Think Green and Preserve Our Precious Planet

With the rise of environmental awareness at long last, businesses have come around and are beginning to market ‘green’. Since we are a rural community, many people have been raised with an environmental conscience so it is but a small step for us to again embrace the premise. If in doubt, the comparisons in the American standard of living today and fifty years ago make a compelling statement.

In 1950, the average household consisted of almost four people. Most homes were less than 1, 200 square feet and had one or two bedrooms and one bathroom according to the National Association of Home Builders. With a modest home and ownership of a family car, most people thought they had achieved the American Dream.

By 2003, the average household size had shrunk to 2.6 people and yet the size of new homes had doubled. Half of them have at least four bedrooms, all have two or more bathrooms. Americans own twice as many cars per person, multiple TVs, computers, and cell phones. None of this is, in itself  is bad but just how much is enough?

Betsy Taylor, president of the Center for a New American Dream, thoughtfully discusses the changes in American aspirations. For our parents and grandparents, the American Dream meant hope, an unshakeable belief that happiness and security were truly possible. That dream still exists but the original focus on security and personal well-being slowly gave way to an obsession with ‘more’. More work, more material goods, larger cars and homes did not grant contentment or bestow free time.

The disconnect with nature and the waste generated by packaging the goods is almost overwhelming and has polluted every Ocean on the planet. Changing the way one consumes to improve quality of life and protect the environment is not difficult. Going green does not mean deprivation; it means changing habits.

 Simple tips can be implemented as a lifestyle. For example borrow books, CDs, DVDs, and video games from the library and share magazine subscriptions with friends. Use fewer household cleaners; try soap and water, baking soda, or vinegar instead. Share a lawnmower and tools with your neighbors and learn to do your own repairs rather than throw things away. Turn out the lights when you leave a room and use ceiling fans to boost your cooling/heating system effectiveness. Skip prepared and frozen food by making dinners from scratch and utilize leftovers for lunches. Plant a garden and swap produce with neighbors.

With one small baby step at a time, we can preserve the resources of our precious planet.