What's New is Old

As a child of the 60's & 70's growing up in California I am a product of the original "Green" movement: "Save Our Coastline", "Save the Whales" "Ecology Day" , etc. Social movements and peace movements were the way in which young idealists got out the word, protesting everything from war and nuclear weapons to deforestation and the need for cleaner national and local parks. It was the birth of Earth Day and many conservation groups, most notably Greenpeace.


We thought we were conservationists, but I think most of us were more into the idea of the cause rather than the practice of conservation. We spent designated days cleaning up the beach, the road, the water but never really stopped using the products causing the problems. It was about being heard, protesting, bringing attention to the problem, not finding a long lasting or "Sustainable" solution.


What's new is old. We are "Green" again, but now it's more mainstream to have solar energy or to use biodegradable products. Instead of strictly conserving or not using resources, we are balancing the use of these products with our lifestyles. We are becoming Sustainable.



Sustainability is defined as "the ability to satisfy the basic needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs.(1)" This is often defined as people, planet, and prosperity. It's no longer an all or nothing solution, it's about using and reusing what best suits our individual lifestyles.



We want "green" homes, but what does that mean? Is it enough to have energy efficient appliances and windows? For some it is, but others may need rainwater collection systems and xeriscaped lots. Or do you want all the building material in your home locally harvested? Maybe you just want low VOC paint and no carpet, there is no wrong answer.



We can be as much or as little "green" as we want and it's okay. The options and sources are out there, it's just a matter of education and practice. So if you are ready to start "greening" your life take baby steps. Start with grocery sacks or recycled paper, change out your light bulbs or toilets. For a list of Green resources go to my website under Reports and click on Central Texas Green Resource Guide. (http://www.susanavant.com/)





(1) United Nations "Our Common Future, Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development," 1987. Published as Annex to General Assembly document A/42/427.