One of my biggest personal pet peeves is the ignorant mindset that going green is too expensive. I have heard far too many people say that they can’t afford a more sustainable lifestyle. While although it may be more expensive to buy the initial green products they quickly pay off themselves.
As someone aspiring to one day become an architect; I read many books about sustainable construction. In one of the current books I am reading it goes over the myth of green costing more in light bulbs. While although a compact florescent bulb costs $1.50 as opposed to the $.40 of a standard bulb the extra $1.10 turns into $30.70 savings after running for 7,000 hours. This is all because it is a cleaner lower wattage bulb that is more efficient with power.
I have also read studies where clients have opted to use cheaper building materials and less clean construction methods to save pocket change. This however means that the materials could allergens or even semi-toxic chemicals. This means that the occupants could experience health problems such as asthma (a large problem for urban dwelling citizens due to pollutants). Thus leading to sickness, large medical expenses, and even death. Which could all be avoided if the initial client opted to use cleaner building methods.
The same applies to other products like personal care and groceries. We need to consider if the “bargain” products are good for your body. Are they safe to be around your children and pets? Where animals harmed to create it? How much pollution came to be for you to save those dollars?
Maybe this whole crises thing is a joke and the world will magically not run out of resources but what is the worst that happens if we take care of our selves and the planet.
You are what you eat. You eat healthy you feel healthy. You take care of your body it takes care of you. By spending a few dollars more you could save your self from health problems down the road.
Jonny
Jonny
