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GREEN
BUILDING FOR WORLD PEACE
By
Thomas A. Hirsch
As a result of the recent terrorist attacks on our country, I
must once again diverge from straight building shoptalk and reflect upon
the larger meaning of my work as a builder. In asking myself why anyone
would take such extreme actions against the United States, I try to
comprehend how we are perceived abroad and what impact our political and
lifestyle choices might have on foreign relations.
This seems to relate, directly or indirectly, to resources that we
use as in construction, how these consumptive habits affect the global
economy and consequently, our national security.
Certainly all of the unfolding events of the past week cause us to
ponder our place in the scheme of it all.
As
Americans, we consume more of the earth’s resources, per capita, than
any other nation. We are more
wasteful and cause more than our share of environmental degradation to the
planet through these highly consumptive, ill-considered patterns.
The building industry is extremely resource intensive and wasteful.
Social and ecological ramifications are rarely considered in the
construction business. Somehow we think it is our God-given right to abuse the earth
and her people to have whatever it is that we might want at the moment.
I
am in no way condoning the horrific actions of these crazy terrorists, but
I can’t help but consider how our actions might create the conditions in
which they can take hold. To
what extent does our incessant demand for petroleum create and justify
foreign policies that hurt people every day?
The
tenets of “Green Building” espouse the values of reduced energy and
resource consumption by:
- building
more energy efficient buildings, systems and appliances
- using
local or regionally sourced materials close to their natural state
rather than materials hauled over great distances and those requiring
intensive manufacturing processes that are polluting, energy
inefficient and deplete valuable or rare raw materials;
- re-using
and recycling materials when at all possible.
There are still many buildings torn down, bulldozed and hauled
to the landfills when, if dismantled with more care, could render a
good supply of totally reusable (and sometimes better!) materials.
Current
building practices put great demand on the energy grid of this country and
consequently our reliance on foreign oil.
Our personal “want monsters” for everything new or something
exotic, rare or simply cheap, can blind us to the fact that maybe these
habits encourage socially unacceptable labor practices of exploiting third
world people and children, or place burdens on depleting resources.
What
happened to the great innovations in solar, wind and alternative energy
systems? Twenty years ago
this was politically favorable and even garnished some tax credits.
Corporate America could not sustain its huge profits with
alternative/renewable energy systems like it could with a fossil
fuel-based economy.
Our
economic system is based on infinite growth and infinite resources.
This way of thinking puts people and the environment at risk while
maintaining the corporate “bottom line”.
Revving up the war machine may “help” our failing economy, but
surely the people and the environment lose big time.
Perhaps
I am treading on dangerous ground here, but I can’t help but look at how
our daily choices affect our health, environment and potentially our
foreign relations. Is it really fair that we use more resources and do
more environmental damage than any other nation?
Sustainability cannot be achieved if the world models itself after
these arrogant and self-seeking ways.
Nor can we sustain the way we are living indefinitely.
Future generations will deal with our shortsightedness if we
don’t.
In
the face of a disaster like we have just experienced and our governments
call for war, we can experience a deep sense of anger, helplessness and
despair. But one response we can
make would be to increase our awareness of our spending habits and make
more conscious and sustainable choices—choices that minimize our impact
on the earth and have a positive social impact.
We
all need shelter. And
although it may not be immediately apparent, the use of synthetically
derived, highly chemicalized and distantly produced building materials
does have an impact on the health, happiness and ultimately the peace, of
our earth and our fellow human beings.
Building our homes can be a creative process that reflects harmony,
social justice and respect for all life on earth.
Harmony
Home Construction, LLC.
8122 Barney Road
Traverse City,
Michigan 49684
Ph: 1-877-45-GREEN Fx: 231-932-9193
info@harmonyhomeconstruction.com
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