I was all set to yammer on about recycling today, but I'm afraid that will have to wait for another time.
I ran across a very cool experiment while doing some research for a project (yet another great thing about university-- I would never have found this if left to myself):
One Tonne Life. It's kind along the lines of
No Impact Man, really; the Lindell family have moved into a newly-constructed, climate-smart house, where they will live for six months. Some major brands, like Volvo and Siemens, have contributed to this project, the idea being (as I understand it) that they can both get their names associated with green living and also can give new, eco-friendly products a test run.
Unlike No Impact Man, the Lindells aren't trying to eliminate their footprint altogether. The goal is to reduce their emissions to 1 ton of CO2 per person, per year (the average person in Sweden, according to the website, produces 7-8 tons per year). The bios about the family that are up right now are really fun, and I'm looking forward to reading more about their journey. Because while I love the earth and encourage everyone to consider the environment, it's the journey itself that's cool to read about. It's the human element-- the impact on one's everyday life to use an electric car, or solar panels, or take a train instead of flying-- that is really what fascinates me. One of the predictions made on the BBC coverage is that the family will spend a lot more time together, which is often the end result of such projects, it seems. And who doesn't want that?
So, tell me: It doesn't have to be environmental, but what's a change you've made in your life that has had unintended, but welcome, side effects?
8 comments:
Hmm, I wish I had something better to say here! When we built our house, we really wanted to put in some great energy-savers, but the cost was too prohibitive, so we just mega-insulated, and constructed our driveway to prevent erosion best we could (we're on a hill). We garden for our own food and raise our own beef (for us and for local distribution) and have a huge garden. And recycle, of course.
erica
Alas, all that eco-friendly stuff is still prohibitively expensive. :( And wow, you raise your own beef? Way to go!
The project runs in Stockholm Sweden. Not in the other country starting with an S that makes chocolate, expansive watches and is further south. Just a thought,, well Since Sweden is much cooler this is also a harder task to reach.
Dangit! Sorry, I had it right to begin with; not sure why I changed it. Will edit.
Hey, do you not have a fb anymore? Because the other option is that you de-friended me...which would make me very sad...
I turned it off for the semester because I have no self-control & don't do my homework when there is FB available. Trust me, if I start unfriending people, you will definitely be on the "keep" list!
Great post.
I grew up on a farm where we weren't connected to the electricity grid or water mains - just our own solar power and water from our dam. It certainly changes your attitudes to things like lights left on around the house if you know they're gobbling up battery power!
I now live in the city, but we recently got a grid-feed solar system installed, and I'm still at the excited stage of going out every day and checking how many kWh (kilowatt hours) we've generated that day...
Very cool! I'd love to have one of those... if I ever own my own home, that is. Or to move into an apartment with one attached!
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