What to you have to do to get some green around here?

This past weekend our city was having its annual Parade of Homes.  I’m guessing most cities have them.  It gives area builders a chance to show their stuff, and people looking for new digs to see what is available to them.  Most “parade” homes are the cream of the crop and a few are even decorated.  Amazing Husband and I took in a few of them yesterday.  Now, we are the first to admit that we are rather “odd ducks”, but none of the homes we visited felt like they could be home to us.  (Trina, the model of what will be your new home was really beautiful!)  Then, as I pondered on it a bit longer it occurred to me that none of them had even the most minor “green” element.  I went back over the information on all of the homes and not a single one advertised any sort of “green” choices.   It would seem to me that considering the general state of the planet, now would be a really good time for builders to re-evaluate the homes and buildings they are creating and make the switch to more energy efficient features and recycled products.  I asked one of the people working at one of the homes if the house had low water use toilets or shower heads and she looked at me like I was completely insane.  Yes, I know that there is a serious cost consideration here and that builders are simply providing what the public is asking for, but kids, there was not even one CFL light bulb in any of the places we toured and I looked!  What is up here?  To quote Global Green, “On the hierarchy of human needs, shelter is second only to food. Everyone wants a place to live. One of the best and easiest ways to lessen the impact on the planet of fulfilling that need is to build environmentally-sound structures. Not only can we improve the global environment, building green can improve your local environment.” 

This morning the Today show aired an interview with Brad Pitt where he talked about his involvement with Global Green and their competition for sustainable design in the rebuilding of New Orleans.  “All of the submissions feature green building principles for affordable housing complexes that would save residents money by reducing energy costs. The designs improve the health of the community and reduce the impact on the environment. They will also serve as model projects for the healthy green rebuilding of New Orleans.”  How cool is that?  The Global Green site also offers suggestions on how we might green up our own dwellings. 

I know I can often sound like a broken record on this topic, but simple choices can make a big difference.  I would like my grandchildren to have a planet, a strong, healthy planet, to live on.  It took a hurricane to get New Orleans thinking green.  What is it going to take you?

Comments

[Tessa]

Holly, That's exactly what I loved about the toilets in Budapest! Many were the low-water kind, and most had two buttons (one for a big flush, and one for a little flush), and some even let you determine how long to flush. It was the first time I'd seen anything like it in such abundance! I was just so impressed that this whole city had taken up the initiative. :)

[Liz]

Do you know of Path to Freedom? Their journal (pathtofreedom.com/journal) is very inspirational.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought low-flow was pretty standard these days, so maybe it's not something that gets pointed out. (super low flow toilets would be something different... especially the ones that have a variable flush).

There's no reason not to put CFLs in, though. And what about passive solar features? It will happen, and I guess we need to be patient. But mostly? Grrr.