The Oil Drum

Solar One has been a beacon for many in the local sustainability movement in NYC. The solar powered one room structure on the East River and 23rd Street has hosted countless public events, education sessions and served as a hub for many people interested in green buildings. Now they have a short video that offers a glimpse of their new proposed "Solar 2" which will be NYC's first Carbon Neutral Building that will produce more power than it consumes.

Mayor Bloomberg has announced a city contribution of $3 million to the project, but more private donations are required to make the target of a a 2008 ground breaking. Check out the video and consider the possibilities.

Ben Jervey, Author of The Big Green Apple

Earlier this week I had a chance to sit down and talk to Ben Jervey, author of The Big Green Apple. I met Ben at Earth Day a few weeks ago and we had an hour long chat at Solar 1, which is an organization that promotes Green Energy, Arts and Education as part of an environmentally friendly lifestyle. The building they occupy is 100% powered by solar PV cells. Ben hardly looks the part of the media version of a hippy environmentalist, which is one of the points that Ben made repeatedly in our conversation: "You don't have to try hard or make big changes to live a green lifestyle." Changing a few light bulbs to compact fluorescent, shopping at a local Greenmarket, riding a bike are all ways he points out that individuals can make a tangible difference in the environment that don't require a big effort - and can actually be fun, healthy and interesting.

In fact, he agrees that New Yorkers are actually unconsciously living some of the greenest lifestyles in the country because their heavy use of mass transit and small apartments in multi-unit buildings conserves energy. But, in a relaxed and non-judgmental tone, Ben thinks we can do much better. And his book is a combination of a personal how-to manual and Yellow pages (err Green pages) for resources to help lead a green life personally and advocate for green policy changes.