Green Perfectionism and editorial comment
The green movement has been going for along time now. The recent up surg has been a healthy push forward for the ideas that have been around for awhile. Maybe it's a generational thing, each generation needs to think it's improving the situation - I don't know. It maybe a healthy thing for the environment to push the proverbial envelope.
Have you noticed that no matter what you read, no matter how much research you do there is always a better method or idea on the horizon? For about two years I worked with and helped a local home builder plan a new subsidiary company to one he had started 40 years prior. His educational and intellectual back ground was environmental. Our plan and accomplishment was to develop three or four floor plans that were energy efficient at a moderate price. We would become the big box store, easy shopping for anybody who wanted a green, energy efficient home. The idea was to educate the public while providing an affordable alternative to the run of the mill housing. Sounds like a good idea doesn't?
The model home opened, ads were placed on radio and in print. The affordable energy efficient house for Southern Colorado was open to the public. But no matter how hard we tried to educate and yes, sell these houses we mostly failed.
We failed for a few reasons.
- 1) Real estate sales in general slumped
- 2) The public wasn't interested in a new idea. They wanted square footage for the money not energy efficiency.
- 3) The public thought (and may have known) more than we did about what they wanted.
- 4) The people who were interested in this type home wanted and could afford a custom house
Recently I had occasion to meet a local home builder. She builds I.C.F. homes and on a fluke she had her homes HERS rated. She was amazed at her accidental scores. But unfortunately, due to the current market she no longer builds. During our conversation we both commented on the same thing. Colorado is a very progressive state, forward thinking if you will. People here have been building Earth Ships here for years. Remember Dennis Weavers recycled can house? But while other states or pockets of areas seem to be thriving on all the "new" technology Coloradans seem to be stagnating. Usually, conversations with somebody hoping to build or a home builder seemed to end up an argument about what is the "best" way to go. Is an organic solution better than a technological one? Passive or Active Solar? ICF or tilt up? On demand hot water or solar tanks? Electric or gas? Solar or geothermal? The ideas and arguments were and still are endless.
I'm finding that all the technology and education going on during this current version of the green movement is stifling people. They are afraid to move forward with their plans because something may change tomorrow. Is the conclusion they make today going to be the right one for tomorrow?
My only conclusion to this issue is to try to keep up with my education, help where I can and proceed forward when I can. The groups on Active Rain like the Eco All Stars are terrific to continue the green education.
Are we all Green Snobs?
What is the perfect "green" answer?
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