Combining Livability and Sustainability

June 12, 2008

After returning to the national spotlight with his Oscar-winning film “An Inconvenient Truth”, Al Gore found himself in hotter water than the frog in his presentation for a few less-than-eco-friendly decisions he’d made in his lifestyle.

There was that carbon-heavy jet flight to India to speak to only 100 people, then there were the royalties he collected from a zinc mine in Tennessee. But perhaps most memorably, there was his estate outside of Nashville, which racked up a jaw-dropping $30,000 a year in utility bills. That’s not exactly music to the ears of the millions of his fans trying to limit their shower time each morning.

In the end, as we all know, Gore greened up his act. But the story serves as an important model for those trying bring ideals of environmental advocacy into alignment with the way they carry out their lifestyles. Homes dictate a tremendous amount of a person’s environmental impact, yet seldom do their green aspects draw as much attention as they should. But through careful planning—and more importantly, careful use—houses can be as sustainable as they are livable.

For flooring, steer clear of hardwoods—deforestation is a major cause of global warming, and reversing global warming pollution from this source is one area where the US is actually a world leader. Instead, a bamboo floor will beautifully fit the bill—even taking into account the distance it has to be shipped. Bamboo grows quickly, creating an impressive carbon sink as it stretches skyward, but be wary of the processes used to manufacture it; low-formaldahyde glue floorings will cost a bit more, but be worth it for the environment.

For windows, always go double-paned, and be sure to buy mosquito screens for the top and bottom sections of the window, so that they can each be opened simultaneously, creating air circulation. Ceiling fans and screen doors will also help with this process.

As the heat picks up this summer, many will be tempted to turn to the cool blast of the air-conditioner, but in places with reasonable night-time temperatures, which is most of the United States, cool night air can be trapped and preserved by drawing shades and closing windows each morning. For those evenings where it’s just too sticky to sleep, a good fan can provide a cooling breeze at a fraction of the power consumption of even the smallest air conditioner.

Most importantly, though, purchase quality materials and products that are durable and easily repaired. Though it may cost nearly as much as purchasing a new unit, repairing damaged goods reduces landfill crowding, prevents the possible release of many toxic chemicals, and saves the energy require to build and ship a replacement part, material or appliance.

Photo by Danielle Johnson