Last December, Stanford University scientists published a paper describing an experiment that used machine learning to locate nearly all U.S. solar panels. They hope the data will help them identify factors that promote solar energy and those that discourage it.

What is Machine Learning?

Machine learning is a growing field in technology, yet many people don’t know what it means. Like most scientific concepts, you can get different answers depending on whom you ask. However, we like the simple way that Emerj defines it:

“Machine Learning is the science of getting computers to learn and act like humans do, and improve their learning over time in autonomous fashion, by feeding them data and information in the form of observations and real-world interactions.”

The scientists from Stanford University created a machine learning program called DeepSolar. Then, they fed it 370,000 images, labeling each of them accordingly if they did or did not have a solar panel.

DeepSolar runs a complex algorithm that identifies patterns associated with solar panels, like color, texture, and size. That’s how it can analyze a completely new image and tell if it’s looking at a solar panel or not.

How Solar Panels Work

According to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, using renewable energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Also known as “green power”, renewable energy comes from many sources like solar power, wind power, and geothermal technologies.

Solar panels are made of silicon cells and other materials with conductive properties. When exposed to the sun, they convert sunlight into electricity in the form of direct current (DC). Wires send the direct current to an inverter that transforms it into alternating current (AC), which you can use to power your home.

Study Findings

The experiment used high-resolution satellite images to identify 1.47 million solar panels in the contiguous 48 American states.

Among many other findings, the researchers discovered that household income is directly associated with the adoption of solar panels. However, it has less impact when it surpasses $150,000 a year.

The scientists also made another interesting discovery: There are areas with plenty of sunshine and high electricity rates where few people are using solar panels, even though the power bill savings would exceed the equipment costs. This may be caused by the upfront cost of solar panels.

Finally, the study concluded that once solar energy penetration reaches a certain level in a neighborhood, more people from the same area start adopting it.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

Global tourism is one of the largest economic generators in the world, with the tourism industry generating over $7.5 trillion in 2014 alone. Although more people than ever are packing their bags and heading to the airport, few consider the environmental and cultural impact of their journeys. As more communities are opening up to visits from foreign travellers, a new consciousness is also growing amongst backpackers in the form of “ecotourism”.

What is Ecotourism?

Ecotourism is, at its core, a respect for local communities and environments while travelling through them. It includes travelling to and learning about ecosystems and communities not normally considered tourism hubs. The idea of ecotourism began in the 1980’s as travellers became more familiar with the diverse cultures and the precarious ecosystems they were visiting.

As the years passed, ecotourism has slowly entered the public conscience and is recognized in most countries globally. In fact, 11.4% of all consumer spending was estimated to be on ecotourism and 2017 was declared the International Year of Sustainable Development by the United Nations.

The Benefits of Ecotourism

Because these destinations are not normally chosen sites for travellers, ecotourism provides a much needed economic boost to local communities. Employment in these areas is able to grow due to new industries that cater to travellers, meaning that your money stays in the community and supports updates in local infrastructure.

In a time where the environment is constantly under threat, ecotourism also allows communities to take ownership of their natural environment and maintain its beauty by controlling tourism avenues. Ecotourism is also important to the travellers themselves, as visiting these regions and learning about communities can provide a more holistic view of the world and the importance of preserving the environment.

At Creed LA, our goal is to combine environmental restoration with economic expansion, a goal that fits perfectly with the ideals of ecotourism. Call us today at (877) 810-7473 or check us out online to find out more about our mission.

Do you know the benefits of retrofitting buildings?

Retrofitting involves making a few modifications to commercial buildings that create significant benefits like improved energy efficiency and decreased energy demand. As you might be aware, renovations are costly and time-consuming, but they can be worthwhile in the long run. Here are three reasons why retrofitting buildings is a smart idea:

Increased Energy Performance

As the U.S. Department of Energy states, energy-efficiency retrofits can decrease energy demand and, consequently, lower your power bill. This is especially true for old buildings that are equipped with old HVAC systems because the newer ones are more cost-effective. Lighting fixtures, wall insulation, and roofing materials can also contribute to increasing your building’s energy efficiency.

Productivity Boost

It goes without saying that happier employees tend to be more productive. When you make renovations that reduce moisture, improve indoor air quality, and prevent mold growth, you’re contributing to a healthier lifestyle, which increases productivity. While retrofitting might sound like an unnecessary expense, it can actually help improve your cash flow.

Protect the Environment

If you care about sustainability—and you should—retrofitting a building is one of the best things your company could do for the environment. With buildings consuming around 40% of generated energy, they account for a large portion of the carbon emissions in the planet. Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint? Invest in retrofits to reduce your energy expenditure.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

According to the National Association of Realtors, sales of newly built, single-family homes dropped to an annual rate of 544,000 units in October. That’s the lowest pace since March 2016, and it happens at a time when a housing-shortage issue is slowing down the US housing market. In March, Business Insider reported that existing home sales were 4.5% below the market potential. Here’s what you need to know to understand the problem:

What is Causing It?

The law of supply and demand is one of the most well-known economics principles. In a nutshell, low supply and high demand increase price whereas high supply and low demand lower price.

Right now, the US housing market is experiencing a lack of supply and robust demand, which is upping the prices for existing homes. Higher prices mean that fewer people can afford these houses, which slow down sales.

That’s not the only cause of the problem, though.

Mortgage rates are rising, and existing homeowners that have mortgages with low rates don’t want to sell their homes and lose their prime rates. Consequently, it’s causing a housing-shortage issue in the United States.

Consequences 

Also, keep in mind that the home seller is also a home buyer. Think about it: People don’t sell their house to become homeless, they sell it to buy another one. If they can’t sell, they can’t buy and, therefore, someone else won’t be able to sell their house, too.

While the shrinking number of homes available keeps pushing up prices, the inventory is slowly rising again in the biggest markets.

Let’s keep an eye on what is going to happen in 2019. Here’s hoping for a recovery!

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

The world population’s growth, which leads to overconsumption, pollution, and deforestation, is depleting the planet’s natural resources. Unless we make a change, we’ll run into serious problems like water and oil shortage, affecting both developed and developing countries. When it comes to achieving a more sustainable world, natural resource depletion is a big issue.

What Causes Natural Resource Depletion?

Some people think that the Earth provides us with unlimited natural resources. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be more wrong.

Most natural resources are finite, and even the ones that are renewable can’t meet the ever-growing human demand. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the demand for water is expected to rise by 50% over the next 30 years even though many African countries are already suffering from water shortages.

Urbanization and overdevelopment also play a role in depleting natural resources. As cities grow and expand, fields are sacrificed to leave space for buildings, reducing green areas and destroying the habitat for many species. 

If the planet can meet the needs of 7 billion people, what can we do to prevent a catastrophic future?

Earth Overshoot Day

The Earth Overshoot Day was an initiative created in 2006 to raise awareness about the risks of natural resource depletion. The date falls on a different day each year, and it marks the point when humanity consumes more natural resources than our planet can renew.

In 2018, the day fell on August 1st, which means that by November we had already used the equivalent natural resources of 1.7 Earths. In 2017, the Earth Overshoot Day fell on August 2nd, which was great progress in comparison to 2016, when the date fell on August 6th.

The really cool thing about the project is that it tries to move the date to create a sustainable future. The website lists a few steps to achieve the goal and provides a footprint calculator to help people change their habits.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

A net-zero building is designed to produce enough renewable energy to meet its energy consumption requirements. These buildings are revolutionizing the construction sector because they push the industry towards sustainable development. Why is this so important? Energy use in buildings accounts for roughly 40% of our carbon footprint, thus reducing it would be incredibly beneficial for the environment.

“Achieving zero energy is an ambitious yet increasingly achievable goal”, explains the U.S. Department of Energy. Although it’s not easy to create buildings that rely entirely on renewable energy generation, today’s new technology and construction techniques make it more achievable than it was a decade ago.

With almost 48% of the energy in the U.S. going to residential and commercial buildings, zero energy buildings can lower environmental impacts, reduce costs, and improve quality of life. Many states and local governments are already discussing target goals for net-zero buildings.

While integrated design and energy efficiency retrofits are all valid ways to reduce energy consumption, people still need to change their habits if they want to contribute to a sustainable world. Energy conservation programs can be used to incentivize reduced energy consumption.

Most net-zero buildings do more than just produce renewable energy: They store energy surplus, too. That’s how these buildings remain sustainable even during peak times, when residents tend to consume more energy than the building’s generation capacity. Isn’t that cool?

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

In the history of the planet, several species went extinct naturally. According to one study, it would cost $76 billion a year to preserve threatened land animals. So, why should we bother with habitat conservation and the preservation of endangered species?

Why Habitat Conservation Matters

Whether you find animals cute or not, there are many good reasons to protect them. “All living things are part of a complex, often delicately balanced network called the biosphere”, explains the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The extinction of a species could potentially set off a chain reaction that ends up affecting humans. Also, biodiversity is very beneficial for agriculture because some animals and insects can prey on crop pests. Even some tree species are fundamental for our well-being because they act as environmental quality indicators, helping scientists measure air pollution and the amount of contaminants present in the soil. 

The Endangered Species Act

The creation of the Endangered Species Act, in 1973, was one of the U.S. most significant steps to contribute to habitat preservation. Today, almost 50 years later, it is still one of our nation’s most important environmental laws to prevent the extinction of any species. There are over 1,600 species of animals and plants that are either endangered or threatened in the United States alone. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, many recovery plans have been created to protect these species and their habitat. For example, the recovery plan for the California Condor recommends the development of captive-breeding facilities and further research on suspected environmental contaminants.

Habitat Conservation Plan

According to the section 10 of the Endangered Species Act, everyone applying for an incidental take permit must present a habitat conservation plan (HCP). An incidental take permit is required for activities that could potentially harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any threatened or endangered species. For example, this type of permit is mandatory if your construction project will result in habitat modification that affects nesting or reproduction. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists HCPs that are either completed or under development, so you can use those as a reference. 

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

Whether it’s peaking over the horizon on a clear autumn morning or shining through a window on a summer afternoon, there is something truly special about sunlight. In addition to providing the energy for the earth and all living things on it, sunlight is something to be enjoyed by all, regardless of whether they are spending time inside or outside.

When it comes to architectural design and construction, natural light is often incorporated into a building’s design for aesthetic as well as functional purposes. The question, then, becomes: does one have a right to light? Believe it or not, this is an age-old question when it comes to property.

What Is “Right to Light”?

“Right to light” refers to a building owner’s right to receive sunlight through windows, skylights, and other openings. Laws and regulations vary worldwide, but they typically apply to longstanding buildings that have maintained a certain level of illumination for many years. These laws often prevent new construction that would interfere with the amount of light entering a building with an established right to light.

Right to Light Laws Around the World

The right to light is an easement under English law. However, where you are in the world will define how the right to light question is answered. In England, you may even still see “Ancient Lights” signs marking points where the light may not be infringed upon. In Tokyo, sunshine has been deemed by courts to be “essential to a comfortable life.” In Denmark, their light laws have even impacted how windows are designed.

Right to Light in the United States

Within the United States, the question of right to light is addressed in more ways than we can count. Originally, the English law was adopted. However, in 1959, a Florida court struck down the right to light law.

Since then, each jurisdiction has adopted their own way of dealing with this issue. Some deal with it in terms of an easement. Others deal with it in terms of a legal nuisance. Since the photovoltaics of solar are so dependent upon proper lighting, some states use solar easements and solar rights to help define the issue.

Finding a Solution

In most instances, a proper balance can be found through a coordinated effort among the land developer, community, and individual parties involved. Even the trees need sunlight and must be factored into this equation.

CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.

As world industries continue to grow and evolve, so too must the construction industry. In order to keep up with demand and global needs, new innovations and technologies are necessary. We’re seeing some important trends so far in 2018:

Hiring Initiatives

As the aging workforce continues to move into retirement, the construction industry is becoming desperate for workers. Construction work can make a rewarding career for the right individuals, so industry groups are trying to increase awareness and funding for trade school, high school, and middle school trade education programs to help create a construction industry labor pipeline for the future. These initiatives also involve combating the stigma that construction work isn’t a successful career path.

Technology

Technological advancements are making their mark on the construction industry. Wearable technology is rising in popularity for its ability to communicate instructions as well as track workers in the event of an accident. Drones are another recent addition to construction sites due to their time-saving and cost-effective abilities like site surveying. 3D printing is also becoming more popular; the technology still has some obstacles (cost and time) to overcome, but it has the potential to be extremely effective in the future. As these technological advancements continue, machines will be able to tackle jobs that are more dangerous for people, which should improve workplace safety and reduce injuries due to accidents and strain.

Smart Construction

Quality building materials last longer and are more efficient and environmentally-friendly than cheaper alternatives. In combination with streamlining the construction process to ensure efficient use of time and labor, green technologies like solar, wind, etc. become more accessible. Efforts to reach the Paris Climate Agreement have made zero and near-zero energy buildings a priority as well. We’re seeing more extreme weather patterns, including hurricanes, heat waves, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and more, so the construction industry is beginning to focus more on resiliency to accommodate for these hazards.

At Creed LA, our mission is to ensure that the construction industry in Los Angeles has a highly trained and professionalized workforce that supports projects that have positive impacts for the community. To learn more about us and our mission, contact us online or by calling 877-810-7473.

Did you know that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors? With so much time spent inside, it’s essential to make sure buildings will have a positive impact on everyone’s health.

What Is Sick Building Syndrome?

Illness isn’t the only thing that can make you feel sick. Your house, school, and workplace play a significant role in your health, too. When you spend too much time inside a building, you can get headaches and develop respiratory issues due to poor ventilation or improper temperature control: This is called sick building syndrome and it affects millions of people worldwide.

Other common symptoms of sick building syndrome are watering eyes, hoarseness, dizziness, and itchy skin. If you experience these symptoms after prolonged time indoors, you may be suffering from sick building syndrome

Main Causes of Sick Building Syndrome

According to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States (EPA), these symptoms are not necessarily caused by the building, but they might be exacerbated by indoor air quality issues. Here are the main causes of sick building syndrome:

• Inadequate ventilation (E.g.: When heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems don’t distribute air effectively)
• Chemical contaminants (E.g.: Copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds that are harmful to people)
• Biological contaminants (E.g.: Poor cleaning may result in bacteria, mold, and pollen accumulation in ducts and humidifiers.

How to Make Buildings Healthier

Now that you understand the problem, it’s time to think about how to make buildings healthier. Here are some tips::

• Choose supplies, furnishings, and building materials with low chemical emissions.
• Keep temperature consistent through the day and follow recommended standards.
• Vacuum and clean surfaces regularly to prevent dust and pests.
• Test water quality and install a water purification system, if necessary.
• Protect people against outdoor noises and ensure good room acoustics.

We hope this information will help you see buildings in a new light. If you need inspiration, here are five great examples of buildings designed to make people healthier.

At CREED LA, part of our mission is to ensure that the construction industry in Los Angeles supports projects that positively impact the community and considers local and environmental impacts. That’s why we support green building initiatives in Los Angeles and beyond. To find out more about how CREED LA is committed to a better LA, visit us online or call (877) 810-7473 today.