Resolution

Well, it's a new year. If my math is correct, it's been about 10 years since I finished high school, which is a somewhat disturbing thought. Don't they have parties for that? So far '07 is going well. Back in Savannah, the Winter quarter just started, and crew practice is back in the routine.

I am taking a class this quarter that has become very interesting very quickly. One of the ideas that has repeatedly kept my mind interested in architecture is the idea of creating sustainable design, and "thinking green". This class, Environmental Control, focuses a lot on the subject. It has been a common element of design, and is in constant discussion over at Eichberg Hall (Arch. Bldg.). And starting this quarter, SCAD's School of Building Arts has adjusted their mission statement and course goals to include the teaching and understanding of the ecological responsibilities held by an architect, and to uphold the environment they alter. I was planning to do so anyway, but making it a requirement for every student is wonderful. I think it is a great initiative, and I plan to do my part to support it in my own life as much as possible, hence the resolution title.

Having reverted to the college life, anything cheap becomes appealing. And being around "green" people at Eichberg, lectures, and constant energy saving fact sheets posted on bulletin boards, I am becoming more and more aware of how easy it is to save my money when it comes to power bills, water bills, etc. In EC, one such fact was that the U.S. contains 5% of the world's population, yet we use 25% of its energy, leaving the U.S. with the most energy spent per person in the world. Furthering the guilt, the fact following was that the Southeast region of the U.S. spends the most per person in the country. Leaving me to be one of the most energy consuming people in the world. Yuck! Tuesday we watched this video, Kilowatt Ours. It shows how the U.S. creates most of its energy, and is quite helpful at showing ways you can help to save as well. The easiest ways to be turning off the lights, computers, AC, etc., when no one is using them. Also, replacing your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. They are slightly more expensive, but they are guaranteed to last 5 years, and emit far less energy (incandescents are lucky to last a year). If you happen to come across the video, I recommend checking it out. It's interesting. Well, that's my PSA for the year. I'll let you know what else I find interesting as I come across it. Back to work.