Our conversation covered what is being done at the local and state [...]]]> On February 2nd, 2012 we discussed the Impact of recent drought on texas forests
with guests:
Dr. Chris Edgar with the Texas Forest Service
April Rose with Tree Folks Austin &
Keith O’Herrin with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

Our conversation covered what is being done at the local and state level, rural and urban, to prevent loss of trees during exceptional drought in Texas.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

Designing a home that also contributes to reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) is a fundamental concept of sustainability and a core value for Wes [...]]]> Wes Wigginton, managing director of Austin based Foursquare Builders and Eric Brown, founder and CEO of Thoughtcrib, an Austin design firm that focuses on sustainable practices joined us in the studio.

Designing a home that also contributes to reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) is a fundamental concept of sustainability and a core value for Wes Wigginton, a homebuilder with over 30 years of experience and architect, designer, Eric Brown. Together these award winning, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) have conceived a building process where every step seeks to reduce the fiscal and environmental implications of home construction and operation.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

The musical performance tells the true story about the Achuar [...]]]> Brad Love from Angel Productions talked with us about Symphony Awakening, a concert and expo he organized that was sponsored by Texas Green Network, Austin EcoNetwork, One World Theater and others.  The event benefited SafePlace, Urban Patchwork and One World Theater Children’s Outreach Programs.

The musical performance tells the true story about the Achuar tribe, a people indigenous to the Amazon and a green revolution. The unique tribe from deep in the rainforest of the Amazon has issued a call for help from people of the North to save their rain forest and the rest of the world.  There is a now powerful grass roots interest in sustainability and consumers are awaking to the fact that they can have an influence, they can make being green profitable.

The Austin EcoNetwork Expo following the symphony gave people the opportunity to meet green businesses, farmers, environmental organizations and government agencies that are helping advance a healthy, sustainable community.

Click here to listen to the Podcast. 

Renewable Energy Student Association, RESA is a student chapter of American Solar Energy Society and a club affiliated with Austin Community College, whose intended goal is [...]]]> Two organizations in Austin are helping young professionals launch careers in the energy industry by providing the opportunity to network, build connections and stay informed on career opportunities.

Renewable Energy Student Association, RESA is a student chapter of American Solar Energy Society and a club affiliated with Austin Community College, whose intended goal is to promote the educational and professional success of current and future practitioners in all the fields related to renewable energy.  Jason Shaw, President and Mary Kelly, Vice President of RESA joined us live to talk about RESA activities.

Another organization in Austin helping young professionals stay connected is Young Professionals in Energy, YPE.  It is a non-profit energy industry networking organization with over 20,000 members worldwide.  Steven Shannon, representing the local Austin chapter, told us that YPE aims to facilitate the advancement of young professionals in the energy industry around the world through social, educational and civic service oriented events.

YPE runs a year-round calendar of events in 20 chapters around the world.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

From the left, Steven Shannon, Host John Hoffner, Mary Kelly, Co-host Reed Sternberg and Jason Shaw

David Kuhlken is co-founder and winemaker [...]]]> David Kuhlken from Pedernales Cellars and Gary McKibben from Red Caboose Winery joined Shades of Green Radio hosts at the KOOP studios on Thursday, December 22^nd at 1:00 p.m. on 91.7 FM and streaming live on www.koop.org to talk  about sustainability and green building design at Texas Vineyards.

David Kuhlken is co-founder and winemaker at Pedernales Cellars.  The cellar and case storage facility at Pedernales Cellars are all cooled using a ground loop geothermal cooling system that cuts in half their energy consumption for maintaining the climate in the production space. They continue to add to their green building design at Pedernales Cellars.   Most of the bi-products of the winemaking is composted and re-used at the vineyard in the spring.  Steps taken to eliminate invasive species at the vineyard have led to the re-establishment of seeps and springs that had previously been lost.  The work has helped to make a better habitat for the native Hill Country wildlife on the property.

John and son, James with guest, David Kuhlken at the KOOP studios

Gary McKibben, owner and architect at Red Caboose Winery called in and also joined us on-air with interesting details on sustainable green building details for vineyards.  The people at Red Caboose Winery are interested in more than traditional winery design. Red Caboose Winery incorporates sustainability design principles, including: gravity wine flow, solar PV electricity panels on roof, geothermal chilling and cooling, capturing rainwater from our roof for irrigation, and using sustainable materials. All of these fundamental green building design principles translate to energy efficiency and cost savings.

Listen to the podcast to hear the details!

On Wednesday, December 21st Solar [...]]]> Clay Butler, founding partner of The Butler Firm and member of Solar Austin, and Audrey Thompson, President of Solar Austin joined Shades of Green Radio in the KOOP studios to discuss the latest Solar Austin initiatives, the upcoming Power Lunch series and their recent work to bring solar to Austin.

On Wednesday, December 21^st Solar Austin is hosting a Happy Hour and Forum to discuss the announced rate change proposals and the future of solar power in Austin.  The Happy Hours starts at 5:30 and Forum begins at 6:30 p.m. at the 29^th Street Ballroom at Spider House.

Butler will moderate a panel of speakers that include:

• Larry Weis, Austin Energy, General Manager
• Brewster McCracken, Pecan Street Inc., Executive Director
• Mike Sloan, Virtus Energy, President

 Click here to listen to the Podcast.