Going Green

I recently started watching the planet green network on TV - I'm actually watching it right now. You know, I always thought that I was somewhat knowledgeable about environmental topics, but in just a few weeks of watching planet green, I realize how ignorant I really am. I have moved from being unconsciously incompetent to consciously incompetent - I now know what I don't know. We just had our basement remodeled a couple of weeks ago and though we did inadvertently include some green concepts like durable materials (brick on the front of the bar and back splash, bar top made from granite, natural slate on parts of the floor sealed with water-based polyurethane) it was all completely by accident.

We are planning to have our master bathroom remodeled next year and I've already decided that we'll be going green with any future renovation projects - greenovation if you will (just like the show I'm watching on planet green right now). In the redone bathroom, we'll be using a low flow shower head and faucets, a dual flush toilet, low VOC paint, some type of counter top and flooring made from reclaimed or recycled materials, and LED lighting.

Watching this planet green network has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. It's amazing how much of an impact each of us can have on our planet. We don't think about it most of the time or stop to consider it, but that's wrong on our part. We need to stop and think about everything that we do. If each and every person was a little more aware and made a few small changes, the overall impact would be enormous.

I was just recently telling someone that maybe the skyrocketing cost of oil and gas is a good thing. Since the end of the WWII era and the space race against the Soviet Union, the U.S. has lost its way as a world leader. As a culture, we have become fat, lazy, and complacent. We need to take back the mantle of leadership and show the world the ingenuity and inventiveness that our country used to be famous for years ago. We need to explore alternative fuels and energy sources, green construction, and so forth. With the average American really feeling the pinch of oil and gas prices, we may be forced to lead the way if we don't want to watch our economy collapse. I apologize if this post sounds preachy, but I warned you about how my mind works when I'm running.