Juan Miranda
Friday February 27
10:53
This article in the Guardian, a British Newspaper, talks about how people in Minnesota have invested money in transforming their houses or remodeling along the Green building standards. Many families in that are currently fixing up their house or adding rooms to it, like in the case of the Kraft who wanted to add a porch to their house and they chose "green" remodeling to protect their children's health.” In the end the Krafts had a new great room with bamboo floors, recycled paper countertops, solar light, recycled fireplace beams, double-pane windows, extra insulation, a metal roof on the porch and a new high-efficiency furnace and water heater.” This is great because it doesn’t only keep your children safe from harmful gases and glues and other building materials but it is also great for the environment since it uses alternative energy as well use recycled materials that could have ended up in a landfill. I Believe its awesome that people are looking at these projects because even though they have different reasons to do it, whether is the health of their children, the environment, or because the value of the house will increase if done so. It is true that it is more expensive to construct with green building materials but if more people continue and more of these materials are being produce the prices will come down making it more affordable for everybody to purchase. Also people are leading by example and soon their neighbors will copy them and eventually other countries will start doing the same. That is why is important that this article was posted in a foreign news paper like the Guardian, because other people are learning about it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/27/minnesota-green-remodelling
3 comments:
I think it's important to increase awareness and real life examples are always good means to do that. I also agree that it may serve as a catalyst to prompt others to follow suit. It is encouraging to see positive changes towards a more sustainable or "green" lifestyle.
I think the whole "GO GREEN" thing is great, but you're right it's not great on the pockets. I believe this is something that they want everyone to do, but they don't make all these recyclable and solar products affordable. I disagree with the belief that these products will go down because it's shown once people start purchasing more the prices very seldom go down! If you can afford it great, but unhealthy gases and glues for me!
There is actually a clause in the stimulus bill that just passed that provides tax credits for people who choose to make their home energy efficient. This is great news, and this story proves that the "green revolution" is indeed gaining momentum. Hopefully over time it will become more financially feasible to turn your house "green"--all I know for sure is that this is step in the right direction, and I hope it continues to gain popularity.
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