Another in a series of miniprofiles of sustainability-minded people who are working to reduce humankind's footprint on the planet.
BRIAN BUTLER, 40, Somerville
Owner, Boston Green Building BGB is a general contractor specializing in sustainable building. "Our focus is making general contracting as green as it can be, given the scope of a given client’s resource and projects," said Butler, who is married with a son.
Green epiphany: I was working on a very high-end project and asked the general contractor if they had incorporated any green features. This was a $4 million project, and he hadn’t done anything! And it really pissed me off."
Green hero: Canadian "John Larsen, creator of the Larsen truss, an advanced framing and insulation technique. Robert Riversong in Vermont is starting to popularize it in the states."
A recent addition to your green living practices: "I took all the vampire devices in my office and plugged them into a power strip, and I turn them off at night."
What don’t people understand? "Where it all goes, that place called 'away.'”
An example of greenwashing that really bothers you: "Just the use of the word green. I prefer the word sustainable now. The word green is kind of bullshit, but can you sustain it?"
Best way to save the planet? Divert at least 90 percent of our defense budget to building the world’s largest renewable energy structure."
What's the one thing you wish everyone would just get right: "The power behind their vote."
Are we going to make it? You know, Mike, I have a 10-year-old little boy, so I have to remain an optimist. Yeah, we’re going to be OK."