Sustainability - a word whose meaning borders on being an ethical term that encompasses the concept of living in harmony with the natural laws of the environment without depleting resources.
Eco-friendly - a loose term overused and misused in marketing that implies a product or action has minimal to no effect on the environment.
Some trends have really stuck, like jeans and democracy. Others, thankfully, have not stuck such as mullet haircuts and the Atkins Diet. Right now, words like green, sustainable, and eco-friendly are oh so very trendy, but it is inevitable that this “trend” will eventually become ingrained into our society and culture. Children are being taught the meaning of these words in elementary school. When I was a child growing up in the Philadelphia elementary school system some 30 years ago, we were still hiding under desks and building bomb shelters!
As educated consumers we will either make responsible decisions to participate in sustainable behaviors now or the Earth will force it upon us when she stops yielding to our demands. The implications of this reality on our economy is staggering and the effect is global. This trend has serious implications. If an elementary school student can understand that we all can.
On the subject of Real Estate and “green” trends in Philadelphia, rehabbers have an opportunity to create a revolutionary movement toward sustainability and eco-friendly development. We have so many opportunities to recycle homes with sustainable and eco-friendly trends as part of our rehabbing strategy. Even implementing one sustainable design element or system upgrade is a step in the right direction. It takes many little baby steps to eventually walk like a man or woman.
What rehab trends have you seen in your area? Have you had any success stories of retrofitting an existing home to implemented any “green” trends? Tell me about them.
Related: Read more about ways to green your home and green building.
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