The green revolution has been around for a couple of decades now and hasn’t lost any steam. In fact, if it’s anything, it has only gained momentum over the last couple of years. The proof of this is in the number of green companies that have sprung up all over the place. The green revolution describes many things and one among them is green and sustainable design. Sustainable design means architectural designs that focus on building while adhering to environmental principles. It seeks to do things in a way that causes very little ecological impact. Of course, it is virtually impossible to create something, without causing some sort of impact, especially a building. However, by turning away from many traditional methods, the carbon footprint can be greatly reduced.
From Small to Big Decisions
Green and sustainable design can be applied to the smaller things in life, such as the lifestyle choices you make to the way a town or city is planned. Whatever way it is applied, the fundamental principles are all the same. The following is a breakdown of the core principles of sustainable design.
- Use raw materials that have been recycled as much as possible
- Structures should be built to be as long-lasting as possible without frequent maintenance
- When construction is done try and minimize power consumption as much as possible
- Try to do things in a way to minimize pollution.
- Minimize waste as much as possible by purchasing and using only what you need
Shifting Priorities
Those of us who are advocates of the green revolution believe that the planet itself has its own rights. We believe that irresponsible consumption of goods at the cost of our surrounding is no longer acceptable. Therefore, it is the duty of all believers to spread the word regarding what can be done to save the planet. With rising sea levels, warmer climates and increased storms, the writing on the wall is very clear. There needs to be a fundamental shift in humans’ priorities in order to make any sort of meaningful impact. Through social media, this is becoming more and more possible. Society is moving away from consumerism to a more cooperative code of conduct.
The environmental movement is making its way out of the fringes and into the mainstream. In many states, cities, and countries, it has already taken root in the form of laws that have been implemented. For example, in some cities, it is illegal to cut down a tree of a certain size without getting a permit first. Even then, it is difficult to get a permit, unless you can prove that it is an immediate danger to the surroundings. This law has drastically reduced the number of trees that would have been cut down by homeowners for no particular reason, other than aesthetic reasons. These kinds of changes came because people became proactive in trying to make a difference in green and sustainable design.