ecobriefs
Think Green: Drink Green
by Megan Cutter
W
hile many builders have been hit by economic hardship, there is a brighter future for the sustainable movement
spreading throughout the Triangle. The U.S Green Building Council provides support to sustainability projects in many local communities and serves as a respected and visible catalyst for change for green building practices, technologies, policies, and standards in the region. Established in 2004, the NC Triangle Chapter of the USGBC
aims to be the regional point of contact to promote development, design and construction practices, buildings and communities that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. With this mission, they intend to serve the Triangle Region and the State of North Carolina through implementation of LEED, information exchange, and education. Additionally, they encourage widespread knowledge and acceptance of LEED˛ certified buildings and integrate LEED˛ certification with High Performance Guidelines already being implemented across the state.
Once each month, the Triangle USGBC’s Emerging Profes-
sionals organize a social event known as Green Drinks. Members of the sustainable community come together to network and learn about the latest technology, methods and outreach opportuni- ties. This is a diverse network of individuals from environmental groups, business, government, academia, building and develop- ment, and community who are committed to sustainibility. Green Drinks is organized as a local event rotating each
month between Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh. These events are organized as a simple, open forum including a featured presentation on a local green issue, informal discussion and drinks to follow. Through Green Drinks events, many participants have found employment, developed new ideas, used creative problem solving, and even had brainstorming sessions for new ideas. In the past, Green Drinks has hosted events at locations
such as: the Home Depot Smart Home at Duke University with the presentation there provided by Token Energy, a student run non-profit that designs custom energy dashboards that display oc- cupant energy consumption; and, in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Enterprise, the USGBC NC Triangle co-hosted the Leaders in Sustainability Series at UNC Kenan-Flagler in Chapel Hill with Rob Watson, “a Founding Father of LEED” and Dennis Quaintance, Owner, Proximity LEED Platinum Hotel as speakers. Their talk was titled, “Wanted: Radical Confidence... Why the Future is in Our Hands Today.” Green Drinks follow each series event. The event’s topics serve as an educational component to
stimulate discussion around community sustainability - they do not provide endorsement of a particular stance on any environ- mental topic. Comments, questions, and recommendations for locations and speakers can be emailed to NCTriangleEGB@gmail. com. No RSVP is necessary and attendance is free. For more information about upcoming Green Drinks in the Triangle or the Triangle Chapter of USGBC, visit
www.triangleusgbc.org.
green drinks network with the sustainability community
Raleigh•Durham•Chapel Hill
Want to find out more about working green, building green, and living green in the Triangle? Green Drinks events happen all over the world in over 300 cities. The Emerging Professionals of the USGBC Triangle Chapter host Green Drinks each month at different locations around the Triangle. To get on our e-mail list, simply send an email to
greendrinks@triangleusgbc.org and we will keep you posted on our events. See you there!
For more information, visit
triangleusgbc.org/greendrinks
natural awakenings
Annual Guide 2010
13
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