Have you tuned in to Future Proof Radio?
If you enjoyed reading “How to Future Proof Your Home” and want to learn more about innovative ways that we can build a better world, it’s time to check out Future Proof Radio.
What is Future Proof Radio?
Future Proof Radio is an introduction to the techniques, technologies, professionals, mind sets and methodologies that can help us build a better world.
Why must we embrace this information?
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all of the seemingly insurmountable problems in the world. Fortunately there are so many solutions. These solutions can help us transform our world to be a healthier and more equitable society while providing opportunity for millions. These solutions are the focus of the show and can be the backbone of our evolving economy.
You can listen to the show by using the player on www.FutureProofMyBuilding.com, on the Voice America Radio network, or you can download episodes as a podcast by searching for “Future Proof Radio.”
To participate in Future Proof Radio as a potential guest or sponsor click here.
Past Episodes of Future Proof Radio include:
Who is Shane Wolffe and what is Future Proof?
The journey that has brought me to Future Proof Radio started in 2004. It has been a very long and interesting one. I’ll be discussing how my career evolved from working with databases in the insurance industry to learning automation, mechanical systems and building science with Honeywell. I’ll also discuss my life as a consultant and how I saw green building not catching on as it should despite it’s high importance regarding the health and well being of our society and our planet. These insights led me to create the idea of Future Proof, write my book and inspire me to create FutureProofMyBuilding.com.
How and why to Future Proof Your Home
How did we create a system of energy dependence that affects our climate and health? Where does our energy come from? Is our energy actually “cheap” and if so why? Are you dependent on a system beyond your control? What happens if there are problems with this system? What can you do to cost-effectively free yourself from this system and how is this of benefit to you and your family?
In this episode we will discuss host Shane Wolffe’s book, “How to Future Proof Your Home: A Guide to Building with Energy Intelligence.” Shane and his guest Felico Li Fang from Costa Rico discuss the parallels between energy conservation in the harshness of the Canadian prairies and Costa Rica as well as the need for more education and example projects to demonstrate how we can build a better world.
In this episode Shane and guest Ronn Lepage discuss the economics and challenges with smart green homes. Guest Ronn Lepage is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Management Consultant, Chartered Director, and LEED AP Homes. Ronn was a partner with Deloitte, Canada’s largest professional services firm. His 30 years of experience at Deloitte have provided him with a broad background in consulting. Over the years he has had the opportunity to serve clients in Canada, United States and Australia. Ronn took early retirement from Deloitte to start a second career helping people to move to a more eco friendly life style. His company, Vereco Homes Inc, is focused on helping Canadians to build smart green homes. Ronn’s first project was to build Saskatchewan’s first net zero home – the VerEco home – which was on display at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon during 2011.
How the Passive House standard helps build a better world
Reducing energy consumption through proper design is the most cost-effective means towards net-zero.
The Passive House standard has done the analysis and found how to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by 90% for approximately 10% extra cost.
In this episode Dr. Guido Wimmers of the Canadian Passive House Institute will speak with Shane about Passive House and how the standard frees us from unsustainable practices. Thus we can live far more sustainably while cost-effectively fighting climate change.
The Living Building Challenge – The ultimate in sustainable architecture
The Living Building Challenge is the ultimate standard to achieve with regard to sustainable architecture. The standard uses the simple analogy of a flower, “a building informed by its bio region’s characteristics, that generates all of its own energy with renewable resources, captures and treats all of its water, and that operates efficiently and for maximum beauty.
In this episode guest Eric Corey Freed and Shane will discuss the standard, it’s challenges and why it’s objectives are essential towards building a more sustainable world.
Eric Corey Freed is Vice President of the International Living Future Institute, a global hub for visionary programs, including the Living Building Challenge and Living Product Challenge.
Imagine if human development had only positive impact on the planet. This is the objective of The Living Future Institute. A proactive means towards meeting this objective is by building according to The Living Building Challenge.
The Living Building Challenge is the ultimate standard to achieve with regard to sustainable architecture. The standard uses the simple analogy of a flower, “a building informed by its bio region’s characteristics, that generates all of its own energy with renewable resources, captures and treats all of its water, and that operates efficiently and for maximum beauty.
In this episode guest Eric Corey Freed and Shane will discuss the solutions that are presented by the Living Building Challenge and how they contribute to a better world. Eric Corey Freed is Vice President of the International Living Future Institute, a global hub for visionary programs, including the Living Building Challenge and Living Product Challenge.
Community Wind Projects – Renewable Energy is the future
Our society’s energy paradigm must shift in the coming years as the price of fossil fuels rise and implications of its usage become more obvious. Renewable energy is the future, and large scale, community owned wind farms are a large part of the solution.
Community wind projects are particularly attractive as they are an ethical, local investment that can provide localized jobs and increased energy independence.
In this episode, host Shane Wolffe and guest James Glennie, president of Saskatchewan Community Wind discuss the economics, advantages, implications and barriers to powering our society with more wind power.
11 Billion People by 2100 – We must Future Proof our world
The population of the earth is projected to reach 11 Billion people by 2100. With the carrying capacity of the earth already exceeded, how can we create a sustainable world as the population continues to increase? What are the problems with the current systems on which we depend? Our food systems, transportation system, energy systems, education systems and political systems are in serious need of change. How can we transform these systems? What must really change so that we ensure our survival and also our prosperity?
In this episode, Shane and guest Paul Hanley, author of the book “Eleven” talk about how our planet and attitudes must shift for our world to become sustainable.
“Every concerned citizen of this planet needs to read this book.” Yann Martel – author of Life of Pi
Changing the Status Quo – The myth of Clean Coal and how we can change the system
This episode is a compilation of extra interviews with past guests. There is a lot of momentum keeping our economy moving in it’s current direction. Is this what’s best for the world’s citizens? Is this cost-effective? Can we do things in a more equitable and environmentally friendly way?
In this episode Shane and past guest James Glennie discuss the $1.4 billion Boundry Dam Clean Coal project in Southern Saskatchewan and the economics behind it vs.wind energy. Should public subsidies be extended to the oil and gas industry? Should we subsidize a clean energy future instead?
Also Paul Hanley and Shane discuss how education and cooperation are necessary to move our society forward, but how do we shift the momentum of the current system? With most people more interested in immediate survival, how do we ensure that economics and the environment are not in conflict?