Author Archives: TadMontgomery

Rate of environmental degradation puts life on Earth at risk, say scientists

“Humans are ‘eating away at our own life support systems’ at a rate unseen in the past 10,000 years by degrading land and freshwater systems, emitting greenhouse gases and releasing vast amounts of agricultural chemicals into the environment, new research … Continue reading

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Air Source Heat Pumps — Water Heating

(This is an expanded version of an article published by Green Energy Times in their Dec. 2012 issue #17) If you have not heard the term ‘heat pump’ before, you will be soon.  Most people who are familiar with heat … Continue reading

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Oyster Mushroom Cultivation

In 2012 I learned a new technique for oyster mushrooms from the folks at Field and Forest.  It’s done using large diameter logs cut into 6-8″ lengths and stacked, with a ‘top plate’ about 2″ thick.  It’s called the ‘totem … Continue reading

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Air Source Heat Pumps — Space Heating

(This is an expanded version of an article published by ‘Green Energy Times’ in their Oct. 2012 issue, #16) By Tad Montgomery Most people either have not heard of an air source heat pump (ASHP) or do not know how … Continue reading

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Inspiring School Biofuel Project

Here’s a wonderful TED Talk video of a student project on biofuels: httpv://youtu.be/Q05Ie4b89Yw They started without even the benefit of an idea, just an intention.  Through a beautiful process of dialog, building allies and collaboration they enlisted restaurants, grease collectors, … Continue reading

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Cargo Bicycles

Here’s the future of everyday people getting into bicycling.  It’s beautiful.  Dave Cohen is a psychologist here in Brattleboro with a strong inclination towards connecting people with nature.  We had lunch today and talked about his work pushing the culture … Continue reading

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The Living Bridges of India

In the depths of northeastern India, in one of the world’s wettest places, bridges aren’t built — they’re grown. Video Imagine working with your daughter or son, maybe your grandchildren, to build something that will last 50 generations?

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The End of Peak Oil?

Alex Wilson of Building Green has recently written an opinion piece disputing the urgency of peak oil.  He believes that all of the new discoveries of oil reserves, from offshore Brazilian fields to recent discoveries in North Dakota, combined with … Continue reading

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Lifecycle Effects of Biodiesel

According to the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standards Program Regulatory Impact Analysis, released in February 2010, biodiesel from soy oil results, on average, in a 57% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to petroleum diesel, and biodiesel produced from waste grease results … Continue reading

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Maitake Mushroom Inoculation

It’s high summer, and a good time to inoculate hardwood trees with edible and medicinal mushrooms.  Lately we have been focused on maitake, or ‘hen of the woods’ mushrooms in and around Brattleboro.  This is part of an agro-forestry initiative … Continue reading

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