Don't forget that sustainability have some form of perpetuity to it. It isn't just an economics tool. We should be creating item that then feed into natural or technical cycles of life without much degradation. Cradle to Cradle is a fantastic book that talks about waste to food systems and how the goods we manufacture should be returned as materials for the next good. But that the reprocessing of the raw materials should degrade them, otherwise all you are is less bad and prolong the inevitable trip to the landfill.

But there lots of opportunities to create these materials, and system for which we could sell to others for a high profit. This is going to become a whole new field or materials research and manufacturing those who figure it out are going to make quite the profit in years to come because products that can be used indefinitely will always be inherently greener products.

Not to keep talking to myself here but the best part about such an initiative in Buffalo or WNY is our ability to actually do this relative ease. Our climate isn't that cold compared to many places, it isn't that hot either. Much of our heating / cooling needs could be solved through innovative design (passive solar could go a long way here) + a little energy if needed. We have access to lots (but less every day) of cultivatable fertile lands for food and materials.

Energy flows through our area are plentiful, wind, solar (higher than you might think) to take advantage of. We just choose to throw energy at problems instead of creating lot term solutions to then. That was fine when energy was cheap but isn't so fine anymore when people are spending more and more of their disposable income on utilities.

Here are a few examples of Green Startup Companies that we should be trying to bring, and grow in Buffalo. Anyone has the opportunity to become very successful. We need jobs for the next economy not clinging to those from the one that died 30 years ago.

huh.. no link, try this.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/03/13/video-portable-renewable-energy/

Anyone else notice that BRO hasn't been loading recently? Or giving out stars in Firefox isn't working either? Are they slowly blocking me?