October 15th every year is Blog Action Day -  This is one day where Bloggers across the world unite to write about one topic to try and raise awareness.  This year the topic happens to be about Climate Change.  The single most topic that I try hard to NOT write about due to its tendency to upset people for one reason or another.

So for Blog Action Day today I am dedicating this post to ALL Real Estate Professionals.  To HECK with Climate Change.  To HECK with ‘Green’.  Let’s forget about it and have an open mind..atleast while you read this.

You see, its not just about Climate Change.  Its about better opportunities.  Its about better building practices.  Regardless of how you feel about Environmental issues this is something that you should strongly consider.

What we do at home, how we build our homes has not only an Environmental impact but an Economic impact as well.  I would like to find a couple of Real Estate Agents around the Country that would like to try a little experiment with me here.  It’s really simple.

ASK your CLIENTS IF THEY CARE.  That’s it.

When we build a greener home or renovate a home to greener standards it does indeed benefit the Environment.  My personal research shows that people do care, they just don’t look at it as being Environmental or ‘Green’.  We don’t think they care about Green because they are asking the question in a different way.

Here are some Direct Cause and Effects that we should consider in our homes and in our Communities.

Recycling and Landfills:  We don’t recycle enough and our landfills are over run with garbage.

• It pollutes our water streams that we as kids USED to play in until they posted signs against it…from pollution.
• Taxes WILL eventually go up for land acquisition for you to put your TRASH
• Carbon Emissions taking trash to and fro.
• Seriously, what good does the trash do for us in a landfill? Give me ONE good thing about it.

More Energy Efficient:  Some peoples Heating and Cooling bills are as much as their house note or rent

• Carbon Emissions are saved, Yes.
• Lower Utility bills?
• More money throughout the month?
• Can afford a larger home if desired?
• What is one BAD thing about Energy Efficiency?

Indoor Air Quality:  Not necessarily something that directly affects Climate Change, however -

• ASK if your clients care.
• When studying Indoor Air Quality, it is directly affected by the Efficiency of the home

So Called Green Features such as Tankless Hot Water Heaters, Solar Panels, etc.  I’m putting these all in to one Category.

• ASK.  You may be surprised.  Every little thing helps the environment but can actually benefit the home buyer as well.

Instead of blurting out that a home (in whiny voice) has solar panels or a tankless hot water heater – Let’s ask. How do you feel about Solar Panels?  This home is 50% more efficient than the next -What do you think about that?

So really, to heck with Climate Change.  To heck with Green.  For now.  Give me a good reason why any of this is bad.  Ask homebuyers if they care about the EFFECT of a Green feature.  Let me know what you find out.

When considering the Life Cycle of any product it has a huge Environmental and Economic impact.  Cradle to Cradle – From the Raw product – Manufacturing – Transportation…and so on.  But, let’s consider as an industry what people really do want.  The only way to know?  Ask the Question.

Have you heard the BIG news?  Tomorrow is Take Your Mug to Work Day sponsored by International Delight.  I am very proud to be working with them on this project in Houston and wanted to bring it to your attention as you will see it in the news.

Over the past couple years down here in Houston we have heard more and more about Recycling, the need to bypass materials from entering the landfills and so on.  Often times what we do not realize are the small things that we can help with.

In fact, a recent study shows that 67% of Americans that go to their local coffeehouse to get their favorite cup of joe admit to throwing their paper cup in to the regular trash instead of recycling it.  All of this, multiplied across the Nation equates to approximately 28 Billion Cups (with a B) or 100 million pounds annually that get sent to the landfill.  This not only affects us Environmentally but Economically as well.

In an effort to raise Awareness International Delight has made tomorrow – October 15th, 2009 – Take Your Mug to Work Day.

Instead of stopping at your local coffeehouse, brew your coffee at home and take it with you in a reusable coffee mug.  They have also taken this opportunity to roll out 3 New favorite Coffeehouse Inspiration flavors.  Caramel Macchiato, Vanilla Latte and White Chocolate Mocha making it easier for you to turn your home in to your own Coffeehouse.

Need an incentive?  If you visit the International Delight website you can enter their contest -  Upload your ‘mugshot’ (you and your favorite mug) for a chance to win a Coffee Pack Prize!  Simple!

While you are their, use their new Coffee Footprint Calculator to see exactly how much YOU could save by brewing your coffee at home.  If you take out one White Chocolate Mocha a week, you can save approximately $160.68 over the year.  How much could you save?

Companies and Offices across the Nation are joining this cause, I hope that you choose to as well.  Let’s save some paper from being sent to the landfill and save some money at the same time.  Oh, while I’m not entering the contest, here is my “MugShot” – So come on Houston!  Get in those Mug Shots!  Feel free to share them here as well!