How Green are the Vancouver Olympics

With the opening ceremonies underway for the 2010 Winter Olympics, many questions arise whether the Olympics are getting greener. Being a global event, this venue is the perfect showcase to be environmentally friendly and promote sustainability basics.

The stage is set. All the lights are on Vancouver for the start of another Winter Olympics. But, to construct venues and prepare for all the activities of an event of this magnitude you can't help but wonder if it is truly green or just a big sustainable washout.

Carving the bobsled run in the mountain side, adding roadways to accommodate increased traffic, and trucking in snow from other areas to add to a melting base do not sound like carbon friendly activities.
Planning on a hydrogen highway for technology and infrastructure that are not quite there yet does not make much sense either.


With all that was built and changed the intent was to make Vancouver the "greenest" major city in the world. Did it achieve that? Only time will tell. Maybe not in the near term, but over the long run the foundation has been put in place to get this city well under way to becoming much more sustainable than it was before the Olympics.

The Ultimate Green List has a New Look

The Ultimate Green List is a by-product of Green On A Budget. This green business directory was created to find and list local companies that are truly green. As the list expanded and started listing companies nationally, it was made available on the web.

The site is now hosted on a new platform that gives users a better search and browsing capability. There are more categories and expanded green listings.

Shopping green was never on the list before, but due to several requests this category has been added.
The Ultimate Green List still promotes sustainable businesses, organizations and wants to continue to create an awareness of these green businesses. Also, consumers have a choice to use an environmentally friendly organization or business over those companies that are not.

Visit: theUltimateGreenList.com

Thank you.

Saving energy and being green for 2010

Saw a news report stating that legislators are urging people to take advantage of the tax rebates and do what it takes to reduce energy costs in their house. They are calling it the "cash for caulkers" program.

Are people willing to invest up front for a payout in taxes? This could be a good thing for everyone...except the utilities :-(

So what is covered. They say anything that will reduce energy costs in your house.
I would assume that would include energy star rated windows, insulation, and sealing by caulking drafts.
Purchasing energy efficient appliances to replace less efficient models.
Replacing that old heater/air conditioner with an energy star rated model.

I personally think keeping the rebates and tax incentives through 2010 would help people out tremendously. I think more people will take advantage of the program and will want to make their house more energy efficient.

What do you think?

Are You Already Complaining About Heating Your House?

I am sure you have heard it already this year.

Is it cold already?
My heating bills are going through the roof.
We can't afford to pay these electric bills.
It is too hot up stairs. It's too cold in my house.
There is too much snow. How long will this cold weather last.

One thing is for sure: we Americans love to complain about the weather and how it affects our lives in every which way. It will never be just right.
In the summer it is too hot and you pay too much for the electricity to cool the house.
Then in the winter it is too cold and you spend an arm and a leg to heat the house.
One thing is for sure. Where ever you may live the weather always has an impact on how you live.

How you choose to live with this is up to you and you only.

So before you start complaining this winter... What have you done for your house lately?
If you haven't added any insulation recently? Cold walls and ceilings in the winter mean you have poor insulation. Is there a lot of ice forming on your roof or hanging down from the gutters?
This is another indicator of inadequate insulation.

If you are a home owner, did you know you can get tax credits for installing or adding insulation? Keep your receipts and ask your accountant. Get an estimate from a professional. You never know what the cost might be.
If you rent, tell your land lord. What can it hurt? The most he can say is no. Then you can start looking for an apartment that is more energy efficient. (if there is such a thing)

Now how about your heater? Is it over ten years old? Technology has improved since then... like it does every year. There are heaters out there that are not only efficient in heating, but also use less energy. Wow! Double the savings! And then there are the credits and incentives also. That's adding up to a no-brainer for the why not.

Now replacing the heater is still a big investment, but one with a payoff that will last for years to come.

So you are in no position to replace the heater. When did you last get it cleaned? If you do no maintenance at all, over time it will lead to an inefficient heater.
If anything at all, at least change the filter.
Preferably, get a professional cleaning and inspection done to insure that the heater is running at its optimum. Reputable companies will usually make proper recommendations.

There are no tax credits or government incentives to maintain your heater. But I say knowing that you've done everything within your budget to keep your heater running efficiently is green enough for me.