RGBG - Pedalling from Seattle to San Francisco for Affordable Green Housing
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 01. 4.08
We have seen one or two examples of affordable sustainable housing, for example this apartment block in London or this $200,000 Oklahoma zero energy house, but overall environmentally sustainable architecture is still seen as somewhat of an elitist movement. However, all that must change if sustainability is to go mainstream – after all, niche sustainability is basically an oxymoron. It’s good then, that a movement is building to push truly green architecture for all income groups. From Brad Pitt’s efforts to rebuild New Orleans to the AIA’s highlighting of cutting-edge affordable homes, every new initiative and campaign brings us a step closer to green architecture as the norm, rather than the exception.
West Coast TreeHuggers can do their part for green affordable housing this summer by taking part in RGBG – or Ride Green, Build Green, a month-long awareness building and fund raising bicycle trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Details are sketchy at the present time, but the ride takes place from the 25th of July to the 25th of August, and those wishing to take part should check out this website or contact rgbgseattle@gmail.com. ::RGBG::via tipster Corey Heller, with thanks::
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
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- David Gottfried's Home Renovation: Building a Office Lifepod (Video)
- Will the Next New Deal be Transit-Based? Three Plans to Rescue the Economy and the Earth with Public Transportation
- Trek Embraces Chainless Bikes, Via Carbon Belt Drives
As someone who has worked to promote sustainable, affordable housing for nearly three years, I'd like to share the news that there are thousands of sustainable, affordable homes being built all around the United States.
Green Communities (http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org) is well on its way to creating 8500 sustainable, affordable units, and in my local Minnesota Green Communities corner, we have 190 units completed, 423 under construction, and another 1,223 under development.
Check us out!
RGBG is travelling from Seattle to San Francisco, not Portland to San Francisco. Thanks for spreading the word!
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Author's comment:
My apologies - I will ammend forthwith!
Thanks for giving us a little coverage!
We will be doing the trip with 20 riders (10 signed up for sure at this time.) and will be stopping to work at affordable housing sites with green initiatives to help out as well as many other stops along the way. At those we will be learning more about others efforts for sustainable buildings and educating and advocating ourselves.
We are raising enough money to cover the cost difference between a "standard" Habitat home to bring it up to LEED certification.
We are still looking for more hosts along the way as well as possible sponsors or other assistance.
Thanks again!
Jesse Card
RGBG Rider