“Residents interviewed through the city said that the cries that they heard emanating from many collapsed buildings in the initial hours after the quake had begun to soften, if not quiet completely.” New York Times (Jan 15, 2010)

Earthquake response teams in Port-au-Prince explain that there is a 72-hour period in which people trapped under collapsed buildings can be rescued alive. We’re now at 67 hours. While there are still people under the rubble and homeless children searching for their families in the streets, it may be too soon to reflect upon the horrible aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. However, after donating as much as we can and still feeling helpless at the sight of the images in the news, this may be the best time. (more…)

Straw bale homes are on the rise based on the demand for inexpensive, renewable, and energy-efficient building materials. Some recent books on the form and function of straw bale construction include The Beauty of Straw Bale Homes by Athena and Bill Steen; Strawbale Home Plans (pictured) by Wayne Bingham and Collen Smith; and Design of Straw Bale Buildings: The State of the Art by Bruce King.

The Belarusian Division of the International Academy of Ecology (BD IAE) has developed a successful sustainable housing program for people displaced by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Using wood frames and rye straw covered with stucco, they have built over 100 homes to date. Since 1998, the houses have also been equipped with low-cost solar collectors. This project was a finalist for the 2007 World Habitat Awards.

Photo from the World Habitat Awards website

Quoted: This project uses straw-bale construction methods to provide low-income households in the Chernobyl area of Belarus with healthy, low-energy and inexpensive shelter.

A great article on sustainable home design by Abigail Goldman of the LA Times, published on July 29, 2007. Goldman highlights simple and affordable ways to cut carbon emissions and lower energy bills.

Quoted: “Forty percent of America’s carbon emissions comes from buildings — almost half — and utility bills are a major factor in household bankruptcy,” said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. “You can reduce your utility bill by 50% or 60% relatively easily. That’s one-fifth of the total carbon emissions today. It’s a huge part of what we have to do.” Making those eco-friendly changes at home has become simpler and more affordable.

Green Hammer is an innovative construction company that focuses on LEED-certified buildings. The Green Hammer website contains detailed information on the firm’s values, methods, and projects.

Photo appears on the Green Hammer site.

The World Green Building Council is an important example of global cooperation in support of sustainable building practices.

Quoted: The World Green Building Council is a union of national councils whose mission is to accelerate the transformation of the global property industry towards sustainability. WorldGBC supports member councils’ efforts to adopt and implement market-based transformation tools — such as BREEAM, CASBEE, Green Star and LEED — that meet local needs.