While venture capitalists are pouring money into Silicon Valley green-tech companies, cities in other states are making bold moves to build green communities.

On May 4, 2007, a class EF5 tornado, nearly two miles wide, destroyed 95% of Greensburg, KS. Left with a blank slate and true the the nature of their self-sufficient image, the community made a committment to rebuild as a model 21st century “green” rural American town.

According to ABCNews.go.com, “Since just a few days after the tornado, the small farming town has made ambitious plans for rebuilding green, from a wind farm at the electric plant to green homes and businesses.” The plan calls for mixing urban amenities with a rural setting.

All city-owned buildings will be built to meet LEED Platinum standards and homeowners are being given big incentives to rebuild green. I hope that they will be utilizing tornado-resistent technologies, as well.

The non-profit group created to support Greensburg’s Green intitiative has launched a One Million $5 Donations Campaign to show that a million small things make for big change. You, too, can donate to help them out.

Besides you, the government, and insurance companies, others have come in to help.

In a prime example of integrative learning, architecture students at Kansas State University have designed eco-friendly and weather resistant cubes that help make the city sustainable.  These 10′x10′x10′ modular structures have different educational and functional aspects, like public showers and toilets using recycled rain water and recycling bins with an interactive learning system. KU students are also designing a fine arts center.

Maxon, a District Energy and Green Power developer, is developing the “Energy Master Plan” for the City Of Greensburg in close cooperation with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the EPA.

Thanks to Maxon Energy for the photo used above. Before and after satellite photos are also enlightening.

Compared to Greensburg’s committments, Santa Clara County’s change-out-your-lightbulbs campaign seems a bit feeble (although each person should be doing this, and other small steps, too!).

Lots of resolutions have been made. I’m sure many have been broken already. Me? I’m starting the New Year with a clean desk.

How can clutter not be a green issue? As part of our home or work environment, it affects our mental, physical, emotional and even spiritual health.

Some people are able to keep a home so neat that it looks staged. On the other side, I’ve seen some of the worst types of clutter in homes. Hallways that are stacked with papers and who-knows-what leaving a path like a narrow rural road that barely allows one car at a time. Shelves overflowing, beds with almost enough space to sleep in, insects living in molding piles of newspapers — it’s hard to imaging how bad it can get.

Some experts consider compulsive hoarding to be a mental illness in its own right, although its not yet formally recognized by psychiatrists. Where it effects quality of life, the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization may be of help.

For the rest of us, it’s still a behavioral issue. And systems help. Our California Closets system was very helpful for our family in organizing our clothes. When we have a new overflow problem we know it’s time to donate. Real Simple has regular monthly features with organizing products and cleaning ideas. Just don’t print or cut out the articles and start a new stack of to-dos.

And if you need help, get it. Professional Organizers and Feng Shui consultants thrive on our capacity to collect and our need to reduce clutter. Clutterboy in Los Altos, CA, has some fun “clutter conquest” stories if you need inspiration.

For me, having items in their place means I can find the documents I need when I need them. Being able to find my gym bag or running shoes leaves me fewer reasons to avoid exercise.

My next decluttering project is the garage.