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The 2006 Directory
Houston Clean Energy Factsheets
The Houston Environmental Directory is meant as a user-friendly guide to readers for learning about environmental issues, for identifying and purchasing environmental products, and for becoming involved in environmental organizations. The print version is distributed free to the Houston area. The Directory is also listed on the Internet at www.environmentaldirectory.info/ as a series of PDFs.
The Directory is edited by Paul Robbins, a longtime environmental activist residing in Austin. He wrote about two-thirds of the issue, with government agencies and non-profit organizations producing sections relevant to their programs. These agencies and organizations received this space at greatly reduced cost.
Businesses in subjects that the book discusses and local environmental groups are given free listings. However, the book is supported through advertising and contributions from individuals and environmental groups.
This Year's Topics
This is the 6th issue of the Directory since 1995 and the first version specifically for Houston. The theme article is about energy. With energy prices soaring and environmental consequences of conventional energy use now inescapable, the topic is very much on people's minds. Without oil, gas, and coal, the world would not currently be able to provide enough natural resources to supply the food, heat, light, transportation, shelter, clothing, and other materials to support its 6.5 billion people. And the question in the back, or front, of people's minds is what will happen if this artificial life support gets scarce?
There are 3 stories in this section. Petrolistan is about oil and war. It examines the U.S. history and costs of defending oil, and makes some predictions about the future. Fire on Ice looks at the safety, environmental, and economic impacts of one conventional alternative energy source coming to the fore, Liquefied Natural Gas. It is of particular interest to Texas, which has more proposed terminals for this fuel than any other state or province in North America. There is a section about Clean Energy Alternatives that individuals can take to use less conventional energy.
Much of the information and analysis in this article has never been reported by any other Houston publication. This first edition also includes sections on locally grown food, green building, environmental groups, and a few of Houston's parks.
While facts in the Directory were carefully researched, only the theme section on energy has documentation (at the end of the section). The Directory is primarily printed on newsprint with 25% post-consumer recycled content (with exception of the cover stock).
Credits:
Edited and Produced by Paul Robbins
Energy and Environmental Group Sections by Paul Robbins
Locally-Grown Food Section
by Paul Robbins, with contribution from Jacque Gates
Green Building Section
by Austin Energy Green Building Program, with contributions from Paul Robbins and Gail Vittori
Artists and Photographers:
Tim Hays (Cover Art), Wendy Hale Davis, John Dolley, Ben Sargent, Jim Walker, Margaret Campbell Bamberger, Carolyn White, and Mark Richmond
Proofreaders and Advisors: Karin Ascot, Daniel Berra, Dave Dobbs, Greta Gardner, Jackie Goodman, Toye Goodson, Kathy Guido, Lyndon Henry, Bob King, Lyn von Roeder, Martha Meacham, Rosina Newton, Bob Russell, Rick Piltz, Tom Smith, Tony Switzer, Kunda Lee Wicce, Gail Vittori
Computer Assistance by Bill Christensen, Tim Jones, Jeff Sibley, Jeanine Sih, and Jim Walker
Web site design and hosting
by Jeanine Sih Christensen and Bill Christensen of Sustainable Sources
Please note: at this time, the online version of the directory is only available in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format. Check back soon for improvements and expansion of this directory.
DISCLAIMER
Though great effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the Houston Environmental Directory, the publication assumes no responsibility and disclaims any injury, damage, or economic loss resulting from the use or effect of any product or information specified within the publication. Information in the Houston Environmental Directory does not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the advertising sponsors. While this publication is meant as a guide for environmental products and services, it cannot be a substitute for product quality assurance by the manufacturers and providers of these products and services; it cannot be a replacement for preferences of individual consumers; and it cannot be an alternative to common sense employed by consumers who use the products and services discussed herein. It is recommended that consumers follow instructions in product and service manuals and on labels to ensure safe use.
© Paul Robbins 2006 - All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, either electronic or mechanical, including recording, photocopying, or by any information retrieval and storage system, without written permission of the copyright holder. Artwork and pictures were produced specifically for the Directory, reprinted with permission, or believed to be in the public domain.