Let's Look Ahead

My group members and I have talked about what Elon is like right now and what some of our “green” efforts around campus are. Claire and Steffi were able to dig up photos and archives on what Elon looked like back before this consumerist construction boom and we’ve established that Elon has really built up from what it was. Now I want to look at the options for designing a green community and show some examples of what other communities are doing to become so.

Above is a picture of a house in the trails at Cranberry Springs in Boone, North Carolina these communities are


“dedicated to serving the next generation with integrity, trust and respect, and a pledge to preserve the environment we all share. Each homeowner is encouraged to implement sustainable and renewable energies. We have chosen Building Performance Engineering as our consultant to guide our customers through the process of building a perfect, environmentally friendly home. All homes are designed, engineered and built with the environment and your family's health in mind. During construction, the selected builders practice sustainable site measures and resource conservation strategies. Once the home is completed, a "green certified home" (EnergyStar, North Carolina Healthy Built Home Certification) is more efficient, uses less energy and water, and creates less pollution. Each home is built to meet strict performance guidelines and undergoes third party verification to ensure durability and efficiency.”

http://www.greenecocommunities.com/
 
But does environmental change stop at the construction of houses? While its implied that many of these houses will recycle it got me thinking into what other elements instead of building can they implement? So I found this website and it has thousands of tips for all types of going green, including fashion, food, home and garden, travel etc.
 

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-furniture/green-furniture-basics.html

How do we encourage green all around? Recognizing that one aspect is not enough is something that needs to be encouraged and lobbied for on a local, state, and national level. All of these websites have valuable information that can be presented in accordance with a growing plan for bringing Elon into the future. But who should make these plans, and once they are made where do we take them for their ideas to be initiated?

Janice