Buy Green: timed power strips

Electronics and appliances can use valuable electricity even when they're turned off.  Timed power strips eliminate this problem by shutting off the power to electronics and appliances when they aren't being used.  Timed power strips are inexpensive and offer a quick return on investment through energy savings.

Cincinnati State provides training for a green workforce

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has quickly become the region's leader in sustainability education. As the number of green jobs in the U.S. continues to increase, access to quality instruction for professionals is becoming important. Many times, those looking for sustainable education opportunities are forced to commute long distances to receive training. Hopefully the availability of these classes will make Cincinnati a hot spot for green education and job growth in the future.

Cincinnati State currently offers a range of different sustainable education opportunities. Students can major in areas of study like renewable energy/energy efficiency, or they can choose to take certification courses at the Workforce Development Center. Certifications can be received in energy auditing, sustainable building (LEED), and solar panel installation.

Picture by 350.org

http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/with/4038774628/

References: Green Home Improvement

In Green Home Improvement: 65 Projects That Will Cut Utility Bills, Protect Your Health and Save the Environment, Daniel Chiras gives clear, succinct instruction on how to make your home more sustainable.  Chiras is well known for his many published works on creating healthy, green homes.  

Xavier University lecture series focuses on green urbanism

In a couple of weeks, Xavier University will be kicking off its 2010-2011 lecture series, Ecology and Sustainability: Green Urbanism. Lasting until April 2011, the lecture series will focus on the strategies and challenges of creating a sustainable urban environment.

Will Allen, an urban farming expert, will be speaking on September 26 at 7:00PM. Allen is well known for his Milwaukee non-profit, Growing Power. Because of his efforts Allen received the 2008 Macarthur Genius Award.

Check out the entire lecture series schedule. Admission is free and open to the public.

Photo by: Travis Estell

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taestell/

Buy Green: Envi Home Energy Monitor

The Envi Home Energy Monitor ($120) makes tracking home energy use fun and easy.  Attaching the monitor to your electrical box allows you to receive real time information about how much energy your home is consuming.

The monitor has some really great features.  The monitor itself is wireless and can typically be taken anywhere around the house.  The monitor updates energy usage every six seconds, making it easy to tell which appliances are using the most energy in your home.  These features alone make this a great buy, but the coolest thing  about this monitor is that it can connect to Google Power Meter, an application that allows you to track your home's energy usage on the internet.

Mark your calendars!

There are some great events happening around town in the coming months!

9/15: Greening your roof

9/16: Healthy Cleaning Seminar

9/18: Park and Vine Dolly Brigade

10/2-3: Ohio Solar Tour

10/17 Healthy and Green Expo

The Village Green Foundation

Though the outdoor growing season is coming to a close, now is still a great time to learn about gardening.  The Village Green Foundation, located in Northside, is a blossoming coop where people of all skill levels can come together and garden in an urban environment.  For $40 and 5 volunteer hours annually, anyone can gain access to a plot of land behind the foundation's green house.  Green house space is also available upon request.  The Village Green Foundation is a great place to meet new people and share knowledge about sustainable food growth.

1415 Knowlton St. 
513-541-0252

Resources: The Urban Homestead

Learn how to grow your own food and live sustainably in an urban environment.

The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City
Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen

Buy green: kilowatt meter

Have you ever wandered how much electricity that old refrigerator in your basement uses? You may be surprised that many of your old appliances can be costing you up to $75 a month! Buying an inexpensive, portable kilowatt meter can help you save a ton of cash in the long run by showing you how much energy each of your appliances is using.