Community and where you live in said community goes a long way toward being or not being green. If your home is green, but in a terribly un-green community or you live so far away from everything that you’re driving all the time, it’s just not so eco-friendly. If you’re moving or building a home and want to keep it as green as possible, look for the following community features.

• Plenty of green spaces and a home location that’s close enough to these green spaces to walk or bike to them. Green spaces can include parks, hiking trials, community gardens, and so on.
• Bike paths and some sort of community biking laws. There are some places that are more bike friendly than others.
• Nearby markets, libraries, and other places you frequent.
• Good public transport options – bus, subway, or rail system transport for example.
• Community recycling options and it’s best if your neighborhood offers curbside pick-up.
• A location that’s not heavy on traffic so that there’s less pollution near your home.

You don’t need any of the above to actually commit to a green lifestyle, but when possible these choices will help you live greener and healthier.

More information that can help you choose a green community:

• Green Eco Communities
• 2008 US City Sustainability Rankings
• Learn about public transport in your area
• Top five cities for public transport
• 10 best, worst cities for bike commuting

[image vis stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Find your best green community

Following are 8 ways you can work towards a greener community…

1. Use your voice: Until people start talking about green, changes are unlikely to occur. Tell a neighbor about how you’re greening your life or home; tell two neighbors.

2. Tear down fences: Fences and other home dividers create a feeling of separation. Families in neighborhoods actually used to talk to each other and hang out. Make your home more welcoming to those around you.

3. Plan a school-based carpool with neighbors: Not only does this cut down on gas use and greenhouse emissions, but it builds relationships. Even better, plan a walking pool to school vs. a carpool.

4. Hold an annual (or bi-annual) green neighborhood block party: Hold a green neighborhood barbecue. Have everyone bring a natural or organic dish and make sure you use non-disposable dishes (or at least biodegradable). Gather all the kids (and adults) for a nature walk.

5. Sponsor neighborhood clean-up events: Gather everyone up and clean up the local park. Pick up all the trash in the area. Install easy to see recycling bins. Removing all the junk people leave around is safer for kids who should be playing outside and better for the planet.

6. Hold a green workshop: In New Mexico, it was common to see things like sustainable cob or adobe home workshops in neighborhoods. Your workshop doesn’t have to be fancy though. learn something new, and then show everyone else how to do it. Some easy workshop ideas include:

• How to make paper.
• How to build a rain barrel.
• How to build a solar cooker.

But you can learn and teach any old green thing you like or even hold a workshop that teaches facts, like a field trip workshop to the local recycling center.

7. Start a community garden: Starting a community garden is not as hard as you might think. The American Community Garden Association has a website jam packed full of amazing tips and resources to get you going. Once you’re up and running don’t forget that kids love gardening too. Try out one of these 10 fun organic gardening projects for kids.

8. Plant more community trees: Simple and it works. Not only do kids who live near trees have fewer incidences of asthma, but kids who live near green spaces are healthier and more fit overall. Planting trees is an easy way to encourage green space over concrete space. Learn about tree planting in your neck of the woods.

[image via morguefile]

Post from: Blisstree

Organize Community Based Green Changes

I felt that the show didn’t cover too much in terms of new green ideas per say. There were very few ideas discussed that were new to me, and probably fewer that would be new to the average green builder. What was cool and unique about this show is they highlighted the stylistic trends going on in green decorating. In terms of enticing folks to go green the show packed in a wallop of tips.

Hemp countertops, reclaimed wood and recycled furniture, low VOC paint, sunflower seed boarding, tree branches as curtain rods, and a shower that I was seriously drooling over. I’ve been thinking about this shower all day and I’ve come to the conclusion that before I die I will have one. It was a river rock shower — which many of us have seen before.

Here’s a picture of typical river rocks.

But the folks who built this particular green home had found greens and clear blues and just an overall stunning array of colored stones. Plus they had a great light slate colored grout. I tried in vein to find a picture of this shower to post — but no luck. If anyone knows of a source it’d be cool to let me know.

Another key point the show pointed out was that you have many choices when it comes to the style of green home you might choose.

Here’s one, and…

Here’s another; worried about rain anyone?

I like this one. This house is very cool. It makes up just one house in a neighborhood called Armory Park del Sol in Tucson. After my three year (or so) stint in New Mexico’s blazing summer conditions, I’m the last person to suggest you pack it up and move to the desert. But this neighborhood is so neat. The website gives some information about their homes:

“The solar features of our homes include photovoltaic electric power generating systems and solar water heaters with on-demand water heater backup systems.”

Plus just moving in, makes you eligible for Tuscon Electric Sun Share rebates and tax credits.

They also offer zero energy homes:

“Zero Energy Homes combine energy-efficient construction, equipment, lighting and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems to provide homeowners with annual net-zero energy consumption.

With its reduced energy needs and solar energy systems, a Zero Energy Home (ZEH) can return as much energy as it takes from the utility company on an annual basis.”

Here’s another view of the neighborhood:

Or you could plunk down a terrifying amount of green to live in these New York located eco friendly condo digs, at the The Visionaire.

The Visionaire website is gorgeous — go take a look. But it does look pricey.

All in all, Red, Hot, and Green did get me thinking about what kind of green style I like and to what level I’d take green in my own home. Didn’t see it? No problem, it’ll be on again on July 1 at 5pm ET/PT.

For those who did see it, what did you think of the show? Discuss. Or you can always just leave a friendly tip about how I can get a river rock shower for a smashing good price.

Post from: Blisstree

Green Is The New Black