As a child, I loved it when my grandmother would pick my brother and me up for an afternoon playdate. It was the best. My grandmother was indescribably beautiful, exuded love, spread laughter and...
Exploring the energy-water nexus
I am normally not a Dane Cook fan. As far as comedians go, I am more of a George Carlin and Doug Stanhope fan. Stanhope’s “Kick How You Kick” piece basically gave me permission...
The sun will heat it
As I have shared before, I grew up in a rural part of California in a farmhouse built in 1913 which was surrounded by 1.5 acres of grapes, oranges, walnuts, and various farm structures....
Energy Is Sexy
When I was at Prometheus Real Estate Group, I used to have a bumper sticker outside my office door that said, “Energy is Sexy.” It was a slightly “blue” statement for a corporate office,...
Remembering Earth Day
I know, when people think of U.S. presidents who made significant impacts on the environment, we think of Teddy Roosevelt and the founding of National Parks. We think of Jimmy Carter expanding the national...
Which is the “worst” is very personal
When it comes to emissions Scopes, which is the worst? I get asked that a lot. I think it is sort of subjective and depends on where you are standing and what “worst” you...
Return of the carbon
My office is decorated with comic book figures and movie posters to the point that, during the pandemic when we were all forced to work from home, one customer exclaimed, “you must be working...
Let’s talk about sewer
When Salt-N-Pepa’s song “Let’s talk about sex” came out in August of 1991, I thought it was important. I am not certain that they are related but, within 24 months, the Japanese book, “Everyone...
Finding value in green building designations
On January 11, 1964, U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry issued a report that linked smoking cigarettes with developing lung cancer. We then debated into the 1970’s if smoking was bad for people. As someone...
One year after winter storm Elliot, our grid problem remains dire
Last year, on the morning before Christmas, just as much of the country was preparing food for a holiday dinner that night or preparing for the next day as they welcomed family and guests...
In 2024, resolve to reduce energy loss
We all start the year with resolutions or goals. Some of these goals may be carried over from the prior year. Some are new. “I am going to save money.” “I am going to...
Sustainability issues to watch in 2024
On Wednesday, January 10, ULI hosted their webcast “ULI Global Sustainability Outlook 2024” where they discussed, not emerging trends, but what key things would be focused on in 2024. The panel discussion reviewed five...
Where the water goes
People have said to me, “we cannot control our property’s water consumption because we cannot affect what the residents do in their units.” Oh, really? According to EPA’s WaterSense program, 26.7% of all indoor water...
Water management is elemental
Since California got a hose-in-the-sky rain this week, it is a good time for us to think about water. Right now, California has loads of water, possibly more than its infrastructure was designed to...
