Environmental Science Unit 7: Green Living Environmental Science

Sustainable Living A Lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s or society’s use of Earth’s natural resources. Altering methods: transportation energy consumption diet

History 1950’s: Article titled “Living the Good Life” published. Marked the beginning of the modern day sustainable living movement. 1960’s-70’s: Multiple books/articles published about sustainable living… Hippies 1980’s-Present: United Nations held series of conferences focused on increasing sustainability within societies to conserve Earth’s resources.

Where can sustainability be increased? Shelter Power Food Transportation Water Waste

Shelter Sustainable Homes Built using green materials, green practices, and enable a more sustainable lifestyle. Close to essential services (grocery, schools, work, or public transit). “Off-the-grid” homes = Do not require any public energy, water, or sewer service.

Shelter cont. “Green” Homes… Create as little of a neg. impact on surrounding ecosystem as possible. Oriented to the sun (natural shading/wind barriers) Use passive energy methods as much as possible.

Shelter cont. “Total Green” must meet certain criteria: Resource efficient Not compromise indoor air quality or water conservation. Be energy efficient Using as much recycled/reused, locally available, longest lasting materials possible.

Sustainable Building Materials Low VOC Paint Bamboo Flooring Wool Carpeting Cotton Batt Insulation Ecological Concrete Paper Insulation Panels

Green Building Practices Insulation: Strips between rafters/studs Solid (foam/spray) Glazed/gas windows Green Roofs (“living roofs”): Roof made of living material to reduce heat absorption and collect rain water Greywater: Water from washing machines, sinks, showers etc. collected and used for irrigation.

Power Sustainable living requires use of sustainable energy. Renewable power sources (biomass, water, geothermal, wind, and solar). Some produce own or purchase “green” power from power company. 6/50 states do not offer green energy.

Power cont. Net and Double Metering Net metering: uses common power meter that runs forward when power is used from the grid, and backward when power put back (from green source). Double metering: uses two installed meters, one measuring power used, other measuring power created. Energy credits, sell power, charge batteries, etc.

Food Industrial food production: Highly resource/energy insensitive. Heavy irrigation, pesticide/fertilizers, tillage, etc. Average American meal costs 1500 miles, and takes 10 cal of fuel to produce 1 cal of food.

Food cont. Sustainable food: Buying local/seasonal food. Reduces carbon output (less transport) Stimulates local economy. Small scale farmers typically use less chemical/fertilizers.

Food cont. Buying organic: Urban gardening: Based on minimal use of off-farm inputs, and management practices that promotes and enhances ecosystem harmony. Urban gardening: Community/private gardens growing own food.

Transportation Current auto industry is not sustainable. Oil concerns Prices/availability Supply will run out ~50 yrs.

Transportation Alternatives Low-cost public transit Buses, trains, etc. Bike/walking paths Car-pooling Hybrids

Water Currently humans use ¼ of the earth’s total freshwater in natural circulation, and over ½ of the accessible runoff. Increase sustainability by… Home appliance efficiency Outdoor water use Daily water use awareness

Water cont. Toilets account for over 30% of indoor water use. Low-flow (1-2 gal vs. 3-5 gal) Duel-flush (less for #1, more for #2) Showers, sinks, dishwashers Valves/fixtures (low flow) Fixing leaks

Outdoor water use Sustainable use of… Drought resistant plants (less water required) Native plants to area Use of eco-friendly mulch (prevent evaporation)

Waste 3 R’s Reduce: Less materials used (switch to online) Reuse: Produce less trash Recycle: Used products are remanufactured to produce new