Have you ever noticed how most (not all mind) people living in cities, are miserable and walk around with their heads down, never smiling, always ignoring each other, forever in a rush to get somewhere that they do not want to be? And then you go into the country, where the farmer leans on his gate, a blade of grass sticking out of his mouth, and waves, with a "cheerio" thrown in, as you pass him by?
Have you ever noticed how, when you sit under the canopy of a tree, and listen, you find a smile spreading across your face, because the grass smells so sweet, and a vast variety of birds are singing? Compare that to the concrete city. What do you hear, what do you smell? Cars roaring past? Exhaust fumes blocking out the other, more delicate smells? The occasional town pigeon, and if your lucky, maybe a seagull too?
I mention these things, because the green of nature, so full of life, can always make us smile, even on a bad day. What does the concrete city make us feel? By surrounding ourselves with a greener world, we become happier people, and in being happier people, there is a lot less stress associated with life. People become calmer, so arguments and fighting are reduced. Because we are happier with the world around us, we help each other more, and by helping each other more, the world becomes a more beautiful place to live.
Then there are the benefits of growing our own food, which means less bills, so we do not have to work as hard, allowing more time for ourselves. Likewise with using solar technologies to heat water and power our lights. So far, just doing these simple things, means that we can afford to work just 4 days a week instead of the normal 5, and still be better off financially.
But what else could we do? Compost toilets maybe, which would mean our rivers are cleaner, because the sewerage and chemicals used to treat it are not dumped in them, which would also mean, we would be able to eat the fish that live in the rivers. Hmmm… not only do we stop paying another bill, in waste water management, we also get fertilizer for the fruit trees (perfectly safe this way), save more money on food, and get to appreciate all the things in life, that modern day living is trying desperately to get us to forget. Maybe some of the trees we plant in our neighbourhoods are fruit and nut trees. Now wouldn’t that just be perfect, when after a day out in nature ( a free day you wouldn’t have otherwise had), catching your fish for supper, there is a lovely fruit tree with glistening pear on it, waiting for you to pick it quenching the thirst of your dry mouth. This extra time on our hands must be a good thing ~ it means that we do not need to rush through our daily lives as though it is a race. We can slow down ~ and be even happier.
Hmmm… maybe going green isn’t such a bad thing after all? …
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Attention all brownstone daydreamers (if you’re eco savvy that’s a plus)! Pulse follows green builder Blake Holden as he turns a dilapidated Brooklyn brownstone into a vintage green home for the average New Yorker. Blake guides us into the construction site and through the renovation process for a peek at all the ways this eco living space is building on solid foundations. While reclaimed wood and materials preserve the look and feel of a classic brownstone, energy-saving features like blue jean insulation and radiant floor heating minimize the home’s carbon footprint. And natural building materials prevent toxic indoor air pollution, ensuring a safe, healthy living environment. The end result? The family home, recycled.
Learn more about The Eco-Tones here:
Learn how to make your flat more eco-friendly with help from the friendly residents of Toroa House.
