Posts Tagged ‘Ecosystems’

Is it okay to sacrifice one part of the environment to save another? That’s a tough question.

In one sense we do it all the time. While tearing apart the environment to build roads and cities, we also create conservation areas and natural parks that will be preserved. It’s a careful balancing trying to allow for economic growth while still protecting the ecosystems surrounding us.

In fact, those ecosystems are not just around us. We are very much a part of them – both as protectors and destroyers.

I don’t deny the very real need at times to build roads, cities, farms, and other elements of our existence – however we need to do so in as environmentally friendly a manner as (realistically) possible. The days of economic growth at any cost to the environment are over.

That brings us to the problem of organizations that are selling an environmental solution. Sometimes that solution really is something that our environment will benefit from. Other times however, the solution provides only a marginal benefit or even, significant costs.
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Although many homes are called green, few actually are There is more to making a home green than simply plugging in a light timer or using lower wattage bulbs. There are standards from the government and builders that describe what a green home requires. They have provided 5 attributes of home that need to be examined when determining how green a home really is.

Energy Consumption - Is the home’s energy usage reduced through the use of insulation and energy efficient devices such as furnaces, appliances and fixtures?

Water – does the home make use of water saving techniques? Does it use efficient appliances and fixtures? Does it make use of rain water?

Building materials – has the home been constructed using materials that are not toxic to the environment during the manufacturing process nor while they are in the home?

Lot and setting – Is the home in an area that is sustainable? Will the systems (including the ecosystems) survive?

Inside air quality? Is the home built with materials such as paints that will not contaminate the indoor air?

Each of these areas can determine what impact a home can have on its surroundings and on its inhabitants. It is therefore important to examine each one as we determine how green a home is.