You may have heard of the LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – point rating system for buildings. One way a building can score LEED points is by use of natural light. There are studies that show school rooms with natural lighting have higher test scores and lower absentee rates. DeKalb County has broken ground on a LEED certified school near Arabia Mountain – let’s hope natural light is one way it will gain points.

Look for ways you can increase natural lighting in your home. Southern exposures - with overhanging eaves and/or trees that leaf out in the summer - can help on heating bills in the winter without adding to cooling bills in the summer. Northern exposures provide good natural lighting year round without the problems of glare or the overheating of direct sunlight. Eastern and western exposures are the least favorable for natural lighting because of the glare and tendency toward overheating in summer.

Even though there is little electricity generated in Georgia by wind or solar, you can accelerate the solar and wind revolution by buying "green tags", that is the carbon dioxide reduction credits generated by solar and wind projects. Use them to offset your carbon impact on the planet, for example your annual air travel, to move toward carbon neutrality.

Resources

Books and Other Non-Internet

Ellen Bernstein, The Splendor of Creation, p. 55-77

Organization Web Sites

Southface Energy Institute

Other Web Materials