Know what's out there

Green Building Resource Center: www.globalgreen.org

Murky over the whole "going green" concept? Take a virtual trip to this Santa Monica center, which bills itself as a resource for anyone interested in "innovative and environmentally conscious design," whether you visit in person or on the Web.

Grasp "What Makes a Product Green" in a link with that title. Somehow, it's comforting to know, "trade-offs are inevitable." For instance, dual-pane windows may not have an eco-friendly manufacturing process, but if installed right, they'll reduce long-term energy consumption.

Most helpful is the resources section, with links to more than 35 sites broken into such categories as green building basics (organizations), tools (software to enable politically correct choices), and materials and products (finally, something easy to understand: shopping).

One compelling fact on the "Why Build Green" page: A typical 1,700-square-foot wood frame home requires the equivalent of clear cutting one acre of forest. Got your attention, didn't it?