Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A look at the past
When I first heard about our blog assignments in January I was not very excited. After setting up my blog and writing a few of the first posts I realized how cool the blog assignment really was. It gave me a chance to express how I felt towards a certain issue and allowed for others to give me feedback. The fact that the blogging is public and everyone in your English classes could access it gave it a unique twist. I found myself double checking everything I wrote to make sure my opinions were clearly stated and easily readable. When the comments from other students began to roll in I felt like I was actually able to reach my audience. It made me feel good when people agreed with my points. I had always felt like a lousy writer; I am alright I guess, but to get feedback with people agreeing with my points felt rewarding in a way. I wrote the blog posts as if I would be addressing the general public.
While reading through my blogs from earlier in the quarter I didn’t notice a difference between my writing styles. I can tell you that I have never written on a blog let alone written anything that was going to be read by many people. I wrote my posts with a consistent style because I knew that many people could view and comment on them. I tried my best to point out my opinions to provoke a response from my audience.
My best blog post was the first Food Inc assignment. This was my best because I made sure to communicate exactly how I felt. It can be hard to eat healthy in college due to a minimum budget, laziness, and unawareness. I knew that most of my peers are not aware of the foods they eat and i knew that we all pretty much have similar eating habits. With this knowledge I could communicated my exact responses to Food Inc. i also knew that I could most likely relate to someone else in the class thus provoking a response. My response to Food Inc touched on many striking issues which contributed to the responses I got. The issues that seemed to stick out in the majority of my received comments were about the fact that most people are not aware of how are food gets in front of us. The comments I received that were about Americans unawareness of the quality of food supported my initial opening remarks about how sad it is that the food corporations are keeping this knowledge from us. I reiterate this statement at the end of my post by saying how childhood and adulthood obesity in America is rising faster and faster. I even related it to the same effects as an epidemic. I think this comment really resonated with people who read my blog post because most people ignore or overlook the potential negative impact obesity can have on our nation. Another popular comment that was posted in response to my Food Inc post was that people felt disgusting and a need to change diet habits.
My weakest post was the second Food Inc post. I didn’t receive any comments and I think this was because I didn’t proof read it well enough. After rereading it before I wrote this essay I noticed that it is filled with run on sentences and horrible grammar. I even have some misspelled words and incorrect word usage. I believe this made it hard for the reader to understand exactly what I was trying to convey.
Using the course blog to discuss topics and readings that we went over in and out of class allowed for us to engage each other in a different way than in most classroom settings. In the classroom people are hesitant to speak out, but on the blog we were assigned to respond, and since our writings were public, people put more time and care into what they wrote. Discussing each issue on our blogs and then receiving comments back from our peers allowed for a more in-depth conversation on the subjects. It also brought forth some points that we may have overlooked while going over the initial materials.
While responding to others posts, I tried my best to find two opinions, one that I agreed with and one that I opposed. I did this with hopes to vary my comments and provide the author with unbiased responses. I also made an effort to criticize constructively and to only suggest different ways of thinking about a certain issue. I was polite and positive and I think that made my comments helpful.
While reading through my blogs from earlier in the quarter I didn’t notice a difference between my writing styles. I can tell you that I have never written on a blog let alone written anything that was going to be read by many people. I wrote my posts with a consistent style because I knew that many people could view and comment on them. I tried my best to point out my opinions to provoke a response from my audience.
My best blog post was the first Food Inc assignment. This was my best because I made sure to communicate exactly how I felt. It can be hard to eat healthy in college due to a minimum budget, laziness, and unawareness. I knew that most of my peers are not aware of the foods they eat and i knew that we all pretty much have similar eating habits. With this knowledge I could communicated my exact responses to Food Inc. i also knew that I could most likely relate to someone else in the class thus provoking a response. My response to Food Inc touched on many striking issues which contributed to the responses I got. The issues that seemed to stick out in the majority of my received comments were about the fact that most people are not aware of how are food gets in front of us. The comments I received that were about Americans unawareness of the quality of food supported my initial opening remarks about how sad it is that the food corporations are keeping this knowledge from us. I reiterate this statement at the end of my post by saying how childhood and adulthood obesity in America is rising faster and faster. I even related it to the same effects as an epidemic. I think this comment really resonated with people who read my blog post because most people ignore or overlook the potential negative impact obesity can have on our nation. Another popular comment that was posted in response to my Food Inc post was that people felt disgusting and a need to change diet habits.
My weakest post was the second Food Inc post. I didn’t receive any comments and I think this was because I didn’t proof read it well enough. After rereading it before I wrote this essay I noticed that it is filled with run on sentences and horrible grammar. I even have some misspelled words and incorrect word usage. I believe this made it hard for the reader to understand exactly what I was trying to convey.
Using the course blog to discuss topics and readings that we went over in and out of class allowed for us to engage each other in a different way than in most classroom settings. In the classroom people are hesitant to speak out, but on the blog we were assigned to respond, and since our writings were public, people put more time and care into what they wrote. Discussing each issue on our blogs and then receiving comments back from our peers allowed for a more in-depth conversation on the subjects. It also brought forth some points that we may have overlooked while going over the initial materials.
While responding to others posts, I tried my best to find two opinions, one that I agreed with and one that I opposed. I did this with hopes to vary my comments and provide the author with unbiased responses. I also made an effort to criticize constructively and to only suggest different ways of thinking about a certain issue. I was polite and positive and I think that made my comments helpful.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Argumentive Position
With the increased knowledge of climate change that has come about over the past decade the “green” movement has gained momentum and going green is now new trend in many parts of the world especially in the United States. Going green has become a trend in almost all industries and conducting business in an environmentally sustainable way has become reality in many sectors of our economy. It is possible to conduct a business in an eco-friendly way and still produce profits. One field that is inherently slow to change is the healthcare field. In an interview that I conducted with a nursing home administrator, I asked the administrator why the healthcare industry is slow to adopt new technologies and or more efficient ways of conducting business. Mr. Dapore answered: “ the healthcare industry is a very broadly defined industry comprised of many different professionals and facilities. Technology changes every day and it is difficult and expensive to stay current on everything”(Telephone Interveiw).
For years the reputation of the retirement home has been held in a negative light. Most Americans, sadly, have seen these facilities as an institution for the elderly to go and die. Not until recently have we seen a change in this reputation. With the onset of the person centered care model, the residents of long-term care facilities are now in full control of their care. This means that it is up to them to decide what kind of environment they want to live in and how they want to be cared for. Retirement homes have moved away from the strict regimented institutional-like way of care, to a more humane and self fulfilling method of care. In a quote taken from the founder of the Person Centered Care Model Eric Haider, person centered care can be understood as,
A philosophical shift from care & protection of the body to support of people in obtaining lives of personal satisfaction. Person Centered Care gives personal attention to the people who live in Long Term Care and empowers staff to be a resident advocate. We believe in honoring each person’s dignity, rights, self-respect, and independence by giving them choices, respecting their wishes, meeting their needs, involving them in decision making process, giving them the control of their life and keeping them actively involved, happy and as healthy as possible. (PersonCenteredCare.com).
This brings me to the topic of the baby boomers. There are many reasons for the changes within the long term care facility industry but, most importantly they are because of the up and coming retirement of the nations almost eighty million baby boomers. This is going to be a challenge for our country to accommodate and care for these people. “While the baby boom generation grows older and begins to retire, it is estimated that the number of persons aged 64 and up will most likely double by 2030 (CBO Study).” It is predicted that there will be a huge spike in the number of long-term care facilities being constructed in the next decade. The green movement is very popular within the baby boom generation. In an article from the wall street journal, Matthew Kahn, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment couldn’t have said it better: “Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew up alongside the environmental movement of the 1960s and '70s. These guys were at Woodstock. This is the birth cohort that was at the environmental movement's summer of love” (Market Watch). There is so much that is involved with the care of elderly, from medical supplies and food to energy and transportation to waste treatment that it could potentially impact environment but, is it worth it?
Moreover, yes, it is worth it for a facility to “go green”. Making long term care facilities environmentally sustainable or "green" is possible and very beneficial. Through sustainability LTCF's can reduce energy consumption and waste output. Going green can greatly reduce energy costs making the decision to go green wise from a business stand point. Not only will it reduce operational costs, but it can improve the air quality within facilities creating a healthier environment for its residents.
I will discuss topics that involve the improvement of air quality, recycling, the reduction of energy costs and the road blocks to jump starting sustainability practices within in the industry.
First of all, when a facility decides to convert or build a new facility in accordance with sustainability norms, one of the major changes that the facility must undergo is the improvement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Improving the HVAC systems will inherently raise the quality of the circulating air within the facility. Indoor air quality can have many positive health impacts for the residents of a facility. By installing HVAC systems that are labeled airPLUS the quality of indoor air is greatly improved. This is because an airPLUS labeling decreases the amount of toxic chemicals and pollutants from entering a facility (airPLUS). Common pollutants that can be in indoor air are mold, radon and carbon monoxide. “These pollutants can lead to eye irritation, headaches, allergies, respiratory problems and other serious health problems “(airPLUS). “A patient with environmentally associated symptoms is most likely to have been exposed to airborne substances originating indoors. Studies from the United States and Europe show that persons in industrialized nations spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. In addition, the concentrations of many pollutants indoors exceed those outdoors. The locations of highest concern are those involving prolonged, continuing exposure - that is, the home, school, and workplace” (EPAhelpquide).
In addition, the few draw backs to the installation of efficient HVAC systems are that it can be very expensive. These systems can be more costly then traditional HVAC systems. But the improved air quality and long-term drop in operational costs due to the lower costs of running the efficient HVAC systems out way the initial installation costs of the HVAC systems. Another drawback is that the maintenance of the systems can be expensive. These systems require continuous cleaning and inspection creating high maintenance costs.
As mentioned above, the healthcare field is inherently slow to change. I asked Mr. Dapore if his company has made any significant strides towards implementing “green” practices within his facility. He said “Provider Services LTC, hasn’t made any significant changes except for the recycling practices in the facility”(Telephone Interview). “Producing items and materials with recycled components’, instead of from scratch with raw materials, uses 30 to 55% less energy for paper products, 33% less for glass, 90% less for aluminum”(handbook). “Recycling can limit solid waste output significantly and can be cut down by almost 70%” (Building Impacts presentation). “Providing clear instructions to residents on how to prepare and where to leave material to be recycled or trashed can simplify the recycling program in a facility. Most facilities provide a multiple separate bins for glass, certain plastics, and cans”(handbook). Some of the proper methods of recycling in a facility would include but are not limited the purchasing of food that is packaged in recyclable plastics, avoid cleaning supplies that have pollutants in them, avoid paper plates and plastic utensils, use and purchase recyclable medical supplies. Some draw backs of the implementation of a recycling program in a LTCF is that recyclable materials can be expensive and the time and effort that goes into the sorting of recyclable materials can be a strain on a facility but the positive impacts on the environment and the reduction of the production of solid waste should out way the costs and time needed to run a recycling program.
Furthermore, saving energy can have a huge impact of the environment and operational costs. “Only 10% of the energy consumed by a normal light bulb generates light. The rest just makes the bulb hot. If every American household replaced one of its standard light bulbs with an energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb, we would save the same amount of energy as a large nuclear power plant produces in one year. In a typical home, one compact fluorescent bulb can save 260 pounds of CO2 per year” (handbook). In most cases, when management pays the utility bill, the bill usually includes possible incentives that can be applied to the utility bill if the facility switches from incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs. Management should arrange for a discounted sale of compact fluorescent light bulbs to residents (handbook). Most lights burn until someone turns them off, the installation of motion detectors and timing systems can reduce the use of energy. A well insulated facility will contain heat or air more effectively reducing the energy needed to power HVAC systems. Also, using a water heater that is solar powered can greatly reduce the facilities carbon footprint. “Investing in a solar water heater can save 4.9 tons of CO2 annually” (handbook). Again the major setbacks to the above mentioned changes would be the monetary and maintenance expenses.
Some additional information on the use of appliances within a facility include, “setting clothes washers to the warm or cold water setting, not hot. Switching from hot to warm for two loads per week can save nearly 500 pounds of CO2 per year if you have an electric water heater, or 150 pounds for a gas heater”. Make sure dishwasher is full when you run it and use the energy saving setting, if available, to allow the dishes to air dry. You can also turn off the drying cycle manually. Not using heat in the drying cycle can save 20 percent of your dishwasher's total electricity us” (handbook).
Moreover, since law does not require going green, it is totally voluntary. There are two ways that a business can profit off of going green. One would be through claiming three different tax incentives; city, state and federal (Green Management). Another reason for going green would be for the businesses branding and marketing purposes (Green Management). Branding and marketing with a green image can be a very powerful tool especially with the onset of the green movement. Some other reasons for going green are because of the government incentives that are available for businesses to go green. Government incentives for conducting business in an environmentally conscious way vary from state to state but in Ohio, if a facility converts to an alternative energy source they can qualify for exemption of the properties sales and use tax (DSIRE). There are also many other tax incentive and rebate programs to promote the purchase of solar power (DSIRE).
Additionally, the overall biggest contributor to CO2 emissions into the atmosphere is caused by buildings around the country. Having a green facility can reduce energy use by 24-50%. CO2 emissions can be reduced by 33-39%. Water usage can be cut down by 40% and solid waste can be cut down by almost 70% (Building Impacts presentation). There are also a number of business benefits to going green. It is estimated that operational costs can decrease 8-9%. It is also estimated that building value can rise about 7.5% and occupancy ratio is said to increase around 4%. Due to cleaner air and quality lighting within the walls of green facilities, residents are healthier and more productive (Building Impacts Presentation).
Additionally, the market for green long-term care facilities is expected to grow. There are some new trends popping up around the country. According to on the nation’s largest home building firms Shea Homes, the baby boomers are looking for environmentally friendly community’s (market watch). A niche for eco-friendly retirement communities is being developed at a slow pace but facilities are creeping up around the country. Shea Homes has recently opened Victoria Gardens, which is a retirement development in Florida that will have 20-30% lower carbon footprint than the typical home (market watch).
On the other hand, “going green eats up time and productivity. The benefits for going green are mainly seen over a long-term span of time, but ultimately, companies are the ones with the financial burdens of unsure investments that look possible from the outset but is often and expensive. When companies lose money on such investments, workers lose jobs, and companies can go under”( associatedcontent).
Conclusively, I am a firm believer in the effects that humans have had on our environment. I believe that we have negatively impacted the environment on a huge level and that it is up to us to change our way of living by adjusting our producing and consuming practices in order to repair the world. Yes it will take time and vast recourses but it’s worth the investment. Yes some jobs might be lost but on a lighter note, there is a large potential for jobs to be created. In order for the green revolution to really take off, it must be done slowly and cautiously. With the expected demand for the rise in LTCH facilities I believe that this particular industry can adapt and change for the betterment of the environment and the improvement of the quality of life of the residents in a particular facility.
Works Cited
Building Impacts. Digital image. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 9 Feb. 2010..
Cohen, Stephanie. "Pitching boomers housing that is green as their hair goes gray." Market Watch [Princeton, N.J]. Print.
"Database of state incentives for renewable and efficiency." University of North carolina, 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.
EPA. "A Green Home Begins with ENERGY STAR Blue." EnergyStar. Web. 22 Jan. 2010..
"Green Building Drawbacks." Do it yourself. Web. 3 Feb. 2010..
Gulyas, Carol. "Looking for Green Retirement Communities." Top Retirement Homes. 2006. Web. 29 Jan. 2010..
Haider, Eric. "Person Centered care Model." Web. 12 Feb. 2010..
"Indoor Air Plus." Indoor AirPLUS an Intro. EPA. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
"Intro-What is LEED." USGBC. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 5 Feb. 2010..
Lane, Robert E. "Handbook on conservation for Retirement Communities." Sept. 2007. Web. 27 Jan. 2010..
Shackleton, Robert. "Baby Boomers' Retirement Prospects:." An overview (2003): 1-2. Print.
"Should Long-term care facilities go green?" Telephone interview. 15 Feb. 2010.
Tran, Ben. "Green Management:." The reality of being green in business: 20-22. Print.
Winters, Sevastian. "Is Environmental Consciousness Really All Good?" The Pros and Cons of the United States "Going Green" Associated Content, Inc., 3 Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Feb. 2010..
For years the reputation of the retirement home has been held in a negative light. Most Americans, sadly, have seen these facilities as an institution for the elderly to go and die. Not until recently have we seen a change in this reputation. With the onset of the person centered care model, the residents of long-term care facilities are now in full control of their care. This means that it is up to them to decide what kind of environment they want to live in and how they want to be cared for. Retirement homes have moved away from the strict regimented institutional-like way of care, to a more humane and self fulfilling method of care. In a quote taken from the founder of the Person Centered Care Model Eric Haider, person centered care can be understood as,
A philosophical shift from care & protection of the body to support of people in obtaining lives of personal satisfaction. Person Centered Care gives personal attention to the people who live in Long Term Care and empowers staff to be a resident advocate. We believe in honoring each person’s dignity, rights, self-respect, and independence by giving them choices, respecting their wishes, meeting their needs, involving them in decision making process, giving them the control of their life and keeping them actively involved, happy and as healthy as possible. (PersonCenteredCare.com).
This brings me to the topic of the baby boomers. There are many reasons for the changes within the long term care facility industry but, most importantly they are because of the up and coming retirement of the nations almost eighty million baby boomers. This is going to be a challenge for our country to accommodate and care for these people. “While the baby boom generation grows older and begins to retire, it is estimated that the number of persons aged 64 and up will most likely double by 2030 (CBO Study).” It is predicted that there will be a huge spike in the number of long-term care facilities being constructed in the next decade. The green movement is very popular within the baby boom generation. In an article from the wall street journal, Matthew Kahn, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment couldn’t have said it better: “Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew up alongside the environmental movement of the 1960s and '70s. These guys were at Woodstock. This is the birth cohort that was at the environmental movement's summer of love” (Market Watch). There is so much that is involved with the care of elderly, from medical supplies and food to energy and transportation to waste treatment that it could potentially impact environment but, is it worth it?
Moreover, yes, it is worth it for a facility to “go green”. Making long term care facilities environmentally sustainable or "green" is possible and very beneficial. Through sustainability LTCF's can reduce energy consumption and waste output. Going green can greatly reduce energy costs making the decision to go green wise from a business stand point. Not only will it reduce operational costs, but it can improve the air quality within facilities creating a healthier environment for its residents.
I will discuss topics that involve the improvement of air quality, recycling, the reduction of energy costs and the road blocks to jump starting sustainability practices within in the industry.
First of all, when a facility decides to convert or build a new facility in accordance with sustainability norms, one of the major changes that the facility must undergo is the improvement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Improving the HVAC systems will inherently raise the quality of the circulating air within the facility. Indoor air quality can have many positive health impacts for the residents of a facility. By installing HVAC systems that are labeled airPLUS the quality of indoor air is greatly improved. This is because an airPLUS labeling decreases the amount of toxic chemicals and pollutants from entering a facility (airPLUS). Common pollutants that can be in indoor air are mold, radon and carbon monoxide. “These pollutants can lead to eye irritation, headaches, allergies, respiratory problems and other serious health problems “(airPLUS). “A patient with environmentally associated symptoms is most likely to have been exposed to airborne substances originating indoors. Studies from the United States and Europe show that persons in industrialized nations spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. In addition, the concentrations of many pollutants indoors exceed those outdoors. The locations of highest concern are those involving prolonged, continuing exposure - that is, the home, school, and workplace” (EPAhelpquide).
In addition, the few draw backs to the installation of efficient HVAC systems are that it can be very expensive. These systems can be more costly then traditional HVAC systems. But the improved air quality and long-term drop in operational costs due to the lower costs of running the efficient HVAC systems out way the initial installation costs of the HVAC systems. Another drawback is that the maintenance of the systems can be expensive. These systems require continuous cleaning and inspection creating high maintenance costs.
As mentioned above, the healthcare field is inherently slow to change. I asked Mr. Dapore if his company has made any significant strides towards implementing “green” practices within his facility. He said “Provider Services LTC, hasn’t made any significant changes except for the recycling practices in the facility”(Telephone Interview). “Producing items and materials with recycled components’, instead of from scratch with raw materials, uses 30 to 55% less energy for paper products, 33% less for glass, 90% less for aluminum”(handbook). “Recycling can limit solid waste output significantly and can be cut down by almost 70%” (Building Impacts presentation). “Providing clear instructions to residents on how to prepare and where to leave material to be recycled or trashed can simplify the recycling program in a facility. Most facilities provide a multiple separate bins for glass, certain plastics, and cans”(handbook). Some of the proper methods of recycling in a facility would include but are not limited the purchasing of food that is packaged in recyclable plastics, avoid cleaning supplies that have pollutants in them, avoid paper plates and plastic utensils, use and purchase recyclable medical supplies. Some draw backs of the implementation of a recycling program in a LTCF is that recyclable materials can be expensive and the time and effort that goes into the sorting of recyclable materials can be a strain on a facility but the positive impacts on the environment and the reduction of the production of solid waste should out way the costs and time needed to run a recycling program.
Furthermore, saving energy can have a huge impact of the environment and operational costs. “Only 10% of the energy consumed by a normal light bulb generates light. The rest just makes the bulb hot. If every American household replaced one of its standard light bulbs with an energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb, we would save the same amount of energy as a large nuclear power plant produces in one year. In a typical home, one compact fluorescent bulb can save 260 pounds of CO2 per year” (handbook). In most cases, when management pays the utility bill, the bill usually includes possible incentives that can be applied to the utility bill if the facility switches from incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs. Management should arrange for a discounted sale of compact fluorescent light bulbs to residents (handbook). Most lights burn until someone turns them off, the installation of motion detectors and timing systems can reduce the use of energy. A well insulated facility will contain heat or air more effectively reducing the energy needed to power HVAC systems. Also, using a water heater that is solar powered can greatly reduce the facilities carbon footprint. “Investing in a solar water heater can save 4.9 tons of CO2 annually” (handbook). Again the major setbacks to the above mentioned changes would be the monetary and maintenance expenses.
Some additional information on the use of appliances within a facility include, “setting clothes washers to the warm or cold water setting, not hot. Switching from hot to warm for two loads per week can save nearly 500 pounds of CO2 per year if you have an electric water heater, or 150 pounds for a gas heater”. Make sure dishwasher is full when you run it and use the energy saving setting, if available, to allow the dishes to air dry. You can also turn off the drying cycle manually. Not using heat in the drying cycle can save 20 percent of your dishwasher's total electricity us” (handbook).
Moreover, since law does not require going green, it is totally voluntary. There are two ways that a business can profit off of going green. One would be through claiming three different tax incentives; city, state and federal (Green Management). Another reason for going green would be for the businesses branding and marketing purposes (Green Management). Branding and marketing with a green image can be a very powerful tool especially with the onset of the green movement. Some other reasons for going green are because of the government incentives that are available for businesses to go green. Government incentives for conducting business in an environmentally conscious way vary from state to state but in Ohio, if a facility converts to an alternative energy source they can qualify for exemption of the properties sales and use tax (DSIRE). There are also many other tax incentive and rebate programs to promote the purchase of solar power (DSIRE).
Additionally, the overall biggest contributor to CO2 emissions into the atmosphere is caused by buildings around the country. Having a green facility can reduce energy use by 24-50%. CO2 emissions can be reduced by 33-39%. Water usage can be cut down by 40% and solid waste can be cut down by almost 70% (Building Impacts presentation). There are also a number of business benefits to going green. It is estimated that operational costs can decrease 8-9%. It is also estimated that building value can rise about 7.5% and occupancy ratio is said to increase around 4%. Due to cleaner air and quality lighting within the walls of green facilities, residents are healthier and more productive (Building Impacts Presentation).
Additionally, the market for green long-term care facilities is expected to grow. There are some new trends popping up around the country. According to on the nation’s largest home building firms Shea Homes, the baby boomers are looking for environmentally friendly community’s (market watch). A niche for eco-friendly retirement communities is being developed at a slow pace but facilities are creeping up around the country. Shea Homes has recently opened Victoria Gardens, which is a retirement development in Florida that will have 20-30% lower carbon footprint than the typical home (market watch).
On the other hand, “going green eats up time and productivity. The benefits for going green are mainly seen over a long-term span of time, but ultimately, companies are the ones with the financial burdens of unsure investments that look possible from the outset but is often and expensive. When companies lose money on such investments, workers lose jobs, and companies can go under”( associatedcontent).
Conclusively, I am a firm believer in the effects that humans have had on our environment. I believe that we have negatively impacted the environment on a huge level and that it is up to us to change our way of living by adjusting our producing and consuming practices in order to repair the world. Yes it will take time and vast recourses but it’s worth the investment. Yes some jobs might be lost but on a lighter note, there is a large potential for jobs to be created. In order for the green revolution to really take off, it must be done slowly and cautiously. With the expected demand for the rise in LTCH facilities I believe that this particular industry can adapt and change for the betterment of the environment and the improvement of the quality of life of the residents in a particular facility.
Works Cited
Building Impacts. Digital image. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 9 Feb. 2010.
Cohen, Stephanie. "Pitching boomers housing that is green as their hair goes gray." Market Watch [Princeton, N.J]. Print.
"Database of state incentives for renewable and efficiency." University of North carolina, 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.
EPA. "A Green Home Begins with ENERGY STAR Blue." EnergyStar. Web. 22 Jan. 2010.
"Green Building Drawbacks." Do it yourself. Web. 3 Feb. 2010.
Gulyas, Carol. "Looking for Green Retirement Communities." Top Retirement Homes. 2006. Web. 29 Jan. 2010.
Haider, Eric. "Person Centered care Model." Web. 12 Feb. 2010.
"Indoor Air Plus." Indoor AirPLUS an Intro. EPA. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
"Intro-What is LEED." USGBC. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 5 Feb. 2010.
Lane, Robert E. "Handbook on conservation for Retirement Communities." Sept. 2007. Web. 27 Jan. 2010.
Shackleton, Robert. "Baby Boomers' Retirement Prospects:." An overview (2003): 1-2. Print.
"Should Long-term care facilities go green?" Telephone interview. 15 Feb. 2010.
Tran, Ben. "Green Management:." The reality of being green in business: 20-22. Print.
Winters, Sevastian. "Is Environmental Consciousness Really All Good?" The Pros and Cons of the United States "Going Green" Associated Content, Inc., 3 Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Feb. 2010.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Argument Essay outline/Thesis Statement
I. Title- Gray will be Green
II. Introduction
A. Thesis-Making long term care facilities environmentally sustainable or "green" is possible and very beneficial. Through sustainability LTCF's can reduce energy consumption and waste output. Going green can greatly reduce energy costs making the decision to go green wise from a business standpoint. Not only will it reduce operational costs, but it can improve the air quality within facilities creating a healthier environment for its residents.
B. I will discuss topics that involve the improvement of air quality, recycling, the reduction of energy costs and the road blocks to jump starting sustainability practices within in the industry.
III. Body
A. Improved air quality
1. Positive effects
2. Problems involved with improved air quality (Expenses, maintenance)
3. Possible solutions
B. Recycling
1. Positive effects
2. Draw backs
3. Proper methods
C. Energy
1. How does it reduce costs
2. How does it reduce consumption
3. How does it reduce carbon footprint
D. Roadblocks
1. Too expensive?
2. Medical field is inherently slow to change (why?) (interview)
3. Further info on the delay of change
E. New Trends
1. Shea Homes
2. More info to come
IV. Conclusion
II. Introduction
A. Thesis-Making long term care facilities environmentally sustainable or "green" is possible and very beneficial. Through sustainability LTCF's can reduce energy consumption and waste output. Going green can greatly reduce energy costs making the decision to go green wise from a business standpoint. Not only will it reduce operational costs, but it can improve the air quality within facilities creating a healthier environment for its residents.
B. I will discuss topics that involve the improvement of air quality, recycling, the reduction of energy costs and the road blocks to jump starting sustainability practices within in the industry.
III. Body
A. Improved air quality
1. Positive effects
2. Problems involved with improved air quality (Expenses, maintenance)
3. Possible solutions
B. Recycling
1. Positive effects
2. Draw backs
3. Proper methods
C. Energy
1. How does it reduce costs
2. How does it reduce consumption
3. How does it reduce carbon footprint
D. Roadblocks
1. Too expensive?
2. Medical field is inherently slow to change (why?) (interview)
3. Further info on the delay of change
E. New Trends
1. Shea Homes
2. More info to come
IV. Conclusion
Monday, February 22, 2010
Food, Inc. Pt.3
The opening segment on pg. 183 sucked me in right away. I always enjoying reading about standing up against the powers that be. Or the big corporations and government that establish the system of eating in our country. Its all about making a buck. The food corporations in this county with the help of the government have taken advantage of the American people by providing us with ready to eat, quick, and cheap meals. Not only has this made us lazy and unwilling to enjoy our own cooking but they have cut their costs by creating sometimes synthetic food that is horrible for us. As Salatin put, it is time to opt out and say no more!
I found the section about daily and calcium consumption to be much of a surprise. I was always under the impression that no matter how much calcium and dairy you consume, the effects can only be positive. This section has opened my eyes to some interesting long term effects if you consume too much daily. I was surprised to see that osteoporosis is directly related to populations that consume large quantities of calcium and diary.
I found the section about daily and calcium consumption to be much of a surprise. I was always under the impression that no matter how much calcium and dairy you consume, the effects can only be positive. This section has opened my eyes to some interesting long term effects if you consume too much daily. I was surprised to see that osteoporosis is directly related to populations that consume large quantities of calcium and diary.
“Gray is Green” Research Prospectus
For years the reputation of the retirement home has been held in a negative light. Most Americans, sadly, have seen these facilities as an institution for the elderly to go and die. Not until recently have we seen a change in this reputation. With the onset of the person centered care model, the residents of long-term care facilities are now in full control of their care. This means that it is up to them to decide what kind of environment they want to live in and how they want to be cared for. Retirement homes have moved away from the strict regimented institutional-like way of care, to a more humane and self fulfilling method of care. In a quote taken from the founder of the Person Centered Care Model Eric Haider, person centered care can be understood as,
“A philosophical shift from care & protection of the body to support of people in obtaining lives of personal satisfaction. Person Centered Care gives personal attention to the people who live in Long Term Care and empowers staff to be a resident advocate. We believe in honoring each person’s dignity, rights, self-respect, and independence by giving them choices, respecting their wishes, meeting their needs, involving them in decision making process, giving them the control of their life and keeping them actively involved, happy and as healthy as possible.(PersonCenteredCare.com)”.
This brings me to the topic of the baby boomers. There are many reasons for the changes within the long term care facility industry but, most importantly they are because of the up and coming retirement of the nations almost eighty-million baby boomers. This is going to be a challenge for our country to accommodate and care for these people. “While the baby boom generation grows older and begins to retire, it is estimated that the number of persons aged 64 and up will most likely double by 2030 (CBO Study).” It is predicted that there will be a huge spike in the number of long-term care facilities being constructed in the next decade. The green movement is very popular within the baby boom generation, in an article from the wall street journal, Matthew Kahn, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment couldn’t of said it better “Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew up alongside the environmental movement of the 1960s and '70s. "These guys were at Woodstock,""This is the birth cohort that was at the environmental movement's summer of love (Market Watch).” There is so much that is involved with the care of elderly, from medical supplies and food to energy and transportation to waste treatment that it could potentially impact environment but, is it worth it? I am going to discuss the pro’s and con’s of both sides of the issue of going green and then decide if it has any practical application to the industry. In other words, is converting or constructing and maintaining long-term care facilities economically and environmentally sufficient? What is the process that a facility has to endure to become and maintain a “green” mode of operation?
In order to build and maintain a “green” facility we must first understand what it means to be green. According to web site that represents the top retirement homes in the US, going green means that the facility meets or beats the EPA’s Energy Star standards (topretirmenthomes.com). In order to meet the Energy Star’s requirements the facility needs to achieve high standards of indoor air quality by installing air ducts that have minimal leakage and they must be well insulated. The construction project must use building materials that are locally produced and or/recycled. In order to cut back on energy costs and up the efficiency of resources that the facility consumes it should also implement water conservation and storm water management. The building should also leave a minimal footprint on the land. Also for the building to maintain a green operation, it must install appliances that are energy efficient. Lastly, the establishment should keep carbon emissions low through the use of renewable energy or efficient building interior and exterior materials such as, high performance windows, effective levels of wall, and comprehensive air barrier details (Energystar.gov).
Moreover, in order to begin the green building construction or renovation it is important that that the building director hire an architect that has experience in green design. This entails that the architect constructs according to the LEED principles. Leed stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Handbook). The LEED standards are established by the US Green Building Council. The USGBC is non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation (USGBC.gov). Standards for the LEED certification have been established by the Environmental Protection Agency and they incorporate the same standards that qualify something to be Energy Star certified.
Once the construction is complete it is now time to install efficient methods of heating, cooling and ventilation. You may ask why the indoor air quality matters. Indoor air quality plays a crucial role in the health of residents. Not only does it play a crucial role on physical health of residents it also can impact the environment as a whole. The positive impact that an efficient HVAC system can have on the environment is contributed by installing systems that are airPLUS labeled. AirPLUS is the equivalent to the Energy Star label but it is for HVAC systems. The standards for airPLUS are determined by the EPS as well. Properly insulated and sealed ventilation systems negate the possibility for air to escape and wasted thus, causing the HVAC system to consume more energy to produce comfortable air quality levels (airPLUS).
Additionally, indoor air quality can have many positive health impacts for the residents of a facility. By installing HVAC systems that are labeled airPLUS the quality of indoor air is greatly improved. This is because an airPLUS labeling decreases the amount of toxic chemicals and pollutants from entering a facility (airPLUS). Common pollutants that can be in indoor air are mold, radon and carbon monoxide. These pollutants can lead to eye irritation, headaches, allergies, respiratory problems and other serious health problems (airPLUS).
Another key component to any long term care facility is the water source and water treatment. Most long term care facilities have their own water treatment plant. The water treatment plant is in charge of removing any waste products within dirty water. The water goes through a complex cleaning process that removes unwanted levels of pollutants and then dumps the treated water into a nearby water source. The treatment plants consume large amounts of energy and can be very costly to maintain. In order to run an eco-friendly plant, it needs to be powered by an efficient source of alternative energy such as solar energy. Installing a modern up to date plant can ensure efficiency by energy reduction and by being less costly.
As well as the above mentioned greening activities, it is also important that the facility installs appliances that are energy efficient. To insure that an appliance is efficient facility administrators should only purchase appliances that are Energy Star labeled. From ovens, and refrigerators to computers, TVs, and washing machines and dryers, these appliances consume a great deal of energy. Energy efficient appliances may be pricier, but they will cut down on energy costs in the long run (epa.gov). Greening a facility doesn’t just stop at energy sources, and appliances but it also includes the food services, recycling, and the utensils used in the kitchen and dining room. From my personal experience of working in LTHC facilities, I rarely saw any kind of recycling programs. According to a presentation on green building impacts, recycling can cut your solid waste outputs by nearly 70% (Building Impacts presentation).
Additionally, the market for green long term care facilities is expected to grow. There are some new trends popping up around the country. According to on the nation’s largest home building firms Shea Homes, they believe that the baby boomers are looking for environmentally friendly community’s (market watch). A niche for eco-friendly retirement communities is being developed at a slow pace but facilities are creeping up around the country. Shea Homes has recently opened Victoria Gardens, which is a retirement development in Florida that will have 20-30% lower carbon footprint than the typical home (market watch).
With this in mind, you may still be asking yourself, why should Long-term care facilities go green? There are so many benefits for an LTHC facility to go green that it would take pages and pages to cover it all. I will mention some benefits of going green. I will start by saying that the overall biggest contributor to CO2 emissions into the atmosphere are caused by buildings around the country. Having a green facility can reduce energy use by 24-50%. CO2 emissions can be reduced by 33-39%. Water usage can be cut down by 40% and solid waste can be cut down by almost 70% (Building Impacts presentation). There are also a number of business benefits to going green. It is estimated that operational costs can decrease 8-9%. It is also estimated that building value can rise about 7.5% and occupancy ratio is said to increase around 4%. Due to cleaner air and quality lighting within the walls of green facilities, residents are healthier and more productive (Building Impacts Presentation).
Moreover, since going green is not required by law, it is totally voluntary. There are two ways that a business can profit off of going green. One would be through claiming three different tax incentives; city, state and federal (green management). Another reason for going green would be for the businesses branding and marketing purposes (green Management). Branding and marketing with a green image can be a very powerful tool especially with the onset of the whole green movement. Some other reasons for going green are because of the government incentives that are available for businesses to go green. Government incentives for going green vary from state to state but in Ohio, if a facility converts to an alternative energy source they can qualify for exemption of the properties sales and use tax (DSIRE). There are also many other tax incentive and rebate programs to promote the purchase of solar power (DSIRE).
In addition, it was difficult to find information about the disadvantages of going green. After reading through many different sources I concluded that the most common disadvantages were the upfront costs or the initial costs of building or converting a facility to be greener. Another disadvantage to going green is that it takes a lot of time to renovate and or build a green facility. According to an article on doityourself.com there are a few appearance problems associated with going green. Since going green requires the use of recycled products such as glass they may be some physical imperfections (doityourself.com). This is true with most recycled products. Another setback would be the installation of the green materials (doityourself.com). Since a lot of green materials are more complicated than ordinary products the installation of let’s say, a metal roof would require a specialist and therefore may result in more expensive installation process. The maintenance of green buildings can also be challenging. Green materials are often more sensitive and fragile, and require close monitoring and maintenance (doityourself.com)
Given these facts, I see a potential for a rise in the demand in green long-term care facilities. With the nations baby boomers coming to their retirement and there strong ties to the environmental movement I can see a market for green LTHC facilities. It will be interesting to see what the future will bring about in the field of green business and building. I found the information about LEED certifications and all of the other governmental labeling programs to very interesting. Until now I was unaware of the numerous tax incentives there are for businesses to go green. It is reassuring that this trend is getting more popular. Let’s see what the future has in store for the green business.
Works Cited
Building Impacts. Digital image. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 9 Feb. 2010..
Cohen, Stephanie. "Pitching boomers housing that is green as their hair goes gray." Market Watch [Princeton, N.J]. Print.
"Database of state incentives for renewable and efficiency." University of North carolina, 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.
EPA. "A Green Home Begins with ENERGY STAR Blue." EnergyStar. Web. 22 Jan. 2010..
"Green Building Drawbacks." Do it yourself. Web. 3 Feb. 2010..
Gulyas, Carol. "Looking for Green Retirement Communities." Top Retirement Homes. 2006. Web. 29 Jan. 2010..
Haider, Eric. "Person Centered care Model." Web. 12 Feb. 2010..
"Indoor Air Plus." Indoor AirPLUS an Intro. EPA. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
"Intro-What is LEED." USGBC. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 5 Feb. 2010..
Lane, Robert E. "Handbook on conservation for Retirement Communities." Sept. 2007. Web. 27 Jan. 2010..
Shackleton, Robert. "Baby Boomers' Retirement Prospects:." An overview (2003): 1-2. Print.
Tran, Ben. "Green Management:." The reality of being green in business: 20-22. Print.
“A philosophical shift from care & protection of the body to support of people in obtaining lives of personal satisfaction. Person Centered Care gives personal attention to the people who live in Long Term Care and empowers staff to be a resident advocate. We believe in honoring each person’s dignity, rights, self-respect, and independence by giving them choices, respecting their wishes, meeting their needs, involving them in decision making process, giving them the control of their life and keeping them actively involved, happy and as healthy as possible.(PersonCenteredCare.com)”.
This brings me to the topic of the baby boomers. There are many reasons for the changes within the long term care facility industry but, most importantly they are because of the up and coming retirement of the nations almost eighty-million baby boomers. This is going to be a challenge for our country to accommodate and care for these people. “While the baby boom generation grows older and begins to retire, it is estimated that the number of persons aged 64 and up will most likely double by 2030 (CBO Study).” It is predicted that there will be a huge spike in the number of long-term care facilities being constructed in the next decade. The green movement is very popular within the baby boom generation, in an article from the wall street journal, Matthew Kahn, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment couldn’t of said it better “Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew up alongside the environmental movement of the 1960s and '70s. "These guys were at Woodstock,""This is the birth cohort that was at the environmental movement's summer of love (Market Watch).” There is so much that is involved with the care of elderly, from medical supplies and food to energy and transportation to waste treatment that it could potentially impact environment but, is it worth it? I am going to discuss the pro’s and con’s of both sides of the issue of going green and then decide if it has any practical application to the industry. In other words, is converting or constructing and maintaining long-term care facilities economically and environmentally sufficient? What is the process that a facility has to endure to become and maintain a “green” mode of operation?
In order to build and maintain a “green” facility we must first understand what it means to be green. According to web site that represents the top retirement homes in the US, going green means that the facility meets or beats the EPA’s Energy Star standards (topretirmenthomes.com). In order to meet the Energy Star’s requirements the facility needs to achieve high standards of indoor air quality by installing air ducts that have minimal leakage and they must be well insulated. The construction project must use building materials that are locally produced and or/recycled. In order to cut back on energy costs and up the efficiency of resources that the facility consumes it should also implement water conservation and storm water management. The building should also leave a minimal footprint on the land. Also for the building to maintain a green operation, it must install appliances that are energy efficient. Lastly, the establishment should keep carbon emissions low through the use of renewable energy or efficient building interior and exterior materials such as, high performance windows, effective levels of wall, and comprehensive air barrier details (Energystar.gov).
Moreover, in order to begin the green building construction or renovation it is important that that the building director hire an architect that has experience in green design. This entails that the architect constructs according to the LEED principles. Leed stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Handbook). The LEED standards are established by the US Green Building Council. The USGBC is non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation (USGBC.gov). Standards for the LEED certification have been established by the Environmental Protection Agency and they incorporate the same standards that qualify something to be Energy Star certified.
Once the construction is complete it is now time to install efficient methods of heating, cooling and ventilation. You may ask why the indoor air quality matters. Indoor air quality plays a crucial role in the health of residents. Not only does it play a crucial role on physical health of residents it also can impact the environment as a whole. The positive impact that an efficient HVAC system can have on the environment is contributed by installing systems that are airPLUS labeled. AirPLUS is the equivalent to the Energy Star label but it is for HVAC systems. The standards for airPLUS are determined by the EPS as well. Properly insulated and sealed ventilation systems negate the possibility for air to escape and wasted thus, causing the HVAC system to consume more energy to produce comfortable air quality levels (airPLUS).
Additionally, indoor air quality can have many positive health impacts for the residents of a facility. By installing HVAC systems that are labeled airPLUS the quality of indoor air is greatly improved. This is because an airPLUS labeling decreases the amount of toxic chemicals and pollutants from entering a facility (airPLUS). Common pollutants that can be in indoor air are mold, radon and carbon monoxide. These pollutants can lead to eye irritation, headaches, allergies, respiratory problems and other serious health problems (airPLUS).
Another key component to any long term care facility is the water source and water treatment. Most long term care facilities have their own water treatment plant. The water treatment plant is in charge of removing any waste products within dirty water. The water goes through a complex cleaning process that removes unwanted levels of pollutants and then dumps the treated water into a nearby water source. The treatment plants consume large amounts of energy and can be very costly to maintain. In order to run an eco-friendly plant, it needs to be powered by an efficient source of alternative energy such as solar energy. Installing a modern up to date plant can ensure efficiency by energy reduction and by being less costly.
As well as the above mentioned greening activities, it is also important that the facility installs appliances that are energy efficient. To insure that an appliance is efficient facility administrators should only purchase appliances that are Energy Star labeled. From ovens, and refrigerators to computers, TVs, and washing machines and dryers, these appliances consume a great deal of energy. Energy efficient appliances may be pricier, but they will cut down on energy costs in the long run (epa.gov). Greening a facility doesn’t just stop at energy sources, and appliances but it also includes the food services, recycling, and the utensils used in the kitchen and dining room. From my personal experience of working in LTHC facilities, I rarely saw any kind of recycling programs. According to a presentation on green building impacts, recycling can cut your solid waste outputs by nearly 70% (Building Impacts presentation).
Additionally, the market for green long term care facilities is expected to grow. There are some new trends popping up around the country. According to on the nation’s largest home building firms Shea Homes, they believe that the baby boomers are looking for environmentally friendly community’s (market watch). A niche for eco-friendly retirement communities is being developed at a slow pace but facilities are creeping up around the country. Shea Homes has recently opened Victoria Gardens, which is a retirement development in Florida that will have 20-30% lower carbon footprint than the typical home (market watch).
With this in mind, you may still be asking yourself, why should Long-term care facilities go green? There are so many benefits for an LTHC facility to go green that it would take pages and pages to cover it all. I will mention some benefits of going green. I will start by saying that the overall biggest contributor to CO2 emissions into the atmosphere are caused by buildings around the country. Having a green facility can reduce energy use by 24-50%. CO2 emissions can be reduced by 33-39%. Water usage can be cut down by 40% and solid waste can be cut down by almost 70% (Building Impacts presentation). There are also a number of business benefits to going green. It is estimated that operational costs can decrease 8-9%. It is also estimated that building value can rise about 7.5% and occupancy ratio is said to increase around 4%. Due to cleaner air and quality lighting within the walls of green facilities, residents are healthier and more productive (Building Impacts Presentation).
Moreover, since going green is not required by law, it is totally voluntary. There are two ways that a business can profit off of going green. One would be through claiming three different tax incentives; city, state and federal (green management). Another reason for going green would be for the businesses branding and marketing purposes (green Management). Branding and marketing with a green image can be a very powerful tool especially with the onset of the whole green movement. Some other reasons for going green are because of the government incentives that are available for businesses to go green. Government incentives for going green vary from state to state but in Ohio, if a facility converts to an alternative energy source they can qualify for exemption of the properties sales and use tax (DSIRE). There are also many other tax incentive and rebate programs to promote the purchase of solar power (DSIRE).
In addition, it was difficult to find information about the disadvantages of going green. After reading through many different sources I concluded that the most common disadvantages were the upfront costs or the initial costs of building or converting a facility to be greener. Another disadvantage to going green is that it takes a lot of time to renovate and or build a green facility. According to an article on doityourself.com there are a few appearance problems associated with going green. Since going green requires the use of recycled products such as glass they may be some physical imperfections (doityourself.com). This is true with most recycled products. Another setback would be the installation of the green materials (doityourself.com). Since a lot of green materials are more complicated than ordinary products the installation of let’s say, a metal roof would require a specialist and therefore may result in more expensive installation process. The maintenance of green buildings can also be challenging. Green materials are often more sensitive and fragile, and require close monitoring and maintenance (doityourself.com)
Given these facts, I see a potential for a rise in the demand in green long-term care facilities. With the nations baby boomers coming to their retirement and there strong ties to the environmental movement I can see a market for green LTHC facilities. It will be interesting to see what the future will bring about in the field of green business and building. I found the information about LEED certifications and all of the other governmental labeling programs to very interesting. Until now I was unaware of the numerous tax incentives there are for businesses to go green. It is reassuring that this trend is getting more popular. Let’s see what the future has in store for the green business.
Works Cited
Building Impacts. Digital image. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 9 Feb. 2010.
Cohen, Stephanie. "Pitching boomers housing that is green as their hair goes gray." Market Watch [Princeton, N.J]. Print.
"Database of state incentives for renewable and efficiency." University of North carolina, 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.
EPA. "A Green Home Begins with ENERGY STAR Blue." EnergyStar. Web. 22 Jan. 2010.
"Green Building Drawbacks." Do it yourself. Web. 3 Feb. 2010.
Gulyas, Carol. "Looking for Green Retirement Communities." Top Retirement Homes. 2006. Web. 29 Jan. 2010.
Haider, Eric. "Person Centered care Model." Web. 12 Feb. 2010.
"Indoor Air Plus." Indoor AirPLUS an Intro. EPA. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
"Intro-What is LEED." USGBC. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 5 Feb. 2010.
Lane, Robert E. "Handbook on conservation for Retirement Communities." Sept. 2007. Web. 27 Jan. 2010.
Shackleton, Robert. "Baby Boomers' Retirement Prospects:." An overview (2003): 1-2. Print.
Tran, Ben. "Green Management:." The reality of being green in business: 20-22. Print.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Food Inc. part 2
One issue that had never even crossed my mind is genetic pollution. Nowadays you only hear about air pollution and other green house gas pollution that has been affecting our air quality and atmosphere but, rarely do we ever think or hear about the affects that these big corporations cause on our environment by putting genetically altered strains of DNA from the many different crops and cattle they try and reform. The section from Food,Inc. about genetic pollution was short but mind opening. To read about the collateral damage that these genetic alterations have brought upon the environment is very interesting and devastating at the same time.The section talked about GE's altered crops and how the pollen from their fields has been swept away by the elements and thus been exposed to the rest of the natural environment. Upon exposure to the natural environment, the pollen combines with natural pollen creating mutations. Not only does it effect nearby fields but the section specifically touched on how the GE's field crops have already began to wreak environmental havoc by its transportation via wind, rain, birds, bees and insects into a neighboring organic farm thus rendering this organic farm contaminated. One concept that I have picked up in this class is that everything on Earth is connected and if we alter one pattern, it creates a chain reaction that will forever alter the future.
Postition Statement
The position that I am going to take is that I am for constructing and maintaining "green" long-term care facilities. The reason that I am for the "greening" of LTCF's is because the environmental impact that this could positively pose can be worth the time and money to maintain an Eco-friendly facility. Start up costs which include construction materials, electrical workings, water treatment plants, and or anything that has to do with the first processes of getting a "green" facility on the building blocks can be initially expensive but money can be saved with the operational costs. A "green" facility will have a more efficient energy sources and appliances thus cutting energy costs crucially. Not only will a "green" facility cut down on energy costs, but, it will also cut back on the carbon foot print. The cut backs are due to more efficient water systems and electrical systems. Not only will energy be impacted but going "green" can create better air quality within the facility creating a healthier living environment. These are only a few of the positive impacts that "green" facilities can pose on the surrounding environment.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Food Inc. Part 1
Well lets just say.... I feel horrible about the way I treat my body. This movie/book took the cake when it comes to a wake up call. I have never felt so unhealthy in my life. This piece has made me more diet conscious and aware of how processed our food is here in America. Food Inc. provided me with detail of how our food was processed. I had always known that our food wasn't the best quality but Food Inc. gave me details. The film brought the book to life and the book gave more facts about the food industry in America. The book also showed me how the fast food industry has impacted American society and that the power behind the fast food industry is huge.
I was always under the impression that the food in the US is mass produced because its cheap and more profitable. Its true the organic food is more expensive to produce and consume but the demand for natural and organic food is growing. This became relevant to me in the part of the film where Stonyfield was purchased by Groupe Danone. This stood out to me because it gave some ease to the notion that our food can still be mass produced in a healthy, animal friendly way. It provided me with some reassurance. It was also refreshing to hear that the demand for natural and organic food products was growing. This made me feel like America is slowly waking up. In the movie they visited an organic farm, the farmer had to deal with the rising demand of organic food. To me the farmer was courageous because he stuck to his ideals and values and continued to raise his animals in an organic healthy manner. This also provided me with a sense of hope that our food can be produced safely and healthy.
In the first part of the reading I found the interview with Eric Schlosser to be quite interesting. It was intriguing to hear about his experience with gathering his research for Fast Food nation. Throughout his interview he mentioned illegal immigrant labor. This was a subject that seemed to move Eric. I was surprised to hear that illegal immigrants had been holding up California's agricultural economy for decades. Learning about these illegals workers opened my eyes to the harsh conditions that these individuals were subjected to work under. They are underpaid and exploited. The exploitation of these workers has now spread all over the US. This became ever more apparent to me in the part of his interview where he says "But that form of exploitation had, until recently, been limited to California and a handful of Southwestern states. Now it seemed to be spreading throughout the United States. Finding that illegal immigrants were being exploited in the heartland of America, in a town that on the surface looked straight out of a Norman Rockwell postcard well, to me, this was something new, a disturbing and important new trend (pg.8)."
I think everyone should watch or read Food Inc. It is time for America to wake up. Childhood obesity is now an epidemic which is going to put a huge strain on American society. I feel embarrassed that America has such low quality food. Its disturbing to know that the corporations within the food industry are more concerned about making a buck then with the poison they provide to us. Its pathetic, wake up America!
I was always under the impression that the food in the US is mass produced because its cheap and more profitable. Its true the organic food is more expensive to produce and consume but the demand for natural and organic food is growing. This became relevant to me in the part of the film where Stonyfield was purchased by Groupe Danone. This stood out to me because it gave some ease to the notion that our food can still be mass produced in a healthy, animal friendly way. It provided me with some reassurance. It was also refreshing to hear that the demand for natural and organic food products was growing. This made me feel like America is slowly waking up. In the movie they visited an organic farm, the farmer had to deal with the rising demand of organic food. To me the farmer was courageous because he stuck to his ideals and values and continued to raise his animals in an organic healthy manner. This also provided me with a sense of hope that our food can be produced safely and healthy.
In the first part of the reading I found the interview with Eric Schlosser to be quite interesting. It was intriguing to hear about his experience with gathering his research for Fast Food nation. Throughout his interview he mentioned illegal immigrant labor. This was a subject that seemed to move Eric. I was surprised to hear that illegal immigrants had been holding up California's agricultural economy for decades. Learning about these illegals workers opened my eyes to the harsh conditions that these individuals were subjected to work under. They are underpaid and exploited. The exploitation of these workers has now spread all over the US. This became ever more apparent to me in the part of his interview where he says "But that form of exploitation had, until recently, been limited to California and a handful of Southwestern states. Now it seemed to be spreading throughout the United States. Finding that illegal immigrants were being exploited in the heartland of America, in a town that on the surface looked straight out of a Norman Rockwell postcard well, to me, this was something new, a disturbing and important new trend (pg.8)."
I think everyone should watch or read Food Inc. It is time for America to wake up. Childhood obesity is now an epidemic which is going to put a huge strain on American society. I feel embarrassed that America has such low quality food. Its disturbing to know that the corporations within the food industry are more concerned about making a buck then with the poison they provide to us. Its pathetic, wake up America!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Research Prospectus Intro and Bibliography
According to the an article published on MSNBC.com “Alarm is spreading across the health care sector in the face of stark demographics” “As the huge baby boomer generation surges toward retirement age, an unsettling issue grows ever more pressing: finding the work force to tend to the millions of boomers who will someday need ongoing care because of physical and mental frailties”. With the nation’s 76 million baby boomers due to start retiring within the next decade or so, the nation will see a huge spike in long-term health care facilities. The aging baby boomer population will have a huge impact on American society by creating more jobs within the long-term care field. It’s estimated that within the next decade 1 million additional jobs will be created to help care for the aging. Jobs that will be produced include nurses, nurse assistants, geriatric doctors, health care administrators and other jobs that would relate to the care giving of the aging population.
In addition to the jobs that will be generated in the next decade there will also be a large growth of retirement communities. In an article from the wall street journal, Matthew Kahn, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment couldn’t of said it better “Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew up alongside the environmental movement of the 1960s and '70s. "These guys were at Woodstock,""This is the birth cohort that was at the environmental movement's summer of love." Some common trends that I have noticed within retirement committees is that many administrators do not easily except change but with the onset of a relatively new concept of patient care called "patient centered care" the patient is in charge of their own care and living environment. With the baby boomers being the first generations to be heavily involved in the green movement many future residents will want to live in a community that is Eco-friendly.
Maintaining a "green" facility starts with the construction of the facility. This means that the facility should be built with materials that are considered renewable, and energy efficient. Building a green facility would require an LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) this is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design. Upon the completion of the green facility, green systems need to be installed. Green systems that regulate air quality, laundry equipment, water purification and energy must be included in the facility. These Eco-friendly systems could also cut energy costs.
Lastly, the facility would have to offer green amenities. This includes the barber shop, transportation, and food services. Green facilities can have many health and environmental benefits. I am looking forward to this research; most people have no idea how many older citizens this country will have within the decade. It will heavily impact society. It is very important that we create and maintain Eco-friendly facilities.
Bibliography:
Cohen, Stehpnie I. "Pitching boomers housing that is green as their hair goes gray." Market Watch. Wall Street Journal, 28 Feb. 2008. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .
Goldsmith, Marshall. "GREEN MANAGEMENT." THE REALITY OF BEING GREEN IN BUSINESS. 14.27 (2009): 21-45, 25+. Academic Search Complete. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. .
"What LEED Is." U.S. Green Building council. Web. 1 Feb. 2010.
In addition to the jobs that will be generated in the next decade there will also be a large growth of retirement communities. In an article from the wall street journal, Matthew Kahn, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment couldn’t of said it better “Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew up alongside the environmental movement of the 1960s and '70s. "These guys were at Woodstock,""This is the birth cohort that was at the environmental movement's summer of love." Some common trends that I have noticed within retirement committees is that many administrators do not easily except change but with the onset of a relatively new concept of patient care called "patient centered care" the patient is in charge of their own care and living environment. With the baby boomers being the first generations to be heavily involved in the green movement many future residents will want to live in a community that is Eco-friendly.
Maintaining a "green" facility starts with the construction of the facility. This means that the facility should be built with materials that are considered renewable, and energy efficient. Building a green facility would require an LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) this is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design. Upon the completion of the green facility, green systems need to be installed. Green systems that regulate air quality, laundry equipment, water purification and energy must be included in the facility. These Eco-friendly systems could also cut energy costs.
Lastly, the facility would have to offer green amenities. This includes the barber shop, transportation, and food services. Green facilities can have many health and environmental benefits. I am looking forward to this research; most people have no idea how many older citizens this country will have within the decade. It will heavily impact society. It is very important that we create and maintain Eco-friendly facilities.
Bibliography:
Cohen, Stehpnie I. "Pitching boomers housing that is green as their hair goes gray." Market Watch. Wall Street Journal, 28 Feb. 2008. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .
Goldsmith, Marshall. "GREEN MANAGEMENT." THE REALITY OF BEING GREEN IN BUSINESS. 14.27 (2009): 21-45, 25+. Academic Search Complete. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. .
"What LEED Is." U.S. Green Building council. Web. 1 Feb. 2010.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
David Maywhoor's Presentation
David's presentation was very informing. You could tell from his presentation that he has a lot of heart when concerning what he stands for. I had no idea that the National Forestry Department burned down forest and clear cut sections of forests. I feel cheated that they cut down the trees and then sell them for profits without letting the tax payer know what is actually going on. I also thought the information he shared with us about the Chinese Ash Bour was useful. I had know idea that the Ash Bour was causing so many problems. I hike alot around Athens and I always came across signs that say "dont move wood" I never knew why it mattered. But now I do.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Research Prospectus
For my research prospectus I will be exploring the up and coming trend of building Eco-friendly or "green" retirement community's. My major is Long-term health care administration with a certificate in Gerontology. I plan to manage and run retirement homes for the nations large baby boomer retirement demographic. With the nations 76 million baby boomers due to start retiring within the next decade or so, the nation will see a huge spike in long-term health care facilities. With my life long interest in the environment I want to run my future facilities in a green manner and I hope that my exploration provides me with a some basic knowledge of how to run a green retirement facility.
I have been working in retirement homes for about five years. I started in the dinning services and I have worked in every department all the way up to administration. Some common trends that I have noticed within retirement committees is that many administrators do not easily except change but with the onset of a relatively new concept of patient care called "patient centered care" the patient is in charge of their own care and living environment. With the the baby boomers being the first generations to be heavily involved in the green movement many future residents will want to live in a community that is eco-friendly.
Maintaining a "green" facility starts with the construction of the facility. This would mean that the facility is built with materials that are considered renewable, and energy efficient. Upon the completion of the green facility, green systems must be installed. Green systems that regulate air quality, laundry equipment, water purification and energy must be included in the facility. These Eco-friendly systems could also cut energy costs.
Lastly, the facility would have to offer green amenities. This includes the barber shop, transportation, and food services. Green facilities can have many health and environmental benefits. I am looking forward to this research, most people have to idea how many older citizens this country will have within the next 15 years. It will heavily impact society. I think it is very important that we create and maintain Eco-friendly facilities.
I have been working in retirement homes for about five years. I started in the dinning services and I have worked in every department all the way up to administration. Some common trends that I have noticed within retirement committees is that many administrators do not easily except change but with the onset of a relatively new concept of patient care called "patient centered care" the patient is in charge of their own care and living environment. With the the baby boomers being the first generations to be heavily involved in the green movement many future residents will want to live in a community that is eco-friendly.
Maintaining a "green" facility starts with the construction of the facility. This would mean that the facility is built with materials that are considered renewable, and energy efficient. Upon the completion of the green facility, green systems must be installed. Green systems that regulate air quality, laundry equipment, water purification and energy must be included in the facility. These Eco-friendly systems could also cut energy costs.
Lastly, the facility would have to offer green amenities. This includes the barber shop, transportation, and food services. Green facilities can have many health and environmental benefits. I am looking forward to this research, most people have to idea how many older citizens this country will have within the next 15 years. It will heavily impact society. I think it is very important that we create and maintain Eco-friendly facilities.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Lost Mountain Pt. 2
While continuing to read this story of devastation I have found myself more and more against coal mining. It is sad that our main source of energy is coal. coal mining does nothing but cause damage to its surroundings. In the sections I read it talked about Flyrock. Flyrock is basically the rubble,rocks and boulders that shoot down from the mountain top explosions. The coal companies are told to keep distance from from residential areas but there are many personal accounts of Flyrock getting uncomfortably close to communities. The issue of Flyrock is chilling. When I think of Flyrock the first image that comes to my mind would be one of a feeling of being under attack. The fear that must be experienced by these peoples must be similar to that of a war zone. This is just another example of how the negligent the coal mining companies operate.
I am staunchly against coal mining and want the government to push for strict regulations for the mining. Not only should there be stricter regulations but there needs to be a serious campaign and movement for alternative energies that don't require the eventual destruction of humanity by hands of humanity.
I am staunchly against coal mining and want the government to push for strict regulations for the mining. Not only should there be stricter regulations but there needs to be a serious campaign and movement for alternative energies that don't require the eventual destruction of humanity by hands of humanity.
Lost Mountain Pt.1
Upon reading Lost Mountain the author Eric Reese brought to my attention facts that I was unfamiliar to. Reese strongly opposes the methods used by the coal mining industry in the United States and takes a year out of his life to document in detail the changes that occur to the environment and the community in Kentucky surrounding and living around Lost Mountain. Back in the early to mid-1900s coal mining was done in a much more Eco-friendly way. Miners would carefully dig into mountains and retrieve the coal leaving some environmental damage. Now with the onset of newer regulations and the use of heavy machinery the mining companies can just remove the top of the mountains as long as the environment is left in the same condition that it was found in (which is never the case). The modern method of mining is causing devastating affects on the small towns that are located around the mining spots. Not only is it contaminating water supplies and releasing toxins into the air but it is also destroying ecosystems causing some species to become extinct, therefore messing up the natural groove of the environment. I liked how Reese says the Appalachian mountains is the rain-forest of North America. Its sad how much of this mountain range is being deforested and left in ruin. Even the trees that are cut down are left to rot. Reese does a great job of creating a picture in your mind of how the mountain tops look after the companies leave, he goes on to say that it looks as though it is like a western desert. Nothing is living there. entire streams are buried, entire ecosystems ruined.
These companies try and justify there actions by stressing the importance they play on providing quality jobs for the communities and by adding certain infrastructure to the communities. Yes they do offer some positives but most of there are lies.
These companies try and justify there actions by stressing the importance they play on providing quality jobs for the communities and by adding certain infrastructure to the communities. Yes they do offer some positives but most of there are lies.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Green Washing
When viewing Thisisreality.org I found the site’s interactivity functions to be engaging and eye catching and geared toward a younger audience. This site basically debunks the coals industry push to “green wash” the general public into thinking that they are making significant strides toward “clean” coal power production. When in all actuality there isn’t a single clean coal power plant in the US. Thisisreality.org is basically saying the technologies that are being researched and studied to sufficiently capture and store CO2 emissions have yet to shown any concrete progress and while we wait for these technologies to be developed, we could be putting our time and resources towards other renewable energies that have proven success such as wind power and solar power. Thisisreality.org is simply presenting the known facts (coal burning is the leading cause of global warming)(There isn’t a single clean coal power plant in the US) and trying to bring to the general public the truth behind the coal industries campaign to “green wash” and gain public support for the continual use of coal. Until technologies are developed to capture and store CO2 in a safe and environmentally friendly way clean coal doesn’t exist.. On the site you can see that it is sponsored by many climate control and environmental organizations.
Upon visiting Americaspower.org I immediately noticed that the site wasn’t as visually attractive as Thisisreality.org. The site is filled with graphs, facts and testimonies. This site seemed to be geared toward the middle-aged working class American adult. Although the site does list factual information I can’t seem to find any real evidence of this new “clean coal” tech being put to use. As you browse through the site you will come across the statement that coal is now 77% cleaner since the enactment of the Clean Air Act in 1990. Although, this does show some progress this doesn’t not mean that coal is actually clean. Americaspower.org seems to stress the fact that coal is our most abundant and inexpensive source of power, does this mean that we should keep our time and money invested into a power source that is damaging to us as a species, and to our atmosphere when we could use our resources on the further development of renewable energy that is much more environmentally friendly. Should convenience and cost be our only determining factor when it comes to keeping America powered? The fact is that clean coal doesn’t exist. Americaspower.org is sponsored by American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity which almost all of its members are somehow involved in the coal industry. No wonder why they are pushing for the general public to back the “clean coal” campaign.
Monday, January 4, 2010
first blog
My name is Maxx Blank I am from Bexley, Ohio. I am a senior at OU university studying Long-term health care administration and also Hospital administration.
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