Solar Refrigerators: The Downside

Solar refrigerators or solar powered refrigerators not only use solar energy by using photovoltai...

Sustainable Fashion: The Dilemma

Sustainable fashion or eco-fashion can be defined as the process of making clothes that not only ...

Ethanol Fuels: 4 Advantages & 4 Drawbacks

Green Jobs: The “Greener” Dollar

Sustainable Living: The Green Machine

by: sahil | last updated: March 04, 2010
Category: Green Savings | Tags: green, sustainable living, environment, green savings, sustainable design, eco-conservation, conservation, alternate power

Guide Rating:

Your Rating:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5

0 comments |

Email this guide |

Print this guide

Sustainable Living: The Green Machine

Sustainable living is a concept that aims to reduce the use of natural resources by an individual or by a society. The main objective of sustainable living is to reduce the carbon footprint of people and communities. A carbon footprint is nothing but the amount of carbon utilized by a person or an entity. The larger the footprint, greater will be the damage to the environment. The main reasons for increase in the carbon footprint of a nation or an individual are excessive use of fossil fuels, pollution, environmentally detrimental architecture, and deforestation.

Followers of sustainable living advocate the use of a sustainable design that helps in reduction of the carbon footprint and limits the use of fossil fuels. Also referred to as environmental design, environmentally sustainable design, and environmentally-conscious design, sustainable designs help in developing technology that has minimal harmful impact on the environment. Sustainable design is a broad concept and encompasses using skillful sensitive designs by individuals and business entities to mitigate negative environmental impact.

Sustainable design is a philosophy that can be applied to architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, metropolitan planning, engineering, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, and fashion design. This type of design is a natural response to the harmful effects on environment which have exacerbated the problems faced by Eco-systems and ecologies around the world. Population explosion, deforestation, industrialization, and exploitation of natural resources in an unwise manner have given birth to this concept of sustainable design.

The use of non-toxic materials to manufacture various products, manufacturing energy efficient products, making products that last longer and have superior quality, designing processes that allow recycling and re-use, biomimicry (manufacturing that imitates biological processes), and building sustainable residences are some of the prominent features of a sustainable design. Other simpler and effective methods of sustainable designing are carpooling, using green roofs, harvesting greywater, and xeriscaping.

Waste prevention is also one of the features that will enable living in a sustainable manner. The amount of toxic waste produced in developing and developed countries is definitely having a harmful impact on our environment. Waste prevention can be put into effect by using materials that are either recyclable or bio-degradable. Using these methods of recycling and producing “green” waste is also not very helpful. The best way to avoid toxic waste is not to produce it by using materials that do not cause such waste.

The question whether people and governments around the world can save money by using such designs is an important one. People will not be motivated to apply such philosophies unless some form of financial stimulus is provided. Governments around the world have started giving tax breaks to people who use renewable sources of energy including solar and wind power. Countries such as France have already started to levy a carbon tax which may prevent people from using too much or unnecessary forms of energy sources that increase the carbon footprint.

Sustainable architecture is also one of the important facets of sustainable living and designing. Buildings that utilize lesser power, have green roofing, and have a structure that saves energy which produce a positive energy balance are the epitome of sustainable design and architecture. The idea of sustainable architecture was materialized in Germany where in the city of Freiburg a solar settlement comprising of 59 homes was built over an area of 60,000 Sq. feet. All 59 homes have a positive energy balance and have proven that this type of design and architecture does work and helps in reducing the carbon footprint of that community.

The financial rewards of using such designs and manner of living may not be immediately palpable. However, living in a healthier environment will definitely reduce the illnesses and health issues created because of urbanization and pollution. In countries where health care systems are inefficient or underdeveloped, sustainable living can prove beneficial in the long run. It will also help in setting an example for the next generation and protect them from the consequences of environmentally harmful practices. Sustainable living has not remained an option any more; with the depletion of fossil fuels and with an ever increasing population, this lifestyle may be a bitter but a better pill to swallow.

Cohousing community illustrating greenspace preservation, tightly clustered housing, and parking on periphery, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2003. [Below]

Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/SunwardPanorama2003.jpg