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January 16, 2009
Following Google's Green Example
Google is one of the leaders in going green. Reason #1: they're involved in one of the largest solar projects -- ever -- to power their operations.
When I reported this before, I was excited because the reality of life is this: While a bunch of wool-wearing, Birkenstock-clad Greenies from the University of Vermont or streets of Portland, Oregon, can bellyache their grassroots groundswell of faith, hope, and opinion that Green must happen now, nothing much happens unless industry -- and government -- make it happen on a massive scale. It's something few people and businesses can truly afford.
In other words: I recycle my cans at home and I believe it's the right thing to do for the planet. However, it really doesn't do me (or anybody) much good to recycle a few hundred cans a year when the factory down the street is dumping a hundred tons of slag into the landfill... know what I mean? It's like trying to fill a swimming pool with a garden sprayer -- pointless.
But industry -- and more of it -- is getting on the bandwagon embracing the inherent wisdom of the grass roots Greenie movement (now decades old, by the way) and Green has become corporate bottom line more than touchy-feelie-let's-all-hug-hoo-haa.
Combine this modus operandi with increasingly challenging petroleum extraction and global warming issues and all the pieces are there. We are reaching a tipping point with petroleum extraction--while there are still a supplies, experts say, what's there is tougher and more expensive to get. It will only get tougher and more expensive to get as time passes. And we will run out.
So Google's Chief Exec Eric Schmidt is on the case and he has run the numbers. Going green, he says, is cheaper than cleaning up the mess of NOT going green later. Schmidt joins other business minds like T- Boone Pickens (Pickens is heavily invested in what he believes makes sense) in changing the world.
I realize what I'm about to say next is a massive stretch and you can grill me for the ham-handed segue to home improvement, but common sense is common sense, whether local or global: good carpenters spend time trying to prevent messes, just like Schmidt is making the case for. Lay your sills out of square and the problem chases you throughout the entire house from framing to tile. Build walls out of plumb: same problem. Big mistakes and lack of forethought never don't hound you. Know what I mean?
Some people think we have enough petroleum and that wind energy and solar is a big hoax. Global warming fears are proverbial wool yanked over our collective eyes.
Is it?
Are we being lied to by Business about Green while Fat Cats like Schmidt and Pickens line their pockets with our horror of environmental Armageddon? Or have we reached a watershed moment in history where doing well -- financially--then doing good (enviro-wise) have become inextricably linked? Are we at the point where Schmidt and Pickens are the leaders we need to open the next chapter in American -- and world -- history?
Posted by Mark Clement at 10:52 AM | Comments (2)
January 11, 2009
A New Look for Tradeshows in 2009
The International Builders' Show has a new look for 2009. For the first time since I've been attending this show (eight years now) none (or only one, at the time of this writing) of the major tool companies are going according to my sources.
There'll be no big trucks straining their suspension systems displaying 2009's tool evolutions to the biggest annual collection of builders on the planet.
How can that be?
The answer, of course, is the economy. And it's not just IBS; other shows like JLC Live are feeling the pinch. Tool makers' budgets are tighter than the top of a snare drum. But their product development pipelines are jamming, which makes me say, to a point, Economy e-schmonomy.
We always need to build and maintain our shelter. Roofs leak, decks age, windows need replacing; we want to retire to the beach or the mountains and do so in a new home we've worked and dreamed all our lives to attain. And to that end -- credit crisis or not -- better mousetraps need to be built to make a builder's work better, easier, and faster. Tool companies know that.
But if tool makers aren't attending IBS -- how will they bring their message to you? How will they put tools in your hands if not there? What's the new look for 2009? And, where are you going for your tool information? (Note: we hope you get it here, but we also know we're not the only place in the world.) How can we help get you the message and the products you need to make your businesses and projects succeed? Let us know.
Posted by Mark Clement at 11:49 AM
January 3, 2009
Welcome to 2009
Inasmuch as I nearly became a statistic over the holidays, you could say I was reminded of a few important things about our craft as I worked my way through the reflection and celebration of the holiday, solstice season.
At the macro level, my newborn son strung together a few more hours of sleep per night and I saw glimmers of the little boy he will become. My family is healthy and happy. The post-solstice sun stays out a little longer each day.
But during every free second of all the feel-good-holiday-ju-ju my saws were spinning manically through a remodel trim-out.
Between feel good holiday dinners and baby bottles a few times a night, I was running on vapors. And while the days were getting longer I was still working in the dark. If you’re doing the jobsite safety math in your head, you already know this is a recipe for disaster.
In the field, I forced a long piece through my table saw and at the end of the cut noticed my fingers were well into the colored area of the saw’s throat plate—a mistake I never make. And if I had a SawStop saw, well, check it out. And check out these stats from a WoodCraft press release on the number of injuries.
And in the shop, I was cutting through-dadoes in a flush-mount floor register I was making. I lost focus and the piece skated across the whirring dado blade with my fingers on top.
I still have all ten of them, but I now have two more “There but for the grace go I” moments to add to my list.
So as you unroll the cords this year, set up the nailers, climb the ladders, and yes, deploy your table saw, I wish you prosperity, of course, but also a safe and healthy 2009.
And I ask you to share with us what works for keeping you and your guys safe. Tailgate talks? Financial incentives? Mentoring? Let us know.
Posted by Mark Clement at 11:29 AM
