How a Green Consciousness Can Revolutionize Our Communities

How a Green Consciousness Can Revolutionize Our Communities

At no time in history has it been more important to initiate a “green consciousness” at the local and community level. Why? Simply put, the proverbial handwriting is on the wall for entire nations, starting in our homes and spreading to our communities.

The Handwriting Is Already Legible

Water Consumption: In spite of the fact that over 71 percent of the earth’s surface is water, only a limited amount of the water is actually usable for human or animal consumption; however, it is possible to change seawater to potable water after processing it through a costly desalination plant.

During the summer months alone, households increase their water usage by irrigating lawns, taking longer and more frequent showers, washing cars, putting out the rubber wading pool or cleaning and filling the backyard swimming pool.

Part of the Solution

Although the task seems daunting, and well it is in many cases, the solution may rest in part in having a “green consciousness” initiated by institutions such as government, schools, community organizations and even places of worship.

In addition to these agencies mentioned, the end results of having a more concentrated effort made by residents themselves can and will make a significant difference in revolutionizing our communities.

Not only can we contribute to a growing green consciousness by adapting our daily habits to the most sustainable options, we can also make a major difference by committing ourselves to a green-collar career. Higher education options such as a civil engineering master’s degree can help craft a generation of green-savvy inventors and designers who have the potential to fundamentally change the ways we organize our societies.

Those working green-collar jobs work the front lines in the struggle to transition to more sustainable technologies that make sense in the long run.

Being Sustainably-Minded

Just implementing an organized, concentrated effort to be sustainable, in the true sense of the word, can impact our lives and extend the life of our planet as well. If you build a tiny home, less material is being used in construction. Moreover, less energy for heating, providing general overall power and less waste results as well.

Presently, residential homes produce an estimated 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in America. As they do, 28,000 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere. By promoting the construction of tiny houses that generally produce a mere 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, you can see how the carbon print is reduced significantly.

Moreover, by adding trees and plants to work spaces and the landscape, air pollution lessens, there is a reduction in heat buildup and energy costs come down. Amazingly, a rooftop alone that’s painted green reduces energy consumption by up to 50 percent.

Local farmers markets serve another viable purpose by eliminating food waste and shortening transportation costs in delivering food sometimes over 1,000 miles on an average.

The solutions are plentiful, but the inclination has been lacking compared to the necessity for action. However, new environmental-friendly technologies, products and services can make the difference in effectively stewarding the planet’s resources at all levels in our communities.