Healthy Indoors
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having on natural disasters, it is better to be prepared. The
U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency & Renew-
able Energy department has published a free guide called
Rebuilding After Disaster: Going Green from the Ground
Up. It might be worth sending to your mayor or city or coun-
ty council before disaster strikes.
Natural disasters happen, and in this era of climate
change, they are happening more often and with more
heartbreaking impact. But as Greensburg, New Orleans,
and Larimer County show, as much as these catastrophes
end one way of life, they can begin another. That may not
be much consolation in the moment, but perhaps in the
long term, it will prove to be a catalyst for more sustainable
planning regardless of when and where disaster strikes
ly and healthy materials, renewable energy, enhance water
quality and aspire to continuously improve.
Rebuilding after a catastrophic fire can be just as daunt-
ing — and inspiring. Consider the 2013 High Park Fire in
rural Larimer County, Colorado. The inferno torched over
87,000 acres of forest and 259 homes in addition to the one
person killed and many hundreds of people displaced and
financially ruined. But the Northern Colorado Rebuilding
Network wasn't having it. Their goal was to "help our neigh-
bors rebuild safer, better and smarter." And so they did. They
raised $180,000 to help provide assistance to homeowners
who wanted to rebuild. They offered "Dirt to Drapes" work-
shops that covered such sustainable rebuilding topics as
installing solar electric or hot water systems. The local
utility explained how "thermal shells" help save energy, too.
Said founder Phil Bernstein, "It really doesn't cost any more
to build sound, tight and sustainable homes that will save the
owners a lot of money on energy over the long term."
Planning for the Future
Given the increasingly deadly impact climate change is
i
