*Post has been entered in the Eco All Stars Contest
My first passing glimpse across the lens of environmental awareness occurred in college. The biology lecture was on stewardship...stewardship of the earth. It had never occurred to me that we were the earth's caretakers and that one of our primary missions was to be proper stewards of its resources. The idea was thought provoking but also overwhelming.
According to Miriam Webster's dictionary, a steward is: "one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts." When I googled the term "stewards" on-line, I was surprised to see how closely this word has become associated with the "green" movement and environmentally responsible home design. It makes sense, after all that the earth is the biggest "home" we all currently occupy.
Improbably, it has been our kids who have most actively engaged our conversation about conservation issues.. Perhaps, because they are witnessing an acceleration of chaos which is at least in part due to our inattention as a society to the proper care and feeding of the earth.
Getting high-school boys to talk about most things can be a challenge. So, I was quite surprised by the passion they expressed about green issues. My oldest, a senior feels very strongly about the need to recycle aluminum and plastic because they take forever to degrade. He thinks that it is wasteful not to carpool when you can. I was genuinely surprised when he said this, " Mom, it's important to get as much garbage as you can into the trashcan, plastic takes forever to breakdown. Now...I'm sure that comment was MORE about taking GARBAGE out less frequently; not just out of concern for the planet! But their interest and concern forces me to think and examine my actions.
The passion of a couple of Gen Y kids has put a different spin on the green discussion for me. I don't see the green movement as a series of rules as much as I view it as a shift of paradigm. If the green movement is simply about actions which are deemed environmentally sound, we may fall short of all that is inherently possible in creating an environment that sustains, nourishes and replenishes life. Yes, justice & survival demand that we address issues which devastate life such as the deadly effects of asbestos, lead, radon and black mold. Our quality of life in the future will be largely impacted by our success in debunking the lie that compartmentalizes profits and environmental concerns as unrelated entities. They are not.
But I think expanding our paradigm of the green movement might be useful and bring a deeper level of intentionality to our actions. Green is a state of mind as well as a place of action. Green is a community that is sustained because it honors the fact that it is inexorably intertwined with the success and the distress of others. Green is re-using and recycling clothing which is perfectly good rather than throwing it away. Green is getting out the dinner plates and engaging in conversation with your family rather than always succumbing to the convenience of a disposable TV dinner or Styrofoam plates.
Green goes beyond purchasing the right home and making sure we are not surrounded by toxins. Green is loving ourselves and our neighbor enough to limit our conspicuous consumption. Green is appreciating the earth that surrounds us whether in little patches between the blocks of sidewalk in cityscapes or along stretches of highway which are litter free...because people understand that green is about each of us acting responsibly in the disposal of our trash.
Green is opening the windows to allow the cool breeze to drive out stuffy air from our energy efficient homes. Green is walking the neighborhood, not always driving it. Green is evaluating how we use energy and being conscious of little things we can personally change to be more efficient. Green is about the little things...because everyone's little bit counts.
I think Gen Y will go much further in their holistic understanding of the earth's stewardship than we have ever imagined. It will affect how they address everything, including how they live in and purchase homes. Perhaps, it's because they understand it's their future at stake. Baby Boomers have just begun to explore this concept and we are still putting together the knowledge base which addresses the actions of irresponsibility. But for the profound reorientation needed, this concept will need to be more fully developed. Unlike me, Green for my Gen Y kids is a matter of principle, not theory.
Gen Y are a breed apart, the largest generation to follow the Boomers, they are rapidly re-shaping our world. I can certainly vouch for them re-shaping mine.
For further reference about creating a sustainable planet, visit this site Global Stewards, Environmental Tips for Individuals. What's great about this resource, is that it is a comprehensive list for all sorts of little things you can do to be more environmentally astute. You may find that you are doing more than you thought...and you may get ideas to assist you in doing a little or a lot more.
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Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
Lola, I read this post before I went to bed last night and woke up to see you still don't have any comments. How sad!
This is one of my favorite blogs for the contest, oops, did I let the cat out of the bag. Yep, I'm helping janeAnne out reading and picking out a winner. You are definitely in the running. I love this:
Green is a state of mind as well as a place of action. Green is a community that is sustained because it honors the fact that it is inexorably intertwined with the success
It is exciting to know that the Gen Y'ers are more aware. Perhaps they can teach the baby boomers a few ways to be GREENER!
Nature deserves our respect. Green is a state of mind! It is also something that if you didn't grow up with it, exactly, like myself, you need to make it habit. I have been planning my "wildlife habitat" and have been putting somethings in place in order to make my small yard a haven for wildlife. (My neighbors probably hate me for all the bird pop on their windows and such). I started last fall with simply a bird feeder, and a source of water. It's amazing that when I look out in the mornings over my coffee how I have rabbits and birds, etc. in my yard, while my neighbors yards are barren. I am going to expand with a shelter component, and some other things. I even have praying mantis that I "planted" in my yard for pesky bug control. Good post!
Dena,
Thanks for your comment. This is an area in which I am learning and growing personally. My husband is a civil engineer and has also worked on projects which utlize methods that are proactive & respectful of the environment such as Porous Paving. Porous Paving provides a drainage system that allows water to seep through the pavement of parking lots and roads in a more controlled manner so that traditional detention basins are not necessary. This is because the rain water seeps through the pavement and recharges the ground water in a natural manner. This is a very important technology to control flooding.
Green is impacting our lives in a lot of different ways!
(I had assistance with writing this response....Thanks Clement)
Your comment about modelling our behavior is so true Elena. As I wrote this article and did some research, I realized that even though I have not been a great example in some areas, there are a few things that we were doing right..
Hi Ed, Yes, Marie Catrib's Restaurant right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a wonderful example of bringing "green" successfully into the relm of the marketplace. With the rain garden in her parking lot and the wholesome, delicious food much of which is organic in her restaurant, you can see why her place is popular day & night!
Joan & Melissa, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I didn't grow up with this concept either, however as a child on the continent of Africa we were much more aware of re-using items because it was necessary. Most of the world cannot afford to throw away what we do.
Lola,
I very much enjoyed your post from up here in Northern Michigan, which is turning green as we speak!
Thanks for stopping by Stefan, I heard birds chirping outside my window..yeah the sounds that tell us that spring is on it's way!
Kaye, The truth is that the earth has more than enough resources to support it's population if we choose to be responsible in our stewardship. Several continents around the world could literally feed the entire world if their agricultural production was maximized (including the country of the United States which is just one part of the continent of North America). The issue for all of us is respectful stewardship in a manner that is not marginalized by greed and mismanagement.
Was glad to read this post and blessed to hear your views. (If you got a peek behind the scenes of our lives, you'd wonder how we could survive!) In America, one can live a rich life on just the waste that is thrown away!
Thanks for pointing out perspectives needing to come to the surface... to help jar us out of our comfort zones!
Green is my favorite color....I was born on St. Patrick's Day and my mom named me Patricia. I love the beautiful outdoors, grass, trees, mountains, oceans, etc. etc., I can't imagine the world being any color than green. PS> Cash is the color green too!
PatriciaAulson/CallPatricia.Com
Diane, thanks for a very insightful comment, "In America, one can live a rich life just by the waste that is thrown away." Had never thought about it like that! We are very, very blessed in America.
janeAnne, Thanks for the comment & the challenge to write about an area which has so much impact on how life is lived.
God Bless America!
Patricia Aulson/SEACOAST NH & ME
patricia4realestate.com
Though a lot of the go green movement has some truth to it, most of it is based on junk science instead of any real science. As to man-made global warming, that has yet to be proven. The scientists that say that there is no man-made global worming rely on scientific data while the pro-global-warming scientists are trying to build a consensus as they do not have enough data to support their claim. As far as the hole in the Ozone layer, the Ozone layer has always had a hole in it over the polar regions. This hole has always varied in size. The Sun creates the Ozone Layer. As far as recycling, one has to analyze how much of our resources are saved or wasted by the act of recycling. Recycling steel and various forms of metal almost always save energy, other forms of recycling waste resources. I could go on all night but the main thing is some go green is beneficial while other go green ideas are just plain bunk.
Having said all of that, I have favored environmental-friendly houses since I first started studying them in the 1970s. I just like them!
Hi Gena,
Yes, they are..those Gen Y's have a lot of clout! There's a saying...don't remember the reference, but it goes like this.."And a little child shall lead them". Certainly true here!
Lola - CONGRATS on your 3rd place tie in the "Green Contest"!!!
Ann
Congratulations!! When I first saw this I thought my mind was playing tricks on me... that been here read that feeling...
Did comprehend something new though... GEN-Y is producing little Z's.... How quickly time moves.
Lola...
"STEWARDS of the earth" is the way a prayer I speak each sunday discribes what my role is to be in relation to it.
Those words touch the core of my being...
Me
CONGRATULATIONS LOLA!!!!!
Hi Everyone,
It's 10:30 pm. & I'm just sitting down at my computer after a day that seemed on "fast forward" all day long! What a special honor & delight to find that I'd been selected as a Tie for the 3rd Place Winner in the "Green Is Red Hot" Contest! A special thank you to janeAnne who approached me & several others to challenged us to step out of our "comfort zones" in this area. Also thanks to my Gen Y's who keep me on my toes and continue to motivate me to move forward in fresh, green and innovative ways! I am humbled by the fact that I have so much more to learn. Thank You all very much!
Caleb, Thank you for the supporting role that Active Rain has played in this process...you're profoundly shaping our industry in more ways than you know!
Ann & Joan, Thanks for stopping by & extending your well wishes. I so appreciate your taking the time to do so!
Hi Dan, "Gen Y is producing little Z's" You're probably right; as I did my research on the Gen Y generation, it seems they were sort of named by default. So...it probably follows that they will be producing literally & figuratively little Z's! :)
Craig...Thank You. Your approach to life continues to refresh and inspire me!
Diane, Thank you! Love the teddy bear & how'd you know that flowers are one of my favorite things in the whole wide world! :)
Did you know that during the period of the US spewing its greatest amounts of pollution, we were all told of the impending Ice Age? Now that we are cleaner, and the sun is in a hotter stage, we attribute global warming to our minuscule contribution of CO2 into the atmosphere? On both the earth and mars the northern ice caps are getting smaller complimented by an almost equal amount of extra ice forming on the southern ice caps. What we do agree on is we don't like litter bugs, cleaner burning fuels create better living conditions in the cities. Did you know that it was so warm in northern Europe thousands of years ago that limes grew there. Well, now it is too cold for limes to grow there. What happened?
We do agree, I think, we both don't like litterbugs, smokers that drop lit cigarettes from motor vehicles, cleaner -burning fuels make life in the city more pleasant, and nice clean parks.
Lola,
Congratulations! I like the way you globalized green and related it to som many aspects of our lives.
Hi Lola,
As a father of 5 gen Yers (?) I want to give you a hardy "Way to go!"
In the 70's, while we were listening to Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seger, the green movement was being born. In the 80's and 90's it was maturing. Now it is more than something that a few hippies were concerned about. We have the education and the technology to bring about the changes that are necessary to see a significant part of our culture turn green.
Our children are certainly the futrue!
Thanks Jeff & Eloise! Greatly appreciate your support & well wishes.
John, I have gone to the site & can see that it is going to be very interesting. Thank you so much for the link!
Hi Diane, It's always a pleasure to have you stop by for a visit. I feel indebted to so many excellent bloggers who have shown me the way. I knew nothing about blogging several months ago, but through this network and other sources & books, I have & continue to undergo some extensive education & re-education. I'm about sharing what I know because I've found that I learn best this way. BTW Diane, you've rubbed off on a lot of people here on Active Rain! We appreciate you!
Gena, Thanks for the comments & well wishes. This was a very engaging experience!