President's message: Thinking globally by acting locally

Almost four decades following the first Earth Day, we are much more conscious and aware of the benefits of recycling and energy conservation then prior generations. Individual homeowners have done their part to recycle everything from aluminum cans, glass jars and plastic bottles to magazines, cardboard boxes and plastic bags, and replaced incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. But the evolution continues and combined with the rising costs of natural resources, more and more condominium associations are looking to conserve energy and replace nonrenewable sources of energy with renewable energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal. In the past year stories from around the country illustrate how condominium boards and homeowners are thinking globally by acting locally. While recycling and light bulb replacement programs are now common place and the norm rather than the exception, associations are seeking out more cost effective energy efficiency and renewal energy projects and utilizing more sophisticated solutions to further cut costs and energy consumption in their communities. More Renewable Alternatives Geothermal heat pumps while similar to ordinary heat pumps use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air condition and hot water. Wind turbines are harnessing this renewable energy and producing wind-generated electricity as an alternative to fossil fuels such as oil, coal or natural gas. And on-site cogeneration facilities have reduced green house gas emissions through clean-running, on-site natural gas power generation units that recapture their own thermal by-product and us it to heat water or indoor spaces. The solutions don't stop with pumps and generators but environmentally conscious associations are utilizing programs that provide cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for landscaping. By reducing, reusing, recycling and rebuying, associations are improving their bottom line and the environment. Communities are considering more "green" options to not only be green but to get green. With the rising cost of natural resources, individual homeowners and associations alike are watching their bottom lines and being green can be a byproduct of getting green. To assist condominium associations in their green efforts CAI has launched Community Green www.caigreen.com which will offer proven resources for associations and homeowners as well as an opportunity to share information while providing leadership and building community on environmental issues. Richard Brooks is the 2008 CAI New England chapter presdient, Wellesley, Mass.