Messages from the Edge August 2024

頂きます

Excuse me, embodied energy?

To review, as your EcoDharma Doula for the next six months, I will offer you a monthly contemplation on what is commonly called ‘Getting to Zero.’ Science tells us we have 25 years to reduce our emissions to Zero. We are looking at a carbon reduction diet, which begins by looking at the big picture. We wish to turn the right side to Zero by 2050 or:

(Lighting + Heating + Cooling + cooking + driving + refrigeration + embodied energy + heating water + utilities + gardening + vampire energy) – (Clean Energy we Produce or Offset) = (Everything we Use)

In this mid-month Message from the Edge, we will investigate how embracing mindful awareness of embodied energy can help us make more informed and sustainable choices in our daily lives. This approach reduces our environmental footprint and fosters a deeper connection with the world around us, turning our actions into a spiritual practice of stewardship and respect for the Earth. Applying this understanding to our homes, workplaces, and communities can lead to significant positive changes, promoting a more sustainable and mindful way of living.

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” – John Muir

Embodied energy refers to the total energy required to produce a building or building component, including the extraction of raw materials, transportation, manufacturing, assembly, and installation. It is in addition to the operational energy use we are accustomed to considering. For energy retrofits of existing buildings, it is essential to evaluate the embodied energy of new materials and technologies to ensure the retrofit provides a net energy and environmental benefit over its lifecycle. Using an analogy, choosing low-impact building materials when energy retrofitting your home is comparable to choosing locally-grown organic produce for your diet.

Here is an example of honoring embodied energy. The Boulder Shambhala Center was built in 1906, and the windows need attention. Some people wish to remove the windows and replace them with modern energy-efficient replacements. The windows installed in 1906 were produced when there was naturally grown virgin wood in the forests, and this wood, with care, can outlast modern options. The glass is vintage. We are subject to historic preservation restrictions, but even with these restrictions, a case can be made that the embodied energy of 120-year-old windows, built from virgin Woodstock, deserve to be refurbished rather than replaced.

Consider this: to meet the 2050 goals, approximately 148 million buildings in the U.S. (142 million residential and 6 million commercial) will need energy efficiency retrofits. This vast scope underscores the need for scalable, cost-effective solutions and policies to support widespread energy retrofits. The scale of this task is immense, but it is a challenge we must face head-on.

In the next 25 years, everything in your home that burns carbon will fail and require replacement. Your home was probably built with early building science principles that favored inefficient waste since energy appeared endless. It will require efficiency improvements that use less energy and conserve the little energy it demands. In doing so, we do not wish to use more energy than we save.

Itadakimasu (頂きます)

The Japanese have a beautiful meal blessing, Itadakimasu, which pauses, honors, and appreciates the supply chain that has resulted in the meal’s assembly. This practice is a perfect example of mindful awareness of embodied energy. By integrating this practice into our lives, we can foster a deeper connection to the world around us, encouraging a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment. Recognizing the embodied energy in our daily consumption and expressing gratitude can help us make more conscious choices that align with sustainable living and spiritual growth.

Suppose we use appreciation for the energy, sunlight, and ancient sunlight in fossil fuels and the calories exerted in planting, nurturing, harvesting, transportation, processing, packaging, presentation, and assembly into a meal. In that case, we have described embodied energy, and now we can apply that to our home, work, and community.

The Parable of Two Buildings

“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” ~ Teddy Roosevelt

Once in a bustling city, two neighboring buildings stood: Old Oak and New Sprout. Old Oak had weathered many seasons, standing tall with its sturdy frame, while New Sprout was merely a blueprint, eagerly awaiting its chance to shine. The city council faced a crucial decision: should they invest in retrofitting Old Oak to enhance its energy efficiency, or should they tear it down to make way for New Sprout, a modern, energy-efficient marvel?

With its storied past, Old Oak required thoughtful upgrades—better insulation, efficient windows, and a new HVAC system. The retrofit team knew that preserving Old Oak’s solid structure could significantly reduce the embodied energy that would otherwise be spent on new materials. They cherished that this approach would save on raw resources and generate minimal waste, aligning perfectly with their low-carbon goals. Despite the challenge of working within the constraints of an older design, the retrofitting process promised to transform Old Oak into a beacon of energy efficiency, respecting its legacy while embracing modern sustainability.

On the other hand, the vision for New Sprout was tempting. A new building could be tailored to the latest energy standards, incorporating state-of-the-art technologies from the ground up. However, this path demanded vast amounts of new materials, each step from extraction to assembly consuming considerable energy and generating significant emissions. The demolition of Old Oak would also produce a mountain of waste, further burdening the environment. As the council weighed their options, they realized that while New Sprout offered a fresh start, the true sustainability lay in enhancing what they already had. Retrofitting Old Oak honored its historical value and championed a future where resource conservation and minimized waste led the way to a genuinely low-carbon future.

The simple principles of Embodied Energy

“Future generations will judge us not by what we say, but what we do.” – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

To honor embodied energy, avoid burning carbon, choose low-carbon manufacturing products, prioritize local and sustainable sourcing, opt for durable items, practice the three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle), design energy-efficient buildings, and educate and advocate for sustainability. To help us pattern these principles, let’s try a story.

Marsha’s Mindful Home Retrofit

Marsha loved her charming 60-year-old home but knew it needed an energy makeover to be more sustainable. Embracing the principles of honoring embodied energy, she set out to retrofit her home with mindful awareness.

1. Avoid Burning Carbon: Marsha switched to renewable energy by installing solar panels on her roof. This reduced her reliance on fossil fuels and significantly lowered her home’s carbon footprint.

2. Choose Low-Carbon Manufacturing Products: Marsha chose reclaimed wood for her new floors and recycled metal for her roofing when selecting materials for her home improvements. These materials required less energy to produce and supported recycling efforts.

3. Prioritize Local and Sustainable Sourcing: Marsha sourced most of her materials locally, including sustainably harvested bamboo for her kitchen cabinets. This minimized transportation energy and supported local businesses.

4. Opt for Durable Items: Investing in high-quality, durable items, Marsha installed energy-efficient windows and doors that would last for decades, reducing the need for replacements and lowering her environmental impact.

5. Practice the Three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle): Throughout the renovation, Marsha reduced waste by reusing existing materials wherever possible. She repurposed old bricks for a garden path and recycled construction debris, ensuring nothing went to waste.

6. Design Energy-Efficient Buildings: Marsha improved her home’s insulation and installed a smart thermostat to maximize energy efficiency. These upgrades kept her home comfortable year-round while minimizing energy consumption.

7. Educate and Advocate: Marsha educated herself about sustainable practices and shared her journey with her neighbors. She advocated for energy-efficient upgrades in her community, inspiring others to follow suit.

By the end of her retrofit, Marsha’s home was more comfortable and cheaper to run, leaving a lighter footprint on the planet. Her mindful approach to honoring embodied energy made her project a model of sustainable living, demonstrating that with thoughtful choices, we can all contribute to a healthier environment.

Using high embodied carbon materials (concrete, steel, aluminum, plastic, and glass) can be justified if the building is designed to last for centuries and incorporates energy-efficient features that significantly reduce operational energy use over its lifespan. This approach aligns with lifecycle assessment principles and supports long-term sustainability goals. Considering durability, adaptability, and a balanced material selection, we can create buildings that minimize their overall environmental impact while maximizing their functional lifespan.

The Iron Triangle

“Good, Fast, Cheap…pick two” ~Wallace’s Two-out-of-Three Theory

OK, there is a decision model called the ‘good, fast, or cheap…pick two’ model. In the context of the “good, fast, or cheap” (GFC) decision model, where “good” must be a constant choice due to the necessity of quality in an energy makeover, homeowners must choose between “fast” and “cheap.”

Choosing between good-fast and good-cheap depends on the homeowner’s priorities and resources. Those who need quick results and can afford higher upfront costs might prefer the good-fast approach, enjoying immediate benefits and minimized disruption. Conversely, homeowners who are more budget-conscious and can tolerate a longer timeline might opt for the good-cheap approach, achieving high-quality energy efficiency improvements at a more affordable cost, albeit with delayed benefits. Understanding these trade-offs can help you make informed decisions that best fit your circumstances and goals.

Unlike rebuilding or remodeling, which tends to be long, energy retrofits are incremental projects done in sequence. So, the good, fast, and cheap can be applied to each subproject. Using the GFC criteria for each incremental subproject, homeowners can make informed decisions that balance quality, cost, and timeline according to their needs and circumstances. This structured approach ensures that each component of the energy makeover contributes effectively to the overall goal of enhancing home energy efficiency.

Building Your Green Team

“Ask the right questions if you’re to find the right answers.” ~Vanessa Redgrave

Energy retrofitting a home is a project demanding skilled help. You will likely be enlisting the help of various skilled trades and forming a version of a Green Team. You need to find help who chose to follow a path that honors embodied energy. If you ask a prospective professional how they work with embodied energy and you get a stuttering blank look, you maybe have the wrong person.

To identify builders who are likely to honor low embodied energy retrofits, you can ask contractors the following questions:

1. What experience do you have with sustainable and low embodied energy building materials?

Why it matters: This question helps determine if the contractor has practical experience with materials that minimize embodied energy. Builders with a track record of using recycled, natural, or locally sourced materials are likelier to understand and implement low embodied energy principles. Follow-up: Ask for examples of past projects where they have successfully used these materials.

2. How do you approach your building projects’ lifecycle assessment (LCA)?

Why it matters: Contractors who incorporate LCA into their planning and decision-making processes are likely to consider materials’ embodied energy. This practice ensures that materials’ environmental impact is evaluated from extraction to disposal. Follow-up: Request specific instances where LCA influenced material choice or project design.

3. Can you provide references or case studies of previous retrofits focused on reducing embodied energy?

Why it matters: References and case studies provide evidence of the contractor’s ability to deliver on their claims. They also give insight into the contractor’s approach to sustainable building and their success in achieving low embodied energy goals. Follow-up: Contact the references to verify the contractor’s claims and learn more about their work practices and outcomes.

These questions help gauge a contractor’s commitment to and experience with low embodied energy practices. By focusing on working experience, lifecycle assessments, and tangible references, you can identify builders equipped to meet your sustainability goals.

So, suppose it came down to two or three builders who seemed ‘equally’ qualified. Asking how they might tackle typical expedience vs. excellence might help you decide.

When balancing low-impact materials with project timelines, it’s essential to establish guidelines that help determine when it is feasible to prioritize sustainability without excessively compromising project expediency. Asking how builders might handle a situation where expedience conflicts with excellence can reveal their priorities, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to sustainability. Here are some questions you can pose to differentiate between builders:

Qualifying Questions to Ask Builders

1.        How do you balance project timelines with the use of low-impact materials?

Why it matters: This question assesses the builder’s ability to integrate sustainable practices without compromising on time. Look for answers demonstrating a practical approach to sourcing materials and managing schedules.

2.        Can you provide an example of a project where you had to choose between expedience and excellence? How did you resolve it?

Why it matters: Real-world examples will show the builder’s experience handling such dilemmas and their decision-making process. Their response can give you insight into their priorities and problem-solving skills.

3.        How do you handle unexpected delays when using sustainable materials?

Why it matters: This question evaluates the builder’s contingency planning and flexibility. Builders who can effectively manage delays while prioritizing sustainability will likely deliver better long-term results.

Transforming Energy Choices into a Spiritual Path

“We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.” ― Antoine De Saint-Exupery

By integrating mindful awareness into our daily lives, we can transform ordinary decisions into a spiritual practice that nurtures both personal well-being and the health of our planet. This approach aligns with many spiritual traditions that emphasize the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of living in harmony with nature.

•          Buddhist Principles: The concept of mindful living is deeply rooted in Buddhism, which teaches that awareness of our actions and their consequences is essential for spiritual growth and environmental stewardship.

•          Indigenous Wisdom: Many indigenous cultures emphasize a deep respect for the Earth and the need to live sustainably. Embracing these teachings can guide us toward more harmonious and respectful relationships with the environment.

By adopting a mindful approach to living, we can make choices that benefit us and the world around us, turning our life journey into a meaningful and spiritual path.

Then, we can apply this mindful living to the fact that our home can use mindful awareness to vanquish its waste of good energy and heavy tread on nature. We need to leave less of a trace.

Summary

“We must try to think beyond our homes, beyond the fire burning in the fireplace, beyond sending our children to school or getting to work in the morning. We must try to think how we can help this world. If we don’t help, nobody will. It is our turn to help the world.” -CTR

Mindful awareness of embodied energy integrates sustainability into a spiritual practice that enriches the individual and the environment. By making conscious choices, reflecting on consumption, and engaging with the community, you can turn everyday actions into meaningful spiritual expressions that honor and protect our planet. This holistic approach benefits the environment and nurtures personal growth and a deeper sense of connection with the world around you.

The journey toward sustainable living, whether through home energy retrofits or everyday mindful practices, is deeply interconnected with personal growth, community engagement, and cultural shifts. Integrating mindfulness with practical actions can create a more sustainable and fulfilling way of life that respects and honors our planet.

And, remember:

“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” ~ Teddy Roosevelt