Demonstrators in Sydney at the Opera House

Last month on October 24^th, over 5,000 events around the world occurred, creating the most widespread day of environmental action in history.  One hundred and eighty one countries were involved and nearly 25,000 photos were submitted of people calling on the global leaders to make a commitment to the environment.

Why ‘350’?

350 is the name of the worldwide campaign dedicated to finding solutions to the climate crisis. The number 350 stands for the level of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere, which is the safe upper limit that scientists have identified for the environment. Global leaders are meeting at the end of this year in Copenhagen to create a new worldwide treaty on cutting CO2 emissions, but the current treaty in these discussions does not meet the 350 limit.

The goal for the 350 movement is to unite the people of the world in a grassroots movement to let global leaders know that we care about environmental change. 350 aims to hold these leaders accountable to the latest discoveries in climate science so we ensure that our world stays safe and healthy for future generations.

How To Get Involved

There is still time to make an impact with the 350 foundation before the global leaders meet to sign the new treaty. The 350.org website is set up with a plethora of great grassroots tools to help spread the word about their mission. You can use the ‘Tell-A-Friend Tool’, get ideas for how to build buzz in your own community, promote the cause through your social networks, put 350 multimedia on your own website or blog, or shop for 350 branded products in their online store. Making a difference in the world is up to each and every one of us, and every person’s efforts count with 350.

Lush Model in Kalia's Emerald Woods Village

For a gorgeously appointed, luxurious yet ecological home in Costa Rica, look no further than Kalia. Nestled against the Costa Rica jungle with views of the Pacific Ocean, Kalia is comprised of four villages with nine different model homes to choose from. Each home is chosen specifically for each residential lot to minimize the development’s impact on Costa Rica’s natural terrain. We have already shared details about the Breeze and Mist model homes, and this time we would like to introduce you to the Lush.

The Lush

The aptly named Lush is enclosed by floor to ceiling glass windows for 360 degree views of the surrounding natural beauty. The Lush boasts nearly 5,500 square feet of living space with over 2,500 square feet of indoor living space and nearly 2,900 square feet of outdoor living space. The home has three spacious bedrooms with the option of a fourth bedroom from the current family room. Water mirrors surround the home, giving each bedroom a serene aquatic view. A large pool just off the living room and dining room is the perfect spot to take an afternoon dip in the pool, or the ideal place for hosting weekend barbeques and pool parties.

Beautiful Panoramic Views From the Interior

The Lush is one of the few Kalia homes that is all on one level, making it easy to reside in for families with younger children or senior citizens. The single level also means that Lush is an entertainer’s dream vacation home, especially since the home is built around a courtyard for an intimate, welcoming feel. And of course, as with all Kalia homes, the Lush home has convenient access to all the planned amenities the Kalia community will offer including world class spas, workout centers, restaurants and walking trails. For more about the Lush home, please visit Kalia’s website.

Mist Model in Kalia's Ruby Sky Village

As a child, many of us dream about living in our own special treehouse, set high above the rest of the world with a sweeping aerial view of the world below. The inspiration in designing Kalia’s Mist model home was to recapture that unparalleled feeling of freedom, perspective and airiness amidst the sprawling Costa Rica jungle; a state of the art modern tree house with all the luxury amenities you’ve become accustomed to living with. Gorgeous views of the ocean and surrounding jungle, beautiful water features and thousands of square feet of decks and balconies make living in a treehouse a desirable reality.

Residents of the Mist model home enter their luxury abode through a walkway floating over one of the home’s numerous water features. Providing a soothing visual effect, the water features also work to naturally cool the Mist home. An infinity edge pool is the perfect place to take a refreshing dip in the warm Costa Rica afternoons, and the surrounding gardens are filled with native Costa Rica plant life that requires little extra care and watering. These gardens, along with the Mist’s unique rooftop gardens, are there to be enjoyed and to provide a sustainable benefit to the home, not to create additional work for the home’s residents.

All three luxurious bedrooms are upstairs on the second floor of the Mist, furnished with sustainable furniture and decorated with eco-friendly and sustainably sourced interior design materials. To maximize the home’s incredible treehouse effect, each bedroom has a private cantilevered balcony for spectacular views of Costa Rica. With over 4,800 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, the Mist is the treehouse you dreamed of as a kid, with the luxury amenities and commitment to sustainability you desire as an adult.

Mist Interior Render

Solar Energy in Homes

Goethermal Heating System

Solar energy is the most common type of natural energy people think of. By placing large solar panels on the roof or on the ground next to the home, energy from the sun can be stored and converted for use in the home’s heating and air conditioning system. Solar energy is a wonderful option for green energy since it does not have any pollutants, is naturally abundant and can be obtained year-round. Unfortunately for those who desire a particular design aesthetic in their home, solar panels can create an eyesore if not well-hidden and discreetly installed. Luckily, many companies are pioneering more discreet ways of incorporating solar panels into the design of homes so that they mirror the manse’s sleek look (such as with Kalia homes in Costa Rica).

Thermal Energy In Homes

Geothermal heat pumps are another, less widely-known method for heating and cooling homes naturally. These heat pumps involve a series of under group pipes that utilize the heat stored underground to warm fluid in the pipes that delivers heat to the home. Once the heat leaves the pipes into the home, the now-cold fluid simply circulates back underground to gain heat from the earth once more. The same geothermal heating system can be used in reverse during hot summer months to circulate cold water through the pipes and retain a comfortable temperature inside. (source: Wikpedia)

The Orchid house is named so because it was modeled after a bee orchid found in the Cotswold nature reserve. The 550 acre privately owned reserve will eventually be home to the Orchid house, which is being built on the edge of a lake. The home will produce more energy than it uses with a complex system that captures geothermal energy and utilizes an underground pump. Shaped like an egg with a camouflage shingled roof, the Orchid house is also known as the most expensive eco-home sold to date. An anonymous bidder purchased the 2400 square foot English home for 7.2 million pounds, which averages roughly 3,000 pounds per square foot.

Acqua Liana in Florida

Pet project of luxury real estate developer Frank McKinney, Acqua Liana is located on an acre and a half of prime real estate in Palm Beach. The 15,000 square foot mega mansion boasts basketball court-sized solar panels, gray water recycling, reclaimed wood throughout and 34,000 pounds of recycled trash and debris from the building process. Walking into the home’s entrance, the first thing guests will be struck by is the amazing atrium that makes people feel like they are floating in a  magic underwater world. Glass floors, a floating spiral staircase and continual water motif runs throughout the home for an unforgettable green experience. And for the $29 million asking price, it better be unforgettable.

Solar panel on a recently landscaped roof of a Kalia home.

Most of us live our lives enjoying the benefits of the sun without really thinking about the star’s massive benefits. Without the sun there would be no daylight, no plants or flowers, no natural warmth and no seasons. It’s safe to say that without the presence of the sun, our earth as we know it would cease to exist. The sun’s heat has already shaped our world and the lives of those in it, but harnessing the power of solar energy has the potential for just as important of an impact.

What Is Solar Energy?

The term ‘solar energy’ refers to the heat energy given off by the sun. When harnessed as thermal energy, solar energy can heat water and spaces; everything from a swimming pool to a country estate. However, the most exciting application is the use of solar energy as a replacement for fossil fuels to create electricity. Much of the way we live in the modern world relies on the power of electricity, which currently relies on non-renewable forms of energy such as coal, oil and natural gas.

Why Solar Energy?

Since our current forms of energy are non-renewable, there is a finite amount on earth that is being rapidly used up. Additionally, when converting the current fuels to electricity, byproducts are created that pollute the environment. Unlike non-renewable resources, solar energy is virtually unlimited and creates no pollution, providing a glimmer of hope for the sustainable future. The only drawbacks to harnessing solar energy is that the availability of sunlight depends on the day and time, and that large surface areas are necessary to collect enough solar energy for use. With the continuing advancement of solar technology this challenge should be solved in the near future.

Kalia & Solar Energy

Kalia’s commitment to sustainable luxury includes heating the water in our homes with solar energy. Each home has solar panels on the roof that help lessen the home’s burden on the environment through harnessing a renewable source of usable energy.

The Breeze Model is available for your next luxury vacation in Costa Rica starting in December.

Set high over the Costa Rica rain forest lies The Breeze, one of Kalia’s impressive new model homes. The height and openness of the Breeze give residents spectacular views of Costa Rica’s lush tropical jungles. Clean, modern lines and floor to ceiling windows characterize the sweeping silhouette of the two-story luxury home that boasts a large, open floor plan. As with all Kalia model homes, the Breeze was designed to maximize the residents’ enjoyment of Costa Rica indoor/outdoor living with a total living area of 4,844 square feet.

Playa Ostional is just minutes away from this beautiful vacation home.

The indoor open floor plan encompasses 2,691 square feet of luxury while modern outdoor decks and water features claim the remaining 2,153 square feet. Thanks to Costa Rica’s year-round mild weather and warm climate, future Breeze homeowners will appreciate the seamless integration between the indoor and outdoor design of the home, enabling them to enjoy themselves equally indoors and out.

As we’ve discussed, Kalia’s mission is the marriage of sustainability and luxury, which is why the Breeze is filled with ecofriendly appointments. Eye-catching rooftop gardens insulate and reduce storm water runoff to keep Costa Rica’s waters crystal clean and free from pollutants, soothing water features double as relaxing décor and natural cooling for the home, and sustainable furniture and building materials make the Breeze the epitome of refined eco-luxury living. Luckily, discerning travelers who want a taste of the Breeze can begin by making reservations at this expansive estate starting in December.  If you are looking for a tropical paradise in which to spend the holidays, check out the Breeze and reserve your spot before it’s too late.

BRAC Grey Water Recycling Tank

Grey water recycling is an undeniably eco-savvy solution for conserving water. A grey water recycling system is also easy to install in a home, is not excessively expensive, and can reduce your home’s overall water usage by a third or more, all without impacting your life one bit.

What Is A Grey Water Recycling System?

A grey water recycling system involves a filter tank that catches the water from your shower, bath, washing machine and sinks. This tank then uses chlorination or other disinfecting methods to clean the water, and is connected to a pump that returns the water to the toilets for reuse. The resulting water is called grey water, and is perfectly suitable for use in the toilet. It smells fresh and clean, and looks just like water that originates from the tap yet it has a huge impact on a household’s amount of water use. After being reused for the toilet, the water is flushed out through the normal sewer system, just as usual. Kitchen and drinking water usage actually only comprises 10% of a household’s total water usage, which is why recycling bath, shower and sink water helps dramatically reduce wasted water.

Grey Water Recycling Systems in Kalia Homes

With luxury green living as the Kalia community’s mantra, grey water recycling systems were incorporated into each and every home to reduce water usage. The luxurious showers and baths may be appointed with the finest Italian fixtures, but eco-conscious residents can rest easy knowing that their home helps reduce water waste. Kalia homes feature a top of the line BRAC grey water filtration system that reduces water usage by over 30%.

Costa Rica & Green Building

On the forefront of sustainable luxury living, Kalia embraces the importance of green building. Though Costa Rica already established a chapter of the Green Building Council, it was just inducted this week into the World Green Building Council. The press release making the announcement discusses Costa Rica’s green building goals, including their push to become the first carbon-neutral country in the world by 2021.

Read the full article here: Costa Rica Joins World Green Building Council

Cutting Edge Costa Rica Healthcare

Costa Rica’s world renowned health care system is getting a boost from private equity investors, who have just injected funding into Pacific Plaza Health and Living (PPHL). PPHL will be a state of the art private healthcare complex located in northern Costa Rica, and is set to include the country’s second CIMA hospital.

CIMA Hospitals are run by the International Hospital Consortium, and aim to provide the best in medical care. Currently, Costa Rica’s San Jose CIMA hospital is known as the best in the country thanks to CIMA’s exacting standards for patient care, physicians and facilities. If San Jose is any indication, the latest CIMA hospital in PPHL will offer another top option for Costa Rica health care.

Read the full article here: Aureos Capital Backs Costa Rican Healthcare Facility

Kalia's Luna model framing shown here is made from galvanized steel.

Sustainable building is the exciting new future in home development, providing superior quality residences with minimal impact on the environment. Kalia is a firm supporter of the sustainable building movement. As such, all Kalia homes are constructed with green building practices and materials using local labor, and each home is carefully placed in a location that requires little disturbance of the lot’s natural Costa Rica terrain. We have already discussed Kalia’s commitment to the ecofriendly green roofing practices, and this week we are putting the spotlight on the community’s use of sustainable galvanized steel structures.

Galvanized steel framing of the Tierra model located in Kalia's Black Beauty Village.

Galvanized steel structures are covered in a coating of 98% zinc metal, which is what gives the steel its sustainable properties. The galvanized coating is 100% recyclable, protects the steel structure from corrosion and rusting for over fifty years, eliminating the need for additional energy, materials or environmental impact to maintain the structure. Thanks to the building material’s worldwide availability, low environmental impact and maintenance-free upkeep, galvanized steel is fast becoming a go-to supply for green building.

Interestingly, galvanized steel structures are not only better for the environment, they are also better for the homeowner. Galvanization protects all structural steel, handrails and decks from rusting and corrosion for a safe living environment that always looks sleek and modern. Since it requires no maintenance, the homeowner reaps the rewards of the great appearance and safety without having to pay a dime in upkeep. Painted steel and concrete might look good at first, but they cannot hold a candle to the staying power of galvanized steel structures. Thanks to its green benefits and nonexistent maintenance and clean, modern appearance Kalia uses galvanized steel in all its sustainably luxurious Costa Rica homes.

Source: VTT Building & Transport Study