Posted By jstelmack on 12/27/2009 3:41 PM
Takeoff from another thread....
SierraSkier - I agree with you 100%. It's all about energy efficiency. We have science that quantifies the impact particular materials have on the number of BTU's our home will require. We cannot, however, quantify the value of the warm and fuzzy feeling some people get by using cork floors, recycled glass counter tops, low VOC finishes and shingles made from recycled tractor tires. No one can even define exactly what "Green" is. It usually depends on what they are selling. Nor can we identify how much time the residents of Miami have to become acquainted with Venetian construction techniques because we went "GREEN" and kept the polar caps from melting. It appears that the science supporting all that nonsense is not science at all. It's been about politics, personal advancement and agenda. Early on I chose to identify with my business with energy efficiency and make that the "purpose" for being in business. The term "GREEN", after all this time, still cannot be defined. It's vague at best. The term "Green" is quickly becoming synonymous with Al Gore, redistribution of wealth, unscrupulous scientists and world leaders who have a " not-so positive" agenda. I do not want to associate my business with that negativity. AND I do not wish to sell clients a lie. So everyone knows, I've got nothing against hippies man. I was one groovy dude back in the day. But I woke up. I realized that holding that tree so closely blocked my view of the rest of the world. Plus, hugging trees to tight can scratch the hell out of ones pieces parts!
When a person opens their eyes to see the larger picture, they will see the homeless, the hungry, the sick and impoverished. These are the important things we cannot see with a face full of bark. In contrast, $100 per month saved in utilities is $100 to feed someone the basics for a month.
So... Do we advise our clients to invest in GREEN materials in hopes of saving the planet? Or, Do we advise them to invest in an energy efficient lifestyle with tangible returns? Pick a number, any number, in dollars saved, per year by focusing on energy conservation. Ten Billion?? Makes no difference what the number is. That number can be used to elevate the human condition on a grander scale.
I would happily spend a night in jail just to smack the crap out of some shyster trying to capitalize on an emotional issue by trying to sell me something "GREEN". Matter of fact, I'd spend another night to put it on YouTube as inspiration to others.
John
I agree with most of what you're saying. I've always looked at it like there are 2 categories - green and "green". The things that make your house more energy efficient, use less energy, lose less energy -those are the real ones. Then there are the gimmicks & "warm & fuzzy" things. A perfect example, although not really building-related, is E85 gasoline. Once you realize how much energy it takes to grow & harvest corn, ship it to a refinery, process, etc., you see that it actually uses MORE energy than regular gas. It's all about how someone can make more money.
The one point I will disagree with is that consumers of these products are automatically victims. Buyer Beware is more true now than ever. Now, if people are deceived into buying "green" products, that's another story - but if (what I think happens more than anything) they want to "build green" as a sort of status symbol, to be able to brag to their friends, or just to make them feel better about themselves, that's different. Being deceived & being un-informed are 2 different things, & I think there are tons of people who don't make the effort to educate themselves.