AuroraGardensNews.com

Archive for October, 2011

We all get stuck in our ways with our daily routines and comfortable lifestyles. Not many people seek out ways to disrupt their regular schedule unless there is something not working. It’s the old “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” mentality. Unfortunately, with science, technology and an ever growing population, waiting for something to break before fixing it could become detrimental. There is also the struggle of each individual thinking that they personally aren’t going to make a big enough difference so why bother. In the collective, we can make a huge impact, but only one person’s impact can feel too small to be concerned.

Luckily, the government is taking strides (conservative strides) towards getting the country as a whole to make better environmental decisions. Energy sources, corporate choices and home building are all getting kick backs from the government to clean up their act, literally. When you have the choice between an eco-friendly liquid soap and the regular brand at the same store and the same price, the choice becomes a lot easier to make. When you can actually save money by building green or using a low flow toilet, the choice becomes a lot easier.

Interior design generally is not very eco-friendly. Buying imported Italian leather sofas or ripping up perfectly good carpet only to lay down rare exotic wood flooring impacts the earth in a great way. One Italian leather sofa and one room of wood floor won’t destroy the Earth, and this is why it is still done in such large quantities. People don’t feel that their decision for their own personal space is really making an impact, but when thousands of homes are making these same decisions it becomes a collective impact. Also, when designing green, it becomes a little more difficult to find those perfect pieces.

Designing green is becoming a lot easier though. The choices are abundant now, and the stylish look of today is right in line with those eco-friendly products. Concrete, bamboo and natural fibers are all very up-to-date and easy on the environment. Buying local FSC certified wood is becoming second nature as well as installing recycled glass or laminate counter tops. Deconstruction companies are growing in popularity to take your old home apart and auction it off piece by piece. Wood from an old barn is now considered high end as it takes on the term “reclaimed wood”.

Now that the choices are available and the government’s support is in place, the challenge becomes about keeping it relative and current. To avoid the trend, these choices can’t be seen only as stylish. The stories behind each piece becomes important, treating the reclaimed wood as an antique. Education about the amount of energy and resources saved by the choices being made is vital. Once people can see how they are personally saving the environment, they will find personal investment in their choices and daily routine. Their actions together will become a collective effort and make a difference.