IDA Lighting

/by

International dark-sky association (IDA) lighting is short but powerful.

  • Artificial lights affect wildlife and ecosystems. One example is hatching sea turtles heading toward the glimmer of lights instead of the moon reflecting on the ocean.
  • IDA lighting is shielded to only cast light downward, protecting wildlife from dangerous misinformation.
  • Artificial light diminishes the view of the starry sky. When’s the last time you saw the Milky Way? IDA standards minimize light pollution, allowing us a better view of the starry sky.
  • Over-lighting developed areas at night is an unnecessary waste of energy.

Click here to learn more about Light Pollution by watching this video: Losing the Dark

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

/by

Charge your electric vehicle for free while you’re at the Commons!

  • EVs average $3.48 to go 100 miles. It’s like driving a gas-powered car that gets 71mpg.
  • EVs generate no tail pipe emissions. From production to disposal, the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions of EVs are much lower, even if the electricity is produced by 100% coal.
  • Over their lifetime, electric vehicles cost less to own than gasoline-powered cars.
  • Maintenance costs are lower for EVs since there are no oil changes and fewer moving parts involved.
  • There are no tail pipe emissions with an electric vehicle. From production to disposal, the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions of EVs are much lower, even if the electricity is produced by 100% coal.
  • EV’s convert about 60% of the electric energy into acceleration, whereas gasoline engines only convert about 19% of the energy stored in gasoline into moving the car.
  • Many more EV charging stations are being built; there are over 500,000 EV’s already on the road.

Click here to learn more about Electric Vehicles.

Green Roof

Green Roof

/by

Our green roof is quietly working hard. It absorbs rainfall, decreases storm water runoff, and significantly improves air quality.

  • Extends the life of a roof by 2-3 times. Some green roofs can last 50 years!
  • Saves energy by insulating the building, which can prolong the useful life of HVAC units and cut carbon dioxide emissions. The largest use of energy in buildings is used for cooling and heating!
  • Plants improve air quality by capturing airborne pollutants.