Last month we explored the PrairieMod Principle of "Think Natural." This principle leads us directly into one of the ultimate step in thinking naturally, which is to consider how every one of our lifestyle choices affects our planet. We live in a time when the pressures of energy consumption are only going to become more pronounced and extreme. With our society held captive by the rising costs of fossil fuels, it is only a matter of time when our current lifestyle choices will no longer be feasible. Gas-guzzling SUVs, over-sized homes with enormous utility bills, and product purchases that waste valuable resources are all choices that are in conflict with a natural way of living. These type of choices are based on instant gratification, vanity or excess. The only way to break this self-destructive cycle is to focus on sustainability in what we build, what we buy and how we think. Thus, this month we'll be exploring why the PrairieMod Principle of "Go Green" must be at the very center of every decision we make.
Many people think it’s too hard to buy sustainable products, or give up the perceived benefits of a larger house or car. This is a typical reaction to the thought process associated with short-term benefits vs. long-term benefits. Our society is obsessed with the “quick fix” solution and if we as a culture have any chance for the future we must admit we have a problem and commit to a different lifestyle.
How do we "Go Green" when it comes to our homes? It’s easier to be green, than you think. No matter if you are building, rehabbing, renting or decorating, there are a multitude of ways we can start going green. Some possibilities include:
1. Small is beautiful. Seek out or build appropriately sized homes that fit the needs of the people who will be living in it, instead of gigantic to house your things or because you perceive that it will be the source of your retirement fund.
2. If you are getting ready to build a home, consider a home design that is more in harmony with the site it is to be built on to make use of the natural light, heat and shade.
3. Use natural and sustainable building materials, recyclable where possible.
4. Install high-efficiency appliances and utilities.
5. Landscape with native plants that don’t require lots of watering or chemicals.
6. Decorate your home with products that are made with sustainable materials and are carefully chosen on principle, rather than on impulse. This will help to stem the desire to throw it away when the fad fades.
These are just a few ways to "Go Green" and begin to undo the decades of neglect and destruction we have unleashed upon our planet. We'll be exploring these points and more in the next month as we look in this extremely important principle. Until next time remember--when we harmonize our thinking and our actions, our lives will not harm.
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