PHOTOS BY DAVID REED
PHOTOS BY DAVID REED Left: Kristin and Tawny Jonna in their environmentally friendly home. Below: The living room includes an efficient pellet stove instead of a traditional fireplace. making room to collect these items can be a prominent reminder to think twice about throwing away an empty soda can.” Josephine Dabish Fermanian of Commerce Township strives to maintain a green lifestyle both inside and out at her family home with husband Pete and 4-year-old son, Roman. Fed up with having to settle for non-organic, non-green products for her son, she went so far as to found PediaOrganic (www.pediaorganic.com), the first and only electrolyte solution for children made with all natural ingredients. earth first Two women share passion for the environment Kristin Jonna is “The Queen of Green,” according to her father John. Jonna and her husband, Dave Eifrid, owner of Greenlife Building, built their Beverly Hills home around their passion for being environmentally conscious. Nearly every aspect of the home was built with the environment in mind, from the initial design to the final touches of paint on the walls. Just a few initiatives taken during the building process include: • Sustainable building materials such as Forest Steward Council (FSC) certified wood harvested within 100 miles of the home, and steel made from within 100 miles. This not only promoted the regional economy, but also cut down on energy use associated with transporting materials to the site. • Zero volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, adhesives, caulks and sealants to reduce air pollution. • Maintaining a zero waste construction site, meaning all building scraps were reused or recycled. The many features within the finished home include: • Geothermal heating/cooling, which uses the earth’s energy to heat and cool in place of air conditioning or a gas furnace. This reduces carbon emissions and saves money on energy bills. • Day lighting that uses Energy Star Low-E, Argon filled triple-pane windows positioned to provide maximum day lighting, preventing the need to BY JENNIFER T. KORAIL turn lights on until sunset. • Interior vegetation, including a large planting area in the foyer to reduce indoor air pollutants while creating fresh air and clean oxygen. The home’s landscaping includes low water usage native grasses and perennials. • Sustainable harvested bamboo floors and locally produced tiles to eliminate indoor air pollutants emitted through carpeting. • Low-flow faucets and showerheads that reduce water consumption. • A pellet stove that efficiently burns small pellets such as corn and sunflower seeds, replacing the need for a traditional fireplace. • A saltwater generator system in the pool, which reduces the need for chemicals and chlorine and is also cheaper to maintain. While not everyone can take such significant measures to live green, Jonna stressed there are still many options for being smart about energy usage. “Stop and really consider all the products that you buy,” said Jonna, who owns popular wine tasting spots including Vinotecca in Royal Oak. “Reducing is a huge part and one of the most overlooked.” The couple reuses many traditionally wasted items around the home such as printer paper, wrapping paper and plastic bags. “It’s really amazing what you can save when you put your mind to it,” Jonna said. Jonna built a recycling center in her kitchen with specific bins for different recyclables. Simply “Buying organic is not only good for you and your family but also great for our environment since most conventional produce is sprayed at least 10 to upwards of 50 times before it gets to the grocery store,” she said. Fermanian notes that there are many ways to be green without having to make major life changes or produce your own products. This could mean anything from unplugging toasters and car chargers when not in use to bringing large, reusable totes to the supermarket to replace plastic and paper shopping bags. Another way to be more eco-friendly is to stay conscious about disposing chemicals commonly used in the home. Think twice before throwing out batteries, which can leak acid and toxins into the ground and water. “When we bathe it goes into our skin and eventually through our bodies,” Fermanian said. “And what about our cooking, our kids brushing their teeth. It’s all connected.” A little investigation can go a long way. Call your city and request information about hazardous materials. There may be routine pickups and removals of hazardous waste such as batteries, bleach and other chemicals. “Don’t just flush it down a toilet or pour it down a sink,” said Fermanian. Both Fermanian and Jonna use compact fluorescent light bulbs and Energy Star appliances, which use less energy and last longer. Fermanian encourages others to take similar steps. “Our children deserve a good future,” she said. “Don’t settle by not taking action. Look around and be one to make a difference.” Learn more from the U.S. Green Building Council at www.USGBC.org. 30 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2008
AUGUST 2008 CHALDEAN NEWS 31
